Search the Community

My DH was on Coumadin for many months this last year, following a blood clot in his ileac artery. He developed the clot, following a test they were doing prior to scheduling his open heart surgery to repair/replace his mitral valve. He took the coumadin for 8 weeks, went off for a few days, had his surgery, and resumed the coumadin for several more months. He had his PT checked every week minimally, and they adjusted his dosage to keep him at a therapuetic level. I think this may have been a blessing in disguise! At least the surgery you had when it was found to be a problem, was minor as far as surgeries go! Now you know to have yourself tested, and find out if you have issues with clotting, or if you have a c reactive issue. Then you can be properly monitored, especially if you ever have to have a BIG operation of some sort. Now, while you are dealing with all of this, your healing time with the band is slowly passing---by the time you are back to normal with the clot, you will be almost back to normal with the band, and ready to GO!!!! I know it is scary---but you know about it, and know if you begin hurting, what to do. It is much better than being in the dark over a problem! You are showing yourself and everyone around you how strong you are---good for you. Hang in there---you, and the band are going to be going strong very soon!!!! (((hugs))) Kat

I do believe if we don't do our best to eat a healthy diet---that this could without a doubt do damage to our bodies in the usual ways---clogged arteries for instance. I have done my best to live by the motto "all things in moderation". I try to eat a balanced diet, including, meats, veggies, fruit, fats, grains---all of it. I do take a multi vitamin, since I eat much less than I used to. In my case, I do not want to diet, I want to find a way to eat, be healthy, and lose, then maintain a weight loss for the remainder of my life. I am looking for a lifestyle change. In an effort to accomplish that, I have taken a good look at my food choices, and adjusted them accordingly, but not eliminated anything. If I feel deprived---I know myself well enough to know it won't work for me. I am not willing to starve and be miserable today in order to be thin tomorrow. I am not sacrificing my todays for tomorrows. This morning, I had a sausage patty with a scrambled egg on top with a slice of cheese melted on it. DH had the same idea, in a sandwich form. I ate about 1/2 to 2/3 of the sausage/egg/cheese---and I was no longer feeling any hunger, or wanting anymore so I quit. Last night for dinner I had beef stroganoff, about 2/3 of a cup, I ate all of it, and a piece of garlic bread. For lunch I had a chicken salad sandwich in pocket bread---and ate about half of it. I snacked on mixed nuts, a piece of cheddar cheese, and drank 3 bottles of water, several glasses of iced tea (decaf), and shared a chocolate milk with my grandson! I ate the same things my family did. I ate less. I manipulated it to be better for me. I could have had my breakfast this morning in sandwich form like DH---but I would have been able to eat the same amount, and I would have filled that small space with bread, that I don't need. So instead the protein will keep me full for hours, and my blood sugar will remain steadier....I won't want to snack in a couple of hours. We can eat healthy---it as well as anything else---is a choice. If you cannot eat healthy, then it is time to see your Dr. and adjust your fill accordingly. Your Dr. has no idea how the fill will affect you---it is a joint effort to get it right. We have to do our part as well. He won't be the one with ulcers, or malnourishment if it is not handled well---we will!!! We have to be proactive with our health and diet, not just reactive when there is a problem. Kat

Pam and Sugarbear-I have to wait for 8 weeks May 8th I believe for the fill. I will write today and ask about earlier. Now, it's really going to work out fine schedule wise because I have my parents visiting until the 7th and remember I have to fly to France.I have a question for you guys though, my dr. here, primary, says he is very familiar with ports and would be happy to do any fill/unfills. What do you all think about that? Too risky? Too technical? Too much of a speciality? Just would save me an enormous amount of time and money. For the first 2 I would prefer to go back to the lovely Dr. Frering. I don't have a big plan pam. i like lo carb lots. I am planning just to limit, limit and get going on the exercise. i am walking and using the bike. I do the bike throughout the day 10 minutes at a time.I am finding out that it is much easier for me to eat at dinner than the day..anybody else? Pills, the only one i take is a vitamin and I split it. Any hair losers? Should i freak? Mom is bringing Nioxen and bioten. Can you reccomend anything else? Pam you are so funny with the eggs LOL I love eggs. I found out recently that i am highly reactive to them, I miss them though. Last nite I made Thai meatballs with ground pork..YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And pasta with peanut sauce. Do you guys eat salads? Is there anything to avoid? Man, I bet that takes a while to eat ugh? Special hi to Karen- how's dad holding up sweetie?Are you taking care of yourself? Ok- off to start the day.BBl

