MissBevy

Hi- my name is Bev and I'm considering having the lap band sugery. I've been on Weight Watchers SO many times (currently doing it again) and I do well until I get to the 40 - 50 pound weight loss and then I seem to lose my motivation. I've been overweight all my life and and tired of being this way. I have 7 year old twin boys and I'd love to run around and play with them, but my weight prevents me from doing so. I am tired of always being the biggest one in the room and having to be so self conscious. I've been considering having the Lap Band surgery for the last few days after talking with my husband. I have a degenerative spine problem and it is VERY painful. I also have a knee problem that gives me the blues. I know that no surgeon would even consider doing surgery at my weight so I need to take matters into my own hands and lose the weight somehow. I'm interested in the surgery but scared of actually going through it. I am not sure I could go through the period of not being able to eat solid foods. That makes me nervous to think I can't put food in my mouth and chew it......sad, huh? I LOVE food and hope that by having the surgery I can still eat. I know that I would have to watch what I eat when eating whole foods. I'm a sweet-a-holic and I am afraid I won't be able to eat cake, cookies, etc. Is that true? I'm hoping that by joining this community, you can help me understand better what this surgery entails, what I'm going to have to give up, what changes I'll have to make, etc. I'm interested in hearing about what all of you are going through who have been banded. I'm interested in hearing about what steps have to be taken to even get approved for the surgery. In other words, folks, HELP! Thanks in advance for any help you can give me in my journey to making my decision. Bev

Hi Bonny Sue, I am wondering the same thing about gastric bypass versus the band. It sounds like the bypass patients tend to lose weight faster than those who are banded. I'm not sure about having to spend time every few months having to go in and be "filled" through the port that is on the side of my body. Something about that and maybe feeling the port gives me the shivers. I'm trying to decided which one I would do better with, and right now, I just don't know. Any advice or suggestions would be welcomed. Hang in there, Bonny Sue. Hopefully we'll get information soon. Until then, keep checking out and reading nformation on gastric sites on the internet. Best wishes to you! Bev

Hi Allie! I wish you all the best tomorrow during your banding surgery. Keep positive thoughts and know that we will all be thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers. Best wishes! Bev

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post. I appreciate your well wishes and your help and advice. I admire all of you who have chosen to have the band done and your courage you show while going through your recovery and everything that comes after recovery. Thanks for sharing your experiences with me. I'm full of questions so I'll be posting an awful lot! Best wishes and big hugs to you all! Bev

I am sorry to hear that you had such a rough time. Sounds like it may have been the anesthesia that caused you to be so ill. I don't know that for a fact since I'm not a doctor or nurse. I am only in the process of thinking about having the surgery at this point so I'm interested to see how things go with people who are being banded and what they go through. Take care and feel better soon! Bev