dk4k

Oh no, Carol! I haven't thought yet about how that might be, the first time my family cooks an awesome dinner and I'm on liquids... If all goes well this week, I will start my pre-op diet on Nov. 8th, and be banded on the 23rd. I'm excited but really nervous. Turkey broth for me for Thanksgiving! Did you get a surgery date yet?

I appreciate hearing the good and the bad experiences. It prepares me for the reality that the choice I am making is not as easy out. I hope you are feeling better really soon.

I have been on blood thinners for a year, and was told that I would need to give myself the lovenox injections for a while before and after surgery. I don't have the prescription yet, so I hadn't thought how expensive they might be!

It really comes down to you doing what is right for you. The rest will work itself out, ie your mother will come around when she sees you healthier and happier. A doctor can answer any questions you have about having the surgery after your previous surgeries. I t is a big decision, but it's yours to make! Good luck.

I finally made the decision to pursue the Lap-band surgery on a self-pay basis, after years of waiting for my husband's employer to remove their exclusion of weight loss surgeries. Got the appointment, arranged for financing, got all excited, this is finally MY year!! I could basically set my own surgery date, and then... I suddenly developed an enlarged thyroid. Now I am waiting between one test and another, to figure out what to do next. In one way it is a blessing that it happened now, because the main symptom is that my thyroid is pressing on my windpipe a little bit and is causing a now-and-then shortness of breath, but a more often feeling of something stuck in my throat. If I had had the surgery, I would have thought that feeling was due to the Band. And I probably would have been more frustrated than I am now. But did I mention, that this was finally going to be my year...?? I hate having to wait even longer! I had hoped to be well on my journey by next summer. Being able to do all those things my family wants to do on vacation...Wearing cute clothes while doing them...Maybe not? Ugghhh.

Congrats Anna! You're on your way! I hope to be on my way soon.. With a job, a husband, and 2 kids, you've got no time for haters! The atmosphere here is great, and very supportive.

Yay, you!!! :wink2: I hope the weekend flies by for you!

Hi everyone! I'm new here, too. I have researched weight loss surgery for years but since my husband's employer is not any closer to allowing it under insurance, I am biting the bullet and going self-pay. I have most recently been reading up on gastric sleeve surgery, but after a consultation with a bariatric surgeon, he really recommends the Lap-band for me. He felt with my medical history (pulmonary embolism, blood thinners), Lap-band would be the safest way to go. So I have had to re-adjust my thought process as to what I was planning for and hoping to happen. This board is a great source for information. I appreciate that people will post the good and the bad, and that no matter how stupid I think my questions are, someone will have already asked the same thing!

This seems to be one of my hardest decisions right now, who to tell...I share the feelings of many of you who don't want to be judged OR have someone try to talk me out of the surgery. I know why I need it, but being a private person, don't really want to discuss those reasons with everyone. My husband and I will tell our children and our mothers. I can tell you right now that his mother will not be okay with it...she hates doctors and it only goes downhill from there. I am open to the idea of telling people later on, when my weight loss is evident. I have a friend who was banded, and she has been very open to answering my questions. I'd like to pass that on to someone if the opportunity arises.

Thank you for the replies. I am a bit reassured now. DJackson, I see your surgery is coming up very soon---good luck!

I had pulmonary embolism (x2) just under a year ago, and have been on Coumadin since (will be off soon). I have my first doctor consultation in 2 days. I wanted to know if any of you have had the gastric sleeve procedure after a similar situation. I don't have any clotting risk factors, other than the obvious obesity. My emboli happened days after a serious surgery that put me off my feet for a few days, but prior to that I had been on birth control pills for 20 years. I'm off those now and really ready to move on with my life! PS I'm new here! Hi!

Hi emmalouise! I just had to use my first post on this forum to say God bless you, you are so brave to stand up and take control of your future! It probably helps you as much to talk about your process, as it helps others to read about someone who is going through it. I have done the research and decided on the gastric sleeve, now on to choosing a doctor. I look forward to following the ups and downs of the people on this forum.