junebug

Hello from Virginia, I am in the process of getting banded. My doctor says most likely in March since I have to lose to get my BMI down to 50. I'm ashamed to admit the band wasn't my first choice. I am a male breast cancer survivor two years out of chemotherapy and almost three since my diagnosis in April 2005. The surgeon that is doing my lap band also did my cancer surgery so he knows me inside and out. He didn't feel comfortable doing the gastric bypass on me because if my cancer came back it would interfere with my nutrition. That's when he suggested the band as a better choice. That brings you guys up to date. My wife is an RN and was against the by pass but supports the lap band. I am slowly becoming convinced that this may be a good solution for me after all. My problem is I have about 30 lbs to lose before my insurance will pay for the surgery. I am worried that I can't make it. If I could lose weight like that I probably wouldn't need the surgery. I do fine on my diet until night time. I do exercise at night. Could that be stimulating my hunger? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for all the advice! When I was diagnosed with Type ll Diabetes in October 2004 I began avoiding carbs like the plauge. Between October 2004 through April 2005, when I was diagnosed with cancer, I lost 80 pounds. But the reason I have to drop my weight down to from 400 to 370 is to lower my BMI to where my insurance will pay for it. Ironically, Anthem will pay for the much riskier bypass surgery now! Go figure!!

Hello on a cold December morning! My name is Arthur from Roanoke, Virginia. I am in the process of getting the lapband. I originally wanted to have the gastric bypass, however I am almost a three year breast cancer survivor (I am a man by the way) so they didn't want to do the bypass in case the cancer came back. The surgeon that did my cancer surgery also do gastric bypass and lap band so I feel good about that. My biggest concerns right now are if they lap band makes you feel like you're choking or can't swallow. I am at the point where I haven't made up my mind 100% about getting banded, however it does seem to be my best option. Six months before I was diagnosed with breast cancer I had lost about 80 pounds through diet and excerise, I was diagnosed with diabetes. Since my chemotherapy and radiation the weight just doesn't want to come off like it once did. It may be all the steroids I was on during cancer treatment. I know during chemo I couldn't exercise and gain about 50 pounds back. Over this summer I've only lost about 25 pounds. Sorry to be long winded on an introduction :omg: