Hello to all,

I am a 57yr. old Mom of 5 children and live in Upstate NY. I am in the very beginning stages of my lap band journey. I have been to the info. seminare and nutrition consult. My PCP has recommended the band to me, as I have been struggling for quite some time with weight gain problems. I weigh 227 and am 5'3.

I found this site and am hoping to get some input from others who may be about my age and how the band has worked for them. Needless to say, I am scared! BUT, I still have 3 children at home and my youngest is 12yr's old. Many of my family members are not supportive of the band and my husband is "on the fence" but supportive about what ever will help me get healthy. So, questions~~~~~

What is life like after the band?

Is it difficult to adjust to foods?

Does it really have a high percentage of slippage?

and I guess the big question is ~~~~ If you had the chance to choose again, would you opt for the weight watchers plan or have the band?

I am just trying to get started on my journey. I hope I hear from some of you folk's I have not met anyone that has had the band!! Thanks so much!! ( I'm going to have to figure out how to navigate this site, I am not too cyber space oriented)

Hi fallqueen, I am 51 yrs old and I was banded on 06-17. It has been a journey and it isn't easy but I wouldn't change it for anything. In my opinion you have to want it bad enough and be willing to change your way of life. For me, it wasn't difficult to adjust to foods. But in the beginning the first thing I did was clean out my pantry and take all of the no no foods to the food kitchen here in my city. Now, since I have been banded a few months, I have allowed some of the foods back in for my husband but to be honest I have found that I just don't miss them. I went through so much with the surgery, expense and effort that I don't have the desire to mess it up. Also, when I get on the scale it is a huge incentive to keep going. Good Luck and keep us posted.

ever will help me get healthy. So, questions~~~~~

What is life like after the band?

Is it difficult to adjust to foods?

Does it really have a high percentage of slippage?

and I guess the big question is ~~~~ If you had the chance to choose again, would you opt for the weight watchers plan or have the band?

Life after the band is a little different. You have to think about what you put in your mouth vs just eating whatever whenever. For me, the band has helped me make healthier, more nutritious choices. I have always loved cooking, but love it even more now. I still go out to eat. I dont feel like everyone is looking at me thinking I am not eating enough. I am open with my choice about the band, and if someone asks how I have lost the weight, I tell them. No secrets.

Some foods you do have to adjust too. You have to eat things like meat slower. put down your fork in between bites. Dont drink with meals. Until you get a good restriction level though, you will be able to eat most foods like normal...and you have to use your will power to say no.

The rate of slippage varies, most will say about 5%. A lot of times slippage is caused by PBing (throwing up), overeating, ignoring the signs of the band being too tight. You need to take care of your band.

Would I opt for weight watchers? Uh...hell no. (excuse me language). Do you know the statistic for the number of people that lose weight the "traditional way" and keep it off? About 5% as well. I have tried many diets. Losing the weight is the easy part, keeping it off is where I fail.

You will meet lots of people who dont understand why someone would undergo surgery to lose wait. You will hear "Why cant you just do it with diet and exercise". Poo poo to these people. You have to do what is right for you.

I hope some of this helps. Ask your doc and there staff tons of questions as well. Do they have a support group for Weight loss surgery? Most hospitals do. That might be something you should look into so you can meet others with the lapband.

Good luck!

Amy

Life After the Band: only difference for me is no carbonation. Don't care about soda... miss beer. Other then that, I am amazed how it is the same you just eat less.

Adjusting to foods: I have not had a problem with any foods at all. I have eaten anything I want.

Don't know the percentage of slippage.

If I had a chance to change it: First thought is no. My only other thought is I might have looked a little more into the sleeve just because it may be faster. Plus my insurance did not cover it. But what is faster for me is not faster for others and visa versa... There are plenty of people on this site that have lost weight just as fast as peope with all the other wls... so its is different for all.

Now that I am on this journey, I am so excited to get it over with and get on with my life. This is the first time in my overweight life that I know I will finally see the other side. So that just makes me want to get this done... I also have my husband and my son that have done this with me all within a two week time span (june 09) and my husband says the same thing and my son only being 19 would not have done anything else but the band and I understand that.

It is still diet and exercise that makes this work. It's not magic. No matter what comes out on the market for weight loss it always comes down to eating right and exercising, bottom line. The band is just a tool that helps stop hunger and that is half the battle. The other half is in your head and why you are overweight anyway. Both have to be fixed or it won't work or it will just come back again someday. Also until you get your band to the right fill amount, it takes just as much will power as regular dieting. I don't think we are told that enough pre banding, but it's reality. Or it is for the three post surgery people that live in my house.

So with that said... Go for it and don't look back. You do what the dr's tell you and it will work. Start exercising immediatly... I waited for about 6 weeks just out of laziness and that is six weeks closer to my goal. I started exercising at the YMCA 14 days ago and I have not missed a work out. I give my self two days off each week. I hate exercise but for some reason this time, I am getting addicted to it. I think it's because AGAIN I know I will complete my mission.

Good Luck to you...

I'm also just getting my pre-op appointments out of the way and the same as the OP I am 5'3" and weight 231. I have been dieting since I was 10.. literally have tried everything! WW, Jenny Craig, Optifast, Medifast, etc etc...

I just can't stand the yo yo dieting and I'm willing to take the slight risk's associated with the surgery to be happy and healthy. I'm sick of food running my life and I'm worried about my health as I get older. Right now I'm 40 going on 41 in another 2 weeks so I want to gain control of this now.

My family who knows about it is supportive. My mother and boyfriend. I honestly haven't told anyone else. I'm a private person and really don't care about what they think..may sound harsh but that's just me. I'm sure once I'm thinner and healthy they'll be going "oh wow... you did the right thing" but for now I just told the most important people in my life. I have also told people at work, I work as a CNA and will be out for probably 2 weeks and for the most part they are supportive. Asking basic questions but none of them have weight issues and I have researched this and I'm positive this is what I NEED to do.

You will do great and so will I.

Hi there! Just adding my 2 cents.....

I'm happy w/ my band.

I have no problems w/ any food & can eat just about everything. Which is not always good. I don't think I keep my band as tight as some people. My weight loss has been on the slower side but this is my own fault. The band can help w/ hunger but not cravings & "Head Hunger". I still am glad I chose the band. GOOD LUCK!!

Hi there! I am not in your age range but I wanted to chime in as I noticed some of the other posters were in the very high BMI range prior to surgery. They will lose weight at a much faster rate than you as their diet was probably more unhealthy compared to you or I.

I started close to the same BMI as you. I feel my weight loss has been slow. I do not regret the band but I'm still less than a year post op. I've had to work the band much harder than I thought going in. I had to join Weight Watchers. I also have pretty constant pain in my port. On the positive side, I've gone from a size 20 to a 12 and almost feel like a normal person again:biggrin:

Research all your options. Go to the complications section of this site so you are aware of everything going in. And make sure to choose a very experienced doctor. Best of luck to you in your decision!