Hi I am new and would like to say hello to everyone the the site. I was reading about someone just starting there journey. I went to Dr Woodhead in Delta. I did not need a referral, but my Dr wrote me one anyway. It works out well, because Dr Woodhead sent him all my paperwork from the surgery and with my visits, so he is also up to speed. My consult was on Feb 6th 2007 and surgery was set for Mar 7th. It took 6 weeks to get a consult from after filling out the paper work. The surgery is done right next door to his clinic which is the Delta hospital. I lost 15 lbs before the surgery and another 15 in the next 2 weeks. The scales have now stopped at 240 lbs. I am following the diet to a tee. I have a thyroid problem, hypo, and I hope that does not have a bearing on anything. I also had my knees operated on 4 times and it was that reason and the sleep apnea that sent me on my journey. I no longer have any pain in my knees and I am not taking any ibprophen anymore. Life is great. Hope this answers your questions about the Dr. Brenda:)

You are right, ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and CRP (C-Reactive Protein) are VERY non-specific tests. Basically, they determine whether there is inflammation anywhere...hs-CRP is also a very non-specific indicator of possible CE's, but it's not used much because of the lack of reliability. Oh, and some forms of birth control can actually make a CRP positive, IIRC. The chance of you having cancer, something autoimmune or something major like that is very low, but I don't have your family history in front of me, so I can't tell you for sure. Would some inflammation around the area of your band cause that? I suppose it's conceivable, but I'm not 100%. I'm hoping the best for you, though! Keep us updated! Do you have the exact figures from your test, by the way?

Since I've been getting ravenously hungry every two hours, I was really looking forward to my first fill today. I went in and the fill nurse and I talked for quite awhile, and she was concerned with the number of times that I've PB'd and vomited in the past week. I explained to her that I'm starving when it's time to eat and that I keep having to fight the urge to eat quickly and with too large of a bite. She told me that she really didn't think I should have a fill yet, but she'd go ahead and give me one, if I promised to work on those issues. I promised, and she whipped out the hypodermic and gave me a 1.2cc fill. I went to take my drink of Water and it was quickly apparent that I was too tight. We went back to the room where she proceeded to poke me a second time, and removed .3cc. Back to the water fountain and this time when I took a drink, I felt like I was in huge trouble. The nurse gave me the option of having the fill removed, or going over to the surgery center and having an x-ray because she was beginning to feel like I had slipped, with all the PBs and vomiting. They got me into the xray room and gave me my barium, and said the band was fine - no slippage (hey, some good news), but the nurse once again came over with her handy dandy hypo and after poking me for the third time, took out the rest of my fill. She said that until I learn to get PBs and vomiting under control - no fills for me, but that I can try again in two weeks, if I have the issues under control. I am totally bummed. I could really use some encouraging words, because I'm feeling like such a failure today. :think

Oh yeah they can happen anytime, but since you travel so much it is already less likely to hit you that way, as your system is accustomed to the changes. I would suggest maybe finding a list of band approved Dr.s world wide if possible on the Inamed site---you could carry it with you to have for the area you are going. I mean search the areas you are going, and keep those names & numbers handy. So you could be prepared. Also take the info about your band and port, so if you have to hit an ER somewhere you are armed with your info. You may also have your Dr. prescribe you something for nausea---mine gave me phenergren (sp?) so I would have it to avoid throwing up if possible. All in all, just be as proactive as you can as opposed to waiting to be reactive. I know personally if I prepare for the worst and hope for the best it usually works out, but the time I do not prepare---all hell breaks loose!!! Have fun!!!! Sounds like a great trip! Kat

