Hi from Maine!!

[mksyniak 0]

So I have been researching and thinking about getting the lapband for a few years now. But I wanted to wait until I was sure we were done having kids and I wanted to do more research. Now that our youngest (and last!!!)is 10 months old, and I have researched the procedure and the differences and pros/cons compared to GB....I have decided to proceed with the LB procedure. I am 30 years old and am at the heaviest I have been at 240. I have always battled with my weight since I had my first child but I was very skinny (Size 4) before I had her 10 years ago. I have been able to maintain and deal with my weight over the years even though I was not happy aout it and no matter how much I watched what I ate or excercised...I was still not really losing any weight, just maintaining.... what was the deciding factor for me was I went to the doctors a month and a half ago because I was really depressed. She perscribed me wellbutrin and wanted to see me in 3 weeks for a follow up. At that appointment I weighed 234. At the next appointment 3 weeks later I weighed 241....7 lb gain in 3 weeks!?!?!?!?! I know everyone says this but I dont eat bad I watch portion size and eat a good amount of veggies/fruits and try to watch carbs. Sine I had my son 10 months ago I have gainined about 30 lbs. Thats the part that scares me....I have NEVER gained weigh that rapidly with out noticing that I was gaining unless I stepped on a scale. Its like Im at a point that IM so big that you dont feel or notice a difference if you gain 5 lbs here or there....and to me thats scary!! The weight just sneaks up on you and I dont want to see myself hit the 300 mark. So before I even get close to that I figured its time to do something about it. I hate to do drastic things such as surgery but I am tired of having no energy and being depressed about my weight. So instead of spending the rest of my life constently being miserable and worried about it I would rather enjoy it and be able to be active with my kids as they grow up. It would also be nice to love going clothes shopping again....as of now I DISPISE it because I will pull something off the rack that I think looks like it would fit me and it will be way too small and makes me look horrible. It would be nice to be able to go and buy cute clothes again, but more importantly I want to be there for my kids and be able to participate in the fun activities with them. So here I am. Referral has been placed and I have registered for the mandatory LB informational seminar that is scheduled for Feb. 25th.

As far as questions, (Im sure I will have more as the time goes on) but here are a few...

1) How long does the process take from the point when you get the referal in place till you get to have the surgery?

2) Read some blogs about port placement...anyone suggest wher the best place is? Does the port hurt all the time? Is it possible to dislodge it? Does it hurt during night time activies (LOL), like if your on bottom...dumb question I know but it was something I was wondering.

3) Do any of you regret it?

4) My cousin had it done a couple years ago (we were both looking in to it at that time but I wanted to wait till I found out more and made sure I was done having kids....glad I did!! ....my cousin is now super skinny and said she lost 10lbs average a month for 13 months....is that about right for weight lose average per month?

5) Can you drink from straws or are you not supposed to like GB patients? I know soda is not a good thing and they recommend you eat a cup of food 3 to 4 times a day...any other restrictions?

Basically as much information you can give so I know what to expect and can hear it from people first hand who went through it.

Thanks so much guys and Im glad to have started this journey!!

~Michelle

[Devana 0]

Hi, Michelle. Congratulations on your decision.

I think the best thing to do would be to find specific threads to post your questions on. You'll have a better chance of getting the answers there.

All the best!

[Pam92 0]

