I'm 22 and weigh 333lbs, I've had two misscarraiges and my husband and I are thinking of trying to have a baby.

I'm brand new to this site so sorry if I'm posting the wrong place...I'v been researching the lapband for about a year and I think I want to have it done. I know my insurence will not cover it (insert very not nice word here) but I am willing to forgo the cost if it helps me get this weight off.... I have some questions though, number one: Am I too young to have the surgery? Number two: should I have band before or after trying to have baby? number three: can you drink liquids while you eat after you have the band? someone told me you could never drink liquid with your meals every again and that kinda threw me... also will I ever be able to have a very small portion of steak again? I love steak.... I know these are kinda stupid questions but I want to be smart and go into this will as much information as possible. Greatful for any tips, answers and info.

Angelia

Hi Angelia -

Welcome to the site. I'm not banded yet, but will try to answer your questions. I'm sure someone a little more experienced will follow and can offer their advice too!

You aren't too young for the procedure. If it was an insurance issue they usually require you to be 18 (at least mine does.) I wish this had been available when I was your age!

My surgeon did say he lets his patients know they should wait 1 year after surgery before getting pregnant.

About drinking at mealtime, surgeons seem to vary somewhat in the time frame given, mine says no drinking 30 minutes before or after a meal . I've already made that change and it really isn't a big deal. You get used to it. If you drink during a meal you wash your food through the band too fast and it doesn't leave you feeling full - which is the whole purpose of the band.

About the steak- you'll find as many different answers as you find people. Some say they are able to eat it, others can't. My surgeon said to plan to give it up, that if you can eat steak you don't have enough restriction. Again, I'm not banded yet so can't tell you my personal experience with that. I'm not a big steak lover so that one doesn't bother me a bit.

However, the band does mean giving up certain things including soda. Otherwise, after surgery it seems to be a lottery as to what foods each individual is able to tolerate. You just have to go into it realizing there are things you may not be able to have again (best to think worse case!) but the trade off is a healthier you.

Hope this helps some.

Edited November 19, 200817 yr by bambam

Hi, I am older than you and if they did have the lap band around when I was your age, I would not have thought twice about it. We dont have children, we tried and I nearly died from a DVT - blood clot (caused by infertility treatments). Had to have surgery to remove clot. Along with other health problems. I have read 4 books so far about the Lap Band, besides helping diabetes, high chol. & trig, high blood pressure, It helps alot of women to lose weight and then they become preg. I am having the surgery in the beginning of 2009 Jan or Feb. Cant Wait

Am I too young to have the surgery? No, Not too young, I believe there is even a few teens that get the lap band.

Number two: should I have band before or after trying to have baby?

You are young, I would go with the lap band first, lose the weight, have a easier & healthier preg. ( I said in my other post that lot of women get preg. after the lap band and lose weight)

number three: can you drink liquids while you eat after you have the band?

My surgeon said not to drink for 1/2 hour before meal and not to drink for an hour after a meal.

also will I ever be able to have a very small portion of steak again?

Some people can tolerate meat others cant. If it is really tender and chewed very, very well you could try.

Get a few books, WLS for Dummies has so much info. After the surgery I will be referring back to it. It even has menu samples of what to eat for a week.