April A

I decided last May to begin steps toward getting LapBand surgery to lose the 100 pounds that I need to lose. I have no interest in the drastic and invasive gastric bypass surgery. However, since I began this program beginning with my Primary and on to the behavioralist, nutritionist, physician and surgeon, every one as encouraged the bypass and strongly discouraged the band. I have no health issues and have remained confident in my decision to stick with getting the band. I am about a month away from surgery. Has anyone else had this type of discouragement? If so, does anyone know why they encourage the bypass so much more? Is it more money for them? I feel that there are so many success stories with a much less invasive procedure, I'm bothered by the constant doubt.

Thank you for your feedback and congrats on the weight loss already!!! I met with my surgeon for the first time yesterday, and he explained both procedures to me and seemed to side with the band, due to the long term results as opposed to the fast and furious weightloss with gastric with a great change of weight gain over 5 years. Just another confirmation :bored: Thanks and good luck!!

thank you all for your feedback

Jacqui--- thank you so so much for your feedback. Makes a lot of sense and confirms how I feel. thanks.....and congrats on your weight loss....amazing!

Same here!! I started in early May and haven't even MET my surgeon yet!! I can't stand this! So discouraging, right?? Hang in there...it'll happen..... I am feeling the same exact way right now.

I am with you on this. I started this process in early May and I have a final follow up appt on 9/17 with the Nutritionist for surgery "clearance". At that point I have about a 2 or 3 month wait for the surgeon and Insurance approval. So from May to December is 8 months. It's unbearable!! My weight is on my mind all day, every day. I want to get there now!! I hope yours moves along and it's great to hear from others that it will happen and that it's worth the wait. Especially since everyone in my program seems to try to steer me away from surgery all together. Best of luck!

I completely agree with everyone's comments. Unless someone has struggled with weight and what it does to your self-esteem and self worth, they should give you only unconditional support. I think everyone who is about to have surgery or already has.... has already lost a handful of pounds and at some point put it back on. A tiresome cycle. Lapband seems to be the tool we all need to take it ALL off and KEEP it off. It's going to help keep us on track. He sounds like a great friend, but not someone with a weight problem. I'm still waiting for my surgery date, so I am sitting here quite envious of where you are with your journey. I bet when you reach your goal, which you will....you will stop doubting your decision. Be confident and move forward!! Best of luck.

Not only do you look half the size you were before, but for some reason you look like a younger person in your after picture. The excess weight almost made you look older? Anyway, I have not been banded yet, so I read stories like yours to pass the time during this long wait. You look amazing...have fun surprising your family!!

I am reading pages and pages of posts describing one great result after another. The before and after pictures are amazing. I just had my first consultation in May, which started me on the "surgical track." Between classes, seminars, nutritionist, behavior management, I have 2 more months until they will even let me schedule surgery! Is this typical? I'm glad that I will be well prepared for this, but I just don't want to wait any longer to get started. Is there a way to speed things up a little, or does is vary with surgeons.....

Thank you. I only know 2 people personally that had this done and it seemed to move quickly. I thought that maybe the program I was going through was more extensive. Sounds like it's typical. Thank you and good luck to you all.

I am reading pages and pages of posts describing one great result after another. The before and after pictures are amazing. I just had my first consultation in May, which started me on the "surgical track." Between classes, seminars, nutritionist, behavior management, I have 2 more months until they will even let me schedule surgery! Is this typical? I'm glad that I will be well prepared for this, but I just don't want to wait any longer to get started. Is there a way to speed things up a little, or does is vary with surgeons.....