My wife is scheduled to be banded in September. She needs to loose 125 lbs. We have been married for 28 years and when my wife was ill, I have always been there for her. It is heart wrenching when a loved one is in pain and this is where I ask you all for some insight. Be patient with my writting because I want to lay down a path. She has gone through 3 cesarean births, emergency gall bladder operation and a open heart operation. That is allot of pain to deal with. We went and saw the salesman/surgeon and he said that she was a candidate for the lap band procedure. She needed to go to a nutritionist.The surgeon stated he would not let her loose to much weight before the surgery. I have been monitoring your discussions and listened to some scary situations. Such as, band slipping, infections with fill site, site moving, throwing up, high fevers, bands becoming undone, loosing insurance and having no way to pay for follow up procedures, surgeons not honoring any defects, no long term studies (what do you do with it when you are 70), what happens with violent regurgitation from food poisoning, what happens if somebody does the Heimlich Manoeuvre, traveling abroad, etc. I know this does not happen to everyone, but it does happen. As her husband, I will have to watch this happen and take of her. Her previous surgeries were easier to understand because it was not elective. The lap band is suppose to be a tool to help in the weight lose struggle. It seems this tool has allot of exposed rusty edges. I also am 100 lbs. over weight and decided that this risk is not practical for me. Looking at the lap band diet plan made me realize this is not hard. All I need is a focal point (something you love, hate despise, anything) to dismiss any hunger urges. Today, I have lost 30 lbs. in 2 months. The final question to you all is, Was it worth it. The pain, expense, unknowing of the future, and the worries your loved one received.
She is still going through with it and I will support her in anyway shape or form. Any insight, wisdom, or thoughts will be really appreciated so that I can understand this event.
Thank You,
GJ