Clueless, but hopeful...

[DonnaG 0]

Hi, I am diabetic and looking into lapband as a way to help control it. I have been overweight my entire life. In the past, it's been a self-esteem issue, but now that I'm over 40, it's becoming a life-or-death issue for me. I didn't even know where to begin, but came across this site and can't wait to read through everything and become more informed. It's nice to have a whole group of people that understand to communicate with. Thanks!

[stI24nger 1]

Welcome! Hope you find the answers you're looking for!

Bear in mind, the best way to start is by going to a seminar. Either find a surgeon or group in your area, and attend one of their informational evenings. If you don't know how to find a surgeon, try going to your insurance to see who is in network. That will at least give you a place to start.

The reason it's good to start there is because you'll want to get factual information straight from the "horse's mouth" (surgeon) and be able to ask questions of the professional.

But, this site is EXTREMELY helpful and informative, so you've come to a great place!

Good luck!

[Vikki 2]

It is a very personal decision to start your journey on getting a Lap Band. It is not an easy way out to loose the weight and not short term but something you plan to have in your body for a very long time. It is not like Gastric Bypass because it is a reversable procedure so if you have complications you can have it taken out. Gasteric bypass you loose the weight very quickly and with Lap Band some loose it quick and others it takes a couple years. It is better to loose slow so you skin can shink with your weight loss and not just look stretched. Plus you choose if you want tight restriction or mild restriction by getting a fill in your band. You and your doctor decided if you need more or less and you will know with in the next coupld of weeks of your fill if you need more of a fill. Everyone's body is different as I have 3.5 in my 10cc band and I have a good restriction and after a couple of bites I start to feel a tightening feeling which means the food is sitting on top of my band and I have to stop eating to wait for it to go down. As soon as you feel the relief you can chew another bite. It takes a long time to eat and you feel full a lot quicker so portion size is a heck of a lot less then what we used to eat. Harder to get the bad carbs down so they are pretty much cut out of the diet. Which is a great thing. Bad carbs is one of the biggest reason I became overweight. It isn't a matter of not eating them now with my band it is I CAN"T eat them which makes you not even crave them anymore. It changes the way your brain thinks of food and how your hungry and what to try to eat. You are limited to what will go threw your band and not hurt so you start making the correct choices that if I am only getting a small amount I better eat what is fuel for my body and not just fill my belly. Having Diebeties you already know that food is very important for your body for vitamins/Sugers/fiber/protein. It is all a science but everyone's metabilism works differentlly so it is a science project to figure out what works for you to loose the weight and then maintain your normal range of weight for the long haul. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!