Drasan

What is my-emmi?

I've been investigating band surgery for months now. I've attended information sessions and support groups and I've done a lot of research. I took my husband with me to a support group and cried all the way home when he told me he thinks we just need to exercise more and eat less (he is thin and always has been). Of course I need to eat less and exercise more, that's the story of my life. He is afraid for me, worried about the risks. Because of his reaction I stopped thinking about this surgery as a possibility to help me and I continued to be miserable. Long story made short. In spite of my husband's resistance, I kept an appointment for a consultation. The doctor said something to me that hit home in a BIG way. I'm going to share it. He told me that the average age for a woman to live is 80, with the weight I'm carrying, I can subtract about 13 years off that life expectancy making it 67. I'm 54 so that means I have a life expectancy left of about 13 years. I always wondered what I would do if a doctor told me I only had so long left to live. Well, now I know. The risks of carrying this weight and doing my yo-yo dieting are much greater; heart disease, diabetes, cancer and etc., than the risks and consequences of the surgery. If I can theoretically double the years I have left to live, it seems like a no-brainer. My decision is made and I am highly motivated. My doctor and I are shooting for a December surgery. I've already done much of the work and I'm confident I can make that date and make this work. I choose to live.

BJB, my thoughts are with you. I passed some great posts made on this site along to my husband, along with a CD that my surgeon gave me with inspirational testimonies and asked him to look at them while I sat next to him. It made me cry. I know my husband loves me and wants me to be happy and healthy. It's this love that also makes him afraid for what might happen to me from possible complications from surgery. I think since the talk with my surgeon and both my husband and I facing the facts of premature death for me in my obese state, my husband is looking at the surgery as the better choice. He is still not thrilled by any means. But he is supporting me. I am getting so excited! Now I just have to get my eating under control for the pre-op requirements. I'm not doing so well with that. It's a new day .. a good time to begin fresh. Thank you all for your posts. And to those of you who have experienced success and continue to remember those of us who are in the panic, hopeful, fearful anticipation stages .. I love you!! Thank you for remembering where you came from and for giving back!

I'm in the same boat as you! This is familiar behaviour to me. Whenever I knew I was going to begin a diet, I would eat like it was my last meal(s) for days or weeks before. Knowing that I am preparing for band surgery I've fallen into this familiar pattern again. My surgeon told me that he wanted me to lose 5 lbs before I see him again. I've gained 7. I don't know what he's going to say, but I hope this won't stop the surgery. I NEED the surgery to help me control exactly this type of behaviour. I figure I will probably lose at LEAST 5-10 lbs on the 10 day all liquid diet. Won't that do the trick?

Hi, I introduced myself to the group thinking I was going to be a December bandster. So sad for me, all the reports did not come through in time. I did all the work but all the reports did not get to the surgeon. I was really pushing it trying to get the surgery in December. But it's not to be. Looks like I will be January or February instead. Good luck all you December bandsters!!!

Catherine congrats to you! I just finished reading your blog and I am stoked!!! You're so enthusiastic. It's been years since I've felt that way. I miss the old enthusiastic, fun loving me and I'm looking forward to getting me back! Thanks for your post. Oh and, since I created this thread, my husband has gotten onboard. I've completed ALL my pre-op tests and now I'm just waiting for a surgery date. Yay us!

I'm resurrecting an old thread cause I have some questions about bulimia that weren't addressed in the thread. In my past, 20 years ago, I practiced both bulimia and anorexia. I received counseling for several years and I was able to stop ... mostly. I say mostly because I still have binges from time to time but I do not purge. Maybe once a month on average. I had an EGD and there was some old scaring but the surgeon was not concerned. I've also seen a pyschiatrist who has cleared me. What would happen if I had a binge after lap band surgery?

Who do you listen to when the surgeon and the nutritionist do not agree on the pre-op diet?

Thank for your repsonses, they make a lot of sense. I was a bit surprised by the conflicting information from the surgeon and the nutritionist. I plan to speak with the surgeon about it when I see him again to schedule surgery. Thanks again!

Who determines that pysch evaluations are mandatory prior to band surgery? Is it the insurance company, the surgeons, the band manufacturers, malpractice insurance? My insurance company will not cover this and I want to know what the options are, if any.

Great feedback thanks! I'm trying to findout if the requirement is insurance driven because if it is, they better darn well be paying for it. I'm stalled in my process over this and I'm finding it very frustrating. My surgeon and I are shooting for a mid December surgery date. I sure hope this snag doesn't change it. Thanks again! This is my last hoop to jump through! Almost there!

