liannatx

See why I love this place!!!!!!! Posted an intro last night and checked it today to find such a warm welcome! Awesome!

Honestly, a friend of mine (and not a really close friend) had the lapband last year. I asked her EVERY SINGLE time I saw her how much she had lost...I was just genuinely happy, excited, and proud for her. I know the struggle it is to take off even 10lbs, more less 20, 30, 50, etc... Sometimes it will depend on who is asking those questions as to how you feel about it. I personally have decided not tell anyone. (at least until -30 or so, or whenever i feel successful enough to justify any criticism) I guess I would just politely say, "Hhmm, my weight has always been a personal issue. I still dont feel comfortable building a conversation around it." That should shut them up, and still sound polite, lol.

I am excited for you! I am also going to be an October bandster. You must feel great for taking control of things in your life and knowing that you have the power to make changes! Good Luck and I am sure I will be seeing you around here!

What are the real risks of anethesia for a surgery like this? I know that it is actually a very short procedure, around 30 minutes or so? I have this irrational fear of having anethesia and not waking up from it. I also know that it is a rather common fear for people going into surgery. Being cut open, foreign object in my body, recovery.....those dont really worry me. I worry about the damn anethesia, lol! Does anyone actually have any info or statistics on the safety of being under anethesia for a surgery like this?

Thanks for the reassurance. I did some checking myself and found that in barriatric surgery the risk of "serious complications OR death" is 1 in 250,000 (mind you, that is including complications such as aspiration or blood pressure spikes). Also the complications are the usually the result of some other underlying condition, not the anesthesia itself. There were no statistics I could find on lapband specifically, and I am sure that the duration of gastric bypass is where the above statistics come from. I actually feel much better now. As for the hoax thread you were talking about CandySmooch, I didnt even check it out. I dont want unfounded fears. Why would someone even get a kick out of posting something like that? Thanks for telling me it wasnt true before I read it!

I feel with you and for you. I am going the 28 for surgery. I am scared one day and fine the next. It helps me to think of the numerous 10 and 20 lbs that I have lost......and the 15 and 25 that were gained back. Obviously 'dieting' just doesnt work for some of us, for whatever reasons. I keep reading these posts and how everyone is so grateful to finally have something that actually helps with this battle for our health and reaching a reasonable weight. Cold feet are normal, remember that before you know it you will be in, out, and on the path to successful weight loss. Just hang in there. (and read these posts like an obsessed person, it really helps with the motivation and reassurance.)

Just to add that they make so many sugar-free low carb ice creams now. Some of them are pretty good and having a little now and then might ease the cravings for the REALLY good stuff. But, like it has already been said, dont beat yourself up over it.

Wow! That is wonderful that you are feeling so great! Look at your arms, I am so jealous, lol. I can just totally see a huge difference in your upper arms! Congrats, keep working that band.

I love it!!! I love it!!! You have done wonderful. I will have to take my dreadful measurements since I am still pre-0p. What a great way to SEE the progress besides the scales. You are doing great!

My insurance wouldnt pay for it at all. I ended up getting a loan at the bank. You will hear of many folks who end up self-pay. I think my health and quality of life are worth it. Good luck.

Congrats!!! Glad it went so well for you!!!

question for diabetics or those with insulin resistance: I am very insulin resistant and am taking Actos. I seem to have a problem with hypoglycemic dips. I am wondering how I will be feeling on the liquids stage, and do I need to continue with the Actos while I am having zero to minimal carbs/sugar? I know that these are questions for my doctor, but I swear I like getting advice from people who have "been there done that" better. (if it makes any difference i am not a sweet eater at all, my highs readings are only around 130-170, but i pump so much insulin that sometimes i will drop to the 40s or 50s. dear doc says that 20% weight loss... will probably have me off meds. ) I love this board! You guys are so wonderful and I cant wait to be banded. I have already learned SO much here.

I am going to Dr. Sanchez at the end of this month. I am paying $8,000 and transportation. There are several doctors in Mexico that get great reviews. Check it all out and choose what works best for you.

