charlesvox

i was banded end of march this year. I don't post much, but find this board an invaluable resource.

it took me about 4-5 fillls, 2.5 cc's total, before I really felt the restriction. And sometimes, you don't really feel your fill till a week or two later.

I got banded on 3/29/06 in Fresno by Dr. Edward Felix. So far so good, I've lost a little over 20 pounds. I was fortunate enough to have my parents and grandma help pay/loan me the money. My mom (who is incredibly thin, as is my father - I guess I must have got the recessive genes) read an article about the band in the LA Times and sent it to me. The things I read really made sense, and I came to realize all the stuff I've worked so hard for in my life are kinda meaningless if I don't have my health.

Good luck! I think you made an excellent decision. During my three years of law school, I was on atkins, I lost about 70 pounds and was doing very well. Then, I ran into the summer I studied for the bar. I studied, literally, for 10-12 hours a day, minimum. I lived at the library (our law school library was open 24 hours). Of course, I ate like crap, mostly fast food, pizzas, take out, etc. All the weight I lost on atkins, I gained back, plus 20, in only three months! Wish I had my lapband back then...

I really think you should look at it as an investment in the future(cliche as it sounds). Because you are considering a lapband, you've come to realize your weight is an issue you have to deal with. What good is working so hard in undergrad and then going on to med school and then doing everything you need to do to become a licensed doctor if you don't have your health? And to return the investment your schools and professors and your family and friends have put in you to reach your achievements? I know how easy it is to get caught up in grad school, but consider the big picture...

When I graduated in 2002, I had aproximately 100,000 in student loans. I racked up 20k undergrad at Berkeley and another 80k at law school at Davis. The vast bulk of that debt was "living expenses." They always cut you a very large check at the beginning of the semester, and I know a lot of students who would take that check to 1) the local indian casino 2) shopping spree 3) reno 4) big ticket item (e.g. down payment on car, new TV, new computer, etc.) 5) trip/vacation expenses. Don't feel guilty for spending your student loan on a lapband, it is a much much better use of financial aid than what many of my classmates used it for.

I graduated from law school in May of 2002, the summer studying for the bar is one you'll never forget, best of luck! I packed on quite a few pounds that summer, I wish I had my lapband then. Congrats again, have you decided what area of law you wish to practice?

I have the same concern as I have my lap-band surgery scheduled before my 29th birthday. My doctor has informed me that currently, people with bands for 9 years have been doing fine. There is just no information for anything after 9 years at this point. However, as the previous poster mentioned, if there is a difficulty, the band can be removed.