Ruthie1974

As far as worring about a "shrinking liver" here is the scoop. Us fatties have a liver that is HUGE from way too much fat. In order for the Dr. to safely get under our liver in surgery to the stomach the liver has to "shrink" or get healthier. They put us on a liquid diet for two weeks for a basic detox of our liver to clear some of the fat from it. Fat stores are used up here first and so then it becomes smaller and easier to manipulate during surgery.. Much less dangerous for us the patients.

I so know where you are coming from. I am having the same thoughts and am frustrated with myself, questioning "why can't I just do this on my own?" Well I think all of us if we are honest have been through diet after diet only to loose and regain the weight. The band is a tool to help keep that from happening, yet again. One of my old Weight Watcher friends was trying to be helpful tonight, telling me that all I have to do is go back to the meetings...well been there done that! Again, and again. Problem is not being able to loose the weight but to keep it off permanently. I bet you are like me in that you are scared of failing once again. And yep, it could happen. If we don't eat right, exercise and really keep on top of this we could be back to where we are right now. But the nice thing is that the band is going to help us both overcome this monkey (mine is 100 lb) on our backs. I know in my heart if I don't do something drastic to loose this weight I am looking forward to diabetes, continued hypertension, arthritic knees and back, as well as heart disease and stroke (both of my overweight parents are diabetic and both have had strokes) So, the alternative for us is to be more of the same. And I for one am not willing to do that. I will not give up... Good luck and God bless.:smile2:

Okay, so I am really getting scared about the lap band, perhaps it is part of the process but I have been reading posts about swollen stomaches, and erosion ect. I am having second thoughts about the procedure and am getting a little freaked out. Can anyone help? Thanks:scared2:

Yeah, I have been working on this since November. Glad to finally have a date. I had to change it to the 24th (Wednesday) because of prior commitments but two days difference is not much when one has waited (weighted ha) this long.:wink:

Would you guys believe that about an hour after I posted I got my approval letter from insurance. Well, surgery scheduled for March 22. Please wish me luck and prayers won't hurt either.

Hey, been there, paid for that! I totally get what you are saying. As a survivor of abuse during my childhood, that I have successfully put in my past, forgave those involved directly and indirectly I was incensed that the "doctor" that I had a session with told me that I did not have to "forgive" anyone.. and that by doing so I have shown a "pervasive need to be a victim and a side effect of a depressive disorder" What??? Yes, I have been depressed in my life, but I lost a child, what person would not be depressed for a time after that kind of loss. (Which was years ago, and I have a peace about that) I am human and I am supposed to feel terrible about the loss of a child?! AND the forgiveness is not/was not necessarily for the person/s who abused me. It gave me the power to walk away from a defining moment in my life by using it for good and not the evil that was intended. And I have peace about it, the abuse does not define me at all. So after reading some other posts about my psych eval I realized that there are some real quack shrinks out there that are not in it to care for patients, rather to make a quick buck out of a person. Some are good, others are not. Get a second opinion. Sorry for venting here, just struck a nerve!:thumbup:

So I did my psych consultation yesterday, after working all night and staying up till 11am (my appointment time) If the doc did not find me a little off I am REALLY suprised! Did anyone else find the psych part of it a complete waste of time? I mean most of us don't go into this thinking it is a quick fix or one that does not require lifechanging eating and exercise....what is the deal with the psych consult anyway. I really don't get it.:cursing:

I would so love to be in Australia today....

If anyone who is reading this thinks that I have been insulting or something else, that is NOT my intention. But understand that I have been involved in weight Loss surgery-related areas for nearly a decade. I have undergone multiple Surgeries, have made many mistakes, and I have learned the HARD WAY what it takes to be a success at this. And one of the most important elements of this whole process is to pay close attention to the MIND element of this. Because THAT is where the success begins and ends. So, when you are sent for your Psych eval, I would heartily suggest that instead of seeing it as a waste of time, think of it as another component of a successful LAP-BAND®® experience….embrace it, and consider making Psychotherapy a part of the process of becoming a Healthier person. It might be the difference between success and failure. Spartan, Since I am the one who started this thread I would like to take this opportunity to say, no you have not offended me in the least. I believe that this forum is for people to meet and bring ideas, thoughts, experience to the table and help others. I did not take anything you said as a personal attack, rather words to think about in this whole journey. If you would not mind me asking, you stated that you have had mulitple surgeries and have tasted the sting of failure and had to get your head into the game for ultimate success: My question is do you regret having the surgery done? Do you feel that you would have been better off not having the surgery done? I firmly believe that the band is not a "cure all", quite the contrary I believe that the band is only a tool. And if used properly may afford the weight loss that all of us here are looking for, and it will help keep it off. Could I loose the weight without the band, yep, done it before. But the weight always came back, with a vengence. I would like a tool in my life that will help me win this battle and the war. I have multiple resources in my life to be a sounding board, a help to get me through the process. And if I believe that a good psych counselor would help me in this process I would not be against that idea. That being said, the psych consult I had was completly worthless. Unfortunately the psych doc I saw had talked to me for about 15 minutes, had little to add except the words, "Eat slowly, enjoy your food." I spent an hour in his office, looking at magazines, filling out paper work only to have him tell me about the most obvious statement in the world. So I do appreciate your comments about this being more head work than stomach restriction. But could you entertain the idea that perhaps the stomach restriction would give me and others like me a chance to work on the head stuff, when it comes up, without the nawing hunger as well? Good day, and God Bless Ruthie

