Hi,

My doctor has now twice recommended I think about getting 'banded' and I want to learn more about the procedure, recovery times, long-term changes required in lifestyle, side effects and weight loss.

I have always been overweight. I was a US size 10 by the age of 10 and have been a 14-16 since middle school. I now live in the UK and - even though I have dieted since childhood - find myself gaining weight. This is in spite of a strict 1200 calorie and <10 grams of fat per day diet for the past 5 months. During that 5 month period, I have put on 35 pounds. I don't eat a lot and rarely eat 3 complete meals a day. After quite a bit of testing and specialist visits, I've been diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome and severe insulin resistance as well as borderline Diabetes and PCOS. All of which is confusing, but at least I finally know what's wrong.

The medicine (Metformin) seems to be working so far. I've weaned myself on to it over the course of 4 weeks and have lost 18 pounds since beginning. That said, I am still right at 200 pounds and 5'7" tall.

The Endocrinologist that has diagnosed me has gently pressed for me to consider the Lap Band and I have a follow-up visit in August when I'm expected to give him my 'decision'. I don't know anyone who has one and would really like to learn more. I have read all of Wikipedia about the surgery and effects, but that doesn't really tell me what I need to know. This seems like a good place to start and I look forward to learning more.

All of that is a really long way of saying hello and letting you know a bit about me.

Thanks and I look forward to chatting.

Stephanie

Welcome Stephanie!

This is a great place to learn about banding as well as find support while you go through the pre-op & post-op.

One thing to remember as you read through the board: a lot of folks get worried because it seems, from reading the board, that most people have complications of some sort. That's not really true -- it only seems that way because people come to the board for support when they do have complications. Especially if you are reading in the Complications section of this board.

The band really works for dimming hunger and controlling portion sizes. I also had borderline diabetes and PCOS. My glucose levels have been normal since a few months after banding, I started ovulating and having regular periods a few months after banding too. Still hairy though. Oh well. That's what laser removal is for, right? :ohmy:

Now I'm working on my cholesterol, which is just a tiny bit high lately although it was normal for awhile. It definitely came down since banding but I'm still overweight and my doc thinks that once I'm in my normal weight range it'll correct itself. I'm not so sure, since sometimes it's a genetic thing.

Good luck with your research! Do you have specific questions, or are you wondering more whether this would really help you?

Here's a fun thread: before and after pictures.

A big PCOS thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f175/those-who-have-pcos-44999/ although there is a whole PCOS section of the forum that you have probably already discovered.

There's a big thread on "would you do this again" that I can't find, but it's worth reading! Maybe you'll run across it while you are reading through the board.