girl55

I love meat! So protein comes easy. I also like vegetables. Nutritionists tell you to start with the meat, then the veggies and then whatever else you have. By the time I get thru the meats, I can't eat all my veggies, much less anything else. Try to live by these rules. I think you'll do well. I have a friend who wanted to have the band, but found out she had a mass in her stomach and had to have it removed. She can no longer have the band. But she still lives by the same rules I just stated. She has lost a lot of weight on her own. She also walks a lot. So just think, that having the band to use as a tool, you should do great. Good luck on your journey.

Just be sure when you do eat, you get plenty of protein, and ALWAYS drink plenty of water. Have a glass handy and take a sip as often as possible. I had surgery this past march and I still ALWAYS have a glass of liquid (in my case Crystal Lite tea) right by my side. Good luck on your journey.

The week before and for 2 weeks after I had that same hacking cough. I had the surgery - coughed my head off - and kept on coughing. My doctor did not seemed concerned. I had no problem and have lost 57 lbs.

You will have weeks that no matter what you do, you don't lose. I had surgery march 16 and have lost 57 lbs. But the last 3 weeks my weight has fluctuated 6 lbs. Up and down. I just can't seem to stay at the low part of that 6. I'm due for my fourth fill in a couple of weeks. I'm actually looking forward to it. I want to get back on the losing track. Stay with it. the weight WILL come off.

I am 54 and had lapband done March 16. I've lost 57 lbs. I feel great and have so much more energy. Now I can walk and not get winded. It's a wonderful feeling. Go for it!

I've noticed I have one of those things also. I never knew it was there either.

I'm so happy for you. I started at 265 in march and am now at 209 and I can't believe it. I have about 50 lbs. to go. You are an inspiration. Congratulations.

Good to hear from my march buddies. Ive lost 57 since my surgery march 16. I am soooooo happy! But I'm still having trouble with my wardrobe. I have nothing to wear. I'm having to buy new clothes. What NICE trouble to have. Keep it up everyone. You've got to be as happy as I am!

I'm 5 months out and have PB often. I keep reminding myself that I need to chew, chew, chew. But sometimes your taste buds and mouth work faster than your brain. You just swallow before its time. Not a pleasant feeling, but a constant reminder to take my time. I can live with it once and awhile. But being overweight, I cannot. We've all been there, you'll be fine.

Good luck to all of you! I'm almost 5 month out and have lost a total of 46 pounds. It's awsome. Here's looking forward to THIN!

Fantastic! At 55 years old, i'm seeing a transformation I can't believe. My husband can't believe my small butt. But he loves it!

No regrets! I was banded march 16, 2010 and have lost 44 pounds. I've found you have to figure it out as you go. At the beginning do your liquids, mushies and when you get on regular food, try to proteins first, veggies next and if and I say IF you're still hungry, try a sugar free dessert. That's what I do. But usually I barely make it through the protein. And one more thing, chew, chew, chew. Good luck!

Good luck medic, you'll do great! Can't wait to hear your success story!

i'm from texas and I have that 10" scar and drain scar. That was a horrible GB surgery. The way they do it now, it's very little discomfort.

You'll be surprised. One minute you begin to drift off and what seems like the next minute, you're awake and the surgery is over. Only it's about an hour later. You'll have a little pain, but they can give you something for that. I'm so proud of you to be getting the surgery at 21. I'm 54 and wish I could have had it back then. My life would have been so different. I've always been self-conscious about my weight. Now I'm 3 and a half months out and 42 pounds lighter. - and I'm loving it. Good luck, you'll be fine. - and enjoy life, there is humor in everything.

Turney, you'll do just fine. I've always loved food too. I thought I would have a hard time giving up things. but I don't really give much of anything. I just start with my protein (meat) and maybe mashed potatoes and a vegetable like green beans, peas etc. By the time I finish my meat and maybe a few bites of the other, i'm full. I'm 3 1/2 months out and have lost 42 pounds. I've only had one fill so far. I'm not having any trouble with craving other foods. I listen to my stomach not my head. If I can do it, so can you. Good luck!

EASY TIGER! But I know how insurance companies can piss you off. Over my years, I've had to deal with them many times. Sometimes very unpleasant. My insurance would not pay for my lapband. So I had to take care of it myself. I tried, but they put a clause in there about not paying for anything to do with weight loss. PERIOD! Anyway, today was a good day. We purchased a piece of property with a doublewide on it. we also bought the contents. Having a great time going through all the treasures. I'll let you know what we find.

I read your thread. I closed it. And then I came back to it after some thought. I love food, I've always loved food. It was there when I was happy, when I was sad, when I was depressed and so on. And I debated as to whether I really wanted to do this. I even went as far as having second thoughts the day of surgery. But you know I thought about it. Next year at this time (without the surgery) I will probably weight 10-20 lbs. more. I was already up to 265. That's scary. Next year was even scarier.I have a great husband, great family, lots of friends. But I wasn't comfortable in my own body. I hated my body. After struggling with my weight all my life, I decided it was time to change.I was banded march 16, self pay and I don't regret it at all. When you start losing weight (i've lost 40 lbs since) your have more confidence, security, not to mention energy. Makes you want to get out and enjoy other things. I don't think about food as much anymore. I have less depression and sadness and don't need food to fulfill anything. I eat bread (sometimes). I even have ice cream or a glass of wine. But once you eat as much as you can eat with the band, your satisfied. You don't crave it. this whole process is not as stringent as you think. Your 27, go for it. I wished I could have at 27. I would enjoyed life a whole lot more.

And you will get there. I am so glad to so many younger people having the surgery. I am 54 and wished I could have had it at 21. I have fought so long with my weight. You will learn to eat right and healthy. I'm proud of all of you.

I was self pay. I knew my insurance was not going to pay. I called my surgeon's office in late January. On Feb. 6 I had a nutrition class, saw a counselor and had an appt. with the surgeon. That day he scheduled my surgery for March 16. I was glad it went that fast. My family is supportive and my husband says do whatever makes me happy. So I did and I AM!

Good luck to both of you. Doing this for yourself is your first priority. You are doing the right thing. I'm doing great as I have lost 40 lbs since march 16. As for the pain, in about 5 days, you will hardly notice you had surgery. You will however need to follow the rules of eating and drinking. These are very important. Congrats to both of you. You're going to love the results!

Get banded! You'll be glad you did. I too am proud of anyone who decides to have it at an earlier age. I'm 54 and had mine March 16. I wish I could have done it at 21. My life would have been so much different.

Yes, all these feelings are normal. I almost backed out on my way into the operating room. I'm glad I was too groggy to say so. It was over before I knew it. Now I'm 3 months out and 40 lbs. lighter. You can do it! Good Luck! looking forward to hearing from you afterwards

Don't be ashamed of having lap band at your age. I was in the same situation at your age. I only wish I had this tool back then. Life would have been so much more pleasurable. I would have done so many things differently. I'm proud of you for doing this now. You will learn how to eat right and comfortably with the band. It's not as stringent as some say. Take it one day at a time and lose that weight now. . . . And enjoy life!

I've had the same feelings. But they will pass and when you see that scale start moving downward, you will want to work harder and thus it gets easier.