Newbie - Help? LapBand- Jan Sx Denver

colleensunshine · January 9, 2007

Hi, I am new here...

35 years old, live in Denver, have been re-searching LAPBAND only since July or August of THIS YEAR. So, needless to say, I am STILL really afraid of committing to this.... I need to do it though... fOR SOOO MANY REASONS1!!

Soooo.... here are my scaredy-cats .... / issues....

1.) Money - HAVE TO SELF PAY... credit is 545 not sure if i can get a loan or not??

2.) my mom has the money, to LOAN me, but she is afraid she will need it becuz she is dying of diabetes.... etc....

3.) Can I still live the fun single life... having drinks / wiine with friends, smoke a few ciggies with my martinis, going to lunch dinner with clients and friends... ??

4.) When I look at some of the lap banders, I see people who have lost tons of wt. but I dont see people who are really hard bodies, is it "impossible" or too hard to get a fit / tight body ?

When I had my LASIK eye surgery 14 years again, (before it was populaur) I was NOT scared AT all, cuz the alternative was worse for me... is this the same... thing???

But, I know it's not, I cant do anything anymore, and I am missing out on so much in life.... free tickets to the Broncos, Avalanceh, games, ... wont go, cuz the seats are too tight... ; Free Airline Tix, - wont go cuz the seat is too tight; Camping, Hiking --- cant go with my frenz cuz I cant breathe!!! ....

I AM SO SCARED..... but i know it's wose to be scared of dying of obesity and diabetes like my mom is! :-(

Anyway, I am all set, done everything... all pre-ops tests are good to goo... just need the $$$$.

thank you, god bless all of you! You are courageous and I praise you all for your courage and giving me and so many others strength.

~ cheers,

C

:decision::help:

DrewsLou · January 9, 2007

HI! I am also in Denver and was self pay. I was banded May 06 and so far so good!

I would happy to answer any questions or offer support for you!!

Peace.

Kat817 · January 9, 2007

.) Money - HAVE TO SELF PAY... credit is 545 not sure if i can get a loan or not??There are several on line medical loan companies, I am sure you would qualify, your interest rate may be a little high tho.

2.) my mom has the money, to LOAN me, but she is afraid she will need it becuz she is dying of diabetes.... etc.... Do you have a history of loans/paying back with your Mom? If so, draw up papers, and be sure to pay her back as agreed. If it is going to cause her extra stress at this bad time for her, I would try to find another way.

3.) Can I still live the fun single life... having drinks / wiine with friends, smoke a few ciggies with my martinis, going to lunch dinner with clients and friends... ??You will have a period after surgery where your eating will be curtailed, you will be on liquids only. And some Dr.s flat out refuse to take you on as a patient if you smoke...it increases risk in many ways. After you get past the liquid stage, you can eat just fine with your friends, you will just eat much less. You can drink, I am not sure if the amount would be affected or not, I have not drank to excess in several years (!). The one difference, is you will not be able to drink carbonated beverages, so will have to stick to other types of drinks. And keep in mind the small part of your stomach, may get irritated more easily with the alcohol and cigarettes than it would now.

4.) When I look at some of the lap banders, I see people who have lost tons of wt. but I dont see people who are really hard bodies, is it "impossible" or too hard to get a fit / tight body ?Most of the bandsters still posting here, are works in progress, the further along everyone gets the less we see of them! They are out living life! It is not impossible to get the "hard body" look, look up Telly's profile for instance...but not all of us are young enough to pull that off regardless how much we lose!!! But when you look in the mirror now, it is not a hard body you see obviously---so if you have a little excess skin, and end up wearing a 1 piece as opposed to a bikini---is it really worse than what you have now? Many of us will end up with Tummy tucks following this, but they can do wonders!!!

When I had my LASIK eye surgery 14 years again, (before it was populaur) I was NOT scared AT all, cuz the alternative was worse for me... is this the same... thing???Well as you have stated diabetes is looking down the gun barrel at you.....yes this can be life changing, some habits will have to be changed. But it is nowhere near as drastic as the life changes diabetes brings....nowhere! Not to mention all the other health issues obesity leads to as well. All LASIK saved you from was glasses---this can literally save your life!

But, I know it's not, I cant do anything anymore, and I am missing out on so much in life.... free tickets to the Broncos, Avalanceh, games, ... wont go, cuz the seats are too tight... ; Free Airline Tix, - wont go cuz the seat is too tight; Camping, Hiking --- cant go with my frenz cuz I cant breathe!!! .... I have sat in the new Invesco Field seats, and know I will fit better now. I have ridden many rides across the interstate at Elitches, and I have avoided many more, being afraid I would not fit. This summer? I am riding them all! I am back to riding horses, I can walk anywhere I want without losing my breath....hell I can run when I have too!!! You are in a great city, there is lots to do---but you will enjoy it all more, and for many more years to come, if you can gain control of the weight issue, and therefore the health issues.

No one can make these decisions for you, it is a decision you have to research thoroughly, and make it an educated choice. But with your family history, and the fact that the weight is controlling your life in negative ways---it sounds like it is time to make a change, whatever the change may end up being.

I would recommend banding to anyone! I love the control it gives me over my life. I can live normally, and eat normally, I no longer feel frantic and starving---and I see a future for myself, watching my grandkids grow up...life is getting better and better!!!

Good Luck in your decision making. Ask any questions you may have---the support here is awesome!!!

Kat

colleensunshine · January 9, 2007

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Kat!!!!

That was incredibly kind of you to take the time to write such encouraging personal notes to me, it helped me remember WHY I WANTED TO DO THIS IN THE 1ST PLACE!!!

Thank you so much AGAIN!!

- denversunshine

DrewsLou · January 9, 2007

Just a side note.... we have season tix to the Broncos and after losing 60 pounds I fit in the seats so much better and don't feel as self concious about walking through the aisles anymore!

TracyinKS · January 9, 2007

Hey if your self pay.. you have a dr. right in Denver that does it for under 10K... I think it is www.lapbandrockies.com....... my doc's cash price is 16.5K, so that is a deal, and your already right there. Lots of people on this board have used him.

MyKdsDad · January 9, 2007

Hey Tracy, he sounds like a deal. Right up front with everything. Of course, he might have the bedside manner of a toad, too....

TracyinKS · January 10, 2007

I don't know, the people who've postd about the Denver doc said he is very nice........ MY doc is quiet until he warms up to you.. but he is really FUNNY... Here in KC.. I've found cash prices that range from 13.5K and no fills, to 17.5K and a year of fills

ousooner · January 10, 2007

Just a side note.... we have season tix to the Broncos and after losing 60 pounds I fit in the seats so much better and don't feel as self concious about walking through the aisles anymore!

I will second that Dreslou! The quality of life has increased dramatically. I had a similar experience at a Dallas Stars game on New Years Eve.