CandyE

I have no delusions that the LapBand will get me to 110lbs, but I'm 5'3" and currently 224. The doctor set my goal weight at 175 and said that average weight loss is 50% of your excess (ie. I'm 100 pounds over my ideal weight so I can expect to lose 50 lbs). She also does gastric bypass which she says you can expect to lose 80-90% of excess weight. I'm paying alot of money, time and pain just to become less fat? I want to be a healthy weight. Is she just trying to sway me towards the bypass? I need some band veterans to tell me the real deal before I give up.

I've never had any kind of surgery & I'm worried about the insisions. Is there a standard number or does it vary by doctor? Are they always all stitched or can they use strips or glue? I also wondered where the port is put and does that depend on the doctor also? Since I've never had surgery or stitches (only an episiotomy) I'm concerned about how painful the healing is.

My insurance says you must have a BMI of 40 or greater. I fluctuate around 39.7-39.9. I have my consult Monday. So I've been eating alot just to make sure I'm at least a 40. Is this the weight they use for approval? I actually feel terrible eating so much!!

Lead underwear...hmmm...never thought of that! I don't think I have to have a referal. Thanks! Candy

This is the one thing keeping me from banding. I have depression, pretty much under control with meds. I feel I will grieve the loss of my overeating and I will either A) Eat bad stuff and sabotage myself or Become a severely depressed skinny person. I totally understand your worries.

Hi! I'm Candy from Natchitoches & I'm considering banding with Dr. Merriman. I've kicked the idea around before but decided it was just easier being fat, but a few pounds and alot of aches later I've decided to investigate it further. All I've done is called for the price. Does he charge for the consult or seminar? I still have some concerns about keeping food down. If I wanted to be bulimic I wouldn't pay someone to sugically make me that way. I wish you luck and courage to go ahead with it. Maybe I'll be right behind you!

I'm considering banding and have tried eating the lap-band way and never realized what big bites I take, how little I chew, and how mindless my eating is! Does this new way of eating ever become habit so that you don't have to totally concentrate on every bite?