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Hi I have been checking into having the lap band surgery. I was hoping to get some advice from anybody out there that has already been through this surgery. I am a little nervous and just want to make sure I am making the right decision. I have been fighting my weight for the last 20 years and now I weigh more than I ever have. I have tried so many different diets, I lose weight but then eventually put it back on plus more. I love to eat and seem to want to eat all the time. I think this is the answer to my problems, but I wanted to talk to someone that has actually been through it. I have a few questions also, it would be great to hear from anybody and everybody that would like to give me some advice. Thank you so much. Here are a few questions also.

If you had to do it all over again would you?

Do you feel like you have no energy from eating such small meals?

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Even though my lap band journey hs been along a pretty bumpy road, I would still do it again. As far as the energy goes, I have WAY MORE energy eating less than when I over-ate. It amazes me how little food we really need to get by.

Sabrina:)

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HI,

I am am 33 and I was banded in Nov 08, and I am down 85 lbs. My advise to you would be ....DO IT, DO IT, DO IT!~ My only regret is not doing it 10 years ago I have been a big girl since elementary and have YO YO dieted ALL of my entire life. ..It has not only changed my life but it has change my familys life as well. As a family we have became really health consious with not only our food but our exercise and general health. It has been an AMAZING journey, one I would not change for nothing!

As far as your question about the energy level, to be honest with you I have more energy now that EVER before. I am not eating 3000+ calories of junk nasty foods that did nothing but make me feel like crap all day long. I am eating protien filled foods and fruits and veggies. Dont get me wrong, I eat my share of NO NO foods, but not every time I put something in my mouth like I use to do.....

I heard alot of people tell me bad things before being banded like, you will have to cut everybit into a pea size bit before eating it and you will throw up all the time. Well FOR ME, this has NOT been the case. YES I do eat MUCH smaller, WAY smaller portions and yes I cant not eat bread and yes I have given up carbination but who freakin cares about that bad stuff anywaY. They were bad for me anyway, I needed to give them up.

Please fill free to ask ANY question you have, this is an AWESOME place to come and there are some AMAZING people on this forum!

Best of Luck with your decision.........

Carrie

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Regrets, no. 4 months of frustration and doubts, yes.

Difference in energry, no. Easier to do everyday tasks like walking up stairs, parallel parking body contortion, lifting a 40 pound bag of dog food, yes.

The band has taught me patience (it is a journey full of long and winding roads, not a short cut) and decipline (I need to make smart choice and monitor my own portions and hold myself accountable for the times when I do not have restriction).

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Thank you so much for all the encouraging information. This makes me feel like I am making the best decision to move forward with having the surgery. And Carrie you are right, right now I feel miserable and no energy because of my weight and what I eat. Thank you so much!!!! Chris

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HI Chris,

I just had my band put in on 3/15/10 at the OCC and even before the band is really doing "it's work" the fact that I have the band has really began changing my mentality towards food. Also, the mental challenges like the 21 day liquid phase following the procedure is something I never would have thought I could do.....but I'm doing it and I can't believe it!!!!

I don't have any regrets so far. I think it was the right decision for me, and I have only told one person (oh and some random woman on the plane :) and not having to answer to everyones doubts and criticisms has helped me a lot too.

I used to sit and eat and eat and eat without thought to calorie content. It's like food consumed my life day to day. I hated living in that cycle. Now it's like I have time to live because I can't just eat - I'm starting to re-prioritize my life and I really feel happy for the first time in a very long time.

I wish you the best of luck with your decision - and if you are going to have the procedure done the OCC is the place to go.

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Hi B2010 Where is the OCC anyways, I live in Texas and have gone to the seminar that True Results offers. Congragulations on your surgery and your success so far. I know eactly what you mean by the food controlling your life, that is exactly where I am right now. I am so tired of being controlled by it. Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it very much. Chris

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Hi B2010 Where is the OCC anyways, I live in Texas and have gone to the seminar that True Results offers. Congragulations on your surgery and your success so far. I know eactly what you mean by the food controlling your life, that is exactly where I am right now. I am so tired of being controlled by it. Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it very much. Chris

Chris,

Im from Texas too! There are several of us on the board from Texas, what area?

