I have been researching different band topics on this website for about 2 months. I have finally made the decision to take steps toward the surgery and I am in the process of getting my initial surgical consultation.

I have struggled with my weight for 20+ years and am tired of the struggle. I know the lapband isn't a magic pill, but I need this additional tool to get my weight off. I look forward to any advice you can give me. I'll keep you posted!!

Welcome to LapBandTalk!

Congrats on making the decision to get WLS. My advice to research everything, including all the surgeries, and then once you are sure about everything, don't look back!

Where are you considering having it or have you already had it now? If so where? I am considering the Weight Loss Surgical Center.

Stefani

Congratulations on your decision. No, the band is not a magic pill. You will see it often described as a tool. It is how you use the tool that will make the difference. My main problem was portion control. In my head I knew what I should eat, not that I always did that, but even when I did I ate too much. The band helps me say whoa, you have to stop now. It also, for me, makes it harder to eat some of the foods I ate before, because they would get chewy and get stuck (you will eventually experience getting stuck, having pb's--productive burps--not exactly vomiting but the food that is stuck sometimes will come up with an impressive amount of saliva, which we call sliming--won't kill you, just give you a reality check that you can't eat like you used to). Consequently I don't eat bread much at all, Pasta only rarely, same for rice. You will learn to eat more slowly, and chew more, all important for comforatably filling your pouch and not getting stuck.

Also important are the resources available to you: your surgeon, support group, this message board, books, magazines (OH magazine is good--go to obestiyhelp.com for info; also WLS Lifestyles--I think they have their own web site or you can find it on some of the bariatric food sites, such as bariatriceating.com)

Lastly, exercise. You really need to make a committment to exercise regularly. You don't need a fancy, expensive gym membership, unless that is what you want and can afford. I mainly walk, just about every day, in a park near home. They have a nature trail, a little under 2 miles in length. I try to do at least twice around, more if I have time, and I carry peanuts for the squirrels and ducks, so I don't walk all that fast. For back up in bad weather or winter when there is no daylight, I belong to Curves, I recently joined the local rec center fitness room (all of $2 a month--treadmills, bikes, elliptical, weights) and I have a multiclass ticket for Water aerobics at the local aquatic center. The walking only needs a good pair of shoes, Curves is about $29 a month (if you get the Lapband AP, check Allergan's web site lapband.com for info on 2 weeks free and a discount on monthly fee at Curves), the rec center cost me $16 for the year (I joined May 1st and they prorate the $2 per month). The water aerobics was the most expensive, about $110 for 20 classes. You don't need to spend a fortune.

I hope this helps. Good luck on your journey.

Thank you so much for all your advice. I know it will not be an easy road and I will have to work to make it work. It is nice to hear what you go through after having the lap band.

Wow you statistics are very motivating. Congratulations on your success! I hope mine is half as good!:thumbup: