[grumpyskirtgirl]

Originally Posted by TheFoxx

And what happens if you don't keep the appointments? What is the point of the appointments? What about post surgery nutritional support?

Too many what if's. I'm not saying this is a bad thing - please don't think I'm bashing it. I just don't want to see people go into it lightly. My cousin did and ended up in a coma for 6 weeks.

If you do not keep the appointments, you cannot have the surgery. It is a REQUIREMENT. The point of the appointments is to 1. Help you change your eating habits so that you know what to expect (nutritionist). 2. See how much you can do physically and help you find ways to excercise more (Physical therapy). 3. And to make sure you completely understand the process and what life will be like afterwards and to make sure you are mentally prepared for the changes (shrink).

I am sorry that your cousin was in a coma.

[LucyLuMyLuv]

I was required to meet with the nutritionist, exercise physiologist, and psychologist routinely prior to my VSG. I also had to attend at least one support group. Post surgery I have to attend diet classes and meet with the nutritionist and also with the psychologist. I attend the support group religiously. Surgery is just a tool, but changing it only works if you change your eating habits for good. Doing your research is a must! The lapband actually has the most complications of all the surgery options available. A good place to research is Obesityhelp.com

[LibbyHawkins]

Originally Posted by TheFoxx

And what happens if you don't keep the appointments? What is the point of the appointments? What about post surgery nutritional support?

Too many what if's. I'm not saying this is a bad thing - please don't think I'm bashing it. I just don't want to see people go into it lightly. My cousin did and ended up in a coma for 6 weeks.

My father had the surgery, if he didn't do the nutrition appts, his surgery would never have been scheduled, same for my mother who had it 4 yrs later. They also do follow up, obviously voluntary, but both of my parents have done very well with their GBS. My Dad lost over 200lbs, my Mom, only a couple months out, 56 lbs. It took her almost 2 years of counseling and Nutrition meetings as well as following a Doctor monitored program before her surgery was approved by insurance.

That being said, yes there are a lot of horror stories, to most people it is worth it.

[hope872007]

my mom had her lapband done in may she has already lost 40lbs so i think she is doing good

[Slatond10]

Originally Posted by hope872007

my mom had her lapband done in may she has already lost 40lbs so i think she is doing good

thank you so much for posting to this thread. I had searched the archive high and low trying to find this for a friend....
She is considering it as well.

[momraine]

I have lost 68lbs, it's been almost a year and half. I am doing it slowly on purpose. I just have too much other stuff going on for it to be the main thing in my life right now. I am overdue for a fill, but putting it off. Meanwhile I am staying where I am, not loosing much more, but not gaining any back either.

[WVUMom418]

I posted on this thread before, it will be 3 years in January since I had my lap band surgery. I lost about 65 lbs and then things in my life went kind of crazy, losing my job, adoption hitting every bump in the road. I decided to hold off on getting more fills and just deal with the other stuff in my life. It's been almost 1 1/2 years since I had my last fill but I'm still tight enough that I can't over eat and I haven't gained andy weight back. I'm going to get back on track after the holidays and go have another fill and lose a few more pounds. This is one thing I like about the lap band is it is adjustable so it is a tool that you can use or you can screw up if you don't do the right things.

The most important thing is to get a good doctor. My doctor will not continue to do fills if you aren't losing as you should because that means you are cheating. He will require that you go back to the phsycologist and nutritionist and won't do anything further until they approve it. It's easy to pick a doctor who isn't tough on stuff like this but if you are going to do something as drastic as surgery you want someone who about the total program and will call you out when you aren't doing what you should.

My sister in law had gastric bypass the year before I had my surgery, she lost weight very fast and has since gained it all back and more. My weight loss was very slow and no one in my family even knows I had the surgery. I tell everyone who asks how I lost he weight that I changed my eating habits (which is true), I can't eat bread, french fries or rice with the lap band and I eat much smaller portions of what I do eat.

I'd be happy to talk to anyone who would like more information.

[nannyisme2004]

I tried to pm you, but mailbox is full. Have you ever done any research on the hcg protocal? This is how I lost thirty pounds since July and have another 30 to go. My mom also did the protocal and lost 30 pounds as well. If you want more information to check it out I can send you an email with the two websites I found most helpful. You can google it as well there is a ton of information out there. After a thrity pound loss my blood pressure has normalized too and I don't have to take blood pressure meds anymore. I actually just started my third round today of the protocal. The first couple of days you eat as much as you can. Load days. Thanksgiving was a good start day for that. Good luck.