I am new to the group and am investigating having a Lap Band Surgery because I am tired of all my health problems and being overweight. I am "blessed" with hypothyroidism on top of high blood pressure and ovarian tumors. Anyway, I am looking for a doctor in Indiana or Illinois. Can anyone assist and also tell me what I am in for. I am about 240 lbs. If this is somewhere in a range where you started, can you tell me how much you've lost and how long it took? Thanks for all your assistance.

Hi there,

You can find loads of personal experiences just by looking through the current and older threads. Welcome to LBT!!

Hi. I was 236 on 2/16/05 and today I am 220. Your in for a big change. A good change. It will be a challenge at first. You will miss eating the way you do now, but with any diet, you have to change your eating habbits. That was the most difficult part for me and I cried the first 2 weeks and thought,"what the heck did I do". However, the first 2 weeks are just liquids (shakes, soups, etc.) and that was difficult for me. It became a little easier at the mushy food stage, and now that I can start solid food again, it feels even better. With your health problems, I would totally recommend this to you. your blood pressure will drop, it may even help your ovarian tumor problem. I was in the E.R last week for bleeding for 3 weeks and lower left abdominal pain, I found out that I had many ovarian cysts and they wanted to see if it was cancerous. Fortunately I am okay. However, they told me that it is a good thing that I have the band because now I will be losing weight and it's usually the overwieght women who have more problems with ovaries. So make a list of the pro's and pro's. What will you benifit from the band?, and what will you benifit without it? What ever has more benefits, I say go in that direction.

If you go to http://www.lap-band.com it has a locator that helps you find a surgeon in your area. Good Luck! There are a few in IL on that list.