angelsoul

Just looking for a little feedback here. I just went to the seminar for the lapband surgery yesterday and found out that I MUST bring someone with me to my first doctor's visit. I'm not talking about the surgery, just the first initial contact. What gives? I am fully capable of asking the questions I need to ask and taking direction on my own. The truth is that I don't want my family to know about my lapband procedure until AFTER I have it done. I don't need the criticism and anyone telling me I'm wrong for wanting to do it (and believe me they will)...and I don't want to inconvenience my friends. I can hear me now, "Um, would you mind coming to the doctor with me so that you can hear about a priviate procedure I plan on having and then help me remember everything the doc says?" I am an adult, not a 4 year old! It should me my choice if I want someone to come with me or not. I don't have a DH or anyone else that I want to share this with yet. Why am I being forced to do so? :angry

Everyone, Thanks so much for your feedback. I called the place where I'm going to have the surgery done and they AGAIN told me that with the first visit with the surgeon, if I didn't bring along a support person, he wouldn't see me and would make me reschedule. I can't believe this hasn't been protested before. I feel like I am forced to tell people that I don't yet want to tell. I should be able to do this (letting people know) in my own time. Well, I should be grateful the technology is available and that (once approved by insurance) that I can have the surgery done. But honestly, I feel defeated on this one. I'm not a child. When an adult needs support, they ask for it.. If I'm not asking, just let me be.

Not strange LSTn, you don't want anyone to ask questions. I understand that. And it makes sense to me.

Thanks Sassafras, I'll be sure to let everyone know what I find out. I'll be calling today.

Patty, That's great. I never thought about that. I appreciate the feedback.

Hi Maryrose, I WISH I was under 21! I'm almost twice that age.... Anyway, at the seminar I went to, they told everyone that they had to bring a support person. I am going to call them today and protest that. I agree with having someone there when the surgery is performed, but that is the only time I would need someone with me. Thanks everyone for your feedback.

BooBoo, It's not you. Well, it is and it isn't. You're changing for the best... you said yourself that you're not willing to settle and your husband hasn't seen that confidence and determination in you before. You've gained strength in your experience and I bet he's not sure if he can match your strength. Men have their insecurities but display them differently then women.

Wow, Tracy. Thanks for the pics. For someone who is thinking about having the surgery done, this really puts a new perspective on things!

Hi, I'm new to the forum and have been debating about getting a lap-band. (I know, nothing new there....) But what I've been trying to determine is what is the difference between getting the lap-band and having a restricted diet as opposed to just having a restricted diet? Does the food metabolise differently with the lap band? If I just cut my eating down drastically and begin to exercise will it be the same effect? Or does the brain have something to do with the equation. Do I really have to feel "full" before my body will take itself out of starvation mode and metabolise at a faster rate? Should I pursue the lap-band (and yes, THAT was a rhetorical question).

Thanks Fort Bend. It's really interesting to read how some people's "mind set" changes after being banded. Like so many overweight people, I eat when I am bored and also to feel like I accomplished something (that last statement is a whole other therapy session). More then anything, it's fear that is controlling my thoughts right now. I'm afraid the band will harm my body, I'm afraid the band won't work at all (therefore confirming my failure mind set), I'm afraid that the band will work, and I won't be able to handle the person I'll become. Will I be able to handle the attention, the compliments, etc? I'm guessing now's a good time the schedule my next appt. with the shrink...Sheesh! Anyway, everyone's perspective here has been really helpful and much appreciated.

I have to agree Wasa. As a diabetic myself, and also being insulin resistant..when my metabolism shuts down I think that is very different than going into a "starvation mode" scenario. It is time we really start re-defining our eating stages. I am used to thinking "starvation", but that is not really the case!

Wow, Thanks Wasa! You are painfully right about me restricting my intake. If I could, I wouldn't be where I am now. I guess I'm just weighing all of my options out of fear of the surgery. You're also right about my mindset....my body has never known what starvation mode is my entire life!