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I've had my band since 24 May 2010; lost 71 lbs. in 10 mos. It was the easiest weight loss I've done (& I've done them all) and KEEPING IT OFF IS THE EASIEST THING EVER!!! My lapband is the ABSOLUTE BEST thing ever ~ I swear by it!!! It is "an insurance policy" to be able to take/keep the weight off, but you still have to do your part. The first few months after you start ARE weird but, that's because you're learning a whole new way to eat and think about food. If your friends will support what you are doing, it will be MUCH easier. If you can find a weight loss surgery (esp. lapband) support group (yes, there are some ~ ask your lapband clinic), that might help, too. If you make sure the way you think/act about your band stays positive, there shouldn't be anything to worry about. It's a good thing that you want to lose your weight by the time your brother moves back from Japan. That will help you with what you're doing (yes, you should be able to lose at least quite a bit, if not all, of it). Once your brother sees you, you won't have to say anything! But, when you tell him about it, he should feel good that you're doing something so positive for yourself (seeing the results should convince him). By the time he does get back, the "lapband life" will be totally normal for you! The most important thing for you to remember is that if you have a question about anything concerning your band, ask the clinic that's doing it for you!!! That's their purpose in life! I haven't had any problems with my band that couldn't be "fixed" (remember to talk to your clinic and do what they tell you). Just BE READY FOR YOUR LIFE TO CHANGE (not in a bad way, just change) with your band. If the clinic you go to offers counseling to help you know what's going on and how to handle it (maybe how to tell others, too), USE IT!!!! If other people have trouble understanding/dealing with your lapband, that's their problem. Do not allow anyone (even your brother) to affect what is right FOR YOU!!! (may take some time/work to adopt that attitude but, it will help you succeed with this ~ I promise). GOOD LUCK!!!!!

One week from today! I can't wait!!!!!

That was the part that jumped out at me as well. Reading the post it sounded to me as though the Op thought that everything would just magically fall in place once she got restriction. Well it isn't like that. When I introduced myself on this board initially I was told that the band is only a tool and that I have to make it work. I was probably a little shocked and taken aback but I kept that info on board. I realised that in order to be successful I had to be in control. Yes of course I needed HELP to lose the weight and keep it off but I also had to remember that it was only HELP and that the band wasn't going to do it all. For the first couple of months I kept "chasing" the sweet spot(restriction) as people used to refer to it then. It sounded like a wonderful place. I would be able to eat tiny amounts and not get hungry in between. What I hadn't realised is that the sweet spot in the way it had been marketed to me doesn't exist. But what I also should have realised was that i was already there. I was eating smaller amounts, not getting hungry as quickly and losing weight. If you do your part and eat the type of foods that you should be eating. Protein, veggies, good carbs, fruit you will probably find that your band is working and that you will lose weight. You may not lose it as fast as you would hope but slow and steady is good. Also noone expects you to be perfect 100% of the time. Stick with the 80/20 or 90/10 rule. And as Sharilo says the tighter you are the harder it becomes to eat the kind of foods that you should be eating. So yes you may need another fill but do not expect that it will suddenly turn you into a perfect eater overnight. And recognise each fill and the help it gives you and work with it to achieve the body that you hope to have.Sometimes the changes from the band are subtle, it doesn't always scream at you so make sure you are listening carefully.

My approval was really quick. The coordinator put my information in the system on Jan 9 and blue cross approved it immediately. I received my approval letter on the 11th. However, I had a 270 day waiting period that is up march 2. The 14th is the next available surgery date

Something so minor but it's quite annoying LOL. I have one of those ecofriendly clear tall cups with the plastic straw and I would fill it a few times and suck it down quick. Now it's taking me SO long to get them in and I don't want to get lazy on it.

OK, I got my port fixed and my first fill. I asked the doctor how much my band holds, and he said it is a 14 cc band, he added 6 1/2 cc today. I have to admit, having my port turned back over was an interesting experience to say the least. It was NOT painful, my doctor was gentle and made sure if I felt any pain he would add more novacaine. It was strange to feel him moving and tugging in my stomach and to raise my head and see him examining my port. He did my fill before suturing it back in. I am now having my protein shake for dinner. I can feel a little restriction but its a good feeling!!! I'm a happy girl now

I am with you- I am scheduled to arrive at 6:45am on Wednesday morning and am getting more and more nervous everyday. Good luck to you on your surgery and a speedy recovery

I feel like I see an equal of both positive and negative on here. Make sure you also read the blogs and like someone said above, the success stories. Iv'e lost 45 pounds in 10 weeks, so I believe I'm a success thus far. I would do everything the same and do not regret my decision at all. Good luck and stay positive!

