Request For Lap Band Buddy, Pre-surgery

[kkmcgriff 1]

I'm trying to get or stay motivated about getting the lap band but I suffer from depression, I really need some support thru all this, someone who really understands. My husband doesn't exactly get all this.......help.

[FinallyFree0812 9]

I would be more than happy to help you through all this. I had the band placed 10/25/2010. Ask anything and I will tell you anything you want to know. I was 216 when I started and am 158 now. I'm so happy now and was very depressed before I had it done.

[kkmcgriff 1]

Thank you soooo much for replying.

I have suffered with depression and anxiety for the past 10 years plus now. Have attempted suicide once in 2010. Am doing better. I'm a compulsive gambler and attend GA.

Otherwise medically I have diabetes and 1 kidney.

I've heard some people get depression after the lap band and I certainly don't need more of it. I see that this could go either way for me and it scares me to think of it going bad. What do you think?

[FinallyFree0812 9]

I think that everyone fears the band won't work for them. I have had a very positive experience from the band. I don't know what your depression stems from, but I did get a little depressed after my second fill. It only lasted for a couple of days though. The only reason I got depressed is because I was saying goodbye to some old friends (burgers, steak fingers). If your depression is as severe as you describe, I hope that you are on some medication to help. Do you think losing the weight is going to fix the depression?

[kkmcgriff 1]

My depression stems from alot of things. I was a U.S. Marine for 10 years and then stayed in Federal Service and resigned with 24 years in 2010 after my nervous breakdown/suicide attempt. Since then I've worked as a caregiver for seniors in their homes or in a facility. Right now I'm not working and have alot of time on my hands to think too much!

The depression snowballed after I got out of the Marine Corps. It is severe and yes I'm on medications for day and sleep at night.

Losing the weight is not going to fix the depression but it may very well help ifffff I go into it strong and very decisive about my goals. As I have to wait these next 4 months (because of insurance hoops) I have the opportunity to prepare and start a regiment of good habits and break the old. I see the dietician tomorrow for my 3rd visit and am going to start walking and do the Protein Shakes in the morning. Sometimes though the depression just hits me and I'm down - it's like sandbags attached to my shoulders and legs.

Anyway, that's a little history. I'll never be out of the woods with depression but I can make the effort to stay on the edge and try to go around it. It will take alot though and my husband is not sold on this being a success with the lap band.

Thank you for listening and I'll let you know tomorrow how it went with the dietician! Kelli

[kkmcgriff 1]

I lost 1 lb. according to the weigh-in with the dietician. Everything went well. Starting to change my eating habits. All was good and she gave me some good advice too. Drinking more Water now too. It's going to be hard this next 4 months waiting.