whatfolly

Pursue this. Really, do it for yourself. If this surgery would have been available to me 30 years ago it would have been a life changer. Attend a seminar to get more information. Look for a "Center of Excellence" if you live near one (a surgical practice where the doctor, and all the support programs are available) and make an appointment. Check it out. I'm three years post surgery and have achieved a slow but steady successful weightloss for the first time in my life ... for the rest of my life. I am lucky, the surgery was a road to weightloss that allowed me to reverse some big-deal health problems. I'm thin and healthy, I move better. I had an idea of what weight loss would mean to me but I was truly clueless as to how it really can change your life on every level. I would want, how great this feels, for everybody. You are a young person with an opportunity to avoid some health problems and to protect your future health in ways you can't even begin to imagine. AND! to slip into skinny jeans! All the best to you in your decision.

I'm banded since Summer 2008 and am down 62 pounds. I have had 3 fills and 1 unfill. No problems and no re-gain. I can truly say my only regret is that the surgery was not available 30 years ago. I'm not quite at goal (20 pounds to go), but having experienced no problems I am more than willing to let it take as long as it takes. Because I will lose that 20 pounds. I am very confident of that. The way I think about food has changed: the way I eat - very slowly ...what I eat - less garbage (although I could eat garbage if I wanted too...I just don't really want to)...where I eat - at a table not standing in the kitchen or sitting on the couch...how much I eat - amazingly so much less that what I used too and enough to be just fine with that. I was a very slow to lose the weight and was somewhat disgruntled, but now, I would not change a thing. I feel great and I like how I look. If you have health insurance that does not specifically exclude bariatric surgery, I would say to you please think about finding a "Center of Excellence" doctor's group. They coordinate everything for you, make sure you get all the tests, and will really go to bat with your insurance company. You meet with a doctor and together you decide how to proceed, The value of this surgery is becoming more evident everyday, you just may qualify. GOOD LUCK!

I discussed it with my doctor and I don't want to know what is in there. I have a 10cc band, but I want my restriction to be something I..."feel" . The fill amount is just another number to think about. If I lose weight and can eat does it really matter what is in there? One person is good with 5cc another with 3cc...everybody is different and you really can't assign any value to the fill rate. My doctor performs the fill under fluro, to the degree his experience tells him might enhance the effectiveness of my band and I work with it for awhile. I like this approach. I'm down 52 pounds. I feel great.

Speaking for myself I was more afraid of having to deal with the future damage to my body due to the ravages of diabeties. I was beginning to experience nerve pain, and sleep issues and had been on insulin, shooting myself in the stomach 5-6 times a day. I was sick and tired of managing an illness. After 2 years with the band, 52 pounds lighter and off most of my meds I can honestly say I have no regrets. I was overweight, now I am not. Everything from pre-surgery to now, for me, has been totally worth it. I have had some challenges along the way, but the truth is, for me, it was more of a challenge being overweight than to learn how to become a thinner healthy person. The surgery changed my life for the better and I am so glad I went for it. For me, the surgery was not really all that big of a deal, the hair loss was really not all that big of a deal. The immediate results for me were off insulin since the day of my surgery and down about six sizes after 14 months. My knees don't hurt, my skin is better. I don't think about food all the time like I used too, and make the effort to have the proper foods on hand and eat the lap-band way most of the time. Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

I am one year out and have not lost one pound. I bounce between 5 pounds down 5 pounds up. My doctor is mystified. "Everybody loses". Well that is obviously not true. I know I eat substantially less because I simply cannot tolorate most foods...but still...nothing. This entire process has been so depressing. A waste of time, emotions, and money.

Consider changing to a new primary care doctor. 30's is not too young for lap band...but it is too young to have a heart attack. Good luck and tell your friend to fight for what he wants...his life depends on it!

I was banded on 6/23 and as of today (10/23) have lost 16 pounds. Not very much but I've experienced a dramatic remission with my diabetes since the day of surgery and have gone down one size. In one day, done with insulin maybe forever, and that is a very big thing. But..it is not enough, and I want to lose weight, and fast...but I feel so hopeful now, like never before, that I will lose the weight...eventually. That has been a breakthrough for me. A big one. "Its just a tool" are the truest words I can say about lapband. You really do have to do the work. I thought it would be easier and that the weight would just fall off, but for me it is not working out that way. But I know I am eating different, and I know that I think about food in a different way. My goals with this are not all weight related, I wanted to change my life (along with the size of my butt!) and it all is going to take...as long as it takes. Give yourself the gift of time with this process. You are on your way!!

The surgeons may be well qualified but the office staff is very unorganized and unprofessonal. As this surgery becomes more mainstream they won't be the only game in town and will have to improve. Even fat people like to be treated with respect and they just don't get it.