scared and unsure

Hi Everyone, I was given a date of April 22 for my band with DR.Birch here in Edmonton. Today was my class on eating after surgery. After a 3 1/2yr wait I am re thinking my surgery. I would like to hear from anyone who has had a band. My concerns or hair loss and not enough protein. I also am alittle concerned about a slow weight loss for such a life style change. I need to lose about 100 pounds and I know that's alot. But with a 50 pound target in the first year I am thinkng I may be making a mistake. Please if you have had the band let me know your experiences. I don't have much time to make sure I am doing the right thing. Tammy

Hi Tammy I had the band 0ver 15 years ago, although not the lap band. I not only lost over 100lbs in one year but another 40 and kept it off for 14. It is not a cure all or is any other WLS. You need to have a mind set that it is gonna work and you are gonna work at it. Fortunatley now with the lap band you can have adjustments. I did not loose my hair at all, nor did I have issues with lack of protein. When you first start out it is important to make sure what you eat has lots of protein and vitamins in it. From my experience and soms close friends who had the band DO NOT push your limits. Don't try foods that are not healthy for you just to see if you can. What is the point of the surgery then. Two friends of mine had the band and within a week called to tell me hey I can eat pizza no problem, they both had the band removed because of issues due to over eating and the wrong food. For me I am looking at a revision now to gastric bypass, only because my band was not adjustable and my stomach is stretched. You are doing the right thing in thinking this through but if you really think that you just do nothing and the weight will come off you are wrong. Good luck and feel free to message me for questions. Conni

Hey Tammy...I really hope that you KNOW the band is right for you...Have you checked out the gastric sleeve? You should check out the forum. I fiirst thought that I was going to get the band...and then I started doing research on it...I decided it wasn't for me...But I know the sleeve is...it is pretty much matainence free. Anyhow...Just be real sure you are sure you want the band...and all that goes along with that. Take Care Ani

Hi Tammy I do not have any experience with the band but experience with the doubt and questions you have. I just just had open RNY surgery with Dr. Nohr in Medicine Hat on Mar 13. I had to wait years for surgery and as wel when the date came closer I had second thoughts of the surgery. I found information on the types of the surgeries from people on this forum and other websites........ I did not know anyone personally.... it was very hard to decide. In the end, I thought this is only a tool to help get started on a weight loss journey. As we have limited discussions on the Mantioba forum I always check out other forums -- I would strongly recommend you pose your question on the Ontario as they are the most active in Canada. Diane G

Hi Tammy. I had the band put in a year ago Feb. 2nd. It was the best decision I have ever made in my entire life. To date, I am down 70 lbs. The band is so doable. Alot of people think that they can't have treats that they used to once the band is in place but that isn't so. Of course you do have to change your eating habits but I still have treats. Instead of a bag of cookies, I can only tolerate one or two. That is the good thing about the band, it won't allow you to eat the large quantites that we used to. I would recommend this surgery to anyone. It has changed my life. Hope this eases the pondering in your decision. Have a great day. Dawn