Lapbandster

Glad to hear my doc isn't the only one Was beginning to feel a little lonely

Love your enthusiasm! Good luck to you and let us know how it goes!

Surgery on Friday!! Whoohoo!

I have been debating telling anyone about this decision. Truthfully, most people I know do not understand WLS surgery. They do not understand that it's JUST A TOOL. They think it's magic, and i'm scared that when I don't lose weight fast they will look at me as a complete failure. I understand the work that comes with losing weight with the band. I understand that the weight comes off (sometimes painfully) slowly. I understand that it's not a miracle cure for obesity. My friends/family unfortunately do not understand. Case in point: My mom went with me to my final doc appointment before surgery and he explained that in the beginning i probably won't lose much weight until i heal and am properly adjusted. As we left the office my mom whispered "he's just trying to downplay the weight loss. I know you're gonna lose 50 lbs before october" WTF!!! My dad is the same way. He keeps saying I will loose 100 lbs in 8 months. These people are dreaming. For this reason I know that no matter what I accomplish I will look like a failure in their eyes because i'm (fairly) certain that I will never live up to their expectations. That's why the less people that know the better. I can't be a failure to my friends too yes it's very sad that I won't be getting proper support from my parents but I guess i'll just have to be strong and never feel like a complete failure. So yeah, i TOTALLY understand why you don't want to tell

My doc has no problem with it (although he warns of bad belching reactions), but he seems to be in the minority. I have practically completely cut soda's out of my diet now anyhow so it's irrelevant to me

I met with two surgeons. The first one ONLY does lap bands, and he truly believes in them. He seemed very knowledgable but wasn't "warm and fuzzy". Then I met with a second surgeon who seemed like a real teddy bear. Very sweet (overweight himself, which made me feel comfortable). He did Sleeves, lap bands, and gastric bypass. I thought "this is it. i'm gonna use him" But then his Nurse Practitioner walked in and when I told her why I would do LB over GP, she started yelling and rebuking me. she said things like "only 40% of LB's are successful" (I knew this was not true) and "you never have restriction, because even with fills you can eat donuts" (true? maybe, but who said I would be eating donuts?!?) I told her that I would like LB because it's adjustable, removable (if need be) and does not cause any malabsorbtive problems. Even when I LOGICALLY made my points clear, she said "it's your choice, but I really think you will be making a mistake" I never forgot that look of disgust on her face and never walked back in there. I am using the surgeon I first met with and am satisfied with my decision. BTW, my mom had Gastric Bypass 10 years ago. She never regretted it and lost about 100 pounds, but Even now, years out, she struggles with her malabsorbtive issues (Iron deficency, not being able to take anti inflammatory for her torn tendon,constant exhaustion etc.) Also she had no control of her weight loss and now sags with extra skin. This is not what I wanted, and if I can avoid it with alternatives, then why shouldn't I?

Agreed And BTW, my surgeon told me straight up that many other surgeons try to dissuade the lap band because it's not a big moneymaker. The big bucks are made in the operating room NOT with fills/follow up appointments. Not sure I can believe such a heinous thing but it does make sense to me (about lap band not being a money maker)

main motivation: grandmother (and possibly other people) to stop looking at me with disgust. Also, I would love to get married this year but at my weight I have no self confidence

I was thinking of taking a magazine to the table to read while everyone gulps their food down, but that seems sooo RUDE!! My family (mom) would absolutely kill me So thanks everyone for the advice, I will always look back at this post. Playing with the kids is a good idea! Thanks

wow love this quote. It's so hopeful

Eating bad foods is not a routine I plan on continuing. Not sure why you thought that? BUT, what i'm asking is if i'll feel miserable not being able to eat what i'm used to eating while i'm around people who pig out. This is not a routine, but ~once a week I find myself in this situation and i was looking for insights.

My suggestions: 1) Eat lots of protein 2) Take biotin (I take 2500 mg) 3) Take a once a day vitamin (in case u have a deficency)

I'm so sorry for your loss, I hope you feel better soon Just curious, did you lose this weight post surgery?

Ah those annoying extenders. I am this close to needing one (whenever i fly i have to extend my seatbelt to the max) but thank g-d i'm having surgery this week and hopefully this will be the last thing on my mind the next time I fly

Y'know, I am also wondering this. I'm especially curious as to why my doc put me on a two week pre-op atkins diet when EVERYONE else here seems to only be allowed liquids for 2 weeks?? Also, he has NO problem with carbonation. He warns of hideous belching, and to only drink diet, but says its OK. Everyone else on here is told to run from soda like the plague. It made me very wary of my doc, but i just keep reminding myself to trust him... It sure is strange though!

Woohooo!!! SO glad to hear!!! Just curious, what weight did you start out? Do you work out a lot? (I really wanna replicate your success!!)

So glad you were able to deal with it!

Omg this topic is making me so nervous! I would hate to make weird gurgling noises in public Oh gosh... Here's where i begin to FREAK OUT!!!

+1 on for forcing down the protein shakes. To me they are GROSSSS and WOW on not being hungry at all! lucky you (i'm starved)

wow your lucky Also, even if i would have paid, my surgeon advised against it because he has heard of cases where the insurance see's the surgery report and see's the plication and will not cover the lap band because the plication is new/not FDA approved. I'm so jealous of you/your weight loss thus far!!

and your insurance covered plication which is still experimental?

WHOA. RESPECT! Thats insanely awesome! Do you work out a ton?

Try not to worry Complications are SO RARE. If you were ok the first time you went under then there's no reason to believe you will have trouble now My anesthesiologist told me that I have a greater chance of getting hurt on the freeway then from anesthesia. (And I go on the freeway every day! )

omg!!! Mis73 your looking amazing!! Thanks for posting these pics they are really encouraging! May I ask how long did it take you to lose all this?

First of all, here is a good explanation of crunches http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crunch_(exercise) Secondly, thanks for the compliment! Thirdly, that nike Logo is great, I wonder if i can get a tshirt that says that Lastly, try going to the gym and start slowly. When you feel the pain then get off the machine. Tread slowly and find a machine that doesnt cause you pain. This will be trial and error in the begining but just be patient. Does this gym have a pool? Swimming might be good for you and your pains