I have been reading this site for weeks and I am learning a great deal. Though the closer to surgery I get the more I worry that this may not be the right decision for me. Any feedback would help me.:rolleyes2:

Hi and congrats on preparing for a lap band. Why so worried the closer it gets? The way I looked at is was ; yes there are complications but there are also many dangerous complications for staying overweight. Think optimistically, there is only a very small chance for complications. Enjoy this right now, this is the start of a happier and healthier life. Good luck.

Thanks for the feedback, I guess I am worried about all of the changes, did you have any problems with the pre-op diet, or the post-op frist four weeks, also do you have problems with excess skin. Thanks for any info you can offer:tongue2:

Excess skin is going to be a problem if you are obese and you lose weight regardless of how you lose weight. As for the pre and post op diets...I'm starting week 2 of my post op diet. It is not fun, HOWEVER, it is such a small price to pay if it means getting my life back...for all the times I stuffed my face, I'm a little hungry right now and will be for another week...After that, the band will be my friend, it will be a part of me for life and it will comfortably help me control my portions, thus my calorie intake. I hope you stick with it...dieting doesn't work for 94% of people long term.

Why are you second-guessing yourself? Think about these things carefully: #1 Are you actually carrying more concern over having SURGERY and concern over possible problems? #2 Are you afraid that, having failed at other attempts to lose and keep off weight, you will be the one person this won't work for? #3 What changes concern you the most? Name them, think about them.

I weighed 284 at the date of my first consultation. My surgery was February 10. I've lost 51 pounds to date. So far, my skin is not loose. I was advised by my surgeon to be realistic about this issue....that some loose skin is possible after all because I am 58 years old. And, he said he asks his patients, regardless of the WLS they choose, to wait 2 years after reaching goal weight to have loose skin removed because it will continue to shrink back down well after you reach goal weight.

My pre-op diet was 2 whey Protein shakes a day and 2 lean meals (3 oz of lean protein and a steamed veggie). It wasn't horrible, I lost some weight, I actually started feeling better AND I knew it would be over soon.

Post-op was 10 days of liquid, with the first 3 being Clear liquids. I was not the least bit hungry at first because my stomach (as yours will be) was swollen and I just didn't care about "eating" but drank all I was instructed to drink to keep myself healthy. By the 10th day, yes, I was hungry but I also knew that when I went to the doctor that day I would be advanced to mushy foods. Within 10 days after that, I was eating most "regular" food. There's not much I can't eat (soft bread is, however, completely out the window).

You are right, I guess I am most afraid of failing, again! More than anything I want this to work and I am willing to do whatever it takes, my thanks to all for the support!!!:rolleyes2: