THINKING about getting banded...

[KBOMB!]

So, I'm 17, and a friend of mine is going through the process of a lap-band surgery. She talks about it all the time, and got me thinking about it, too... so I'm just researching a little bit.

My mom got gastric bypass like a year ago, and I know that wasn't such a smooth process, but is this anything like that??

I thought a good place to start would be hearing about it from people who got it done. Like, if you could go back would you do it again? and what's the hardest part about having one, and just anything that would be helpful in anyway.

Thanks!!!!

<3 Kerri

[kiedas]

KBOMB - if I had to do it all over again I would have jumped at the opportunity when I was 17. You are still young enough to lose the weight without worrying about the extra skin.

My mother also had GB surgery, although hers was done over 15 years ago and no hers was not a smooth process. I had the banding done on August 27th 2007 and I have been extremely pleased with the results. Dr. Ortiz was my surgeon, the trip was smooth, and the care down at OCC was amazing. No doubt in my mind in a heart beat I would do it all over again. I have lost 14lbs since the surgery, waiting for my first fill, with a total weight loss of 34lbs. There is always the battle with the mental hunger everyday but you would have that with the GB surgery in my opinion that is the hardest part of the whole process. Battling the demons that make you eat in the first place, the band is nothing more than a tool that will help you control how much you eat. I would take my own children to Dr. Ortiz if they battle childhood obesity that is how much I believe in the procedure and my surgeon.

kiedas26

[Guest cyndir]

KBOMB,

I wish I had done it at a younger age as well. It wasn't an option and bypass is a much bigger ordeal medically and surgically. You are wise to hear from others who have a band.

What I do suggest, is you seriously study the "eating style" that is required when you have a band. It does take some disclipline.

I do think that once you learn to eat much slower and smaller amounts, learning about what foods are healthiest to eat you can learn to eat like a skinny person. I have a 18 years old daughter-in- law who has a baby and still only weights 100 pounds. I see how she eats and have thought many times: "she eats like she has a lap band" it is just natural to her. Her baby girl has a very little appetite as well. They are definitely wired differently than we are! I would have loved to be able to eat small amounts as a young adult and been satisfied.

continue your exploration into how the band works, what you must avoid for the rest of your life and how to best take care of yourself.

Good luck in your search for what is right for you!

cyndi

[Shanny]

KBOMB,

I wish I had done it at a younger age as well. It wasn't an option and bypass is a much bigger ordeal medically and surgically. You are wise to hear from others who have a band.

What I do suggest, is you seriously study the "eating style" that is required when you have a band. It does take some disclipline.

I do think that once you learn to eat much slower and smaller amounts, learning about what foods are healthiest to eat you can learn to eat like a skinny person. I have a 18 years old daughter-in- law who has a baby and still only weights 100 pounds. I see how she eats and have thought many times: "she eats like she has a lap band" it is just natural to her. Her baby girl has a very little appetite as well. They are definitely wired differently than we are! I would have loved to be able to eat small amounts as a young adult and been satisfied.

continue your exploration into how the band works, what you must avoid for the rest of your life and how to best take care of yourself.

Good luck in your search for what is right for you!

cyndi

KBomb

A great deal of this is up to you. You need to look into the materials and think long and hard about the decision. I know that the Lap Band has less side effects and it doesn't have near the amount of concerrns physically as a gastric bypass. Between the two, it would be a Lap band hands down. I go in just 2 weeks. I am willing to give up pop, and any type of drinking for the rest of my life. I plan to be healthy more than anything. Remember it is your body and you need to make the decision on what is right for you. I have been overweight since I was about 20 years old, and now at age 43 I am obese. However, I took this last year and did lots of research and made my decision this Fall to go ahead and do the Lap Band. Good luck to you.

Shanny

[KBOMB!]

thanks to all you guys so much all of your replies really helped me.

im on my process toward getting banded, hopefully it will be done this summer.

thanks again!

<3 Kerri