Making Choices

Kia · October 9, 2007

I'm Kia, I'm 28 years old and live with my hubby (Steve 37) and our 2 furbabies.

I'm considering LapBanding as a means to improving my health.

Steve is supportive of me whatever my choices. I know he loves me for who I am, no matter what I look like.

I'm 5'2"

I was around 200-210lbs when we met I'm now just over 300lbs.

I was 112lbs at 8 years old and 154lbs at 11 years old, my doctor told my grandparents (they raised me) it was "puppy fat" and I'd grow out of it.

Needless to say - I didn't.

Recently I talked with my doctor who suggested I speak to a dietician before discussing surgical options.

He also had blood tests run.

I don't have any signs of diabetes, my thyroid is "within normal limits", my blood pressure is on the low side of OK and I have low cholesterol.

Not bad for 300+lbs =)

As for the dietician - mistake - my jeesh - that woman had the brain cells of an amoeba and the attitude of "you're fat therefore you are stupid".

It's no good telling someone to eat less calories than they use, if you can't help them look where the extra calories are in the first place, or where they can increase the amount they use.

Added to telling me in the same breath I need to eat more....

OK which is it eat more or eat less - because I really can't do both LOL

And, nope I don't scoff crisps, sweets, chocolate, pies, chips, fried foods, cakes, Cookies, ice cream, burgers or the like.

I love cooking and homemake meals almost everyday such as stews, Soups, chili.

I bake, slowcook or grill meats, and bulk up on veggies.

I tried tesco ediets "totals" but gave up because I never managed to eat my "totals" each day.

So, now I'm considering surgury. I know I'm "super morbidly obese".

My activity is limited due to my size.

I can't walk far without pain in my lower back/hips.

I do taebo (don't laugh I really can, maybe not as fast as they do on the dvd, but I can do most of the exercises on the Billy Blanks Bootcamp DVD) 3 times a week.

I can't go to the local swimming pool (much as I'd love to) because of my agoraphobia - which has gotten worse as I've got larger.

Or have I got larger as the agoraphobia has gotten worse?

I think my main concerns are scarring - I have a nasty 6 inch scar from an appendectomy in '92 and I have a 8inch vertical scar from surgury 3 years ago, when I ruptured my uterus.

I had a cornual pregnancy (not that we knew) and I sneezed causing the uterus to rupture and lost the baby at 18.5 weeks.

I had complete wound breakdown of the incision and had to heal via secondary intention (wound packing) which took around 6 months, so the scar is deep.

How bad is the scarring?

I really don't want to add to the scars. In fact I'd even consider an apronectomy to remove the lower belly skin if the weight loss was successful.

Which brings me to the skin issue.

Is saggy skin due to significant weightloss common?

Does lapbanding really work?

Am I going to feel hungry from such small portions?

Recovery time?

If someone could wave that magic wand and take even 50% of the excess weight, I know the exercise would be so much easier to help keep the weight off.

Is lap banding a wise choice?

Kia xxx

anonemouse · October 9, 2007

Hi! Welcome to LBT!

It sounds like you would probably do very well with the lap-band. Remember, though, weightloss would probably be slow. We're expected to lose an average of 1-2 pounds per week.

About the scars...

Banding is a laparoscopic surgery, so most of the scars are very small. The largest one is maybe 2.5 inches long, and that's where they inserted the port. The others are 0.5 inch in size, at most. Except for the port incision, they are basically key-hole incisions.

There are many people here that can attest to the fact that, yes, banding does work. So far, I've only lost 16 pounds, but I'm right on track, since I was banded on July 3. I wish it would come off faster, but I just now got good restriction. I had my third fill last week, and I haven't experienced real hunger since then. I've actually been having to force myself to consume enough calories during the day.

Chickie · October 9, 2007

Hi! Welcome to LBT!
It sounds like you would probably do very well with the lap-band. Remember, though, weightloss would probably be slow. We're expected to lose an average of 1-2 pounds per week.

About the scars...

Banding is a laparoscopic surgery, so most of the scars are very small. The largest one is maybe 2.5 inches long, and that's where they inserted the port. The others are 0.5 inch in size, at most. Except for the port incision, they are basically key-hole incisions.

There are many people here that can attest to the fact that, yes, banding does work. So far, I've only lost 16 pounds, but I'm right on track, since I was banded on July 3. I wish it would come off faster, but I just now got good restriction. I had my third fill last week, and I haven't experienced real hunger since then. I've actually been having to force myself to consume enough calories during the day.

This.

In my opinion, banding is a wise choice.

juliegeraci · October 9, 2007

How bad is the scarring?

I have about 304 incisions and yes you can see them.

Is saggy skin due to significant weightloss common?

It depends on your body. For me losing 100 lbs I will need a Tummy Tuck.< /p>

Does lapbanding really work?

Yes, it works. Its never been easier for me to have Portion Control.< /p>

Am I going to feel hungry from such small portions?

No, once you start to get fills you will not be as hungry.

Recovery time?

My recovery was 5 days and then I was back to work.

I love my band. I would replace it for anything.

juliegeraci · October 9, 2007

that was 3-4 incisions not 304

Daisalana · October 9, 2007

If you look in this forum area, there's a 'scar stages', and lots and lots of pics of the scars.

Everyone is a little different.

I was a little nervous about scars, but that was so minute in the scheme of things for me.. I was 23 and couldn't walk!!

So I guess you take the good with the bad.. I now have a new scar right between my boobs, that I am carefully watching.. I really don't want my cleavage to be marred. But if that's the case, I'll deal with it.

The lap-band really works if you work the lap-band :eek: