Fatboy_Slim

Good question, I am still trying to figure that one out but I agree with most of the comments that see it as a portion controller. For me that is the best part because I can now only eat so much and I rarely get hungry in between meals. My personal reason for getting the band is to make it my safety net after I lose all my weight.. I have only had one fill (I am about 3.5 months out from surgery)and plan to keep it that way until I lose all my weight. Once I do, will get another fill just to make sure I can't put it back on. I've always been great at losing weight but then for some reason as we ALL can relate to, it changes and something mentally/physically allows us to put it back on. That is when I will use this tool to the fullest, to keep off the weight, permanently. The band is obviously just one component of the whole process, you gotta exercise and eat right...no matter what. Peace.

I have been banded since Nov 9th, 2010 and pretty much started drinking red wine regularly (with exception, none last night) and have absolutely no problems continuing my weight loss faster than I expected. I also like scotch on the rocks or other liquors with no mixer at all. It's really a personal choice, the band should not control your life--if you want to party one night here and there I say go for it! It's not like you are going to be eating a large pizza or something Best long term for the band is live your life and enjoy it, if it becomes something that you associate with taking enjoyment away it may not work. Be consistent, Eat well but small, and do your damn exercise! FBS

One a day gummies are so good and they sell them at Walmart. I take 2 in am and 2 before bed as well as biotin and chewable calcium.

The only thing I really look at is weight of my Protein, try for 3-4oz each meal. I definitely am conscious of calories and fat, eating quality foods, and..have not cheated. Rather, allowed myself small amounts of the good stuff. For example, breakfast this morning was two eggs with reduced fat cheddar cheese and bits of real bacon, avacado on the side. Now, I can live with that!!! I have a great tool on my mobile phone (android) called the calorie counter, it is really great and I highly recommend it. I use it mostly to look at calories in things I USED to eat, like a double bacon cheeseburger......IT IS QUITE DISTURBING THE AMOUNT OF FAT AND CRAP I USED TO EAT!!!! Good luck, FBS

I also had to drink mine, but since I was an overnighter in the hospital it was the following day. It was the first thing i was allowed to have by mouth and wonderful haha! And contrary to the pre-op chugging of barium, this was just a sip so not bad really...you will be fine! FBS

I am gonna surf, mountain bike, snowboard, play tennis, and skydive!

I wouldn't sweat it. You better at least have your birth certificat though. As far as violence, just get in and get out and you will be fine. If you wonder about at night, don't. I have friends that go to Tijuana all the time, myself included and we have never had a problem. ...we do have passports though! good luck!

The articles are interesting, but quite old. It really comes down to your surgeon and his experience, along with your mental commitment to stick with the prescribed eating plan, and the support of the staff/follow up. There are dangers involved in any surgery, and those with lap-band are much less then others. It is the least invasive of all bariatric choices and very effective. The weight loss statistics are very much swayed by people who get banded and do not eat properly or don't exercise as directed. My surgeon's office made a huge effort to educate me on the risks, and everything I can and should do to minimize them. Becoming fit when you are obese is no easy task, and this is a wonderful invention to help people lose co-morbidities and regain quality of life. Your opinion to try other methods to lose weight is certainly YOUR opinion, but if you are like most of us, this was a long and well-thought decision that will change our lives for the better. Anyway, take a look at all the positives that are here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/99593-simple-poll-if-you-had-it-to-do-over/page__mode__show FBS