Gastric Band...I am going for it in July 2016!!!! I have some questions...

Well done on making the decision!

I'm also 25! I shall try and answer some of your questions!

I took 2 weeks off work, I'm a nurse so always lifting patients and on the go etc! I would say minimum 1 week off work and 1 week light duties, or if you can get the 2 weeks, even better!

Regarding the weight loss and fills... Every surgeon does it differently, some inflate the band fully at the time of surgery and others do it gradually and at different stages! My surgeon did it really really gradually so I started losing weight after approx 3 months, but everyone is different. You will know when you have reached the idea fill and it's something that you and your surgeon decide together at your regular fill appointments.

I to used to yo yo diet and found that portion control and snacking were my main problems, the gastric band is great for this!

I only told a few of my friends and family, the ones that know are very supportive! I know that some people would be judgemental.. So I haven't told those!

I am in the same boat as you...I am 37...5ft 3 and weigh 12st. I am also thinking of having a gastric band. I've been to a consultation at healthier weight in Birmingham and my surgeon would be Dr Singhal. Where are you thinking of having yours done? I'd there advice who has had surgery with Dr Singhal???

I've been the same as most people..tried dieting, diet clubs, slimming pills etc. I've lost weight and put on weight. My biggest problem is not really what I eat but how much I eat. My portion sizes are the cause of my weight gain. I will continue eating even when I'm full and will eat even when I'm not hungry because it's food and I love food. I'm hoping a gastric band will enable me to reduce my portion size and will help me to lose weight and get rid of my aching knee problems once and for all.

How long should I take off work? (Payroll Manager)

I too had an admin  job - I went to my GP for a sick note after one wk with the intention of stopping of a 2nd wk and she signed me off for another 2 wks - if i am honest I could have returned after 2 wks but who was i to argue - so i had 3 wks off in total.

How long until you start losing weight?

I had already lost 10 lbs on the pre op diet but then i stood still for a couple of wks immediately post op then started losing slowly again however until you get some restriction from fills your band is not operational so you are really relying on will power - the first fill generally takes place at approx 6wks out at the first follow up appt but even then it might not make a great deal of diff - but just follow the diet sheet and you should lose slowly and regularly  

The fills, do you actually know when you have reached your ideal fill?

there is a bit of trial and error involved and i actually over shot by having too  much restriciton which was causing me to have night reflux so i had a small refill and that seemed to be just right for me - when you are nearing that ultimate level of restriction small fills are all that are needed cos it is a very fine line between being just right and too tight.

Have your family/friends been supportive? YES

Anyone who was a simular weight..how much have you lost and how long did it take?

I was similar wgt to you and lost just over 6stones before I stuck - I had already lost ten stones with wgt watchers but regained 6 stones then i lost 6 st with my band so once again an over all wgt loss of ten stones but not all was due to band.  the band is not a magic wand but a tool to help you lose wgt - you still have to be selective in what you eat - it is not an easy way out - its not a cheat - you can regain - you need to kee p your eye on th e ball - and you may never reach that perfect bmi of 25 - i was predicted that i would lose between 4 and 6 stones with the band and lost the upper end of that amount - it took me approx 2 yrs to lose the 6 stones so it also needs to be realised that it is not a quick fix but remember i had aleady lost 4 stones with WW before having the band fitted - good luck.

I am 53 years old, a little taller at 5'9" and managed to reach an unhealthy 20 and a bit stones at my weight peak. After sustained pressure from my wife and fed up of being called 'big boy' and similar well meant humour I too took the decision to have a gastric band.

The NHS said I wasn't fat or unhealthy enough to merit it's assistance so off I went to France in late October of last year.

I had one week off work (I'm in software sales) but even in that week got outility and about in le havre on my electric bike.

Now I am 15.5 stone, feel better, look much better and am much more active. I've had to replace most of my wardrobe but revell in the fact that I can go to a regular clothes store and not search for xxl or even xxxl in whatever colour or style available, hoping that they would fit.

I still try to eat too much or too quickly or cook much more than I can eat from time to time. Less each week. The faithful band kicks in I pay the price. Just occasionally I indulge in deserts - which pass through the band unhindered most of the time. Thankfully, my vice was large portions of savoury food and never had much of a sweet tooth, so this indulgence is not frequent.

I've had my band filled five times, each time by a small amount. Once I had some saline removed as I could barely swallow a cup of soup. Now I'm ready for a small fill again as sometimes, just occasionally I can eat a normal sized meal. I want to get to 12.5 stone and have given myself one further year to do it - weight loss is slower now.

Do it however you can. It will change your life.