orsemus

I'm looking into the LapBand program at Washington U/Barnes-Jewish and at DePaul. Any experiences to share? Thanks. Orsemus

Hi, Smithmo, That is the question, isn't it? How did I get into this predicament? You're one year younger than I am, and I've been asking myself that question for years. The only overweight member of my large family, I don't know why my weight loss efforts have never been lastingly successful. When I started researching the LapBand, I knew I had begun to accept that traditional weight loss methods weren't working for me. I have a friend, a Weight Watchers lecturer, who lost 182 lbs. on Weight Watchers. Why couldn't I have done that? The answer is...I don't know the answer. The fact is I'm 58 years old, 2 years from 60, and my health is being eroded by the obesity. I decided just to get the fat off before it killed me and see what life is about in the normal BMI range. Breast cancer, sleep apnea, knee replacement and high blood pressure have been my morbid obesity companions. I want to trade them for normal sleep, control of arthritis, no more high blood pressure and, if it's God's will, no more cancer. I was banded on May 23 and am just in the post-operative recovery mode. I want to trade illness for health and fatigue for energy. You may be in better health than I have been, in which case other less drastic measures might work for you. It's not the surgery that takes the weight off--it's the food you put or don't put in your mouth. I would, however, encourage you to go to a seminar to learn more about the procedure. More than that, you might want to visit a support group and hear the stories of folks who have been through the surgery and improved their health. Don't be ashamed of yourself or of me, the fat lady in the chair on your left. We're just folks with a medical problem who are looking into ways of improving our lives. Whatever your decision, try to lose the shame our society attaches to obesity. You don't deserve it. All the best, Orsemus

Hi, Ladies, Good to read your posts. This first week was a little rough in spots but I'm feeling much better today, 1 week out. My sister is an RN and she calls to check on my progress every day. She said "Have you had your cry yet?" I said, "Huh?" In her experience, any sort of surgery, even if you've elected it and looked forward to it, is experienced by the body as an assault. The low day(s) (depression, crying, "what have I done to myself?" thoughts :smile:) is the body/mind releasing the fight or flight stress it has just been through. I hit that yesterday, made worse by my eating too little carb to prevent hypoglycemia. The nurse at the weight loss center told me to up the carb content, get plenty of Water in, and move to mushies a little earlier than I had planned. Having a good cry yesterday and getting in more carbs has made a world of difference. I feel a LOT better and I know, right down to my toes, that I CAN DO THIS! Lets hang in together, May 23rd band folks. It will become second nature in no time at all.

You are my people! I won't miss--all of the above--and: *Skipping class reunions because I don't want classmates seeing how fat I am; *Hating to stand on the scale at the doctor's office; *Seeing my (long deceased) mother's disapproving look as I buy slacks in ANOTHER size larger; *Sleep apnea, arthritis, high blood pressure, and skating very close to diabetes; *Spending my precious life energy agonizing over the size of my body.

LisaMarie, Thank you for writing. As I have questions I will ask you, thanks for the invite. According to your ticker you're doing very well indeed. Good health to you. Orsemus

Chris, Thank you. Yes, I would like to see the letter. This is quite a journey, isn't it? I've definitely decided to do it if all approvals come through. Thanks for writing and best of health and luck to you and your wife. Oresemus

LisaMarie and St Louis Gal, I'm reading your threads today and would like to know how you're doing. I'm in Edwardsville and am hoping to have LapBand surgery at DePaul. So far I'm just registered for the seminar in early February and I've contacted my insurance co. (UHC). Maybe we can support each other--you guys are a little ahead of me and I know I'll be watching your progress with interest and pulling for your good health and success. Orsemus

Thanks for replying,SnowHollow. You were just banded 2 days ago? How are you feeling? What hospital did you use?

I'm looking for doctors in St. Louis. I'd like to talk with someone who has been through the lap-band program at a St. Louis hospital.