Banding too soon???

[denetrarj2 0]

I am new to the group but I have a question. Is there such thing as being banded to quickly? I went to my first seminar January 28th and I saw the dr one week later. I have passed the medical clearance and just have 3 appts left, (Psych, Group, and Pre Op) The surgeon's office has already given me a surgery date of February 28th. My weight is 243.8, BMI 40 so i barely qualified for insurance to cover. I can't lose too much weight between now and the surgery, so obviously i am worried about my 8 day liquid diet. Is this happening too fast? Do I need to pump the brakes?

Help,

Confused with my date with destiny

[honk 780]

I believe doctors use your original weigh in since they know people will lose weight during the pre op diet. The only reason I could see for waiting is making yourself mentally prepared. This is not a miracle cure. I did not get restriction from fills for 6 months. During that time frame and now it is still about will power. Also you need to create new eating habits. Some of them truely are easy. Have a baked potato instead of french fries; eat grilled chicken instead of fried. While they are easy to do the hard part is following through. Also anything that is either liquid or crunchy starches slide right through the band pouch. After banding you can still eat a whole carton of ice cream or a large McDonald shake. You need to decide not to have them.

I wish I'd had surgery years ago so I'm not saying to wait. I'm just saying to prepare yourself that your relationship with food will be different.

[Kalipso2 25]

if you feel like things are moving too fast then they probably are. there is no shame in putting the surgery off for a couple of weeks!! you should NOT have the surgery until YOU are ready!!

with that being said, i didn't start research on the band until January 2008. I went to one seminiar January 2008 but the doctor didn't take self-pay patients. i found a surgeon i liked early February 2008 and went in for my consultation the end of February 2008. i did my psych, nutrition and pre-op testing mid-March 2008 and had surgery mid-April 2008. so from research to surgery it was less than 4 months.

when i look back on things, i wish i would have waited a bit because i don't think i did enough research. i hadn't talked to anyone who had the surgery. i didn't truly understand what life post-op was going to be like. i thought it would be easy... just not eating much... but it's hard. while your stomach may feel full, your brain wants you to keep eating so it's a tug-of-war each meal for me.

so, if you don't feel 100% ready, don't let your surgeon talk you into surgery until you are ready. i'm impressed that you may hold off a bit! most people just want to jump right in... and that's probably why he's moving so quickly.

[denetrarj2 0]

Yeah, The doctor said that I was a great candidate because my realy issue is Portion Control, not really a sweet eater. I have talked to people that have done the surgery at the same hospital and their wait was about 3-6 months. I am having the single incision surgery, beause of my current size. I am not sure if that has anything to do with the rush.

[Kalipso2 25]

i'm by NO means trying to discourage you... i just wish i had done more research. i was (am) a binge eater. i couldn't eat one of anything. having the surgery doesn't stop still wanting that.

i always say its like having an angel (the band) on one shoulder and the devil (your brain) on the other shoulder. the angel will tell you you're full but the devil will tell you that the food is tasting SO good so don't stop eating.

if you listen to the band, you'll lose weight. if you listen to the devil, you'll spend a lot of time throwing up. this is WAY more mental than i ever expected.

with that being said, i'm almost 3 years post-op. i'm only a few pounds away from my goal weight and i'm skinny : )

[Acadia 20]

Very well said.

If you haven't reached the point of being ready to make the changes that are required, which truly does require a lot of willpower, then hold off for a bit.

You may even want to have a few meetings with the psychiatrist who will be doing your evaluation. I can tell you that the three appointments I had with mine, before she would write the report the Dr. required, were incredibly helpful in truly realizing what my issues were and how the band could help me control them. And those appointments helped me realise that I really was ready.

Remember, the band is just a tool. It will reduce the amount you can eat, but won't change what you eat or how much you move.

[Jachut 487]

I think it depends how much thinking and research you have done prior to seeing a surgeon and attending a seminar.

If you're like me, you will have researched this for ages before you see a doctor. Other people see the doctor and attend the surgeon as their very first step in considering a band. If, like me, you'd already decided you wanted it, then no, its not too fast at all. If you're only just starting to think about it, then perhaps wait a while.

[AlienBandit 10]

Go with your gut feeling. If you are not mentally prepared then its ok to wait to do the surgery.

I researched the band for 7 years in Canada and wanted it badly but never thought I would get it done.

Then I moved to Korea and started researching again. After a few months of research, I contacted a few doctors but dragged my feet some. When I was good and ready I made an appointment to see a doctor and had my surgery 3 weeks after my first consultation ( self pay gets you through things faster).

Yes I thought it was quick but I felt ready and was mad I had waited as long as I did.

Everyone is different though:)

[MaryanneT 0]

I want to agree with everything being said here. If you think it's too fast, then it's too fast. My insurance had a six month pre-op wait and I still feel like it all moved very quickly. I can't imagine the time frame they've given you! I've been working this six months on increasing my exercise and getting my mind wrapped around what my new diet will be. Like you, I'm a Portion Control person (plus I eat WAY too much fast food because I am a busy mom with two jobs and a house to take care of...) so I really do think Lap Band is my answer. My surgery is Monday and I can't wait!