Lapband questions---also, I am in need of a diet buddy...anyone interested?

Hi there. I am just starting the process, and have my first appt July 27. I am thinking about the Lapband, but wonder if that is going to be restrictive enough for me. I don't have alot to lose, my bmi is 38, but my will power is -O-! Has anyone had the lapband, and how successful has it been? Thanks for anwering my questions...I am in need of a diet buddy to miserate with/gain support from...any takers?

Hi Melissa: I am not having Lap Band, I am going with Laproscopic by Dr. Michelle Toder, EMMC. To tell you the truth, I have only heard of one person from the area I live and she didn't do well with it..but that's all I know..Who knows what the cir****tances were. I am just beginning the process also. Just went to the Info session(a mandatory session) and my first support group...very interesting to see and hear some of the success stories...you can see typing on a screen online, but to actually meet and see for myself the people in person was much better. So how far away are you from Bangor? If you want to chat, give me a yell, Diane

Thanks so much for replying. It is so nice to talk with someone going through the same process that I am starting. I also went to an info type meeting in Augusta with the Augusta Bariatric Center. But, where I am on MaineCare, they only take a certain number of MaineCare patients each year and they had met their quota by March! So I am now going through the Casco Bay Bariatric Surgery Center in Portland. I live in Limington, which is about 30 miles west of Portland. I have a friend that had her surgery in Bangor with Dr. Clough...(her OH member id is B1054652239) You may be able to access her profile from there. She had the open RNY and has lost about 170 pounds and is about 2.5 years out. She has gained about 30 pounds back and still struggles a bit, but going from 400 pounds to 230 her quality of life is 100% better! My thoughts are if I have the lap band now where I need to lose approx 60 to 80 pounds, if for any reason I fail (YIKES) I still have the bypass avenue to try. If I have the bypass first and fail (YIKES again!) I won't have any other options. I have not been overweight all my life...I was very active in my teens and did not have an extra ounce on me until I graduated and started working at AT&T as an operator...then my life went from busy busy to very sedentary. So from 18 years old to the present, 35 years old, I have struggled mightly with my weight. I have done every diet known to man and then some! I have had success with most of them, but it never lasts. I am hoping this is the tool that will end my struggles. I am going to try and find a support group around here, I think that seeing and hearing the stories in person would provide me with more motivation...I hope. LOL! Look at how I have rambled on and on...Thanks again for replying! I have tried the chat section of the OH website, but have not been able to find anyone in there. It is always empty. Then again, I think I have only tried the Maine Chat section. Have a great day! Melissa

Hi Melissa, I had RNY on July 13th with Dr Clough in Bangor. I don't have alot of info on Lapband, but a friend of mine had it done and she is doing quite well. Have you tried the Lapband board under the forums tab yet? You'll find tons of people there that have had or are waiting to have lapband. I wish you the best of luck with your journey and it sounds like you've researched and know which surgery you should have. support groups are usually run by the surgeons office, I intend to join a group more local to me as Bangor is a 2 hour ride for me. Call the surgeons office that performs the lap band and ask for info on their support meetings. Please keep us informed about your journey. Ann