Hello from Chapel Hill, NC

[Tar Heel Don 0]

I am new to this forum. I have been thinking about lap-band for a long time, but I have been afraid to talk with my wife about it. The other day a lap-band commercial was on TV and she asked me if I would ever want to do that. After my jaw bounced off the floor a few times I said YES!!!!! She has agreeded to go to a meeting with me in Raleigh.

I am a 315 lb 54 year old white male. I have diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. I really want to do this, BUT I AM SCARED!!!! Do any of you regret being banded? How many of you would do it again knowing what you know now?

I don't want to be buried in a piano case. I don't want to have to buy clothes in the Big & Tall section any more. I don't want to worry when I try to fit in a booth at a restaurant. I don't care if I am skinny, I just don't want to be fat any more!!!

Sorry, I kind of got off topic!

[shortgal 5]

I am two months post op and so far I don't regret having the surgery. I am 5 pounds away from being the lowest weight I have been in 20 years and then it's still all downhill from there!

I believe I still have a long road ahead, as the band is a roller coaster process. First, you have surgery and can't eat too much, the band loosens and you can eat and have to use willpower not to eat until the next fill. After each fill, you will eat carefully to see if the last fill made you tight and then the process continues.

This is not gastric bypass and most people don't lose as fast with a band as bypass people, but at our age, we've been overweight so long, we're not usually in the same rush as those younger than us.

I am female, 56, 5'0 and started at 216. I had been as high as 230 a few years ago.

You can also control your band, by ultimately deciding how tight you want your band and how restricted you choose to be. If you choose to be less restricted or less tight, then you might weigh less than now but not reach your ideal or goal weight, but I think having that choice is great to know.

I'm going for fill #4 soon and haven't reached my first restriction level, since the swelling from surgery went down, but I know I'll get there soon.

Like you I was tired of shopping in the "plus" size department. Unlike you I didn;t have co-morbidites, but I would think that's more motivation for you. Many banders are able to significantly reduce or even eliminate their meds.

Read as much as you can about the entire process and you'll be able to make the right decision for you.

[Tar Heel Don 0]

How much do fills cost? I have seen prices up to $500!!!! How often do you get a fill?

[shortgal 5]

I was self pay, my fills were included and i get them about every two weeks.

[Totallytater 1]

Hi Tar Heel Don! I wish I was in lovely Chapel Hill right now!! I spent 4 lovely years there at UNC. I don't regret my surgery at all, even though I had to self pay and travel to Colorado for a good price. Don't regret it at all. Good luck to you.