Can't make my mind up, scared!!

cherie · May 23, 2005

Hi, I am a 41 year old female, and I am trying to decide on having this surgery. My mother had gastric bypass surgery. I seen the recovery time involved, which I do not have that amount of time available. I work full time, my girls are very active, so down time is a big factor. I am 5'4 and weigh 232 lbs., I know that I have to do something, dieting has never worked, walking has not helped so now I am talking to my doctor about other options. I would really like some input from others that have been through the lap-band surgery. I am leaning that direction verses the gastric bypass, but am concerned about never eating certain foods again. The thought of throwing up often, is not pleasing either. Also I am one that likes a glass of wine, now and then, can you ever drink again? I know that isn't as important, but it is a total life changing experience, would like more information, from ones that have been through this. Thank you.

Mita · May 23, 2005

Welcome Cherie,

There is a lot of info On this site and you are about in the same area where I started. I love my band and would do it over.

Best of luck to which ever you decide. I was pretty Scared at first but then I looked at my 2 boys and knew it would be worth it..

bandit · May 23, 2005

lol! Hey Cherie! Welcome! Its funny you asked about wine in your first post! I did the same thing in my first post here!!!! Dont stress! ITS OK! We can still have a drink! And we can do it for cheaper because the band lowers our tollorence! Whoo hooo! I have a child and I think I would die if I couldnt have a drink when its been "one of those days!" anyways Im sure youll get a lot of responce here. Ull find everyone here loves their band. There are also a lot of threads here that deal with band vrs gastric bypass. Im sure everyone here agrees that the band is the best choice for them. Research the boards and Im sure ull come to the decision thats right for you.

cherie · May 23, 2005

Thanks for the anwers I am receiving. It's as if you all are 1 big family. I see my doctor today to get the process started, can anyone give me an idea of how long this usually takes, before the actual surgery? Thanks again. Oh, and by the way, would like to clariy. I am only drink once every 2 or 3 months. But I didn't know if I could even ever do that again. Thanks for answering.

Alexandra · May 23, 2005

Hi Cherie,

You sound a lot like I did when I first started investigating banding. The one question I kept asking people was whether I'd ever be able to forget I was a WLS patient--would I ever be "normal"? And the answer is a resounding YES. The only difference is that we eat a whole lot less of what we used to eat, and therefore lose weight. Throwing up is a sign that we're not doing something right--it's not inevitable but it can be a very important learning experience.

Ask away, we're all here to share!!

cherie · May 23, 2005

It's me again, I have more questions. Is there a guideline to go by as far as losing. Do you normally lose say 2, 3, or 5 lbs. per week. Is there some kind of regularity? How often do you have a get a fill? Does that hurt? What about after surgery, how long was everyone down before returning to regular activities? Pain, how bad? Thanks again.

Alexandra · May 23, 2005

Everyone heals differently, but I'd venture to say that MOST people are back at their regular activities after the first week. Total healing takes a little longer, but I was back at work on the Monday following my Wednesday surgery. The weekend with two little kids at home was a little tiring, but on the whole it was no big deal.

"Average" weight loss is 1-2 lbs per week, but it is not at all regular. Again, everyone's patterns are different but it's not uncommon to drop a few pounds in a week, stay steady for the next several weeks while the sizes go down, and then drop another five pounds seemingly overnight. It's not a race, of course, and over time the pounds do come off.

Fills are obtained on a totally personal schedule. There are several things to think about when deciding if an adjustment is in order, and you'll see threads on those issues often. In general terms, if you're finding yourself hungrier between meals while eating mostly solid Proteins, it may be time for a fill. But you'll know it when you get there. Many people need 3-5 adjustments in the first year, some less, some more. There's no predicting, which is why it's so important to have good, convenient aftercare available. Without proper adjustment, the band is just an expensive piece of internal jewelry.