Hi, I'm just starting to think about lap-ban surgery. I am 38 & have recently broken the 200lb mark (only 5'3.) That was kinda a bench mark number for me. My weight has not been a life long struggle. I've wrestled with 10-15 pounds since college but after my daughter was born (she's almost five) the weight piled on quickly. I used to be very active & atheletic & would like to get back to that. Plus, I'm just feeling sluggish & not great. I want to be active & healthy for myself & my kids. My son (7y/o) has high functioning autism- I think contributes to some of my weight gain. My focus has been on him for the past several years. I've done that at the expense of taking care of myself & using food as a form of stress relief.

I wonder what is life like after the surgery? After you're well healed and weght lose is moving in the right direction- can you have a somewhat normal eating pattern? I assume you'll always need to eat small meals but can you eat regular types of food? I like to cook & grow veggies in the summer- could I eat a salad, go out to dinner with my husband, share an ice cream with the kids on the boardwalk or will I have to live on Protein drinks forever? I really would look forward to healting healthy foods -I'm not concerned about having to eat a healthy diet. I am concerned that the surgery would mean not participating in things like family holiday dinner etc- ie I'll stand out cause i'll only have a pine float (toothpick & water) at every occaision.

If anyway has thoughts/experience on those concerns, I'd appreciate your input. Thanks, Jen

A pine float - LMFAO! I have never heard of that before. Is that a regional saying? Too funny....

As far as the band goes, I personally can eat almost anything, if I follow the rules (eat slowly, small bites, small portions, no drinking with meals, etc). Some very soft doughy breads and very very dry meats sometimes give me trouble, but that's about it.

A good first step would be for you to attend an informational seminar in your area. That'll give you the opportunity to ask specific questions to a surgeon, as well as giving you an overview of band life. Good luck in whatever you choose!