Kiz, Thanks for the information. Does anyone know who assigns the 'Bariatric Center of Excellence' standards? I would guess this is who is creating the mandate. Again, I'd like to know if this is insurance companies, the band manufacturers, the surgeons, or ? In the meantime I'll make some calls to see if I can get a better price. $350 for a one hour consultation seems high to me.

MyBandJourny Thanks for your comments. It's great to hear from somebody who is a just a few steps ahead of me. The most difficult thing for me at this point, is not to drink anything with my meals. I'm trying to drink as much water as I can but I haven't gotten the hang of the schedule competely yet. I feel like I'm either watching the clock waiting for enough time to pass to drink something or missing that time and then it's time for a snack. Is it really this strict after the surgery? I mean really? NO liquids with meals? I mean, my dietician told me to drain the liquid from any soup I would eat for lunch. Really?

My surgeon and I are shooting for the week of December 14. I started my pre-op diet this week. My surgeon wants me to lose 5 lbs. But the main goal, the nutritionist tells me, is to begin to establish habits of the way I am going to have to eat following surgery. I have to eat 6 times a day, each time must include Protein and a varied amount of carbs, fats etc depending on the time of day. I have to cut back on my portions as well. She put me on a plan to cut back on my coffee intake. I drink a LOT of coffee. So, I'm getting weaned back gradually, mercifully. I can't have anything to drink 20 minutes prior to, during, or for 20 minutes after I eat. Ten days prior to surgery, I go on an all liquid diet which I'm NOT looking forward to. I have an Upper GI this Friday .. another thing I'm not looking forward to.

I started my pre-op diet this week. I have a projected surgery date the middle of December. It seems that the main goal of the diet the nutritionist put me on is to begin to establish habits of the way I am going to have to eat following surgery. I have to eat 6 times a day, each time must include protein and a varied amount of carbs, fats etc. depending on the time of day. She put me on a plan to cut back on my coffee intake. I drink a LOT of coffee. So, I'm getting weaned back gradually, mercifully. I can't have anything to drink 20 minutes prior to, during, or for 20 minutes after I eat. Ten days prior to surgery, I go on an all liquid diet which I'm NOT looking forward to. But .. I CAN and WILL do this. The doctor wants me to lose 5 lbs before surgery. The nutritionist told me the liquid diet will shrink my liver making it easier to get the band positioned on my stomach. I'm glad they have me practicing the diet now when I can screw up with less consequence. There are a lot of new habits to learn.

Best wishes to you JTSOBX. I'm hoping it all works out well for you. Have courage.

Does it matter if the surgeon puts the port on the right side or the left side? At an information session I attended, that surgeon said that he places the port on the right side of the body. My surgeon will be putting the port on my left side. His reasoning is if there is ever an emergency medical situation which requires a center cut, the tube is not at risk of being cut which would cause further complications. Any thoughts pros or cons?

Apples, I can't find the thread you're talking about, The Before and After pics. There seem to be a few like that scattered about but I didn't see your post. Can you get me more information?

I never cease to be impressed with the members of this community. Your personal experiences, success, struggle, suggestions and support are probably the most valuable resource I've found online or offline. This morning I did my bloodwork and scheduled my Upper GI. I'm moving forward, full speed ahead! Damn the torpedoes (the negative people standing in my way) Thank you so much!

Thank you everyone for your supportive responses. I'm moving forward. I'm scared, but I'm more scared not to.

I am so happy to hear there are yams and asparagus in these recipes. I haven't had the surgery yet, I'm still investigating. One of the things I heard was that asparagus and sweet potatoes/yams would not be on my menu again. I'm glad to hear that some people can still eat these things!

I'm with you Sherry. I'm ready to win this battle and I know I can't do it alone, been there, done that. I need something to help me. I know there are no guarantees in life but I want to know the odds are good and the risks are low before I go under the knife, alter my body and affect my ability to take nurishment. I know the way I'm living now is hurting my health, so what is worse? This is not an easy decision and I really appreciate the insight and information from everyone on this forum.

Sherry, I've been researching band surgery for many months now. I've done most of the preliminary things and just need to make my decision now. I so understand your apprehension. Just when I think I've made the decision to go ahead, I read something that derails me and makes me second guess that decision. I hope you will forgive me for tagging a question onto your thread, it seems relevant to me. The information session I attended told us that 10% of band patients will need some repair in their lifetime. I read a post on another thread In Lap-Band Complications that stated something like this, "It's not a matter of if something will go wrong with your band, the question is when will it go wrong." I don't know what to believe. I'm with you Sherry, I am also a yoyo dieter, am I doing the right thing? Is it only a matter of time until the band will need repair?