Debating on surgery

Susan91151 · July 3, 2004

I have been told by a surgeon that I am a candidate for lap band surgery (but not gastric bypass - I don't weigh enough!) Since then, the whole idea has been going around and around in my head, and I am so confused. I am particularly concerned about PB (productive burps), as I have a phobia about vomiting! Has anyone actually ever not done this? If I am extremely careful, will I be able to get by without it? I appreciate any thoughts

leatha_g · July 3, 2004

Originally posted by Susan91151
I have been told by a surgeon that I am a candidate for lap band surgery (but not gastric bypass - I don't weigh enough!) Since then, the whole idea has been going around and around in my head, and I am so confused. I am particularly concerned about PB (productive burps), as I have a phobia about vomiting! Has anyone actually ever not done this? If I am extremely careful, will I be able to get by without it? I appreciate any thoughts

Hello Susan,

I don't think anyone can guarantee you that you will never throw up with the band. I'd be more inclined to believe it's gonna happen at least a few times until you really get used to it. Either way, it's not so much vomiting as it is expelling something that never made it fully to the stomach.

I don't have a phobia, really, but I really hate to vomit, myself, so I try to be very cautious of what I'm doing. In a year, I've probably had about 6 episodes where I had to excuse myself to the restroom during dinner.

Good luck with your decision!

Leatha

La_madam · July 3, 2004

Im a newbie, just banded 13 weeks ago...I have yet to PB and I have had 1 fill so far. I have had a couple of times where I thought I was going to. I did not chew enough or took to big of a bite or ate too fast. ...

Michelle

La_madam · July 3, 2004

The band is the best decision I have ever made...For me the gastric bypass was not even an option.

Good Luck with your decision

Alexandra · July 3, 2004

Hi Susan,

I was sort of like you. During my year of researching the only thing that almost turned me off the idea was how casually people referred to PBing--some people seem to do it every day, several times a day!! I hate to vomit, and have an Iron stomach so in my life have really only done it a few times. The very idea of having something come back up on a regular basis was horrifying to me.

But the reality of it is nothing like I feared. It is indeed possible to avoid, if you're careful. Restriction is a tricky thing, though, and there have been times I was caught unawares. That's probably inevitable, because having that restriction is a wholly different experience and we have to learn how it works.

But once we do know how our restriction works, it's entirely possible to be careful enough to avoid PBing. It should be every bandster's goal, in fact.

Susan91151 · July 8, 2004

Thanks to all who replied to my post. I don't think I am quite ready to pursue this - yet. It sounds like such a wonderful thing to do, but I still have doubts. And, when I think about it too long, I get much too anxious.

I barely fit into the obese end of the BMI - in fact, if I lose even five pounds, I'm out. Maybe I will sit on this for a while longer, try to exercise more and then see what happens. If I can follow a 1,000 calorie diet and exercise, maybe I won't need it.

At any rate, I appreciate all the encouragement and advice. Who knows? Maybe I WILL become a bander - just not right now.

Hugs to all!

Susan

leatha_g · July 8, 2004

That's perfectly OK to do. Most of us chose this method because we're severely overweight with health issues and were at our wits end from having tried all the 'diet' options available with no permanent results.

As with any surgery, there is always risk. I don't advise anyone to go into that lightly..

I wish you luck with your weight loss!

Leatha