Carrie

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Hey Carrie, I live in Mckinney, its a little north of Dallas. Where are you at in Texas. Chris

Yep, I know where that is...I live in Lufkin. It is about three hours from Dallas.....I have a few friends from that area, the Company that I work for, our home office is in Dallas.

I dont know if anyone answered your other question, but most of us on this forum, not all, was banded at the OCC which is in TJ Mexico....GREAT, WONDERFUL, BEST, AWESOME, Experience EVER!! I know my decision in taking this route was that my insurance would not pay, so I was selfpay. I researched and researched, was talking to another Doc out of Mexico, but then came across Dr. Ortiz and the information I came across was hands down the best....

Have you decided when and where??

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Hello!,

The best thing you can do is read everyone's post's and blogs while making your decision. I have been for awhile. At first it was for my daughter, who at 21 and over 100 pounds overweight decided to do this on her own and then brought me in for advice..we considered many things for her, Gastric, Lapband, the country of Mexico for surgery - after a lot of research and reading a couple of books on LapBand, including Dr. Ortiz's we made our decision. My daughter was banded on January 8th, my only regret was that I didn't do it then too. But I was able to check it out and walk through the process as her support person and I know we made the right decision. Now in 5 days it will be my turn and my daughters first fill..I know for once I am doing something for myself that I am so thankful for. My daughter has continued to slowly loose weight without a fill and has a lot of energy, she has even started playing soccer again. She reports to me that her portion sizes are smaller even without a fill and just having the band has made her more aware of what she eats..I know this because I am always asking for my own information as I get closer to my B day. I believe I am making the right decision and I wish you luck on your journey..

smile.gif

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Hello!,

The best thing you can do is read everyone's post's and blogs while making your decision. I have been for awhile. At first it was for my daughter, who at 21 and over 100 pounds overweight decided to do this on her own and then brought me in for advice..we considered many things for her, Gastric, Lapband, the country of Mexico for surgery - after a lot of research and reading a couple of books on LapBand, including Dr. Ortiz's we made our decision. My daughter was banded on January 8th, my only regret was that I didn't do it then too. But I was able to check it out and walk through the process as her support person and I know we made the right decision. Now in 5 days it will be my turn and my daughters first fill..I know for once I am doing something for myself that I am so thankful for. My daughter has continued to slowly loose weight without a fill and has a lot of energy, she has even started playing soccer again. She reports to me that her portion sizes are smaller even without a fill and just having the band has made her more aware of what she eats..I know this because I am always asking for my own information as I get closer to my B day. I believe I am making the right decision and I wish you luck on your journey..

smile.gif

Great Post!!!

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Hey Carrie, I have been to the free seminar that true results puts on, and I have been doing a ton of research online, which is how I came across this forum. I too am a self pay, and also my husband is thinking about having the surgery. Which is why I am trying to find the best place and affordable place since we will be paying for 2. From everything I have read on this forum OCC sounds great, I emailed them last nite for some information on the surgery. Do you fly there all the time for your fills or do you have your fills done somewhere around here? I am in school right now, I am taking pre-nursing classes so that I can go to nursing school. My semester ends in the middle of May and that is when I would like to get my surgery done. Thank you for taking the time and helping me out. It is nice to now you are from Texas also.

EcMjawad1 Thank you for your advice, much appreciated. I am glad your daughter is doing well, and congragulations on your decision. Good luck with your surgery, and your journey ahead.

Chris

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Carrie, did I just read right??? You are down 85 pounds now?! Wow!!! Good for you! Does that put you in the 170's? I remember how bad you wanted out of the 180's. Way to go! I can't get out of the 160's....I keep fluctuating from 164-169. Can't wait to kiss the 160's good-bye.

