Thin@Heart

I was attracted to this thread because it looks like the group with the longest experience. I'm in month 3 of my medically supervised diet which of course I'm failing at. At 6 months I qualify for surgery and have had my eye on the lap band since hearing about it. I'm on the lower end of the qualification scale (190 lbs), but never the less qualify not only because of my weight, but because of my 30+ years of failure to control what goes in my mouth and on my hips. My questions for all of you in 2005 are.. Has it given you the edge you hoped for in order to retrain your eating habits even after 2 to 3 years? What was the most serious complication you had? Is there ever a day you "forget" you have a band in your body and live "normally?" Any other words of wisdom? Thanks from someone struggling to make the right decision!

Tell him to work his own program and go to Al-Anon! :-)

I am seriously considering the lap band but have found that many of the docs have a minimum BMI of 35 with co-morbidities and 40 w/out co-morbidites. My BMI is 33. Has anyone overcome these minimums to have the lap band surgery without intentionally gaining more weight to reach the minimum BMI number?

Yes... makes sense. I wouldn't intentionally gain.

Thanks FaithMD... I never saw this thread... very helpful.

I'm very new to the idea of lap banding. I've come to the conclusion that this may be right for me. I have some questions I hope someone can answer for me please. 1. What did the docs tell you as far as recovery time and lifting restrictions? How long before you "should" lift? (I know some of you lifted a few days after your surgery, but what is the medical recommendation?) 2. Can you feel the appliance in your body at all? 3. For those who went to Tijuana, Mexico, did you feel that it was an environment where if something went really wrong they could medically treat you? Is there a fully staffed hospital close to the clinics where you had your procedure done? 4. What does it mean when they talk about "band slippage?" How do you know when you've had a slippage? Thanks!

Thanks Laura! :Banane30:

Thanks Grace.