Thinking/praying about the band

[stormrider1 0]

Hi, I am thinking and praying about being banded. I am 40, 6'2" and fluxuate between 435-439. I tried eating right, gave up soda, and got nowhere. I have always been heavy, but since I quit drinking (former alky) 10 years ago, I have really bulged out. I cannot excercise much because of athsma and a messed up foot plus my legs swell terribly so when I get home, I just wanna veg. I sit at a desk all day, therefore causing my legs to swell. I also have sesamoiditis, a bone problem in my foot that aches when I overuse it. My questions are that if I get banded, I will feel like a failure because so many have encouraged me to "just get out & walk". I also am not sure about having a device controlling my eating. But I guess it's a trade-off for living longer, and helping my apnea/athsma/borderline hypertension, especially with a family history of heart disease. Guess I just am needing a little encouragement....

thanks:cool:

[sagreenia 0]

I am getting banded on august 17th in Tijuana by Dr Corvala. I had looked into the RNY and decided against that one, I think you should not feel like failure about it at all but I do understand that feeling, as I to felt for years I could do this myself, I am now 56 and my decision is made, I want to be healthier for the last half of my life and I need this help to learn to eat less and make better choices I see this band as a tool and I am going for it. Life turns on a dime and you never know what is coming but I finally made my decision. Bless you as you make yours.

[wendyhart 0]

Hi Stormrider, I can sympathize with everything you said! I have struggled most of my life and have alot of the same issues you currently have. I too prayed alot about this decision and here is some of what I came up with -- a band for me is no different than a patch for a smoker -- I need help with food. It is an addiction for me and I can't just "get out and walk" etc. I am scheduled for surgery on Aug 31st and I know that it will be a new beginning for me and my kids! I am getting ready to start my pre-op diet next Monday and had been feeling like this was my last week of freedom but during prayer the other day I realized that it is actually my last week of bondage!! I will pray for you and your decision, please don't beat up on yourself -- it will only keep you down and keep you from moving on. Educate yourself - there is alot of info. on this site - I found that the more I learned the more I knew that this would be the path I wanted to take. I also have an excellent surgeon who has a great support team and I have a wonderful support system with my church, family and friends. If I can be of any help please dont hesitate to let me know. Take care, Wendy

[crecia1975 4]

Hi, I am thinking and praying about being banded. I am 40, 6'2" and fluxuate between 435-439. I tried eating right, gave up soda, and got nowhere. I have always been heavy, but since I quit drinking (former alky) 10 years ago, I have really bulged out. I cannot excercise much because of athsma and a messed up foot plus my legs swell terribly so when I get home, I just wanna veg. I sit at a desk all day, therefore causing my legs to swell. I also have sesamoiditis, a bone problem in my foot that aches when I overuse it. My questions are that if I get banded, I will feel like a failure because so many have encouraged me to "just get out & walk". I also am not sure about having a device controlling my eating. But I guess it's a trade-off for living longer, and helping my apnea/athsma/borderline hypertension, especially with a family history of heart disease. Guess I just am needing a little encouragement....

thanks:cool:

Please DO NOT feel like a failure if you decide to get banded. I used to feel like that and then one day there was a "click" inside me and I didn't care what other people thought. It's about YOU and what you need to help you lose weight. Some of us just need a little help and that's what the band is--a helpful tool.

I'm not banded as of yet, but I can't wait!! This is a way for us to live life the way it was meant to be lived. No one bats an eye if an alcoholic or a drug addict gets help so why is it so bad to get help with food??

[stormrider1 0]

Thanks everyone. I guess Lacrecia is right, I am concerned about what others think. It is not their life. They do not wake up with the back pain, shortness of breath, swollen legs, etc. but I do. I am almost convinced to do it, and the doc (Dr. Katsis-Tulsa)that I think will do it is having a informative meeting next Monday. Think I will go to it. I have a few friends & a co-worker that are banded & they too say that it's the best decision they ever made. Thanks again for the replies-it means a lot!

Jeff

[honk 780]

Hi. I have a knee problem that makes walking difficult. About 16 months ago I finally went to a Orthopedic surgeon about the pain. Horrific. In a very harsh way he said I was to young for a replacement and that I was fat. Yeah like I did'nt know that. Well I started swimming everyday (7 days a week) and some food choice changes and lost 30 pounds. Despite these changes at 39 I got a blood clot in the brain and had a mini stroke). At one of my many doctors appointments afterward one said to me "Have you ever considered weight loss surgery?" I was devistated. Because I felt like I had been working on my weight and I still had a stroke! Three weeks later I went to my First Consult.

I totally understand that it's hard for you to do weightbearing exercise and strongly recommend swimming. I use a waterproof MP3 player which makes exercising so much better.

I'm really lucky in that my family has been very supportive of the surgery. My brother is a recovering alcoholic so my family knows we (as a family) have addictive personalities.

I am not telling anyone outside my immediate family (plus one friend who has weight issues whose sister is considering Lap Band).

It boils down to the fact that this is your body and you're the one who has to live with it's problems. No one else.

[keepinfaith 0]

I comend you on praying about it that is what I did and have been banded 2 1/2 yrs and I am 26 yrs old I have also been over 400lbs to dont think of it as a device controlling your eatting bc if u really want to eat something u will find a way and I dont recommend that bc that is where I am now Im off the wagon and may not be no help to you but just wanted to let you know that I will also be praying for you and the lap band has given me my life back and more may God Bless you on your journey.

[Llyra 3]

No one can make you feel like a failure without your permission. If someone tries, smile sweetly and think, "Permission denied, sucker." No one who has recovered from alcoholism is a failure.

As for a device controlling your eating: it is a medical procedure to help you cope with a medical problem. Would you hesitate to use insulin to control diabetes or an inhaler to control asthma?

As for encouragement, I can only tell you that the band is working well for me and that I would do it gain in a heartbeat. Good luck and great blessings to you.

[Laura Lane 0]

i say you go for it....it is really something that you won´t regret it is totally worth it.....goodluck and i wish you the best:thumbup:

[stormrider1 0]

Thanks for all the encouragement. I still feel so helpless and inadequate. It will take a lot of courage to do this and I admire all of you that have been success stories. Thanks again!