Nervous

[sweetnevaeh 0]

I am schedule to have my lap band surgery in March 2007:clap2: . I am so nervous regarding so many things especially post op. I have told all of my friends and family and most of them tell me not to do it,and that I should eat less and exercise which I have tried many many times and just gained more weight. I feel like this is my last option and im excited to have my life back, im young and beautiful and want to stay healthy. My biggest fear is experiencing complications during surgery then dying, leaving my two young children with out a mom, my second fear is im currently in nursing school which requires alot of time and energy, I must be healthly and able to care for patients on my clinicals days or I will be dismissed form the program. I have read other bander's say they had surgery today and went to work tommorrow so im hoping for the same strength to contingue my life.

Any suggestions or thougts are Welcome

[marjon9 6]

When I first decided to get banded (surgery set now for 1/16) I figured I'd be open and tell everyone. But then, much to my surprise, I started to get the same reaction you describe, where people are not supportive and they tell me I should not do it and I should just eat less and exercise more. I really thought people would be more supportive. I'm thinking of not talking about it much for a while. People who don't have a food/weight problem just really don't seem to understand.

As for your other concerns, ultimately these are decisions only you can make. But as I understand it, the risk of life-threatening complications from band surgery is extremely small. It's not zero, but it's very small. Obviously in the long run, the weight is much more likely to be a serious health issue than the band surgery.

As for your other concern, I would really try to get at least a few days off after surgery if at all possible. Call in sick, if nothing else. I think that planning on going back to a very demanding, on your feet work schedule the very next day is a bad idea. I would think about trying to avoid that. It sounds like this nursing thing is very important to you and you are totally committed, and that is wonderful. But I feel sure there is still a way for you to get a few days off for something as important as this. You may be inviting bigger problems if you don't do that for yourself.

Best to you in sorting it all out.

[transformer 1]

Welcome!

Congratulations for making such an important decision! I'm having my surgery on 12/19/06. My strategy is that I am going to follow all of the directions that I've received from the doctors, nurses, and dieticians. The surgeons have a lot of experience and they know what can increase the risk level of having complications. If I am careful and avoid doing things I shouldn't, then I'm hoping I'll be fine. (That, and some prayer, too, of course)!

Poke around the different postings--you'll learn a lot more about the reality of the procedure from real people who have already had the surgery!

[Kat817 19]

First let me congratulate you on your upcoming surgery, and welcome you to LBT!!!

When you discuss this with your family and friends, you need to stress the differences in the different WLS. You can stress the fact that if ever it were necessary, lapband can be fully reversed. They are concerned for you and simply need to be educated as to the choice you have made. The mortality rate of all WLS, is increased due to the overall health of some patients prior to surgery. My surgeon explained it to me like this...If you have a 600 pound woman with serious heart problems, and you do gastric bypass on her in an effort to help her lose weight before her heart gives out, and it is too late, and she dies of heart problems a week after surgery, they claim it as a death following WLS, when in actuality, she would have died regardless, with the heart condition. If you break the numbers down....having the lapband surgery is very, very safe!!!! Your surgeon should be able to give you exact numbers. I cannot recall them but it seems like it was less than 2% or so.

As for recovery---it varies with each patient. Personally, I am quite a bit older than you are (putting it nicely!!!), and I recovered without incident! I had surgery in Mexico, and on the 3rd day, I flew home, it was a 5 hour flight, and then we had several more by car, to get home. I did receive pain medsin my IV right after surgery, but as soon as I was ready to walk they quit them, and wanted me to take oral meds. I never took any more prescription pain meds. I did the flight home on a dose of Tylenol liquid. By the next day, I was out shopping, and getting on with life. I babysit for my 2 yr. old granddaughter 5 days a week, and I was back to caring for her when I got home. I had my DH for help for 2 days, then we were on our own---and survived it!! I don't see an issue with your job and energy levels, if you keep your Protein intake up during the initial recovery. After that I think you will be abslolutely blown away by how your energy levels come soaring back as the weight drops! I cannot believe how I want to DO things now compared to my high weight!

I see it as something you can easily do!!! Stick around ask questions, encourage yoru family to read up on it. I would suggest it to my own Mom or DD if they were to have a weight problem---it is by far the best thing I have ever done just for ME!!!

Good Luck---I look forward to watching you begin your journey!!!

Kat

[ask_nyc 0]

Hi Sweetnevaeh,

I have the same fears/concerns as you. I'm scheduled for my surgery on 12/26. I agree w. marjon9 that you should try to take a few days after your surgery and not rush back into something demanding.

I am also following or planning on following the plan my doctor gave me, as Transformer, starting on the 12th. I am trying to concentrate more on the benefits the surgery will have on my life and that helps me focus. May that can work for you as well. Best of luck to you.

[flabuless 18]

sweetnevaeh

Welcome...first of all we have all had those concerns pre surgery so your in good company...I also have two children and i was concerned at the risks of surgery and whether I would be the 'unlucky' one and leave my two children motherless. But for me the hope of a better life, better existance, and longer lifetime outweighed the concerns that I had...i took the plunge and I am happier than I have been in a long time... I was lucky in that I had the support of family and friends (mostly) around me...and I have never looked back...Still this is a decision only YOU can make...Is Lapband right for you? Only you can answer that...but I join a long line of successful lapbanders who know that it was right for them...and wouldn't of had it any other way...I think you are to be congratulated for realising there is something more for your life than living under that burden of flab you have carried round for many years...you will experience a new lease on life and have lots of energy you never knew you had which can only help your studies and your active lifestyle...ok there is an adjustment period but lapband is an everyday procedure for the surgeons we entrust our life to when on the operating table...ok 1 in who knows how many millions have complications during surgery but most likely you will not be it... I hope this has encouraged you...I look forward to hearing of your progress.

Becky

[sweetnevaeh 0]

Thank You everyone for addressing all of my worries, its a relief to find people that are expressing the same fears and concerns as I am. I do plan on taking a week off from school following the surgery. I have explained to my family and friends the different WLS: however, they're still ignorant and tell me its a bad idea! . ultimately it is my choice and as Marjon9 said I would be facing more serious health problems in the future if I continuted to be over weight. Ask NYC, your surgery is in a couple of weeks I wish you all the best. I am in NYC also, Im having my Surgery At Coney Island Hospital. Keep me posted on how everything Goes.

[juliegeraci 7]

Its normal to be stressed out about the surgery. I had a complete meltdown prior. Don't worry too much about your job. You will probably be back and up within 5 days. The surgery is very easy. Good luck.

[SalOdyssey 441]

I Guess Me Being 650 Lbs Plus People Have A Different Attitude Towards Me. People Support Me Getting The Lap Band Because They Have Seen Me Really Try To Diet And It Not Work. I Guess There Will Always Be Skeptics Of Any Procedure. But The Decison To Have This Surgery Is Yours And Yours Alone. Good Luck.

Sal :grouphug: