Hello
Hello,
My name is Regina I am new to this forum. I am currently researching lapband surgery as I am 5'1 and weigh 290 lbs. I am a RN and I work for Baptist Hospital in Booneville so I understand only to well how unhealthy my weight is. I broke my ankle about 3 months ago and I really understood then, I needed to do something about my weight, as I was weight bearing on 1 leg and a walker for 4 weeks. Wasn't that fun
anyway I have been reading here and I'm wondering how does the lapband differ from a medically supervised diet if you have to be supervised and eat certain things anyway?
anyway I have been reading here and I'm wondering how does the lapband differ from a medically supervised diet if you have to be supervised and eat certain things anyway? 
Hi Regina, 
I live in Iuka. 
Just down the road from Corinth. I had the LapBand done on 9/18/06. I am losing weight that I have not been able to lose on my own. I guess the difference is with the Band around the top part of your stomach you have restriction and can only eat so much at a time. On a "diet" you are hungry all the time, or I was anyway.
I eat almost anything. Just small amounts. I try to stay away from sweets, most bread and high fat foods. As for the supervision after surgery, the doctor give you a list of things you can and can not eat 
and the longer you are out after surgery the more things are added to your list off food you can eat. I went back to the Dr after a week, got new foods to add, went back at 2 weeks got more food added, the I went back at 6 weeks got my first fill or band adjustment and more foods added. I go back again on Dec 7th for my 2nd fill/adjustment.
I lost 13 pounds waiting for Insurance approval. Then lost 10 on the preop liquid diet. and since then I have lost 21 pounds for a total of 44lbs. It is so exciting and I feel really good. 
My Dr was Micheal King at Baptist in Oxford. He is very strict but thats what I need and his staff is wonderful. The hospital is the best I've ever been in. They have a whole wing just for Dr King and Byars bariatric patients.
I am sorry about your ankle and if you need any more info or support I would be glad to give it. 
This is the best thing I have ever done for myself and my health.
Take care and e-me 
Cindi M 
I live in Iuka. Just down the road from Corinth. I had the LapBand done on 9/18/06. I am losing weight that I have not been able to lose on my own. I guess the difference is with the Band around the top part of your stomach you have restriction and can only eat so much at a time. On a "diet" you are hungry all the time, or I was anyway.
I eat almost anything. Just small amounts. I try to stay away from sweets, most bread and high fat foods. As for the supervision after surgery, the doctor give you a list of things you can and can not eat and the longer you are out after surgery the more things are added to your list off food you can eat. I went back to the Dr after a week, got new foods to add, went back at 2 weeks got more food added, the I went back at 6 weeks got my first fill or band adjustment and more foods added. I go back again on Dec 7th for my 2nd fill/adjustment.
I lost 13 pounds waiting for Insurance approval. Then lost 10 on the preop liquid diet. and since then I have lost 21 pounds for a total of 44lbs. It is so exciting and I feel really good.
My Dr was Micheal King at Baptist in Oxford. He is very strict but thats what I need and his staff is wonderful. The hospital is the best I've ever been in. They have a whole wing just for Dr King and Byars bariatric patients.
I am sorry about your ankle and if you need any more info or support I would be glad to give it. This is the best thing I have ever done for myself and my health.
Take care and e-me
Cindi M 
Hi Regina,
Welcome to the Mississippi Forum!! We're glad you're here.
The lap-band differs from a medically supervised diet in many ways actually. A small pouch is created at the top of the stomach when the lap-band is positioned. The pouch only allows a small amount of food usually less than 1/2 cup. The food stays in the pouch creating a sensation of fullness. If you try to force more food down, it will come back up much like a baby spitting up. The more saline that is injected into the reservoir the tighter the fill and the smaller the opening to the lower stomach. So the food stays in the pouch longer when a patient has a larger fill of saline. The lap-band also dictates exactly what you can eat. Again, it depends on the size of the fill. The larger the fill, the more restricted you are in what will go down and stay down. For instance, bread becomes a problem for most lap-band patients. Lap-band patients must chew their food until there is nothing left to chew. Otherwise, it will be painful and depending upon what you eat, it can become stuck in the opening of the band. Very painful. It usually only takes 1 time and the experience is enough to abruptly remind you to chew, chew, chew and to eat slowly between bites. So the lap-band restricts how much you can eat, when you can eat, and forces you to make healthy choices to get enough nutrients.
