Hello, I have an appointment with a local physician regarding the lap band. I am very nervous and skeptical about the whole thing. I just turned 40 and due to a medical condition I am a stay at home mom. Well.... I have gained alot of weight I weigh 214 lbs. I know I have to lose this weight for medical reasons. I need to get to atleast a healthy weight of 145. I had a friend who has had the lapband done about 8 months ago...she is not having any luck...and very very disappointed. She told me that she regrets it and has suffered from burning in her throat and constantly throwing up her food....this has really scared and discouraged me.

I just want to know if this procedure really works or is it just something temporary? Need your HONEST advice.

Thanks soooo much,

Hope

Well let me tell you of my success. I was banded on Oct 9,2008 and I am down almost 60 lbs. Mind you I am a guy and guys tend to lose weight faster than women. That's just the way it is. I have not Bp'd one time. This is because I follow the rules of the band. I eat six times a day around 4oz each time. Never eat junk, as my surgeon would say 'food is fuel'. So I tend to always eat very healthy protein and complex carbs. I also work out 5 times a week. Started the first month with just walking then after six weeks I started working out at the gym. Your friend is not following the rules and it sounds like they are too tight. If you follow the rules of the tool, you will lose weight. Start out slow and progress at your own pace. I was banded because I needed help. l actually lost 165 lbs without the band and gained it all back. So I said to myself, 'Its time to make a permanent change.' If you think you can just get a band and poof you are skinning you are mistaken. It takes hard work and detication. Good luck....P.S. Getting the Lapband was the best decision of my life.:tongue2:

I have to agree that getting the band was the best decision I ever made. I had my surgery in June 2008 and have lost 40 pounds. I love my band. When I do eat to fast or do not chew my food well, then yes it will come back up...but it is not that bad. It is not like throwing up, it just pops back out, kind of hard to explain. Anyway, the band is a great tool for me, it let's me be in control of my eating for the first time in a loooong time.

Lucy