Sabrina:)

HI,

I am am 33 and I was banded in Nov 08, and I am down 85 lbs. My advise to you would be ....DO IT, DO IT, DO IT!~ My only regret is not doing it 10 years ago I have been a big girl since elementary and have YO YO dieted ALL of my entire life. ..It has not only changed my life but it has change my familys life as well. As a family we have became really health consious with not only our food but our exercise and general health. It has been an AMAZING journey, one I would not change for nothing!

As far as your question about the energy level, to be honest with you I have more energy now that EVER before. I am not eating 3000+ calories of junk nasty foods that did nothing but make me feel like crap all day long. I am eating protien filled foods and fruits and veggies. Dont get me wrong, I eat my share of NO NO foods, but not every time I put something in my mouth like I use to do.....

I heard alot of people tell me bad things before being banded like, you will have to cut everybit into a pea size bit before eating it and you will throw up all the time. Well FOR ME, this has NOT been the case. YES I do eat MUCH smaller, WAY smaller portions and yes I cant not eat bread and yes I have given up carbination but who freakin cares about that bad stuff anywaY. They were bad for me anyway, I needed to give them up.

Please fill free to ask ANY question you have, this is an AWESOME place to come and there are some AMAZING people on this forum!

Best of Luck with your decision.........

Carrie

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So far I agree with what everyone else has posted. Although, I have had a ton of problems, I would not hesitate to have this surgery again. As other's wrote, wish I had done it sooner. I didn't have as much weight to lose as many on here, but have had the same difficulties with dieting. I wish I had been able to have my surgery done at OCC but didn't. You have many on here with lots of great information. It sounds like you've already made up your mind, just want confirmation from others that know about this, that you made the right decision. I think you are on the road to a new and more healthy YOU!!!! You and your husband both deserve that chance. Go for it with your eyes wide open and make it all happen -- you won't regret it!!!!

Good luck and keep us all posted. Other questions, ask away!!!

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Ditto to everyone I would do it again in less than a heart beat!! I did a ton of research so by the time it was my big day I was so ready to go. I tell people that this has been both the hardest and easiest thing i've ever done in my life. YOu don't anticipate how hard it is to deal with the mental hunger - for some reason I thought that would just go away. Same with cravings. It's been 17 months for me and I still drool when I see a piece of garlic bread! :angry: But again I don't regret it a bit.

I just ran in my second race and am about to start working towards a 10k. My niece is 4 and I hope that she only remembers fun healthy aunt Shelby and not the one that was always too tired to play with her and sat on the couch all the time.

I also highly recommend OCC. My mom was a nurse for 20+ years and she went with me and still raves about the place. Cleaner and more professional than many of the hospitals i've been in here in the states. Wish I could go back there for fills but can't afford it.

Best of luck!!!

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I am a Registered nurse and have absolutely no regrets about getting the surgery done or having it done I Mexico. Just wish I had of had it done years ago. Feel like I have been given a second chance at life and let me tell you I am living it full throttle now and enjoying every day.

Debbie

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I said it before,and I'll say it again. LOL! "You have to do it for yourself." It was the best thing I could have done for myself.

Kelly C.

Highest weight: 260 lbs.

Banded April 26th. 2007

Surgery weight: 240 lbs.

Now at My Goal weight: 137 lbs.

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Hi I have been checking into having the lap band surgery. I was hoping to get some advice from anybody out there that has already been through this surgery. I am a little nervous and just want to make sure I am making the right decision. I have been fighting my weight for the last 20 years and now I weigh more than I ever have. I have tried so many different diets, I lose weight but then eventually put it back on plus more. I love to eat and seem to want to eat all the time. I think this is the answer to my problems, but I wanted to talk to someone that has actually been through it. I have a few questions also, it would be great to hear from anybody and everybody that would like to give me some advice. Thank you so much. Here are a few questions also.

If you had to do it all over again would you?

Do you feel like you have no energy from eating such small meals?

I choose GLB for several reasons. I did consider the sleeve, but I really didn't want a surgery that was so final. I love my band, and have come to have a respect for her. I consider myself in a partnership. She does for me what I could not do for myself consistantly or all together.

