Chickened Out

[CarolAnne 0]

One year ago, I started the process to get banded. I did the six months with the dietician. I can't really call it weight loss because I honestly wasn't really trying.

I needed to do the psych visit, cardiologist and pulmonologist. Then I was good to go.

I am MRSA colonized and despite working with an infectious disease doc, have not been able to get rid of it. It has been a stressful year for my family in many other ways as well.

Now, one year later, I've gained back all the weight I lost and then some. I think I'm bigger than I was when my last child was born. sigh....

I'm still scared of the surgery. Guess I need to get more scared of being fat and sick for the rest of my life.

Sorry to be such a downer. I'm just trying to figure out what in the world to do and hope this was a safe place to look for some support.

[tapshoes 2]

CarolAnn

Living with the lapband takes dedication and perseverence; it is not something to do until you are committed for the long term to make significant changes to your life. Given that you 'weren't really trying' during the pre-op phase, I think that you have made the right decision AT THIS TIME for YOU.

It is better to not proceed until you are absolutely committed to a new lifestyle, and my stopping now you have probably saved yourself a lot of grief, and heartache, and surgery! You are to be commended for making this decision at this time.

You can always investigate this (or any other option) later - it isn't a now or never situation.

Good luck.

[Libbyjane1976 1]

Don't be afraid of the surgery. you are in and out of the hospital in the same day, yea you are in pain for a few days but it's worth it. Take it from me a complete needle phobe and doctor phobe. I did it and i'm losing weight and I'm glad I made the decision I did because I'm on my way to being healthy.

[CarolAnne 0]

Thanks Tap Shoes.

I think you are right. I just wasn't ready. Don't know if I ever will be. I said I wasn't trying, but I guess I was. The dietician was thrilled with my 11 lb loss. I didn't give myself credit though. I lost 11 lbs on my first week of WW. Of course, I didn't keep it off.

I'm as afraid of not being able to take advil or drink coffee again as I am of the surgery itself. I guess until I can get my head back in the right place, I should wait.

Libby Jane! Thanks for the encouragement. I'm so glad you are having success. I've had 10 or so surgeries in my life. 6 on my abdomen, so I'm not that afraid of the surgery itself. Although i do admit I hate the time in the recovery room waking up from anesthesia. Not really sure why I'm not ready.

I guess maybe I'm afraid of going through all the hassle/pain of surgery and then not being successful. Or being one of those people who has initial success and then gains it all back.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

CarolAnne, if you are a volume eater, then as long as you maintain the band (fills) and follow the rules (chew well, small bites) the odds are very high that it will NOT fail you. If you are a snacker or a grazer and aren't ready to give that up, then you are right to wait. Good luck to you!

[HeatherO 7]

I agree with tapshoes. If you have doubts about following through, and you didn't even try with the pre-op, then you weren't ready then. You have to find the time that is right for you because it needs to be a dedicated commitment to a lifestyle change.

I would also worry about having colonized MRSA and then having a medical device surgically implanted while your still battling it. I am not sure that MRSA would bode well for the band or port if you get a serious infection that can't be eliminated. You could lose your band before you even get a chance to put it to good use.

Banding will still be here for you when you are psychologically and physically ready for it. Even if it is not this year, it may not be very far down the road.

[footballmom104 0]

I postponed my surgery once in part because I wasn't sure I was ready. I took a long time to get apporved because of my employer changing insurance companies and lost my motivation for a while. But I went ahead with it the second time and haven't looked back - I've lost 28 lbs so far and feel great. You don't have to have this surgery until you're darned good and ready ... but once you are darned good and ready, go for it! You'll be glad you did!

[Good4me1313 54]

Hey Carol Anne, when you are ready, you will know it. I took over two years before I finally made my decision to go through with the surgery. I read about it, went to support meetings, talked about it and changed my mind about (alot) it in those two years! I think I was afraid that I wouldn't succeed, that I didn't have what it takes to make the changes that I knew I needed to make. LOL...... Anyway, when I decided I was truely ready to make the committment to this new way of life, I did it. I am so thrilled with the results so far and I feel so much better physically and mentally. I have no regrets, and I am sure you will be the same when you are ready! Best wishes...........Ann

[Irish76 0]

I hate seeing Dr's and needles but it was worse having to see a family Dr, a cardiologist, pulmonary specialist, internist etc. Now I see the specialist once a year, have stopped some meds, and my CPAP machine has been set at a lower level and is much more comfortable and I sleep so much better. Please reconsider when things settle down a little at home and when you are feeling better...you have to be dedicated to this, it is a lifetime change that you will have to work at. I wish you the best--regardless of what you decide.