Thinking about having lap band....Help me please...

[brownskin82 0]

I am thinking about having it. I will have my consultation next week. My insurance through my job pays ALL of it which is a plus. I am 224 pounds and 5'2. I really want to lose weight for myself and to get preggo .

I would just love to hear some of your pros and cons about the surgery.

Would you do it again?

Would you recommend it?

Please help me in my descision.

hannah:confused_smile:

[NewOutlook 0]

Hi. I applaud you for thinking about lapband surgery. I am approximately 4 weeks out from surgery. I thought about this surgery and discarded the idea for years before I finally buckled down and did it. I kept saying "but my only vice left is eating. I love to eat". Well I ate my way up to almost 300 lbs. So finally it was time to realize that I was not going to be able to get it off with Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig or any other way. I went to a seminar about lap band surgery and liked what I heard. My insurance covered it at 80% and I had it done. I have already lost 36 lbs and now that I am back to eating solids I am losing weight at about 1-2 lbs a week. I have talked to many, many people who have had lapband surgery or know someone who had it and I have heard only good things. I would definately do it again. I am not saying that lapband surgery is going to solve all your problems. It is just a tool. You have to change your eating habits or it won't work. But the band forces you to change your eating habits. No more shoveling food in as fast as I can. No more taking large bites. No more eating anything and everything. No more carbonated beverages. No more sugary sweet stuff. Or at least not much and not for a while. I now take very small bites and chew, chew, chew. I now drink Water, water and more water. I now put my fork down between bites so that I don't put too much in and plug my band (ow does that hurt). I am now walking 15 minutes a day 3-4 days a week to start. My cholesterol dropped almost 50 pts in a matter of weeks. My health is better. I can reach my toes again. I look forward to the weeks and months ahead and watching my body change. When was the last time you could say that? Yes. I am a believer and a convert. My vote is yes. If you have tried other methods and they have failed and you are truly tired of being 100 lbs overweight or more then yes. Go for it and enjoy your new life.

[BethFromVA 5]

Hello, brownskin, I am right there with you. I am also seriously thinking about it (though truth be told, I am leaning more towards it than away from it). I too have my consult next week! And by then I should find out how much my insurance pays for it. I'm thinking probably 100% except for my co-pays and/or deductibles.

[losingjusme 12]

hi, welcome to LBT.

yes, i'd do it again

yes, i'd recommend it!

best of luck to you.

[cindh@comcast.net 1]

I had the surgery five days ago and everything went fine. I would do it again

[cajunmomma 0]

I am so glad that there are other people that are just as unsure as I am. I attended a seminar last week and would really like to have the procedure done. I will find out this week if insurace will cover it. The thing that worries me the most is the post op diet. I really love food and here in Louisiana- food is a huge part of our life. Will I still get to eat some of the foods that I love- like rice and bread?

[kingbird 0]

Hi Brownskin:

I got my band three weeks ago, after considering it for quite a while. The lapband procedure is not a "walk in the park" - it is still fairly major surgery and you will have a recovery period of about six weeks (modified diet, no heavy lifting, etc.) Personally, I took a week off work after surgery and have now been back on the job for two weeks.

The decision to go ahead with the procedure should not be taken lightly - it will mean that you have to make permanent changes to your lifestyle after you are banded. If you hope to reach your weight loss goals, the lapband is only a tool to help you get there. You still have to work hard at an exercise program and stick to your diet in order to be successful.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! I have never felt so positive about myself and I truly feel that I finally have some control over my future. The health benefits that I am going to realize from dropping the excess weight are going to make a big difference in my life.

I hope this helps you come to a decision!

Best of luck.

Kingbird

[MissMe27 0]

I have an appointment to see my family doctor today. I'm going to talk to him about this. I'm tired of doing all the research on this subject and not acting on it. I called my insurance and they cover this 100%. What more can I ask for? Advice I guess. I am 27 years old, have a 3 year old who I would love to run around with. I'm 5'6 and 295 lbs. Exactly 10 years ago I was 178 (and I felt fat then!!!) I'm ready for this.

[Babe 0]

i'm also considering having LB done. i'll be honest with you, i'm terrified. what if i can't stick to the lifestyle changes? what if there are complications with the surgery or after with the band itself? am i really ready to give up all the foods that have been such a comfort to me?