Confused!

[ChicagoRose 650]

I went into my first surgical appoinement 100% sure that LBS was what I wanted to do. I am now 7 months into my qualification process and have been on this forum and researching the whole time.

To be honest...the surgeon scared me. He wasn't discouraging the LB at all, just talking about the pros and cons, the statistics, how people havce to have slips and ports repaired, how if my insurance changes it may not cover the device and then I'll be stuck with this device in my body, etc.

Deep inside I know this is what I need and want to do....but I'm not gonna lie, I am second guessing myself also =(

Is this the same thing as having cold feet before you get married and I need to just chill out and do this for myself??

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies.

[2muchfun 8,927]

50% of marriages end in divorce and probably 75% of marriages are not happy ones.

You stand a much better chance with the band. I don't have statistics but I'd say 70-80% of bandsters lose weight and don't divorce their bands. And, not being banded for some could mean early death, definitely early arthritis and poor health. Not to mention poor quality of life.

Your doctor is right, there are slips, failures, patient failures and some negative side effects with the band. That's his job to point out that the band or any WLS is not 100% foolproof.

With the band you can always have it removed. Maybe insurance won't pay for it but you can pay for it out of pocket if it's entirely necessary.

tmf

[♕ajtexas♕ 3,771]

Yes your band can slip, yes you could have problems with your port, but there are complications with every surgery. I think your doctor was letting you know that it isn't 100% guarantee that it will be perfect, but what is perfect? You need to decide if the cons (complications mention) are worth it to you. They where for me.....

I was banded Feb 2012, I've lost 63 lbs, with 27 to go. I'm off all my HBP meds, down 4 clothing sizes and I feel like a million bucks. I just wish I'd of done this sooner.

Good luck to you.

[Sojourner 2,446]

Before you move forward with your decision, it would be helpful for you to prioritize what is important in life for you...

You don't seem to have any weight related comorbidities...but the effects of being obese or morbidly obese are cumulative over time and they do affect the quality of your life.

At your age, I did not need my band. I was not obese until past the age of 50. But times change, and as your metabolism slows weight does creep up on us.

Perhaps you are not ready to make this type of life changing commitment now...

Do your research, and be comfortable with whatever choice you make...

[Justme9786 50]

As others have said....yes there can be complications....there's complications to any surgery and long term effects that could pop up. However, there are tons of people out there who do not have any negative side effects. Here's an example....by no means is this a statistic, but just an example: Me, my mom, my dad, my sister and brother-in-law all have the band.....big band family out of all of us, my mother is the only one who had a problem. Her port flipped and it needed to be repaired. She was also the first one to get the band when it was first coming out. (not to say that it was put in wrong, just sayin). The rest of us haven't had any problems other han gallbladder removal (which is not from the band, but more because of weight loss in general). So, point being, yes there CAN be issues, but it's a coin toss whether you'll have them or not. Just educate yourself on the dos and donts and communicate closely with your doctor.

[connie.zybert 7]

I too had the same feelings ...i was so conflicted that i even went to a therapy. that was the best thing because now i know this is the right choice. look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself this question. Do i want lapband? Don't think just say what's in your heart. if you answer yes without thinking than do it.

[readytogoforit 172]

I appreciate how honest your doc has been with you! any surgery has the possibility of having problems. I think the more info you have the better.

I agree with the comments posted so far.

I hope you will be able to do this and change the life you now have to health. our weight is so scary and causes so many problems

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

I never questioned my decision ...I did my research... got the information that I needed and realized that if I did exactly what the doctor said my odds for having any of the problems associated with the lap band were very slim...... so far so good