Sounds like a reasonable explanation for them to me. You need to realize at least for awhile if she sees you eat at all she will be asking questions, because your eating WILL change. You will be restricted to liquids, then to mushies for several weeks following. Then it will be a matter of trial and error. Keep this in mind if you are going to be in their company for say Easter Dinner.... Once you have healed, and begin fills, you will go back to liquids following the fill for a day to 3 days depending on your Dr. And you will have to carefully and cautiously add foods to your diet, seeing how each reacts. It is not a hard thing to do for me, but I think keeping it from my family (which I understand WHY you are doing) would have made it really difficult. Now when we go out with family or friends (mine ALL know!) I order a meal with the rest of the group, and I eat, I just eat much slower. Actually sitting my fork down and waiting between bites. In the end I am full about the same time they are, but I have over 3/4 of my meal left to take home. This could raise some eyebrows if no one knows. So it might be time now to start talking about the new diet you are going to start---be proactive at reducing their comments as opposed to being reactive when it is happening. Something about the hormone fluctuation, the anesthtic, something(!) makes many people emotional following the surgery...and you don't need to be caught off guard trying to cover your tracks--and getting upset by it. Start taking walks with the kids, and if you are around them now, don't eat---make your excuses NOW!!! Then feign whatever female issue you have in mind (my sister in law explained her band as a D&C), and use it to maybe help your diet along.... If they see you start the changes now---the exercise, the eating changes, they won't try to connect them to the sudden female surgery. I feel like I should be singing "I've got a secret!!!" Kat

Scarlett- Well ,Russia IS a must see, it it pretty wonderful, very beautiful. I always love coming home though. It's the small things in life like umm... Target, Starbucks etc. Synicalchick- I am thinking of you!!!!!! Envious really, you will be done it no time- can you imagine? Keep thinking positive thoughts, positive energy!! Glad you got the bad day out of the way! Good luck! Tammy- I agree, you have very positive and uplifting energy. Glogirl- I have a 2 and 3 year old..I love them to death but I could never have what it takes to teach. Bless you , you must be a patient soul. How long will you be out of school? Ok- here's my question. I was at a health institute in Mexico and just got results from my food allergy panels and it shows that I am highly reactive to eggs, milk, whey, garlic,cheddar cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt. So as you can see the protein drink/soft soft foods stage is going to be a challenge. Of coarse, I have lived 44 years without knowing these particulars so I'll do what I have to. This probably causes my migraines. So any suggestions would be great. Do all protein drinks contain whey? One other question..do you think most people do well with the band..no significant problems? I personally think they do. I think there is a big learning curve, learning to eat with the band. I am 8 hours ahead of you , so you are all sleeping soundly. Today is beauty day, getting the ole eyebrows done and haircut. Have a great day!!

