I'm just starting the process

[RickLB 3]

I'm in the process of lap band surgery. I am 55 years old. BMI 52 wt 300lbs. Doctors have told me if I don't loose the weight I will be disabled in a few years. I have read several posts on several sites and wonder if the benefits are worth the trials everyone has. Very few people have had a good experience. A lot of people sound like if they could do it over again they wouldn't. Could someone please tell me the good side of having the surgery.

[SUCCESSFUL4LIFE 0]

THIS SITE IS EXCELLENT FOR SUPPORT & SUGGESTIONS AS WELL, BUT I GOT TO MEET WITH SEVERAL BANDSTERS & GASTRIC BYPASS PATIENTS AT SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS.

THE NURSE THAT WAS NOT ONLY THE SPEAKER, SHE WAS A BANDSTER AS WELL & VERY SUCCESSFUL WITH IT (banded for 6yrs)

I MET SERVERAL PEOPLE WHO GAVE ME LOTS OF INPUT ON EATING AS WELL AS THEIR SUCCESS STORIES.

YOU SHOULD TRY GOING TO A FEW OF THE SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS & HEARING GETTING LIVE FEEDBACK "FACE-TO-FACE"

THE MEETINGS WERE REQUIRE BY MY SURGEON BEFORE EVEN MEETING WITH HIM & I'M GLAD THAT I DID BECAUSE IT HELP WITH MY DECISION TO HAVE THE SURGERY & NOW I HAVE LAB-BAND BUDDY'S THAT LIVE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I CAN CALL ON BEFORE & AFTER MY SURGERY.

I'M SCHEDULED FOR 12/22/10.

I'm in the process of lap band surgery. I am 55 years old. BMI 52 wt 300lbs. Doctors have told me if I don't loose the weight I will be disabled in a few years. I have read several posts on several sites and wonder if the benefits are worth the trials everyone has. Very few people have had a good experience. A lot of people sound like if they could do it over again they wouldn't. Could someone please tell me the good side of having the surgery.

[Jennifer Hathaway 12]

I have only been banded for 6 1/2 months but I would do it again in a heartbeat. I have my life back. I am only 6 pounds from goal and off prilosec and blood pressure meds. I have more energy and confidence. I am taking better care of myself and I put myself back at the top of my list. If I didn't do this my kids would still have a morbidly obese mom with high blood pressure. They are proud of me now. I have read plenty of negative things as well but most of that is the minority. Most people that are doing good and not having complications will not post on these sites. Good luck in your decision.

[atgoalgal 0]

I'm in the process of lap band surgery. I am 55 years old. BMI 52 wt 300lbs. Doctors have told me if I don't loose the weight I will be disabled in a few years. I have read several posts on several sites and wonder if the benefits are worth the trials everyone has. Very few people have had a good experience. A lot of people sound like if they could do it over again they wouldn't. Could someone please tell me the good side of having the surgery.

Choosing lap band surgery was the single best decision I ever made for my health and quality of life. I was banded in 2006 and have been maintaing a normal weight since late 2007. That is nothing short of a miracle for me. But, I think you will be even more interested in my lap band mentor's story. Here name is Sandi and she was banded in 2004, in her mid fifties at 424 pounds. Sandi is my role model and she is very honest about what it takes to be successful. Here is a link to Sandi's story.

Let me know if this helps.

[Dave_NW 92]

I'm in the process of lap band surgery. I am 55 years old. BMI 52 wt 300lbs. Doctors have told me if I don't loose the weight I will be disabled in a few years. I have read several posts on several sites and wonder if the benefits are worth the trials everyone has. Very few people have had a good experience. A lot of people sound like if they could do it over again they wouldn't. Could someone please tell me the good side of having the surgery.

Rick, remember that the people who post about problems are those who are having an issue of some sort. For every one of those posts, there are literally THOUSANDS of people who don't post anywhere, because they aren't having any problems at all. So you're not seeing the full picture.

You asked about the good side of having the surgery. Turn that upside down, and reverse the question. What is the good side of NOT having the surgery? Based on your stats, (quite similar to mine. I'm 57, started at 320, BMI near 50), I'll wager you've been like me - a guy who has been on every diet in the book, and all with relative success - for awhile. At some point, every pound, and usually even more, comes right back. So if you don't have surgery, what do you have to look forward to? More of the same? Progressive degeneration into further medical issues? How is that good for anyone? Isn't it time to try and do something that has a chance to work, once and for all?

The thing to remember about the band is that it's not a magic bullet. It will NOT fix your weight issues, or change your love/hate relationship with food.. It is a tool that can be used with diet and exercise to bring down your weight sensibly, and help you to live a better life. Given the likely possibility that doing nothing is only going to result in greater weight, more medical issues, and an untimely death, for me, surgery wasn't only an option, it was a chance to get my life back on track.

Keep doing your research, and keep asking questions. If you find the band is for you, go for it. You have nothing to gain by NOT doing it.

Good luck!

Dave

[RickLB 3]

Thanks for the replies. Today I saw my dietitian and my surgeon. I have appointments to get my psych eval 1-4 and on 1-13 I see my cardiologist to be cleared for my surgery. I don't have to have the six month supervised diet and I have already had a upper GI and an endoscopy so I should be ready for my surgery in late Jan.

[Dave_NW 92]

Thanks for the replies. Today I saw my dietitian and my surgeon. I have appointments to get my psych eval 1-4 and on 1-13 I see my cardiologist to be cleared for my surgery. I don't have to have the six month supervised diet and I have already had a upper GI and an endoscopy so I should be ready for my surgery in late Jan.

Good plan. Study as much as you can, because where the band is concerned, knowledge is power. THe more you know, the better prepared you'll be.

Good luck!

Dave