Question for the Vet banders

I think you are hilarious and a wonderful addition to this board and I'm proud to call you my friend!   My only regret is the limited food I can get. BUT... that regret is what got me into the obesity status to begin with.  For example, my DH has a new grill and the other night I was CRAVING a huge FAT JUICY Hamburger.  The kind that was dripping with cheese, ketchup, bacon, grease and the works on a hot buttered and grilled bun.  So, he made us hamburgers and low and behold, I got that hamburger.  So sitting in front of my plate was a gazillion calorie masterpiece and for a brief moment I really thought (in the ways of the old Nanci) that I could just eat it.  NO NO NO   It took one bite and WHAM-I WAS IN PAIN!!!  My "tool" reminded me that what I was doing was UNACCEPTABLE!!!  After clearing the stoma, aka , I immediately took the bun off, cut the pattie in half-horizonally- then proceeded like a dainty little lady to cut each yummy bite up no bigger than an eraser.  Halfway throught the meal, I was FULL and satisfied.  Since some other potential lapbanders may be reading this too... I will say this!  DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF WITH OTHER PEOPLE WLS PEOPLE.  RNY, Sleeve, and DS are totally different surgeries.  Actually, it is not a good idea to compare yourself to others in general but I will save that post for a more existentialistic thread.  Anyway, YOU WILL LOSE WEIGHT but it will require WORK, discipline, and sometimes A LOT of it.  Lapbanders lose weight SLOWER than other WLS. For me, the lapband has been about changing old ways with a gentle and not so gentle- reminder/coach that is with you at all times and yes, I am afraid it never sleeps which explains when I try to "sneak"  in the middle of the night to eat those kiddie cupcakes-my "coach" will not let me so I don't even try anymore. This time last year I was miserable. I had gained so much weight that I was ashamed to go out and try to do anything. I took the girls to a birthday party at a friends and when I went to sit in a folding chair, it buckled under me. And I won't even touch the number of medications and health problems I had.  I went to my first meeting last June.  I actually went with my mother who wanted to get lapband and wanted me to go with her for support. Well, God had other things in mind. Two months later I was on the table and on the losers bench. What I remember about my first visit with Dr. Miles is that it is brief.  I spent more time with Lisa,his NP and right hand.  He will probably ask you several times if you are willing to exercise. I cannot stress to you or anyone else-EXERCISE is so important. I'm not talking about hitting the gym five hours a day-I'm talking just basic exercise. WALKING!!!!  Walking around the block, the mall, the park,  Just strolling will jump start you into doing more.  I highly recommend an Ipod or other music maker to help kick up the momentum. As I have lost the weight, exercise has become easier and much more fun. Your first visit will be more about the checklist, what to do before the surgery or what is required from your insurance.   I personally had a great experience with Dr. Miles and his staff. They are a BUSY practice.  I loved St. Vincents East too.  It is really hard to have regrets when I no longer take Insulin shots, no longer take 8-yes-8 pills a day. I no longer have to struggle to keep up with child energies that abound my world. I save money each month on food since I was a FAST FOOD JUNKIE.  I love to bike now and that is saving on gas since it is easier to bike to Publix or the park. Both the girls are exhausted at night because I exhaust THEM now with my energy.  They sleep good, I sleep good and well, I could go on and on. Anyway, good luck. Let me know how it goes.