Hello Everyone

May 10, 2006

Hi Everyone,

I first learned about this lapband surgery through a wonderfull lady who works at a local coffee shop. I had noticed that she had lost a lot of weight,and I asked how she did it. The rest is history.

Since this time I have been seeing the doctors at Scripps Clinic for Weight Management, in San Diego. My weight has always been an issue and I was quickly loosing to many family members to diabites.

I have been approved for Lapband surgery and I just got the word that my insurance will also be on board to help. My Mother just passed away a few months ago,Since that time I have lost about 27 lbs. on my own just cutting out Snacks,and eating less crap. My doctors wanted me to loose weight before the surgery to get used to eating less so it would not be so hard after the surgery. To be honest, right now I am really scared, I have been reading posts on this website,and others. Even though most posts are positive, The bad one's are very frightning when complications occur. I have a 6 year old son who needs me,and I don't want to do anything that would endanger my future. My next appointment with my surgon is May 25th, I almost feel like saying, You know,I am loosing weight pretty well right now on my own, Perhaps I should just wait a few more months and see how I am doing then?

I am 6-2 and now weigh about 315.

I appreciate all your suggestions, Thanks.

SherryW · May 10, 2006

Hi Mr. Yo and welcome to LBT. Many can offer suggestions but, they are only their own opinion. Thats the best anyone can do when it comes to surgery because truly that decision has to come from yourself. The only thing anyone can do actually is to tell you why they chose the surgery for themselves. For me....sure I could lose weight before the band but it was always the same. I'd do great for the first 3 weeks then I'd lose nothing. The 4th and 5th weeks I'd lose nothing and lose the momentum to keep going. I'd start back on my old habits and gain it all back plus in no time. I kept saying to myself why can't they come up with something that can help teach me how to slowdown and keep my portions undercontrol but, not force me to malnutrion my body to lose weight. Sure there were magic pills out there but, I just never believed in them. One day I was watching the news and they mentioned this lap-band how uninvasive it was and totally reversible. Wahoooo finally I thought to myself and started looking it up online and learning all I could. The more I learned the more and more I felt it was for me. Sure there is a risk to it but, there is a risk to being overweight as well. I went back with the pros and cons and although there are risks for any surgery I knew if I researched my surgeons I could find one that had great statistics here in Boston and I did! I went through the whole process, met with Dr. Jones and the Bariatric Team and felt totally confident that they'd take good care of me and help ME take good care of me. Surgery went uneventful as Dr. Jones said, in otherwords it went perfectly. The hospital had a new Bariatric wing which really made my overnight stay great. I've had my first fill on 4/12 and it's been a learning process but, I've loved this band so far. I barely know it's there until I do something I"m not suppose to do lol. Believe me you learn quickly when that happens. I finally feel that I can lose the weight and keep it off. It's still work...don't let anyone tell you it's the easy way out, because some will try to tell you that. It's far from easy because you still need to break old habits and work at it every day. The band is a tool and like any other tool it has a specific job to do but, needs the manual manipulation from the user. WE have to eat right, chew well and pick the right healthy foods. For me, it's been great so far. Keep reading threads here and you'll find many people who have had their bands for a very long time and they're doing great. Some have had a hard go at it and I certainly know that I'll hit plateaus and hard times sometimes but, this tool is going to help keep me on track and not allow me to give up on myself like I have before. To me its a constant reminder of what I've finally done for myself......started to take care of me, started to allow myself time for me.

Good luck with your decision!

Hugs