PCOS Links! Centre for PCOS PCOS Association SoulCysters Living With PCOS INCIID Hey there: Kick up your feet and stay a while, as you read my PCOS story. Hello, I'm Tracy... I was first diagnosed with PCOS while undergoing infertility treatment during my early 20's. (Mid 30's now) ..... Period at age 9, Birth Control pills at age 16-18, Married at 18 no birth control, no babies... finally at age 22 I sought treatment. I was told that I had the thyroid of an 80 year old man, and that I had PCOS.. he put me on synthroid for my HYPO-thyroid, and told me that it was just my body type that caused me to have PCOS... no offer of help or anything... just to accept it. Since I had PCOS, I wasn't able to ovulate.. my periods had NEVER been regular except when on birth control pills...... Treatment didn't work: charting, pills, shots... nothing could budge my follicles to pop out any mature eggs..... so I went on with my life, childless.... then fast forward to 1999... I was surfing the net and came accross an article "Losing Weight With an underactive Thyroid" Well, this peaked my interest, and from this article they mentioned Low Carbing and Dr. Atkins..... I was like "What the HECK" is low carbing???? Well anyway, on my lunch break I went to the book store and bought Dr. A's book, I started to read, and read, and read.. and that night I threw away the nasty slim fast, and made myself a bunless cheeseburger.... I had been starving myself on Low Fat Slimfast shakes and GAINING weight....... I would cry because I was hungry and then to get on the scale and actualy GAIN weight... life just wasn't fair..... ok.... so I took dr. A's advice and decided to devote 2 weeks of my life to the diet.... I did... meat, cheese, eggs, and Water.... I started dropping weight like crazy.. 14 lbs during induction.. my husband was shocked... but as the pounds came off and the sizes went down... everyone soon became a believer. OK...... so, I was about 3-4 months into the program when I realized by looking at my weight chart that my period was starting a pattern of every 28 days... I couldn't believe it.... from the first month my cycles had reset themselves to be just like a regular person!!!! THIS WAS A MIRACLE... my cycles were SO regular that I could set a clock by them... so I suspected that I was ovulating too.... my hopes of being a mom returned.... and BAMM, a few well timed whoopee sessions and I ended up preggo... unfortunately I suffered 3 miscarriages right in a row. So here I was down 80 lbs, PCOS symptoms were non-existant, and I FINALLY saw the little pink link on a home pregnancy test all with out meds or dr's... but life was unfair and I lost 3 precious babies.... all at about 7-9 weeks... one after I even saw the Heart Beat... that one killed me, and I went into a deep depression.. and I started feeding my sadness with High Carb things... I really feel that I was sabbotaging myself..... Lots of other Life events followed... got caught up in a corporate meger/layoff... so my job of 12 years went bye, bye.. and so did my husband my best friend since age 15.... had replaced me with someone who he said was "just like me" just 10 years younger...... so ok..... divorce, heartbreak, money issues... yada, yada, yada..... life goes on! Get your butt up and live life!...... ok so time passed... I hooked up with a new guy... technically my "rebound" guy from hell.... we both started LC'ng, the wieght had returned and my periods were slipping to sporadic bursts at no particular time.... PCOS had taken it's hold again.... anyway I told him, If I start LC'ng I might end up preggo........ he didn't believe me.... but ONE month after starting to eat right again.... I ended up preggo... and now I have a son who is the light of my life! April, 2004 I rededicated my eat life to Low Carb.... it may not be for everyone.. but it is what keeps my PCOS in check and I lose weight as a side effect! Edited August 11, 2005....... my little Low Carb miracle has now turned two years old. It was funny, that during my first Low Carb journey where I had 3 misscarriages.. no one wanted to believe that a formerly infertile woman could get preggers, simply by changing her diet. I had started seeing articles in the Atkins Center magazines for open calls for women with PCOS that had noticed changes in their cycles or had gotten pregnant because of this WOE... I called and told them of my experience.. as so many had done... NOW, in 2005... every PCOS website will lead you to a Low Carb way of eating, also they've developed drugs to help with the symptoms... .I feel proud to have been "IN" on the discovery of this phenom...... you will see LOTS of women popping up pregnant all over the Low Carb Friends website, and many threads where the gals are pregnant and doing a maintenance level of LC'ng to help control the amount of weight they gain during pregnancy.... IT IS AWESOME! I feel like broadcasting to the world.... I AM FINALLY A MOM!!!!!!!!! All thanks to the Low Carb way of eating. 2/22/07 A final edit to my LBT friends.... my son is now 3.5 and once again I find myself needing to lose the weight... the band AND LowCarb is my choice.. Low Carb because IT WORKS, and the Band to HELP ME and to MAINTAIN, :clap2:

I have hypo, and PCOS and had Lapband surgery July 06 in Mexico with dr. Kuri. Everything was fine. My levels were ok though. I don't think it will be a problem and maybe some of the symptoms with improve with weight loss. The Synthroid I am on is so tiny, it goes down pretty good. Good Luck!

I am a prebander. But with my previous surgery (hyst) I didnt have a problem with them. I am hypo. My thy levels have been under control for many years. Just check with your Dr. to be sure. Good luck on your journey. HTH, Rosanna

Mommy202... yes, I have lost 80 lbs 4 times in my adult life... the last 3 were adhering to a strict low carb diet. I have hypo thyroid and PCOS.. so for me the Low Carb is what helped SO MANY things..... but something would happen and I would go off plan and then it would spiral til I was all the way back up and this last time was no exception..... I have thought long and hard about the band, and it took me a year of debating it in my head before I really decided to go for it. I was really ticked off that I just couldn't maintain a loss on my own. So, for ME I view the band as a FORCED committment to a LC way of eating WOE. Protein First, Veggies Second, Carb 3rd....... Yes, I know I will be able to eat around the band, but I KNOW what my body needs.. so I believe I will be fine.. most of my problem is VOLUME, and the band will help with that too..... I am the first person in my Real Life that will have a band. I do have 2 friends that went the bypass route (now 2 and 4 years) post op.. I always knew that surgery wasn't for me.......... Lemme see.... I am 37, divorced in 2002 but with a great guy now going on 2 years... we share a life and kids but not married.. I have a son who is now 3 and the light of my life.. although he is often to smart for his own britches... I think my light bulb moment was at his skating party I could not get up off the floor of the rink without help (I was in skates, and on one knee to tie his laces) I was humiliated and p.o.'d!!!!!!! I want to be the active mom not the "let mommy rest" mom.... so here I am with baited breath (as you said it perfectly) waiting for a surgery date, so that the rest of my life can begin!