I wasnt fat as a child, a pre-teen, teenager, or in early adulthood. I was fairly slim weighing around 125-130, size 7/9, all through school. In my early 20s I went to 150's. At 26 I met my husband and was at 158. (152 in wedding dress) After 13 years being happily married I now weigh 228. There has never been a week/month/year that stands out for weight gain. It has just gradually crept up. Around 5 lbs a year, nothing drastic. I am definitely a yoyo dieter. I have gained and lost the same 20 lbs. so many times, and then some. I sometimes feel like I have let the weight creep up BECAUSE I am happy. I was all the recognized things in high school,,. class favorite, homecoming queen, straight A, etc..... I dont have an unhappy childhood or an unhappy adulthood. I now have a college ed, good paying job, great marriage, and great home life. I always wonder if I would be as miserable about my weight if I had always had to fight it. I have a great self-esteem, has it helped to get me to this weight? I sometimes wonder who has it worse, those who have always been heavy......or those who become heavy, guess this is an informal poll......lol

Hey! I will be going to Dr. Sanchez thursday 27th and having surgery Friday 28th. Since I will spend friday night in hospital I will be at the guest house on the 29th and leaving on the 30th. Maybe we will cross paths? My bad.... I posted the above with months mixed up. I hope you are banded and well.

Congratulations! Glad you are doing so good and back at home.

This is not a newer thread but I wanted to respond because I feel the exact same way. It is very encouraging to read all the responses. I have been wanting this for about a year, and have been semi-obsessed with working out all the details for about 3 months. Now that I have the financing (self-pay) and have a date set I am having second thoughts. BIG second thoughts. I think it must be normal when facing such a major decision, but it doesnt alleviate my doubts and fears knowing that. I keep telling myself that all the hundreds and thousands of successful and happy bandsters before me probably felt the same feelings, and that this period of self-doubt over the surgery is just a normal occurance. Yet.....the "scared, am i doing the right thing, what i dont wake up from anethsesia, what if it doesnt work, what if i dont lose weight, is my weight issue really worth this much money, etc...." dialogue keeps running through my head. I love that I have found this site where others can say YES, it is worth it. YES, I was scared also. YES, We are here for you and understand. I have been reading posts here everyday and it is what is keeping me motivated and reassured. Thanks to everyone for that.

That is so cool! Thanks so much! I am happy, nervous, excited, scared....you name it. Good luck to all the other October bandsters!

Well I have had trials and tribulations to get here, but I am scheduled for October 27. I am self pay and boy has it been a mess to figure out how to pay for this. It is crazy that Medicredit would only approve me for $4,000 and after racking my brain thinking and applying (ditech for home equity loan, no go. credit cards, not enough available credit, etc....) I went to my bank. I was approved for a $9,000 personal loan and got it at 12%. Thank goodness I didnt accept Medicredit at 22%. Hello to all bandsters, I am sure I will be on here frequently in the future.

My husband is the skinny one. After 13 years of marriage he still wears 32 waist jeans. Me on the other hand,,,,,from a size 9 or 11 to size 22. He just seems to move his body a lot. He is always doing something, and doing it at a fast efficient pace. I want things done the right way, but I like to do them the easiest way possible. I think I am a little lazy, lol. If I spend 30 minutes vaccuuming a room he can do the same room in 15. I swear he just moves faster and moves around more, and must have a raging metabolism because of that. So.......I think think part of the key is that exercise doesnt have to be "formal exercise" like working out or walking, just doing anything that moves the body and burns the calories. I know I dont use enough energy that way.

Honestly I have been going to about 4 different forums and saw him mentioned many times as being one of the better docs in Monterrey. It makes more sense for me to go to Monterrey, I can take a bus from McAllen and it is a 3 hour trip and costs $36 round trip. Once I chose Monterrey I knew I wanted Dr. Sanchez, I personally know a lady who went to him and vouches for him, the hospital, staff, etc.. and she says everything is extremely top notch. I am paying $8,000 for the whole deal, plus $72 for me and my husbands bus tickets. I have my surgery on Oct. 27. His website is ready4achange if you want to check out his credentials. I researched everything, but that is my nature, lol. Good lluck with this process, it can get frustrating.

:banana Congratulations!! I got my date also, Oct. 27. I am a little scared now, but so excited since I have been obsessed with this for months.

I am also a Texas girl! I have to selfpay so I am going to Monterrey to Dr. Sanchez. I am in south Texas and can drive there from here. All I am waiting on is the financing. Good luck through this process, it is frustrating right now, but will be worth it in the end.

This is also an issue I am concerned with. I am looking at the end of this month for surgery and am a smoker. I asked my Dr. coordinater about it and she said that of course it is better overall to quit if possible, but that she was a smoker when she had hers done and that you just need to let your dr.and anethesialogist know. If you cant quit I think everything will still be fine.

I am waiting to see if our home equity loan comes through. I am also going to Mexico! I have an "open appt" for anytime in October, they are basically waiting for me to have confirmed financing and will let me pick from the open dates. I wish you luck and a speedy recovery!