New to site! Looking for encouagement and advice!

[massa36 2]

Hello friends! I am a 27 yr old single mom, from ATL, Ga. I am finally beginning my journey to get my Lap Band surgery done! I am so excited to find this site! My friends are so sick of hearing me talk about it! ( I think its because they really don't understand!And maybe because I have been talking since July 07)

I am in the process of getting all of my clearances , and doing my pre-op! I have a few questions maybe you all can answer! Those of u who have had the band done, how is the loose skin? Are u loosing weight at the rate u would like? and do any of u all have any advice on making the procedure, more successful post-op?

I am so excited about the procedure. and I am looking forward to making new friends and getting and giving the encouragement we all so desperately need during this transition! So here we go on this journey!

[Kat817 19]

You will find this site invaluable in the aspect you can talk "band" all you want!!! And everyone understands!!!! It has been such amazing support to me, I cannot begin to convey how much! Welcome to the site!!!

My skin, is pretty good, for my age, with the exception of my belly. It is bad! It is limiting my exercise etc. at this point, it hangs so badly--so I am awaiting a decision from my insurance concerning a TT.

I lost weight wonderfully the first year, the second has slowed considerably, but not through band issues. I had some thyroid tumors, and had to have surgery---it has been a challenging time, but thanks to the band, maintaining the weight loss, without dieting, or regaining has been possible. In many ways this has relaxed me like nothing else could. I think always in the back of my mind was the question about what would happen when I hit goal. Well I am not quite at goal, but maintaining has been a non issue!!! I eat most anything, just in moderate amounts, and I don't snack 24 hours a day! I don't binge....I live a normal life!!! Who would have ever thought that could happen???

My biggest advice would be no matter how difficult, adhere to the post op diet! It seems to set the tone for success the Dr. told me. Other than that, simply being prepared and knowledgable about what to expect to feel, and how to handle things as they arise....and this site will help you there every step of the way!!

Welcome--and congrats on your decision----you will be out there running with your child in no time!

Kat

[shortgal 5]

I consider myself a slow but steady loser and I'm fine with that. Weight loss this time is still faster than any of the old diets I tried. I'm 56 and not very active in the winter so that's a part of it as well.

Loose skin, oh yeah, it's starting to hang. My arms and legs will look pretty bad. I guess it depends on age, where you carry your weight and how much you have to loose and hereditary factors etc.

Advise: Follow your Dr's instructions. Be prepared that after surgery your band might not work to it's best until you get fills and it could take several fills until your band is adjusted well. During that time you might find you can eat at your pre-band amounts. If you do not control that you could gain. Eventually, the band will work, but it takes patience and it's best to know that ahead of time.

My husband is totally tired of hearing about my band! LOL. He just pretends to listen.

Welcome to the forum.