Cherrob

I have started my pre-op process and attended a WLS seminar recently and now I am scared I won't lose weight with the lap band. I can already tell that the staff and physicians lean more towards gastric bypass, just in the way they talk and talk about the differences in the weight loss. They also tell you that one of the surgeons decided to have gastric bypass surgery instead of the lap band because he had a sweet tooth because of the dumping with the gastric bypass if you eat sweets. Now, I am so confused. I am against having gastric bypass because I have known several people that have not done well with the gastric bypass surgery and honestly I am just scared of gastric bypass. I have a small child and do not want to put myself in a situation where I get sick and cannot take care of him. I am so afraid I will get the lap band and not lose weight. At the seminar they said that they have had people only lose 20 lbs in a year with lap band - this would devastate me! I have talked to a friend that lost over 100 pounds with the lap band in a year, but she said she worked very hard at it. Any lap band patients want to share your success with me and let me know losing was easy or hard and any tips? I also have insulin resistance and wonder if this will play into my weight loss with lap band. Thanks in advance!

Thanks! I feel better after reading all the responses. I want this and I do not mind to put in the work if I can see results. Keep us posted when you have your surgery. I meet with the surgeon 1/04/10. I do know my insurance requires me to lose a few pounds before ( I think 10%), so it may be a while before I can have it done. I would love to know how your doing after you have the band.

Thanks for all the replies! I really appreciate it. I know it is my decision and I know I do not want gastric bypass. I just don't want to have the lap band and not lose any weight. I am willing to put the work in, I just want to the see results :biggrin: I meet with my surgeon on 01/04 and I am going to get all the information I can from him (he is the one that had gastric bypass instead of Lap Band). I too know a lot of people that have had major complications after or during their gastric bypass and like I said earlier I cannot put myself in a situation to get really sick and not be able to take care of my child. I just want a tool to help me get this weight off (even if it is slowly). I just want to be healthy! Thanks again to everyone that replied. This forum is the best.

Hey guys, I have a 20 month old little boy and i am just wondering how soon I will be able to pick him up, take care of him after surgery? I haven't even started the process yet, but I am trying to get all the info before hand. My husband will be able to help some, but he does not have a bunch of time to take off from work, so I am just wondering. Thanks in advance!

Thanks Indshark for your reply. I am going to get on with it because my want to be able to live my life and be there and do everything I can with my son. I am tired of feeling drained all the time! I have a pretty high tolerance for pain - I think. Every procedure or surgery I have had I never take the pain medicine. I had a C-section with my son and everyone talked about how horrible it was - and it really was not bad for me. I didn't even take my pain meds after the epidural wore off. I know every person is different, but I usually tolerate things well. I wonder if Lap Band is comparable to having laparoscopic gallbladder surgery? I had gallbladder surgery and the main thing is the soreness. The main thing is taking care of my son, I was worried about that. My parents passed away and so I really don't have anyone to depend on except hubby. I have a couple close friends that would help, but they have jobs and I wouldn't feel right about asking them to take off work. Again, thanks for your reply and it sounds like you are on a great start to losing all your weight. I have been overweight for so long that I wouldn't know how it would feel to be at a normal weight.. Take care!

Hello, just wondering if anyone has BCBS of Tennessee insurance and had the lap band done. Just wondering how hard it is to get approved. I called the insurance and they said they cover it if it is medically necessary. I just want to know anyones experience with this insurance. Also, anyone had Dr. Andrew Kramer in Kingsport, TN do your surgery and if so, how was your experience? Thanks in advance. :laugh: