smellycat

Carol, I'm from South Bend, and I decided to have mine done by Dr. Horgan at the Minimally Invasive Bariactric Center in Chicago. Check it out at lapbandcenter.com. I suggest you go to one of their free seminars. I just had my surgery on April 6, so I'm still healing and things are strange and difficult right now, but I'm still glad I did it. Someone I know had it done by Ortiz in Mexico and she was very pleased with everything. I payed about 50% more than I would going to Mexico, but I decided I'd rather drive to my follow up appointments than fly! smellycat

Hello thechatrooper-- My surgery is April 6 with Dr. Horgan. When is yours? I met Dr. Horgan briefly at a free seminar, but when I went for my pre-op testing I saw other doctors, not Horgan. --smellycat

Amber-- So today was your big day! I'm anxious to know how your surgery went. My surgery is one week from today, April 6 (Dr. Horgan, Chicago). I started my 10 day liquid diet on Easter Sunday, so I can relate to your Easter story. I am handling the liquid diet better than I expected. A few of my friends (skinnies) have suggested that if I can stay on this liquid diet, then I shouldn't need the band. I've only told a few close friends that I'm doing this, and this kind of comment is the reason why. I don't want my friends and coworkers judging me, thinking I took "the easy way out" instead of putting in hard time at the gym and eating twigs and berries. I told my friends that yes, I can lose weight without the band. I've lost weight before, many times, but I've always gained it back and then some. Losing weigh with the band will not be quick or easy, but it will keep the weight off for good if I stick to the rules. With only a week till my surgery, I admit I've been having some second thoughts. Perhaps I'm just mourning the loss of my "eat whatever whenever" lifestyle. It feels good to eat, but I have to believe being thin will feel even better. --smellycat

Jack, I'm attracted to you by your words. Articulate and fun to read! --smellycat

I've read that one of the negatives of the band is not achieving a sense of fullness. Is this just during the liquid phase, or is it something you will always deal with?

Thank you all for your insights. Greg, when you say the only drawback you've experienced is the fills... you've had trouble finding the right fill amount? Or the process/cost of fills in general? I'm trying to soak up as much advice as I can before jump in!