My doctor does not require a medically supervised diet. He recommends Sugar Busters because it promotes weight loss, but I do not have to meet with a nutritionist, psychologist, etc. I know that I need to make healthy choices to get the proper nutrition. Yes, I still have a few bites of things I probably shouldn't have but I cannot eat enough of it to make a difference. Besides that, the few bites of forbidden foods takes care of any cravings I might have. I'm satisfied with a few bites and I'm too full to eat more so it is the best of both worlds.
Weight loss with a lap-band is much slower than gastric bypass but the lap-band does work. You just have to be patient. My doctor and his staff can attest to you that I am not a patient person when it comes to weight loss. 
If you become sick or pregnant, the saline can be taken out and you can eat almost as normal. The surgery is laproscopic and takes about 45 minutes. You can be back at work in 1-2 days and fully exercising (even abdominal exercises) within 6 weeks.
If I can be of further assistance, please don't hesitate to email me at [email protected].
Vivian S.
The lap-band differs from a medically supervised diet in many ways actually. A small pouch is created at the top of the stomach when the lap-band is positioned. The pouch only allows a small amount of food usually less than 1/2 cup. The food stays in the pouch creating a sensation of fullness. If you try to force more food down, it will come back up much like a baby spitting up. The more saline that is injected into the reservoir the tighter the fill and the smaller the opening to the lower stomach. So the food stays in the pouch longer when a patient has a larger fill of saline. The lap-band also dictates exactly what you can eat. Again, it depends on the size of the fill. The larger the fill, the more restricted you are in what will go down and stay down. For instance, bread becomes a problem for most lap-band patients. Lap-band patients must chew their food until there is nothing left to chew. Otherwise, it will be painful and depending upon what you eat, it can become stuck in the opening of the band. Very painful. It usually only takes 1 time and the experience is enough to abruptly remind you to chew, chew, chew and to eat slowly between bites. So the lap-band restricts how much you can eat, when you can eat, and forces you to make healthy choices to get enough nutrients.
My doctor does not require a medically supervised diet. He recommends Sugar Busters because it promotes weight loss, but I do not have to meet with a nutritionist, psychologist, etc. I know that I need to make healthy choices to get the proper nutrition. Yes, I still have a few bites of things I probably shouldn't have but I cannot eat enough of it to make a difference. Besides that, the few bites of forbidden foods takes care of any cravings I might have. I'm satisfied with a few bites and I'm too full to eat more so it is the best of both worlds.
Weight loss with a lap-band is much slower than gastric bypass but the lap-band does work. You just have to be patient. My doctor and his staff can attest to you that I am not a patient person when it comes to weight loss.
If you become sick or pregnant, the saline can be taken out and you can eat almost as normal. The surgery is laproscopic and takes about 45 minutes. You can be back at work in 1-2 days and fully exercising (even abdominal exercises) within 6 weeks.
If I can be of further assistance, please don't hesitate to email me at [email protected].
Vivian S. 
Hi Regina,
My name is Regina as well..I had my lapband in Mexico by Dr.Aceves back in June.It was one of the best things i could've done for myself.I am down 70lbs.I've had one adjustment and have another one scheduled.I can eat most anything,I am just limited as to how much I can have..It has been a learning experience that' s for sure..Good luck with your decision..Take Care!
Arlies 
Regina... you will do fine! I will have the open rny December 1st in Oxford; Dr. King will also do my procedure and he IS strict but from all testimonies from this post and from a couple of individuals I know personally, he will have your overall health in priority.
ARLIES... it is SO good you read postings from you!!! I will never forget your encouragement to me when I initially made inquiries to this site. Congratulations and praises over your new house!!!
Wanda Mack!!!
s keep you safe
s keep you safe 
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