Hello.
I have enjoyed reading some posts. I have decided to peruse the idea of having the lapband surgery.
1) Are there any vegetarians out there? I'm curious how the lapband diet is different for you in comparison to a non vegetarian, if at all. Obviously you wouldn't be chugging down chicken broth anytime soon, guess that can easily be replaced with vegetable broth though.
2) I have heard some people on this forum mentioning some shoulder pain. I would like to hear more information about this, I've never seen any details on this. I find it strange since there is only a restrictive device being placed on the stomach, not sure how it would affect somebodies shoulder.
Guess that's it! I'm thinking about having it after I finish graduating from college... that's in June, so almost a year away. I'll try to do a bunch of work this school year to save up some money for the surgery. I've also requested people send me money as a graduation gift so I can apply it to the surgery.. !
I don't think people understand the lapband yet. My grandmother (obscenely fat) said it was an "easy way out" -- I just thought that was hilarious coming from her. My mother seems to scoff at the idea but I talk to her about it all the time, just so she realizes I am not changing my mind. I guess that is part of the beauty of being an adult... I get to make my own decisions!
I'm about 6' tall and weigh about 295 pounds. I have lost weight before, I mean to the point where I weighed a nice 180 pounds... but I was addicted to exercise, basically. I'd eat 500 or less calories a day and I exercised for a few hours every day (Intense stuff, I'd easily burn 1000 calories an hour). That was pretty crazy. Eventually I caved in to my addiction... I am a volume eater-- I can eat a lot. I think that's why the lapband will work well for me. I can lose the weight, I just need help ensuring that I do not eat a ton of food and gain it all back. This physical limitation will help relieve so much pressure from me-- I wont have to rely on the mental will power not to eat gigantic portions.
So, if somebody would like to comment on my questions that'd be nice. Also interested in people's thoughts about my situation-- whether they think I'd be a good candidate. Or if you just want to say "Hi", that's cool too.