happychick

Thank you both for your replies. With the okay from my family doctor, I have decided to postpone my knee surgery for now. Now all I have to do is decided which surgery to get! I am still very set on the Lap Band and I hope to get some repsonses to my most recent post where the surgeon is proposing DS Surgery instead.

He said with my BMI of 56 (weight 325 at 5' 4") I might only lose 70 lbs and would still be very obese. I don't like the idea of my insides being messed with - I need encouragement and support that I can stick with the Lap Band surgery and lose more than that.

It's Sunday, April 19, 2009 and I have made plans for a new me. I am hoping that one year from now I will weigh at least 75 lbs. less than I do right now. I have appointments on April 28th and May 2nd to consult with surgeons who specialize in Lap Band surgery as that is the only procedure I am comfortable having done. In some ways it's scary to think of what is ahead of me but mostly it's excitement that I am guaranteed to lose weight!

It's Sunday, April 19, 2009 and I have made plans for a new me. I am hoping that one year from now I will weigh at least 75 lbs. less than I do right now. I have appointments on April 28th and May 2nd to consult with surgeons who specialize in Lap Band surgery as that is the only procedure I am comfortable having done. In some ways it's scary to think of what is ahead of me but mostly it's excitement that I am guaranteed to lose weight!

Thanks Jodi. I have read about these seminars which seem to be quite popular in the U.K. but I've not heard of them here in Germany unfortunately.

you settled on one? Is there usually a fee for the initial consulation and what is the cost? I have a consult on April 28 and forgot to ask about the fee.

I am scheduled for arthroscopy on my knee for April 27th to remove bone fragments from a fall I took a long time ago. Recovery is about 4-6 weeks and I will be on crutches for at least 7-10 days. I have been told I will need to spend a lot of time going up and down the halls at the hospital on my crutches for the three days I will be in the hospital and I am really worried about this. I have been trying to use them at home and I am in agony under my arms just trying to lug around all this weight and I give up after a few minutes. That's with being able to catch myself on both legs but after the surgery I won't be able to bear any weight at all on the one leg. At home all the beds and the only shower in my home are on the second level. Since I am having a good spell right now with my knee (the pain comes and goes for weeks at a time) and I could probably have the Lap Band surgery in about six weeks I am seriously considering postponing the knee surgery until after I have lost some weight in order to make it easier on myself. Please share your thoughts on this as I am not 100% sure of what to do. Thanks!

Thanks ladies for such a warm welcome and your words of encouragement!

I recently decided that the Lap Band surgery is what I wanted to do then felt discouraged after the initial consult with the surgeon's assistant who said most likely he will suggest I have gastric bypass instead of the Lap Band because of my BMI which is about 57. I feel very strongly in my heart and mind that the Lap Band procedure is the best option for me and out of desperation I Googled something like High BMI and Lap Band Surgery and here I am! I am so happy to have found this group of like minded individuals and I have already read so many of your stories over the past hour. You have reaffirmed my choice for the Lap Band and I thank you all for sharing . I am 5' 4" and weigh about 330 lbs. Like many people my story with weight is a long one and I will share more as time goes on. For now I am going to stand by my decision and if the surgeon in my area won't do it, I will find one who respects my choice!