I eat small portions of food and have not had a lack of energy. Matter of fact, I do more now than ever. The band has worked hard and sometimes harder than I have. I am a slow to conform gal, which I am a-ok with. The weight is coming off, and that makes me happy. I went in this with the expectation or goal that I would have the weight off in 3 years. I know that sounds like a long time, but I spend more time than that putting all these pounds and dimples into place.

For me, this is about progress, not being perfect. I am making life changes and love the way I feel. I've had glimpses of being a well adjusted eater. I have many habits that I practice that are not in my best interest. I am changing and a work in process. I love love love that I can work at my own pace. Enjoy the foods and holidays that I want and have moderation in place.

Things that I have had mental wars about.

HEAD HUNGER - It's a real bitch.

Waiting for the land of restriction.

Level of restriction. Do I have enough....to much....need more....

Not taking one bite to many. For a while, I was learning that one.

Missing the old full sensation.....

I will say I have a list of eeehhh not gona do that food again.

So far reheated shrimp are on the list. Um productive burp city....

Anything breaded is a waste of my time too. I normally pick the breading off. Why.....well I am at my sweet spot and I don't have much room in the stoma or pouch. Breading fills it up and swells and makes me full super fast. Not worth it.

A few things I appreciate about the band. Some good - others not so good.

Portion control biggrin.gif

Restoration of my "FULL Button." I had broke mine.

I eat WAAAAY less processed foods.

I can still eat cake. wub.gif

I take vitamins on a semi regular basis.

I am far more out going.

So I will wrap this up, cuz I have a gift of gab an can make lengthy responses.....

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Thank you so much to everyone!!!!!! You guys have really helped me with some doubts and nerves I had. I really appreciate all the advice. I have decided this is what I really need. I want my life back. I was not suppose to grow up to be an obese person. I feel like I am a slave to eating, and I really need some help. You guys have all been great and it is so nice to talk to people that understand. All my friends here and even my mom are all thin people and have never had a weight issue. It is hard to talk to them, since they have no idea what this is like. My husband is overweight also and he wants to have the surgery also. So hopefully this will be a great journey for us to go on together. Thanks again everyone!!!!!!!

Chris

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you should do it, if you really are ready for a lifestyle change. you can't do it and sit at home and eat cheetos at home watching tv and think it's going to work..i'ts not (i know :])

just the thought that i paid so much for this motivates me to get my behind in the gym and not eat that cheese burger.. good luck.

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Carrie, did I just read right??? You are down 85 pounds now?! Wow!!! Good for you! Does that put you in the 170's? I remember how bad you wanted out of the 180's. Way to go! I can't get out of the 160's....I keep fluctuating from 164-169. Can't wait to kiss the 160's good-bye.

Sabrina:)

Sabrina,

Yep I kinda bounce between 83-85. Yesterday morning I weighed and I was at 180.2. Still hanging in those 180's! So frustrating, not to mention I have NO fill at this moment. I go back to the Doc Next Tuesday. I will find out then if I can go back for my fill. I thought about not getting one, but it would have to be all me staying away from the NO NO food and I just dont know how well I can do with that. I have not done bad at all today, except for the Frappe I had for Breakfast this monring, but I had a cup ofTurkey Sausage Gumbo for lunch and a cup of Taco Soup for Dinner, then I had some strawberrys for night snack. Sooooooooo I will just see how it goes. When you had your complete unfill, what would you say was the reason you gained some weight? Was it more the food choices, the portion size, or maybe just high calories foods? Always curious with this one.....

Carrie

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The first time I had an unfill I went on a bit of a bread binge but the second time (when I wentto Hawaii unfilled for three weeks) I tried to eat three "normal" meals per day but after eating only 500 cals a day for months and months, going to 1500 or 1800 cals per day didn't work for me.

I recently posted on this very subject in the thread "fluctuating". I am prone to pack on the pounds at an ALARMING rate the second I deviate from eating lap-band style. I'm like a deflated balloon just waiting to be blown back up. Quite frankly, it sucks.

Sabrina:)

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