MoTown22

Holy cow on your success!!! Can I ask how often you work out and what you do for excercise? Also, Happy early Birthday!!

Way to go!!! I'm so proud for you!!

I'm glad you've told your BF. Hopefully between her/him and your family they will be a strong support. Along with this forum too! I'm sure that your hospital has support groups for face to face meetings as well. Unfortunately, the one at my hospital meets on Monday and it conflicts with a class I'm taking, but I have found much support here, and it's easier to be candid when you aren't face to face! ha My Mom was the same way, but I also watched her yo-yo her whole life and that is one of my goals of having this tool. She currently has lost and kept it off and I am proud of her, but she and I both know I need more. I had those same fears, and to be honest I was one of thhose judgemental people.... My friend got gastric bypass a year ago and I 100% thought she was taking "the easy way out" but that's for close minded people and I learned real quick going through this process that there isn't anything easy about it. It is hard work and your success will proves your commitment to that! I only have a 1 day liquid diet the day before-THANK GOD! I have been reading about these 2 week diets and I have no idea how they do it!! I would think I would have a problem being weak. But I also have thought maybe I should try a few days of liquids to get used to the weeks of liquids post op. Let us know how your consultation goes!

Hi ERuiz, I am being banded on March 4th and too have had my "freak out" moments, but then I remember how hard I have worked and how far I have come. I know this may sound silly but I believe in signs and this whole process has just gone so smoothly that I believe it is the right thing to do. I hope you can find some comfort in that too. I understand your family being scared but you can reassure them that everything will be okay and you need them to be your support! My Doc said this surgery is less invasive than gallbladder removal and think of how often those occur! Regarding your friends, I am sorry to hear that because I think it may be time for some new friends. They are entitled to their opinion but as friends should support you 110%. Perhaps their attitudes is coming from a palce of jealousy. If you feel it is the right thing to do for YOU then the support of your friends and family should follow. Your life will change but for the better! You can do it!

Hi Racquel, I am 27, and can associate with the overweight the entire life thing. I had my initial consultation a few months ago and have surgery scheduled for March 4th. Because I am healthy, other than being overweight, the process moved very quickly, so be prepared for that. I found that if the hospital is somewhere you want to have surgery, they will make sure you are over-educated. I have had many of my own questions, but I think once you attend that consultation you will get information overload! To answer your questions: I would ask your surgeon how many lap band procedures has he done. A well qualififed surgeon should have done about 250. Ask him what the most common complication is. After the consultation it depends on a lot of things, the hospital's requirements, your insurance requirements, pre-op weight loss, psychological evaulation, and if you have any other diseases/issues that need to be under control before a procedure is done. They say the average time is 3-6 months for someone of relative healthiness. I attended my first meeting Dec 17th and March 4th is my surgery to give you an idea. I have chosen to share with most of closest friends about the surgery, but at the age of 21 I cannot say that I would have done that. I guess it depends on the kind of environment you are in (are you at college?) and how well you trust those closest to you. I think back to when I was 21 and going to a small college there is no way I would have wanted to tell my friends because it would have got around...don't be embrassed, own it, but frankly it is no one's business...so choose wisely and go with your gut and you will be fine. The only other piece of advice I'd like to give you that I never thought of until I hear it, was that my Dr said people in the age range of 18-30 generally don't do as well with the surgery because they are still in "party mode" Being the age of 21, are you a frequent drinker etc? Just be prepared that those types of things will change drastically and if you are ready to committ and follow the rules than you can be just as successful. Good luck to you and I hope it goes well!!! I haven't gone through the surgery itself YET but if I can help any other questions let me know!

Okay I know it's not good for me, but if I wanted to use a tanning bed Am I able to with the band? That sounds weird but I don't know if the direct exposure would do anything. Also, wonder how soon after? I know the incisions would need to be well and healed. Any thoughts?

Got my date set for March 4th! yay!!! I know I should be on here asking all sorts of insightful questions but I'm just so excited! haha But I will ask this, how many days do you think it takes to get back to feeling "normal" pain wise and able to go back to work? What is the energy level like? I do just have a desk job so I'm not too terribly concerned, but just curious as to how much time everyone took off from work etc. Thanks and congrats everyone!!!! url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wNtfnfC/] [/url]

Oh and I forgot to add that I love your username!!! Congrats to you!

Yay!!! I am so excited for you!! My date is set for March 4th and I am ready to go to the hospital like yesterday!! haha

I feel the same way at times but then I remember how hard I've worked and how far I've come. You can't reap rewards in life if you don't take risks, so I'm hoping for the best for all of us to be the poster children for the surgery!!

Is anyone ready to go like yesterday!?!?! Oh my gosh I can hardly stand how excited I am! haha 18 days and counting, my date is set for March 4th!! I don't have a pre-op diet requirement other than only liquids the day before. I am thankful for that as I am not sure how I would do 2 weeks prior. I'm not binging or having any "last meals' though, I've come too far to put any of that junk back in my body!! Good luck everyone!