Hello: I read all the posts through page two, and I just wanted to add my two cents to the pot. Lots and Lots of good advise has been given...... I along with MANY here was the "fat" girl with the skinny sister. I started my period at age 9 and hid it from everyone including my mom for 3 years, because I was mortified of being so different. I played sports while young but was always one of the biggest girls on the team..... On the outside I was self confident, popular, involved... but on the inside I was miserable ALWAYS aware of my fat.... crushed when talked about or rejected.. because I started my period so early I WAS EXTREMELY HORMONAL... I would have major mood swings and since no one but me knew I was on my period.. I just was reguarded as a terror. (this is me thinking back on those years) Later at a realitively young age of 22 I was diagnosed with hypothyroid, as a matter of fact the endocrinologist made me come in 3 times because he thought the test was done wrong due to the fact of me having the thryroid of an 80 year old man... he was suprised I was functioning. Also I was diagnosed with PCOS.... both factors make it very hard for me to lose weight... and slimfast.. well I GAINED on it... because of the sugar. Eating Low Carb is the only way I can lose weight, and once I'm banded it will be THE way I continue to eat... and most of the stuff in your pantry is LOADED with carbs, including the fruit. Someone mentioned the MEXICAN doctor who does the band on teenagers, and my doc is working with a 16 year old now (in Kansas).......... the band is NOT easy, NOT a quick fix, and she would still be able to gain weight if she continued to eat the crap.. which as any inventive person can soon find.... that is why she will need to be emotionaly ready to do it........ I agree with others who say to BUILD her up from the inside.. she needs the self esteem, but also she needs to find something that will help her to shed some pounds.. enough that she sees the difference and feels the power of having control, and I'm betting that if she cut down the SUGAR... (ALL FORMS OF SUGAR) she would start losing...... and go check out those trendy clothes sites.... a girl DOES need some cool stuff to fit in even if It may be a little pricey. Most of all GOOD LUCK oh and I might mention... I was infertile, (both hypo and PCOS) factors... I was blessed at the age of 33 with a child, due to following a LC eating plan..... all this makes me more at risk for things like breast cancer.. so getting her checked out now is vital........ I hope some of what I said helps a bit.

I have not received any PMs from persistance. I appreciate those of you who have been so kind as to leap to my defense in light of what I do believe was comments not well itended and that did indeed hurt. I also can appreciate that my situtation and sometimes passive response - or lack of - is frustrating to you, as well as my every day local friends. But please believe me that no one is more frustrated than me. I have resolved in this new year to be more proactive and less reactive and so far have been pretty sucessful. I believe firmly that once we have a court date and things begin moving along in the legal system I will regain some sense of control. There are more things developing that are very positive. Will post more when I can. Also, my primary focus has always been the children and their best interest, and taking the high road, but I also have realized that as they will tell you at the beginning of an airplane flight, you can;t help your children with their oxygen if you haven't taken care of yours first. So, please bear with me, your support and even advice I don't like is my lifeline to sanity dueing this most difficult time in my life. Again, thanks to all of you.

Hi all- I just received an apology from Persistance, saying she did not mean to come across to hard on our WonderMom here. When responding to her, I realized, I too had handled it wrong. While she was harsh in the way she said things, she too is honestly looking out for Wonders safety. She deals personally with abusive relationships, and has seen the worst happen. NONE of us want that for Wonder, we all have different ways of voiceing that, and advising her. Some of us wish we could just go pull her out of the house, and fix it all for her!!! We can't. Dammit! Anyway--please know wonder, that we all just want the best for you, we worry about you. Many of us have been where you are, and know it can go from bad to worse very quickly, and we just want you to be proactive rather than reactive to things he says and does. Keep in contact with your attorney, and with us---even when we say things you don't like it is done, hoping to help you. I really do not believe anyone is trying to be unsupportive, we all just show it in different ways. Tough love is afterall still love---just wrapped up differently. Hang in there Wonder---we're all here! Kat

JennyJ, I too am very allergic to metals. I decided not to get banded because of the titanium and stainless steel component in the Band. Even though you can get lapbands that just have titanium and silicone, and even though everyone keeps swearing to me that titanium is an inert, non-reactive metal, I do not believe it for a second. Titanium is an amalgam (composite) of metals that ARE reactive, and therefore i believe it itself is reactive too. Anyway, in the past, when i've had metal poisoning issues, I underwent Chelation IV therapy. This helped a great deal. You can find out about this from most naturopathic doctors. If you live in Toronto, I could give you more details about where to find chelation doctors. All the best.

