Starting my journey

msbug · May 15, 2006

After spending the majority of my life fat, I think I've decided to get the Lap Band. I'm currently 130lbs overweight and cannot seem to get it off and keep it off. I was on Weight Watchers in 2004 and successfully lost 70lbs. But, I stopped losing after having my gallbladder taken out and have started to gain it all back. Unfortunately, I'm working against bad genes here, as the majority of my dad's side of the family was morbidly obsese. My dad had RNY done in December of 2002 and looks great. He's lost all his weight and had no complications. His doctor calls him a model patient! I'm hoping I can be as successful with the Lap Band.

I'm leaning towards lap band rather than RNY because I like the fact that it is reversible if I decide to get pregnant again. I'm only 29 years old and dh and I haven't decided if we're done having kids yet! So I like being able to have the ability to adjust the band if I get pregnant again. Plus, I have two kids at home, ages 6 and 3, and can't afford to be out of commission for too long. So the shorter recovery time also appeals to me.

My husband is a little nervous, but promises to support me no matter what. He's loved me at my highest and lowest weights, and everywhere in between! I'm going to my first seminar next Wednesday and hope to be banded by the end of the summer. My insurance won't cover it since I am actually pretty healthy for a fat person (so far) and have no co-morbidities. No high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, chronic pain, etc. I have asthma, but I've had that since I was a kid and it's not at all weight related. In fact it's more in control now than when I was younger and 100lbs lighter! So my dad has agreed to help me pay for the surgery and I am on my way. I'm nervous, but still excited and hope to learn a lot from all the members here. I've got lots of questions!

Thanks for listening to my story!

sallyjo · May 15, 2006

Good Morning Bug,As far as I am concerned you will be making a very wise decision. I will be three weeks out tomorrow and would do it again in a heart beat. All I can say is I wish this was available years ago.Take care and welcome as a future bandster.

sheryl · May 16, 2006

Good for you, Bug! You are making a wise decision. The fact that you lost 70 pounds on WW shows that you have the determination to do what it takes to shed the weight. With the band as your tool, you can keep it off.

My twin girls were 18 months old when I had my surgery and my recovery time was hardly anything. The only thing that I couldn't do is to lift them into their cribs. But my dh was there to help out. As long as I had a pillow protecting my tummy, they were able to climb on me and I was able to rock them, etc... I was very mobile, but just very tired for the first couple of weeks. Piece of cake, really...

luvebug · May 19, 2006

Bug........

I think it's great you want a band. I just did it myself last Friday, May 12..... I msyself have been overweight my whloe life and felt like I had no outs. It took my husband telling me how worried he was tht I jsut gave up. And when you are fat, you know how that feels. My only advise, is please research your doctor. :kiss2:

PhotoNut · May 19, 2006

Hey bug! Welcome to LBT!

You know, you don't even have to get the band surgery reversed to be pregnant. There are a few bandsters here who have gone through pregnancy with their bands and did very well. In fact, there are a few who are pregnant now. You should start a thread for pregger bandsters to see how they are doing.

Best of luck to you on your journey. I think you've made a wise choice to go with the band. Stay plugged in here and you'll learn lots from others in your shoes. Get your hubby to read with you. Knowledge is power, and the more you have prior to surgery, the better you'll be prepared and the better you and he will feel about it.