Honesty .... I'm scared. . Were you?

[nacole630 13]

Ok. This might seem silly to some but im so scared something might go wrong. The stomach erosion really scares me. Im scared of not being able to eat anything with out pain. I know if I do right I will succeed but did any one else have the same fears. ? If you have been banded for a while (year or years) would you do it again ?

[NervousNancy 3]

Hi, yes I have the exact same fears. My surgery is scheduled for Thursday and I may postpone it. I'm so scared that my food is going to hurt going down and I am also scared of band erosion. I called my surgeon today to discuss those fears but he hasn't called me back yet. Still waiting...

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

I honestly wasn't afraid because I did the research and knew what I needed to do to be successful. I also knew what not to do to avoid slips and erosion.

Getting the band is the best decision I've ever made. I've lost over 230 pounds in about 20 months. I can still eat whatever I want just in smaller quantities. My life with the band is awesome.

Education is your best defense against complications.

[Sojourner 2,446]

Ok. This might seem silly to some but im so scared something might go wrong. The stomach erosion really scares me. Im scared of not being able to eat anything with out pain. I know if I do right I will succeed but did any one else have the same fears. ? If you have been banded for a while (year or years) would you do it again ?

It is normal to feel apprehension when you are moving forward to have surgery of any type (especially if you have never had any surgical procedures). Banding is not just surgery, it also means a commitment to a lifestyle change that will allow you to move towards a healthier life and all the benefits which come with it.

I viewed my band placement as an opportunity to regain the health that my weight was taking from me. My surgery had to be postponed for over a year due to medical reasons, and that made me even more motivated to move forward with my band and changing my life.

Truthfully, there can be complications, and all surgeries have risks associated with them. The odds are overwhelmingly in your favor that your surgery will have no complications. Post op, if you are determined to follow the instructions from your surgeon, eat proper portions, make healthy food choices, and exercise, you will minimize your odds for post op complications.

Complications do happen, and the key is to not ignore the messages your band is sending you. Knowledge is power, and the more you learn about the band and the lifestyle changes a successful weight loss journey require the more successful you can be.

We all know the realistic long term risks to remaining obese. That was where I was when I decided to have my band placed. The amount of weight one loses is not as important as the health benefits one gains with weight loss.

As the saying goes, you will never know what there is to discover if you do not have the courage to lose sight of the shore. The band is a highly self empowering tool, as your motivation and compliance will be the key factors to the level of success you achieve.

Though I have had complications post op, I would definitely choose to have my band placed again. It is vital to understand that not all of the complications one may experience are the fault of the patient.

Best wishes whatever path you choose to take.

[2muchfun 8,927]

There's probably less than a 1% chance of erosion and mostly, that would be self inflicted imo.

I had a 100% chance of continuing to be miserable and in constant pain if I remained obese. My odds of dying early were greatly increased due to my diet and large amount of body cavity fat. My painful knees wouldn't allow me to walk over one block. I'll take the small chance that I might have an eroded band, or a prolapse, dilated pouch, slipped band, over living the life I led 2 years ago.

I've never questioned my decision and would not want to go back. I'm one happy camper.

[Shazam 517]

Ok. This might seem silly to some but im so scared something might go wrong. The stomach erosion really scares me. Im scared of not being able to eat anything with out pain. I know if I do right I will succeed but did any one else have the same fears. ? If you have been banded for a while (year or years) would you do it again ?

Yes I was scared. I almost didn't go through it. And I probably would be near goal now if I didn't chicken out. But I did it. No regrets here! . Good luck. It's worth it!!

[Sharpie 3,306]

I had some fear and was nervous prior to being banded.. I was banded in Jan 2013.. It was the best thing I ever did... I had lost and regained for the past 20 years.. My health was getting worse and I wasn;'t getting any younger.. like TMF I had pain and couldn't hardly shop for groceries.. The surgery was actually not bad, recovery was easy and losing 55 lbs has made my life worth living.. no more diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol.. Think of where you will be if you don't have the band.. Can you continue to struggle with your weight and health? complications are not that common no matter what you read on here.. If you are a religious person, pray about your decision...

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

as in life....things do and can happen

its how we let it affect us in dealing with it...

complications can and do occur with any WLS..for best results, its vital to follow your doctors instructions to the letter..sometimes things just go wrong with WLS and its no ones fault....you cant spend your time going what if this happens or that happens...what if it doesnt? what if nothing goes wrong??

spend your time learning about the band...be realistic..be open minded and understand it is a process....it is not magic.....its something to help us eat less and lose weight.....was i scared, sure......but i was more scared that id be up over 400 more than i was anything else.....best of luck to you

[Jim1967 3,569]

Everything you're feeling is normal and I had reservations even as I was being wheeled into OR.

For me at my weight the fear of doing nothing far out weighed the the fear of doing something. I was a walking time bomb and needed some serious help. This by far is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I would not change a thing. I am a new man a proud one at that!!

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

Everything you're feeling is normal and I had reservations even as I was being wheeled into OR.

For me at my weight the fear of doing nothing far out weighed the the fear of doing something. I was a walking time bomb and needed some serious help. This by far is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I would not change a thing. I am a new man a proud one at that!!

and i am sooooooooo proud of you Jim...you are my hero and one of the first people on this forum who said hey to me last year when i joined. i never forgot that nor will i ever :wub:

[nacole630 13]

Thank you everyone. Its good to hear most of you were scared at one point. I am going thru with it cause no food is more important than my life. I want to be here to see my little girl grow up. Thank you all again for sharing inspiring words. Its nice to hear. Great job to everyone for your hard work.

[starfish n coffee 157]

Hi' date=' yes I have the exact same fears. My surgery is scheduled for Thursday and I may postpone it. I'm so scared that my food is going to hurt going down and I am also scared of band erosion. I called my surgeon today to discuss those fears but he hasn't called me back yet. Still waiting...[/quote']

NervousNancy, I'm going to need you to put on your big girl panties and go forth with this surgery so you can dispose of those big girl drawers! :-). I had a complication with my tubal ligation but guess what? No more babies!! So it worked. Nothing is perfect or without a little discomfort. Shoot "life" shows us that daily. Have the surgery so you can live the "life" you want. Now go on and tell us all about it on Friday!!! I'll be waiting!!!!

Much Love Starfish

Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

I think we all had those fears, I even had my will done before I went into surgery. Nothing happened though and I'm thankful for that. I'm doing well and I would do this again in a heartbeat. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

[PJ Geeser 108]

I wasnt scared in the least. I have had slow weight loss but I wouldnt take it back for nothing. Maybe you should look at it differently....maybe you should look at what the extra weight is doing to you long term if you stay on the same path you are on now, the diseases from obesity, high blood pressure, your joints hurting, your back.....the list goes on and on.

[tamlb 4]

I agree I was not scared either I was excited to get the band, I do wish my weight would come off faster , I have stalled for about a month but just thus week my scales started slowly moving again, hope to be able to keep the weight coming off thus time, what ever u do do not get discouraged it will happen even if slow