NanaLaura

Could I ask what helped any of you choose the lapband over the other surgeries? I have been doing a lot of reading and it seems like some of the issues with the lapband are a bit more annoying than the other surgeries? What about slippage? I understand it is quite painful. I know that Dr. Burpee does some double stitching, etc. That gives me some peace but sometimes I wonder if the other isn't a better choice. Once healed you should be good forever? As long as you work the program as we all should? I think that the decision making process is probably the worst. Once the surgery is done you don't have to worry about making the right decision anymore. Thank you to all of you who addressed the pigging out / panic eating questions. Even though I don't eat anything all that exciting as a general rule, the thought of perhaps never eating some foods, kind of set me off. If seems like us newbies are kind of high maintenance, thank you all for your patience. We need the voices of experience. Laura

Big Jim, I went to three seminars before deciding to get the surgery, one in Scottsdale and one in Mesa and now in Tucson. I didn't get a warm fuzzy feeling until I went to the one in Tucson. I was impressed with the information offered at the seminar held by Dr. Burpee. However, I wish there was more contact as you go through the process of getting to the surgery. I still don't know when I see Dr. Burpee again and I still don't know is all my documentation is in. I wish someone would kind of just keep in touch. I went through the seasawing of choices. I wanted the sleeve but it is not approved through my insurance. My choices are the bypass or the lapband. After finally talking to lapbanders, I am comfortable with the lapband choice but for a time there I felt very indecisive. I wish you luck and maybe to keep in touch,,, I am hoping for surgery in September. Laura

Since I know more people that have had the gastric bypass or the sleeve I am getting confused. It seems like the lapband is a little more flexible for food intake. My friend with the sleeve is not able to eat certain foods at all and he is a year out. Thank you for your kind responses. I only hope now that I am accepted because my PCP just told me that she can write the referral letter but not a weight loss history since I am a new patient. We just moved to this area. Now I will have to contact my old doc and see if she will write a letter. How motivated will she be? A bump in the road I guess. Maybe BCBS will be flexible... I hope. Laura