First, thanks for everyone's thoughts, ideas, and comments! I hope that everyone has a better experience than I did with the psych consult, but honestly I have had better support and information from this forum than I received by a "professional" and I really appreciate it. I agree that it is somewhat demeaning to have to jump through the hoops just so you can become healthier. But I am willing to change everything, so sitting in an office with a shrink and only part of my brain functional due to exhaustion....no sweat! :thumbup:

Ok so I told a friend that I was considering getting the lapband and I have been researching it. She said, "that sounds like a cop out to me, you just need to work at it, why would you even consider surgery?" :smile2: Needless to say I was hurt and frustrated by her comments, most of the postings I have read in here say that one still really has to work hard to remove the weight and that although the lapband is helpful it is not fool proof. Am I justified in feeling like she is way out of line? Do any of the "banded" feel like they copped out so to speak? Any thoughts? I believe I really need to make a permanent change and the band can help me with that. My doc suggested I look into it. I guess I am just frustrated. Any words of encouragement would be appreciated.

I am glad to hear that I am not the only one dealing with this. I think you guys are right, I need to do what is right for me, and not to look back.

Okay guys/gals level with me. Exactly what is bandster hell, when do I expect it and how do I deal with it? I am a little confused on what it is and when to expect it and I believe that knowing will make it less scary and easier to deal with. Thanks for the input.

Anyone join a support group or a weight loss group after surgery? Anyone continue with weight watchers or some similar group after surgery for the support? Did you find it helpful or harmful. Any suggestions/thoughts?

I am going for my first consultation with my Dr. on Monday next week. I am weighing all my options and am wanting to get an opinion from someone who has been banded. Any regrets? Would you if you have been banded do it again? Any advice you would give to someone just starting the journey. Any information would be helpful and thankyou to anyone who posts in advance. Ruthie

Actually anesthesiologists are MD's, and they are very qualified to run an OR. They have more training in this field (thus the specialty) and would not take someone to the OR if they felt that person was at a high risk for a serious complication from the surgery or anesthesia. I work in the field and know that there are risks to any surgical procedure but it is truly more safe for the patient during this type of procedure to under go general anesthetic (IMO). Twilight anesthesia still allows the patient to move and one would really not want that when they are working with your liver and stomach. Way to vascular (blood vessels aplenty) for that. Good luck and God bless.

I am wondering what foods that other's who have been banded cannot eat again. I understand that white bread, cake ect are off limits but I was reading the litature and it says "fiberous foods, nuts, ect." are not tolerated after you are banded. I find it hard to visualize a world in which I cannot eat an apple, oatmeal (irish oats especially) rice ect. I am wondering if this is an individual thing or if it is a universal exclusion. Thanks for the information. Ruthie

I am thankful to allof you who replied to my post. My reasoning for the surgery? To get my life back, both of my parents have diabetes, hypertension and have boyh had strokes. If I don't loose the weight and keep it off I know what my future looks like. I don't want to live like that. Do I want to look better and feel better, you bet! But more than that I don't want to be a burden to my hubby or kids, I want to walk without pain, and love life again. I think the band is a tool to help me accomplish that. Right now, how I feel if someone told me I had to X I would do it. I know I have to work at this and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get permanent change.

I am in the early stages of deciding on getting a band or not, and have some questions for those of you who have been banded. I am wondering what is it about the band that has made weight loss better/easier/more sustainable? After reading some other posts, I am understanding that the band is not a cure all and one has to take initiative to do the 'work' of weight loss. With that said why did this work for you and not other diets? Does the band really make that much of a difference? From my other questions most have said that they have no regrets and would do the band surgery over again. I am just wondering and want to make the best decision for myself. Thanks Ruthie:redface:

Thanks so much for your advice/input. I really see banding as a tool, as I have tried and tried to successfully loose weight and keep it off only to put those hard lost pounds back on plus some. Thankfully my insurance covers this procedure, and I am hoping for this to be the start of my new life, more healthy and better for it. I wonder though has anyone ever failed after banding, and what was the cause? Not that I won't follow the Dr. orders to the letter I am just wondering if anyone has had problems or heard of such. Thanks