Post-Op: What You Wish You Knew Prior To Getting The Lap Band

[klawson617 2]

If there was one thing you wish you knew before you got banded, what would it be?

[pink dahlia 2,513]

Five months ago today i got banded. The only thing i wish i had known was how easy it would be ! Ive lost 37 lbs, and look and feel 100 % better. As long as i follow my Drs rules 95 % of the time, i have success !( hey, nobodys perfect !) I watch what i eat, limit sliders, exercise 3-4 x a week and stay up on fills and Drs advice, Works for me !

[CAROL LOW 1]

I would have done it sooner had i only known..

[SageTracey 608]

That this thing worked. I would have done it years ago!

[AXA 19]

I wish I had known it was going to be this hard.

I wish I had known that the lapband isn't a magic pill and it doesn't work for everyone.

For me, it didn't work at all . . . .at first.

Then, I cut out all carbs (except veggies and beans), dairy products, fruit, and even Protein Drinks (save for one day a week), started tracking my calories on myfitnesspal, began measuring and weighing all my food, invested in a fitbit to be as active as I can be (not just one hour a day), and just became really strict with myself. I've done all this before and it hasn't worked.

It's working this time and maybe the lapband gives me just the edge I needed to do it.

[shuckybucky 107]

That the band is very touchy and restriction changes with weather, illness, menstrual cycle, etc. I have got more fills and unfills in this year then I ever dreamed I would.

[Skyvic 226]

Yes...I wish I had done this years ago. I am very satisfied with my band. Also learning to cook differently but I live it. I like that my butt is smaller, that I can get out of the tub with ease, I can tie my shoes!!!! Walk 4 mikes a day without getting out of breath, I can see my toes! I can shop at old navy In large now, where do I stop...no regrets.

[Skyvic 226]

I wish I had more knowledge to listen to my body as I get more fills, and to practice chewing small bites before the surgery, yep that's a big one!

[can 0]

The band hasnt worked for me at all. I was banded in late january, and I weigh more now, than when I first got approved for surgery. And I have serious concerns because I am unable to vomit...ever. I had had stomache illness, where I needed to throw up, and NOTHING will come out. We were meant to throw up. The whole thing gets me down.

[honk 780]

I have been very happy with my decision to be banded. In general I wish more doctors were clear with people that this is not magic. That they will be ona will powerdiet until restriciton; and that restriction can take months of fills to achieve (took me 6 months). Again my journey has been very good. I had no gas after surgery. Knock on wood have never had a productive burp; and very limited stuck episodes. I've read a lot of posts on here of unhappy bandsters whose doctors I think don't give them enough of info before surgery.

[pnsbamafan 4]

I wish I had known that moving to another town would be a problem when I needed to see my surgeon. No dr in this town will touch me because of liability issues. If I need to get an adjustment, I have to drive 4 hours to do so. No cool.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

I wish I'd known about the Lap-Band and done it years sooner. I've lost 87 pounds since I was banded in January and feel better than I have in many years (decades).

[shuckybucky 107]

The band hasnt worked for me at all. I was banded in late january, and I weigh more now, than when I first got approved for surgery. And I have serious concerns because I am unable to vomit...ever. I had had stomache illness, where I needed to throw up, and NOTHING will come out. We were meant to throw up. The whole thing gets me down.

Don't give up on it. It takes some people MONTHS to find their sweet spot. You probably aren't vomiting/burping because you don't have the restriction you need yet. Be thankful because actual vomiting (like when sick) is very very painful with the band.

[runnyf 8]

I wish I would have really understood that a lot of my eating habits were mental habits, and that woud be the hardest thing to change. The LB helps with the negative feedback I need to say, no, you ate too fast, too much, didn't chew enough so I learn new behaviors with physically eating. Mentally, I still think that I need a large amount of food to feel full, and that is not the case.

[Bean <3 2]

I wish I would have known I would have a huge lump over my ribs where my port is. I'm 20 days post op.