Have you spoke with your insurance company yourself to find out exactly what they require? It could be that your Dr.'s offices records alone are enough to meet the requirements. If you know for a fact that they require more than can be submitted by the Dr.'s office, contact them and ask where the additional documentation can be sent. If there is any question it will speed things up to be proactive and do it yourself than being reactive and allowing the office staff to do it after a denial. If you send it yourself, don't forget to copy, document who you speak with, who and where you mail it to, and mail it with delivery confirmation, after faxing it to them---double up! Good Luck---sounds like the ball is rolling...just as the big ball is ready to drop--here's to a great year for you!!! Cheers! Kat

Being even an older bandster than ReneBean (!)...I whole heartedly support your decision to do this as a preventative measure to the health problems facing you in the future. Being proactive beats being reactive! Personally I did not have any serious weight issues until my 30's...but how I wish I could have done this then, and had back the years I spent inactive and privately ashamed of how I had let myself go...but I am doing it now, and loving it! I am back to actually wanting to DO things. Exercise is something I enjoy, as opposed to avoid. It sounds like you are doing all the proper research, and have a good handle on the work you will be required to do with the band! If you have any questions we will be happy to help. You have come across a site, full of helpful people, with lots of band knowledge---welcome! Kat

I was diagnosed with a HYPO thyroid.. (meaning underactive) or as in my case.. I just does not work on its own..... so I've been taking meds for it since the ripe ol age of 22.. I'm 37 now, and it is just part of my life.. it should have no effect on your surgery decision.

I have had an endoscopy, upper GI, and cat scan of the abdomen/pelvis. Except for the cat scan showing an enlarged ovary and a cyst on my other ovary, these tests were normal. I am waiting now to have an ultrasound to get more info about my ovary abnormalities. I am anemic, probably from the heavy periods I've had the last year. I'm on iron supplements now. Also, my c-reactive protein was high. My RA factor was within normal range. I'm going to ask for an ESR lab and a CA-125. It's very frustrating.

Why haven't you made any plans for Christmas with your kids? Why don't you have a celebration with them before the actual day and do something really fun. I mean since you waited this long to make your own plans your husband beat you to the punch line. The only plan you've made is to not let your kids go out of state with your ex. Start acting proactively instead of reactively. Thats my 2 cents.

Thanks again Barbara Silly me - I never thought of rejection (part of my constant companion - "foggy brain" - I'm afraid) I have been concerned about not being able to follow the exercise program and also not being able to prepare meals but never thought of rejection. I also have diabetes and was worrying about how I am going to maintain the high carbohydrate, low GI eating. I have heard many people can't eat bread and that is the main carbohydrate my endocronologist and dietician recommend for when I am unable to prepare meals or need carbo following a sugar boost to treat a hypo. I know my sleep apnoea will NOT be a problem and I am hoping to be able to stop using my CPCP (not that the CPAP bothers me but would be nice to have one less thing to deal with). As a "non-foggy headed" post-op lapbander, is there anything else this "foggy-headed" person is overlooking in relation to either the op itself or post-op living with a lapband? I really appreciate being able to talk to you about this as I have been having difficulty finding others who have been banded who also have or have had CFS and many (most) of the doctors here in Australia know very little about CFS. Thanks again for your help. Hope all is going well for you. Bobbie

Anything you can share here? I had serious endometrial bleeding issues,which turned out to be cancerous. I figured that was the cause of mine, well that's what they acted like, and sure enough once the treatment was finished, and surgery behind me. I began recouping. Now several years later, I have shown no signs of anemia in easily the last 3 years. I do still use childrens chewable vitamins with iron. Hopefully yours is caused by something simple, and you will be fine---will say a prayer for a good outcome! As for reading about things on line, it is both good and bad, it seems it always has worst case scenarios. I have 2 tumors, that I know are there, and non reactive at this time, but I made the mistake of researching one of them...had myself dead and buried before I made myself talk to my oncologist...so be sure you get the whole story, before you worry yourself sick. Take Care-- Kat

Hi, I am new to this board. I am looking into getting the lapband done, I have a consult appointment next week. I am worried that my depression that I suffer from will get in the way of me getting this surgery.??? Has anybody been in this situation or not passed their physc test? I will be a self pay, 100lbs overweight, severe sleep apnea, hypo-thyroid, high cholesteral, and boderline high blood pressure.