:redface:Hello everyone and thank goodness for this site. I have been just recently seriously considering lap band surgery. I never ever in the all my years of being over weight would have considered anything like this but my doctor mentioned in the last two visits, once on his own and the second time because I questioned him about it. I always thought it was very dangerous and people died from it and my husband said no, no, no. I really didn't know much about lap band and thought it probably wasn't very good. After starting to think about it (with both my adult sons pushing me to do this) and my doctor I started checking the internet. My doctor said these surgeries were not dangerous like they use to be and went over with me what they did. I could never get up the nerve to do the total bypass but lap band sounds doable. While thinking of this I just found out my 30 something niece just got it done. I will be watching her and learning. I am in Maryland and now that I am considering it along with all the worry and being very scared I would like some advice. I thought you just get it done and that's it but now after reading on the internet find out you are pretty much dieting and exercising the rest of your life. I know from never being able to exercise successfully that I would never be able to do this either. A couple questions I would like answered if someone would is do you really have to watch everything you eat? I know you eat slowly and in small bits which that alone will be hard for me. I have always ate very fast and never chewed good. I was raised with five brothers and I the only girl and had to eat fast before it was gone. I have never been big on veggies or fruit and am a big meat eater. These things worry me with lap band. My second question is what do you do if you get sick (like flu or something) and have to vomit, do you damage the band or your new little tummy or risk serious trouble? Can it really be removed? I read somewhere it could and then another place that it really shouldn't because it was made to stay in. Does the stomach grow together where it is pinched over time? Another big question is why someone loses 80 ponds in five or six months and others only lose like 25 in four or five months? I am such a worrier. I would feel better knowing I had the best surgeon in my area and would be at best hospital. How do I find that out? Everyone thinks they have the best surgeon. I went through this two years ago when I had bilateral total knee replacement. It was a worry and alot of work but worth all of it so far. My doctor doesn't really recommend anyone. I also have a hiatel hernia and barretts disease, can it be done with these? I have a BMI of 40. Thank you so much for any contribution to my questions and so sorry to just become a member and hit you with a long post. Thanks again!!
