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Sorry, the above question was for Rockbandster and I see now it has already been answered. I also want to add I am very pleased with my band. Fast is not as important to me as permanent. Anne

Just curious, are you a laparoscopic surgeon? I had one of the top surgeons in the US and left the decision up to him based on my medical history and what he saw as my medical needs. He chose the Realize Band although he also uses the other brands and certainly has no personal agenda to push.

I was banded on June 10 and have all of the above issues. The only one which has not gotten better is the gout. That got worse due to the massive amounts of Protein I was taking. I cut back to 60g a day and have had no further issues. I no longer have to take insulin, byetta, cholesterol medicine, liver medication or synthroid and I only use my bipap about twice a week. I have lost 30lbs since the surgery and a total of 97 since I was diagnosed with the diabetes in Dec. I still take lasix and BP medication but am ready to come off the BP one as my BP sometimes dips a little low. I just don't want to be too hasty. I have gone from 14 pills and 3 injections a day to 4 pills and no injections. My bipap was set at 17/14 and I have been using it for over 6 years. I get another sleep test next month for my dr to evaluate how much it needs to be decreased or if I can even totally do away with it. I have had no problems with the acid reflux but do follow the dietary restrictions very closely. I eat almost everything I want but stay away from the "bad carbs". The lapband had been a true lifesaver for me - it has reinforced my ability to deal with the diabetes and other co-morbidities of my soon to be gone obesity. Oh, I started out at 306 in Nov07, was down to 239 the day of my surgery and am at 209 as of this morning.:thumbdown::thumbup::thumbup:

Oh yes, I sure do! And sometimes I feel like I must be made of unsweetened Jello now because I eat so much of it. Like you, I love good food. I really miss my dark chocolate and hot fresh bread but when it gets too bad, I will allow myself 1 bite and then spend extra time on the bicycle. BTW I hate exercising too but I know I have to do it. I have a very strict doctor who says no Pasta, bread, high carb foods, etc. In other words, all the things I love. But I think what keeps me going is the amazement in people's eyes who have not seen me for a while and did not know I was losing weight. I think I will always have the urges and cravings but the rewards are becoming too rich to give in to them. I am very selfish about this - I am doing it for me so I am determined to do it right. Hang in there - pm me if you ever just want to "talk". I sure don't have all the answers but I don't mind sharing what I have learned (a lot of it the hard way LOL). Anne

I would not dream of blasting you. In fact, I went through the same fears and regrets (and still do sometimes even 3 months after the surgery). If you are ready to do this, you will know. For me, the advantages were much more overwhelming than the food. Do I regret not being able to go to champagne brunch? Absolutely! This coming Christmas will be the first one in over 35 years that we have not had champagne in our special Waterford stems while we opened gifts. But I am sure we will come up with a new tradition which can probably incorporate the Waterford as well. And I love, love love being able to buy clothes other than at Lane Bryant or Catherine's. I went into Coldwater Creek yesterday and when the salesladies found out how much weight I had lost, they treated me like a doll to dress. It was so much fun! I found that I was buying my clothes too large - trust me! That was a better feeling than even my favorite champagne brunch. I guess what I am trying to say is trust your instincts. You know if you are ready - if you aren't then take your time and don't rush into it. Anne:thumbup:

I would not dream of blasting you. In fact, I went through the same fears and regrets (and still do sometimes even 3 months after the surgery). If you are ready to do this, you will know. For me, the advantages were much more overwhelming than the food. Do I regret not being able to go to champagne brunch? Absolutely! This coming Christmas will be the first one in over 35 years that we have not had champagne in our special Waterford stems while we opened gifts. But I am sure we will come up with a new tradition which can probably incorporate the Waterford as well. And I love, love love being able to buy clothes other than at Lane Bryant or Catherine's. I went into Coldwater Creek yesterday and when the salesladies found out how much weight I had lost, they treated me like a doll to dress. It was so much fun! I found that I was buying my clothes too large - trust me! That was a better feeling than even my favorite champagne brunch. I guess what I am trying to say is trust your instincts. You know if you are ready - if you aren't then take your time and don't rush into it. Anne:thumbup:

Yes, I attend the monthly meetings but a lot of the people are not in the actual Orlando area and I was hoping I could meet some more locals and we could get together other than once a month. Anne

Yes, I had it in June. And I can highly recommend Dr. Kim at Celebration. I am 62 ( can't believe I just admitted that). It is good to know there is someone in the area - I was starting to feel very lonely. Anne

I have Tricare Standard South and they had to authorize the overnight stay - otherwise it would have been straight outpatient. My doctor required an overnight stay because of severe sleep apnes. Anne

Hi, I am looking for some other losers who would like to get together. I could sure use some company on this journey. Anne

I was banded on 6/10/08. I am on a bipap which I expect to go away very soon. My blood pressure was extremely high but I expect to be off the medication by the first of Aug. Some of my other issues were high cholesterol and high lipids. I am totally off the medication for both but the biggest thing is the insulin once a day and byetta twice a day. I have not had to take any shots since the day of my surgery. My A1C is down to 5.2 from 11.5. I cannot believe how good I feel. I love my band. Anne

I LOVE food and that has not changed since I started this weight loss journey. I enjoy nice restaurants and that has not changed either. What has changed is the way I eat. I tell the server right up front that I am on a very strict diet and to please bring me a small plate with my food. When he or she does that, I take the amount I am allowed and ask that the rest of it be boxed up. Then I sit back and savor my meal and enjoy talking with my husband. I don't feel deprived and we both are still able to enjoy most of our favorite restaurants. You can do this - and it is worth every bit of the effort it takes.