Hi Everyone! I my name is Gina and I am new on this forum. I wanted to introduce myself, ask some questions, and meet some new friends who can relate to what I am about to go through.
I am a 37 y/o female 5' 8" tall who wt. 248 lb at the beginning of my WLS journey over a year ago. I originally was turned down for surgery by my insurance due to BMI if 38-39 (I can't remember) with no comorbities they considered to be comorbitities. I have had back surgery and chronic pain for 14 years (did not count to them) and take anti-depressants for depression (did not count either). But, the long story short is that I ended up getting approved based on having PCOS which then leads to the co-morbidity's they do recognize such as high BP, type II diabetes etc... I am the first person to be approved based on the PCOS for WLS by my insurance company and I am very excited to show them how much it is going to assist me in having a better quality of life and healthier life.
My concern is this... I have the choice between lap band and GB. Now I know this is a lap band site so maybe I am asking for biased opinions. But, I would like any advise you may have. This is my situation...
I have lost 26 lb (currently wt. 218lb and have a BMI of 33) since December 2007 and I am scheduled for surgery Sept. 3rd 2008. I have always based my decision to have lap band on the fact that it is the least invasive and the safest WLS. Also I know I can loose wt.... but I need an extra tool to help me loose it and keep it off. No matter what surgery I have I know I have to do the work.
That being said I want good results and I do not want it to take forever. I am also concerned about the foreign body causing problems in the future.
I am just having doubts about my surgery choice! I am thinking of calling my Dr. and telling him that maybe I should go with the GB surgery. I want to make the right decision and I have felt due to the fact that I have under 100lb to loose that I should go with the milder surgery. But, the reasons I think GB may be better is that...
1.) I have a sweet tooth problem more than I eat a lot (although I do that too).
2.) It is 2 hours to go get my fills (inconvenient and gas is pricey).
3.) I will have results quicker with GB
4.) I can't excercise as much as I may need to with LB because of pain so I may need the more extreme surgery.
Cons for GB=
1.) More invasive and more risky
2.) what if I get too skinny and look sick?
3.) What if I ever get really sick and need the extra cal. intake.
My Dr. says that the choice should be based on lifestyle choice. The driving so far for fills all the time is the main thing. The surgeries are fairly equal in most other categories. He also said that I will not get too skinny. I also met a guy last night who had GB 5 yr ago. He only had 75lb to loose and he looks great and does not regret it one bit! He did say that he got thin fast and it took him some time to regain to his optimum wt. OMG! What would that be like I have no clue!!!
Sorry for the running on and on. But, I am open to advise or direction of how to make this final decision in the next couple of weeks. I am going to email my Dr too and let him know my thoughts and see what he says.
Surgery Choices!
in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Posted
Hi Everyone! I my name is Gina and I am new on this forum. I wanted to introduce myself, ask some questions, and meet some new friends who can relate to what I am about to go through.
I am a 37 y/o female 5' 8" tall who wt. 248 lb at the beginning of my WLS journey over a year ago. I originally was turned down for surgery by my insurance due to BMI if 38-39 (I can't remember) with no comorbities they considered to be comorbitities. I have had back surgery and chronic pain for 14 years (did not count to them) and take anti-depressants for depression (did not count either). But, the long story short is that I ended up getting approved based on having PCOS which then leads to the co-morbidity's they do recognize such as high BP, type II diabetes etc... I am the first person to be approved based on the PCOS for WLS by my insurance company and I am very excited to show them how much it is going to assist me in having a better quality of life and healthier life.
My concern is this... I have the choice between lap band and GB. Now I know this is a lap band site so maybe I am asking for biased opinions. But, I would like any advise you may have. This is my situation...
I have lost 26 lb (currently wt. 218lb and have a BMI of 33) since December 2007 and I am scheduled for surgery Sept. 3rd 2008. I have always based my decision to have lap band on the fact that it is the least invasive and the safest WLS. Also I know I can loose wt.... but I need an extra tool to help me loose it and keep it off. No matter what surgery I have I know I have to do the work.
That being said I want good results and I do not want it to take forever. I am also concerned about the foreign body causing problems in the future.
I am just having doubts about my surgery choice! I am thinking of calling my Dr. and telling him that maybe I should go with the GB surgery. I want to make the right decision and I have felt due to the fact that I have under 100lb to loose that I should go with the milder surgery. But, the reasons I think GB may be better is that...
1.) I have a sweet tooth problem more than I eat a lot (although I do that too).
2.) It is 2 hours to go get my fills (inconvenient and gas is pricey).
3.) I will have results quicker with GB
4.) I can't excercise as much as I may need to with LB because of pain so I may need the more extreme surgery.
Cons for GB=
1.) More invasive and more risky
2.) what if I get too skinny and look sick?
3.) What if I ever get really sick and need the extra cal. intake.
My Dr. says that the choice should be based on lifestyle choice. The driving so far for fills all the time is the main thing. The surgeries are fairly equal in most other categories. He also said that I will not get too skinny. I also met a guy last night who had GB 5 yr ago. He only had 75lb to loose and he looks great and does not regret it one bit! He did say that he got thin fast and it took him some time to regain to his optimum wt. OMG! What would that be like I have no clue!!!
Sorry for the running on and on. But, I am open to advise or direction of how to make this final decision in the next couple of weeks. I am going to email my Dr too and let him know my thoughts and see what he says.
Thanks,
Gina:confused: