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6 months and a week ago, i had no health problems even with a 47 BMI - BUT i felt so disgusting. I hated clothes. I wore things just to hide myself. I knew I had a pretty face but that all others saw was the fat. Today, 6 months after surgery and 88 pounds later, I feel INCREDIBLE. i am all about what i'm wearing, my make up, I feel just plain unstoppable. I want you to know that yes there can be complications. I have experienced none so far (truly this is thanks to GOD and following my surgeon's instructions) - but they can happen. I am very, very sorry I did not do this 10 years ago (I'm 38). But i cannot dwell on that. This is a LIFE CHANGING thing if you let it be. I truly wish all of you the best of luck in your decision and if you have the surgery - the best of luck on your journey. It TRULY is a journey. God bless us all!!!!

Your nutritionist should be the one you listen to. You need at least 1200 calories. This is determined to be your, and most women's , basal metabolism level. This meaner its the amount of calories need by your body to perform basic and necessary functions such as maintance of body temp. People think because they are eating less then this they will lose more, this is not the case. What actually happens is your body goes into shock and acts as if the last food it recieved is the last food it will get, it goes into survival mode and immediately converts this into fat. So while you may be working out, everything you pit into your body is turning into fat. If this makes sense it will be really helpful in the future. I was wondering why I wasn't losing weight when I was only eating at max 800 calories, but when I bumped it up the lbs melted off.

Wow B-52 that's fighting talk and I like it. Unfortunately everyone doesn't have your no nonesense approach to the lap band and I'm guessing... life. But certainly the problem with a lot of lap banders is they have been misled that it's a 'set it and go' weight loss solution, but it isn't at all. You do still have to make sacrifices, but that's life. If you want that body to die for and you are desperate for a solution (which by the way you should be to opt for weight loss surgery at all) then you've got to do what it takes. Think of the lap band as a tool to get what you want, it's not a solution in itself, but you have to work with that tool to get results. Good post B52

Dont worry it will come off...Just follow what your doctor tells you and everything will be fine. The first month is all about healing and adjusting. I know your past that know but the weight will come off.

I say make small goals and then move down as you go along. Plus your surgeon can give his/her opinion too. Cheri

Hi Alexis: Congratulations on your decision. First let me address the "easy way out" line. I would have those family members watch the online seminars for this procedure and make sure they know what you're going to have to go through. This is not an easy way out...it is a tool. Its a tool just like excercise or Weight Watchers or the phentermine. It just happens to be a surgical one. You will still have to watch what you eat, measure your foods, excercise and follow doctor's orders. Okay...now that I have that off my chest (and I apologize if it seemed rude).... I was back at work about 6 days after my surgery. I am 4 weeks post-op and still am careful about certain things. My incisions have healed on the outside, but every now and then, I still feel a twinge here and there that I attribute to the abdominal muscles/nerves healing. As for excercise, after the first week/ 1 1/2 weeks, my doctor told me I could do light excercise and that if it hurt, to stop. However, your doctor may want you to do something different. This a journey. Some days will suck (like the few after the surgery when all that gas they pump into you makes you feel bloated) but there should be more good days...like the first time you step on the scale and see a HUGE hunka pounds gone...or putting on a pair of jeans that fit...or when out of the blue someone looks at you and says "wow, you look great!" There's the day that you realize you've done more in the excercise department than you ever thought you would...or when you realize that you're actually full from a 1/2 cup of food. What ever day it happens to be, I personally think its worth it. It has been for me so far. and...you have other bandsters here to support you and answer your questions and to cheer along with you. God bless you and keep us posted on your journey!

I have to laugh because when I was in the preop stage one of the things my nutritionist said was that if I was for example out shopping it didn't matter what I decided to eat, that I could get a slice of pizza from the food court if I wanted. I was going to be eating a lot less and 1 slice of pizza would not be a dietbreaker. Maybe I'm lucky to have a nut that was "honest" and is not going to send out the hitman

My doctor seemed to lean more towards bypass because weight loss was faster. He said you have to work harder and exercise with band. After going back and forth for several months I opted for the band. Just didn't want my insides rearranged. I know you hear a lot of problems with the band, but I have also heard of a lot of problems down the line with bypass. I guess nothing is perfect.

My psych doctor took 8 freakin' weeks to write the dang letter. I finally had to go to the office and sit and wait for the letter to get written. There was no excuse. At the appointment he said, oh, I'll have it done next week. Uh huh! Maybe a letter to the medical group or insurance company is in order? Somebody is their boss.

I will say I think some people don't think about the tone of their statements on this board. When some says " I'm 5'4" and I am so tired of looking like a cow at 220 pounds!"; to me it is mean spirited. After loosing about 160 pounds weighing 219 today was a huge victory for me. Am I still over weight sure. But when someone says they are a cow at 219 how do you think that makes me feel? Does that make them any better than someone on the street saying the same thing to me? No. Do I envy these bandster no. I hope I am bit more mature than that at my age. I just wish people thought before they spoke/wrote.