Surgery date Aug 22 Got to NYU at 6:30am signed in and waited about 15 minutes for the clerks to “chat” finial went up to the desk and asked if there was anything else I needed to do….they took me right away They have this new system where they scan your palm it is supposed to be easier than giving your info again and again well when I scanned my hand I was not in the system…had to sign in again Next they asked for a copay of $150….no one ever mentioned this and even told me again and again not to bring any money or valuables so I answer NO you told me to not bring any money if you had told me about the copay I would have brought you a check…more typing so can you pay something to the bill NO I told them again I have NO money with I was told NOT to bring any money with me She grumbles and gives me the forms and my wrist band. I go through the double doors to the nurses station and am told why are you late? Your surgery is set for 8AM. I respond NO I am not late I have been sitting in the waiting room since 6:25AM waiting for your staff to finish having coffee. Never mind she says and takes me into a little room and tells me to undress I undress and put my clothes in my little canvas NYU bag ( to remember nyu I suppose ) no plastic bags for them…..the nurse comes in and takes my blood press, temp and asks when did I eat, take my meds last ect… the surgeon (Dr. Ren) comes in and I notice for the first time how tiny and skinny she is (must be a size 0 on her fat days) her arm looks like a dolls compared to mine She asks how the last 2 week went (the diet) I answer it was hard she never asks if I cheated and I never volunteer the info..i tell her I am worried and a little scared she is kind of flip in her response and I can tell she just want to finish with me and start her day. She asked why are you nervous? The pain we will give you drugs for that. Are you afraid of waking up? That almost never happens (great something else to be worried about) or what I tell her it’s none of those things I am worried about what comes next, she answer is well the unknown is scary but you have taken a good first step your ok right? Well no but I just shake my head yes (defeated again) and she runs off and says she will see me in the afternoon…this was a lie she never saw me again (still hasn’t only saw the PA for the follow up) The anestelogist PA comes in then the inter then the doc himself every one asks the same questions and we have the same conversation….he tells me it will be IV drugs then gas and the tube to breath for me …this scares me a lot (after my colon resection I remember waking up when they were removing the tube and being freaked out that I could not breath) I tell all of them this and they say sorry you will have to be awake to move your head and respond to us….then they weigh me 228 yea Next they nurse comes and says we are ready (I think about leaving) we walk down the hall and about 10 people are outside the operating room…..i go inside and lay on the table it is now 8AM by the wall clock and I start to think why do they need such a big clock? No pronounce time of death I think (have watched too much house for my own good) (I think it was bigger than the normal one for us larger people) the iv gets started and I am still thinking of stopping ( I wonder what they will do if I scream NO I changed my mind) they have me move my neck up and around so they can get a good angel for the tube (freak out again) they start the gas at the same time they tell me they are starting the good drugs ……I am still afraid then everything goes black I wake up in recovery and the nurse asks if I am in pain I say no as it’s not that bad…I so back to sleep for a while…I always want to sleep more in the recovery room. It seems to me that others get to sleep a lot longer than I do all….. after a while ( I look at the clock and its now after 11Am) my friend comes in with my stuff….the nurse tells her I won’t be able to leave till after 3pm so she should drop off my prescription and sends her back to work …they ask again if I am in pain and I say a little That ask what kind of pain meds do I want? I don’t know I say what every you have They tell me tell don’t have the liquid pain meds but I can give me a shot of something with a F I say that is fine I am not allergic to any meds except aspirin the nurse then says well you had it during the operation then I say ok….well right after the shot I feel like I am flying..this is good stuff I get a room after 1pm…the nurse tells me I can drink at 1:15PM but can has ice chips I walk around the floor till I am tired and return to the room and pee and walk some more It hurts a little around my stomach but what really hurts is the gas the pain in my left shoulder is real bad I walk around some more and come back to my room to read and make a few calls My roommate is real sick and every time I pass to go to the bathroom her friend/daughter gives me a dirty look….tuff luck I am considerate but what the hell if you want privacy PAY for a PRIVATE ROOM I need to walk and pee and won’t compromise myself or my health for anyone At around 3PM the nurse comes in and gives me the discharge papers . I ask when will my Dr. be in Well she won’t I am told but the pa will see me before I leave…I walk some more drink a cup of chicken broth (wonderful on my sore throat )and drink some water Honestly I am terrified of drinking anything and fully expect to choke. But happily I can drink just fine I go in the bathroom and lift my gown to see the damage..it was not so bad four little heart shaped bandages four across of stomach and one between my breasts…the one on the right side and the one between my breasts hurt the most (I still do three weeks post surgery) Around 4pm the nurse comes and says when do you think you will be leaving? I say my friend is coming from work so around 5:30, I ask when the surgical pa will come around since the surgeon isn’t….she will check but is not sure he is even still on the floor…she never returned so when my friend came around 6pm I left No one stopped me or even noticed I decided to take the express bus home..boy was that a mistake …I figured the subway (with the stairs and a transfer would be too difficult on my stomach) and didn’t want to waste the money on a cab and get stuck in rush hour traffic…the bus was a bad idea first on all I sat in the first row and I didn’t care if a 100 year old with two broken legs got on I was not moving….moving hurt too much and I think we hit every pot hole in the city….i was holding my purse against my stomach but it didn’t help much just wanted to go home and sleep It was a long day but not as bad as I thought it was Overall the pain was not that bad for me about a 3 or 4 doable without meds but meds do help The fear was much worse than the pain I am glad I didn’t chicken out

Congrats; you look awesome and great post!! How could you think that 90+ pounds wasn't a success?