Hey everyone,

I'm Angela. I'm a 31 year old nurse (You'd think I'd know better then to let this happen to me...). I've been overweight now for the last 12 years. Basically since I got married. The interesting part is that I lost the husband, but not the weight LOL. Too bad it didn't go WITH him.

I'm 5'4'' and 250. My heaviest was 275, and about 4 months ago, I busted my ass at the gym, along with a diet (shake and whole foods plan) and got down to 221. I've since, gained it back.

I had a consultation with Dr Paul Cirangle in San Francisco and it went well, I'm just not sold on the Band.

It's invasive, it's surgery (although smaller then any other option out there), and it's "permanent". I feel like I should be able to succeed without the Band, however, obviously haven't up to this point.

The one thing that Dr Cirangle said that resonanted most with me, was that the band helps you fill your stomach from the "top down" not the "bottom up". That made my analogical mind think "coffe pot percolating method", so its a "drip down" kinda picture. That made sense to me.

I know I'm addicted to food, and unfortunately, unlike alcohol, drugs or even sex, you HAVE to have it to survive. So where that leaves me, I don't know. I'm an emotional eater and have portion control issues.

Just thought I'd come here to see what I could find, and talk to some people who've been here too.

Thanks,

Angela

Hi Angela,

Im in Palo Alto and due to be banded on Tuesday, there are 3 other recently banded local ladies on here. If you check the local groups - click USA, California, Palo Alto you will find our thread there Jenibeni, diamond girl and another one I can't remember. I researched for just over a year and started the process in March.

Let me know if you have questions.

Edited December 14, 200916 yr by TinaM

Thanks Tina,

I guess my main question is, of those who've had it done, would they do it again?

The risks, complications and difficulties after wards are what worry me.

ck either the post surgery or general question thread its out there as a poll

here is a thread you want to ck out http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/how-long-have-you-had-your-band-you-still-happy-46000/

and this one http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f15/simple-poll-if-you-had-do-over-104415/

and here is a group for medical professionals with all sorts of posts

LAP-BAND

oh and ignore the troll posting advertisments I've reported it

I'm 26 in NY though. I work as a nurse too. I'm familiar with the surgery but not before and afterward. It's really what happens after with the complication and what you can and cannot eat. I've been overweight my entire life and I really need to do something. I get so excited that this may be able to help me.

Then unfortunately I come here and people are posting about sliming and such and I yes, it's a very real complication that can occur. But kinda puts me off to the procedure.

Should I give WW another try? Should I workout with a personal trainer? Or should I really consider this surgery? I haven't even been to my consultation, but I've done a lot of reading about the procedure and this is what goes through my head all day long.

I was so scared of getting the band but in the first two weeks I lost 30 pounds and I have been big since I was a child. I am still big right now but the band has cut down on my eating and it was the best thing I ever could have done.

Don't be scared. (: