After 11 years, I am having my lapband removed due to inflammation causing side pain (since last Sept) For those who have been through this, can you share your recovery time? I work at a seated job and hope to return Saturday and teach low impact classes at the gym (hope to go back next Wednesday - 8 days out) Experiences? Thanks in advance!

I lost exactly 100 in a year.

Absolutely 100% the surgery.

Hi Tracy - first of all welcome to the board. You are smart to ask yourself these questions now before your surgery - it is not too late to change your mind.

The lapband certainly isn't for everyone. I had great success with it in year one, getting to my goal by losing 100 lbs. It took a lot of exercise to do that but I didn't really feel like I was hungry or being deprived. My plan of attack was to eat foods I like and stay around 1600 calories / day. With the level of exercise I was doing (2000 minutes / month), it worked for me.

Does the band really help control portion size and control hunger?  Yes, I believe it can - if we are eating the proper foods. If I eat a real meal (e.g. meat and potatoes), I can't eat alot of it. If however, I choose junk (e.g. cookies, candy, ice cream), I can eat and eat and eat and eat. So it definitely can help but we still have to make the choices to eat the better foods. I am a food addict so I struggle with this. I'm now out 4 years and have gained back over 40 lbs from my lowest weight. Depressing but I have to do the work now if I want to lose again.

Make you feel full and satisfied for a long time even after a very small amount of food? In year one, I would have to say yes. Now? Again if I eat proper foods, yes.

Does it really help take away the cravings for sweet food?  On this one, I would say absolutely not for me. I love love love sweets and I can't imagine that ever happening.

Help take away the constant thoughts of eating and when I can get my next fix?  For me, again, no. I am a food addict though - you may or may not be.

For me, the band was a Godsend. I still have no regrets about it. I haven't had many problems compared to some. A little reflux. Some added, some removed, some added, some removed and now am leaving my levels alone. I don't like being in agony from the reflux so I'd rather be a little bit hungry. Just joined WW last week as I need that extra help.

I can't answer about the band as I really have no experience there. The band can definitely work ... but it takes a lot of committment.

I never experienced hair loss at all.

Hey Wendy .. I am deliriously happy because I have no idea what people are talking about. I have blocked the vitrial (is that the word?) and KABOOM, all the bullsh*t is gone. I LOVE IT!

Absolutely. You can find ANYTHING on the internet if you look for it. Even if you don't :)

My doctor has never lost a lap band patient. If he has, there was only one and it was a complication post-surgery that was linked to their previous health problems. From all the research / reading that I have done over the years, this is a very very very low risk surgery.

I'm with Kate - have never used 'em and am not sure what the purpose is either.

You bet your booties you will have to exercise the rest of your life :)

I pop in from time to time and will never forget all the great support I received here. I will be 4 years out this summer. I did well - lost 120 lbs in a year. However, I've gained back about 40 and  I have to admit that's embarassing. Still, I am engaged to the man of my dreams and have been teaching fitness classes at my gym for 3 years, so I wouldn't trade my lapband for anything. 

I lost 120 lbs in a year so it's absolutely possible. And, it's LOSE not LOOSE. My personal mission in life to correct that.

I've always taken vitamins in pill form since Day 1. Centrum Forte is what my doc recommends.

Sure am :)