So I have been researching and thinking about getting the LAP-BAND®® for a few years now. But I wanted to wait until I was sure we were done having kids and I wanted to do more research. Now that our youngest (and last!!!)is 10 months old, and I have researched the procedure and the differences and pros/cons compared to GB....I have decided to proceed with the LB procedure. I am 30 years old and am at the heaviest I have been at 240. I have always battled with my weight since I had my first child but I was very skinny (Size 4) before I had her 10 years ago. I have been able to maintain and deal with my weight over the years even though I was not happy aout it and no matter how much I watched what I ate or excercised...I was still not really losing any weight, just maintaining.... what was the deciding factor for me was I went to the doctors a month and a half ago because I was really depressed. She perscribed me wellbutrin and wanted to see me in 3 weeks for a follow up. At that appointment I weighed 234. At the next appointment 3 weeks later I weighed 241....7 lb gain in 3 weeks!?!?!?!?! I know everyone says this but I dont eat bad I watch portion size and eat a good amount of veggies/fruits and try to watch carbs. Sine I had my son 10 months ago I have gainined about 30 lbs. Thats the part that scares me....I have NEVER gained weigh that rapidly with out noticing that I was gaining unless I stepped on a scale. Its like Im at a point that IM so big that you dont feel or notice a difference if you gain 5 lbs here or there....and to me thats scary!! The weight just sneaks up on you and I dont want to see myself hit the 300 mark. So before I even get close to that I figured its time to do something about it. I hate to do drastic things such as surgery but I am tired of having no energy and being depressed about my weight. So instead of spending the rest of my life constently being miserable and worried about it I would rather enjoy it and be able to be active with my kids as they grow up. It would also be nice to love going clothes shopping again....as of now I DISPISE it because I will pull something off the rack that I think looks like it would fit me and it will be way too small and makes me look horrible. It would be nice to be able to go and buy cute clothes again, but more importantly I want to be there for my kids and be able to participate in the fun activities with them. So here I am. Referral has been placed and I have registered for the mandatory LB informational seminar that is scheduled for Feb. 25th.

As far as questions, (Im sure I will have more as the time goes on) but here are a few...

1) How long does the process take from the point when you get the referal in place till you get to have the surgery?

2) Read some blogs about port placement...anyone suggest wher the best place is? Does the port hurt all the time? Is it possible to dislodge it? Does it hurt during night time activies (LOL), like if your on bottom...dumb question I know but it was something I was wondering.

3) Do any of you regret it?

4) My cousin had it done a couple years ago (we were both looking in to it at that time but I wanted to wait till I found out more and made sure I was done having kids....glad I did!! :smile:....my cousin is now super skinny and said she lost 10lbs average a month for 13 months....is that about right for weight lose average per month?

5) Can you drink from straws or are you not supposed to like GB patients? I know soda is not a good thing and they recommend you eat a cup of food 3 to 4 times a day...any other restrictions?

Basically as much information you can give so I know what to expect and can hear it from people first hand who went through it.

Thanks so much guys and Im glad to have started this journey!!

~Michelle

Hi Michelle...Congratulations on making a difficult decision!!

I just had my band put in on Dec 9th. So I will answer what I can Okay??

1.The time it takes depends on if you are planning to use insurance (how long it takes to get approval) or just paying for it yourself. It also depends on what your doctor wants to have you do (loose some weight, quit smoking etc.). So once you have your approval and referral, check with your dr on what he needs to have you do.

2. Your doctor will usually decide on the placement of the port. It is usually about 2" above your bellybutton. It does not hurt (once the healing is completed or close to it). It does not hurt any night time activities. (top or bottom!) LOL:wink2: I think you would have to try really hard to dislodge it.

3. No I don't regret it. It is not as quick as I had hoped. I don't have much restriction yet, but I am going for my first fill next Friday and that should help. From everything I have read the fills do not hurt much more than a pin prick, so don't worry about those.

4. From what I have heard and read here at this site, 1 or 2 pounds a week are about right. You don't want to lose it too quickly, but you do have to work and have the desire to lose weight to make it work. As everyone knows it isn't a solution, the LAP-BAND® is only a tool in your weight loss journey.

5. My dr said I shouldn't drink with a straw and that carbonated beverages can streach your stomach so that is a no no.

Well there are my answers. I would recommend you keep checking-- Find a good supportive doctor, with a great office staff and go from there. I do recommend it. I just didn't feel like getting so cut up inside like the bi-pass requires.

Also, although they don't recommend it, the LAP-BAND® can be removed, if you feel it necessary. But that is something you need to talk to your doctor about.

Well good luck and let us know what you decide and how it goes. :smile:

Pam