Getting Banded -- 7 Days! Need Support

Lace702 · November 4, 2003

I'm getting banded on 11/11 ... and I'm freaking out! After finally finding the "right" dr. for me. Which was a task unto it self!

I now am reading posts that I did not see before, like how slow the weight is, how sick some people are after surgery, I'm beginning to wonder -- is this worth Ten- thousand plus?

My BMI(35.5) was low, but after speaking to the Dr. and discussing more about my health, it was ok.

In the days coming up, I am trying to move as well. I don't think I'll be able to until probably 2 weeks after surgery. So as you can see, I am completely overwhelmed. I have a sister, that rather I be banded in the states. A "best friend" I cannot tell. Everyone thinks I should be able to do it by myself because I wasn't always overweight. Matter of fact, I WAS a professional athlete. I guess they think because I know about nutrition and exercise, I should have more "willpower" ... well, obviously -- I DON'T!

I just want to say -- thank you all for sharing, you are all so wonderful and knowledgeable. I'll keep in touch.

Date to be : 11/11/03

238/138

donali · November 4, 2003

Hi Lace -

You do have a lot on your plate right now, and it is normal to be having second thoughts.

There is a reason you chose to have WLS - do you remember why you came to this decision? It is good that you have read about possible complications - you need to know before going in what COULD happen. The odds are in your favor that you will be complication free, but nothing is guaranteed. You also need to accept and understand that you have to be an active participant in your banding journey. You have to be ready for a lifetime change, a lifetime commitment.

I went into this with my eyes wide open. My sister had the RNY a few years back, and I have watched her lose and regain her weight. I knew there was a chance I might be unsuccessful, but not taking this opportunity to try was not an option for me.

My Mom was freaked that I was going to Mexico. She was hesitantly supportive because of my sister's poor results with her more dramatic surgery. I understood, but I didn't care. I HAD to have this tool. My thought going in was "If I die in surgery, then GOOD - this struggle will finally be over."

The truth is I knew the likelihood of not coming out of surgery was smaller than the likelihood that I would be in a car accident.

I have been a slow loser, but I do not diet or practice a strict exercise regimen. I choose mostly nutritious foods, and walk the mall occasionally when I feel like it. I did flip my port, and just had that surgically repaired on Saturday. A year before my surgery, I have had 6 months of counseling to help me with my eating addiction. I feel that the combination of the counseling and the band has been the perfect pairing of tools for me and my outlook on life.

Would I do this again, knowing what I know now? In a heartbeat.

If my band slips or erodes, will I get rebanded? If there's nothing better at that time, absolutely.

The band has given me back my hope for a healthier life. I love my band.

Take a deep breath, and consider your alternatives. The vast majority of people succeed with the band.

Best of luck, and keep us posted!

BEBBLY · November 4, 2003

Hi Lace,

I know what you mean. My BMI was 34.5 and I had 50 lbs. to lose so everyone had diet suggestions for me. I was hesitant about going to Mexico for surgery too. And of course everyone in my family thought I was crazy. So I went down there with both my parents.

You have to make sure that you feel at peace about your doctor and this procedure. I knew that I had really given all types of diet a chance to work, I even paid thousands to a private trainer and still very little results. So I knew that there was no other choice for me.

If you have hesitation then you should really re-evaluate your position.

Good Luck with your decision,

Mary

GeezerSue · November 4, 2003

From my perspective, getting DOWN to a BMI of 35.5 would be wonderful! So, from MY perspective, having any wls when one is not MO or almost MO with serious co-morbidities, is a little (not a lot, just a little, it's done in other countries all the time) extreme.

OTOH, I remember how bad I felt when my BMI was under 35 but over 30. I felt huge. I felt enormous. I felt hopeless. And maybe if I had done something a little extreme back then (not that the band was available back then), I would never have arrived at a BMI of over 50.

I will ask this: Have you worked with the emotional issues yet? After banding, when you can hold less, those issues will still be there. And in your case, with so little (from my perspective) to lose, those issues will be in the foreground very soon.

Good luck deciding...

Sue

BEBBLY · November 4, 2003

Hi Sue,

Before I had the band I went through soooooo many diets and exercise programs and failed, that I could just feel a depression coming on. And I knew that I had truly and honestly given every other program a fair chance to help me. For example I did the phen phen for over a year- lost 50 lbs. gained 50 lbs. Then came the Protein diet (did not eat rice-which is a staple in my cultures diet) for a year, lost 27 lbs. gained 32lbs. Then the private trainer and $2000 later I had lost 12 lbs.

Since obesity runs in my family (mom, dad, sisters, aunt and everyone else) I knew if I don't stop it now that I am young, healthy and have my whole life ahead of me, then I will have no problem reaching and surpassing a bmi of 50! Plus I was at risk for diabetes, and heart problems since that too runs in the family!

As for emotional issues, I tend to be a pesemist. Once in a while I feel "why couldn't I just be a normal person, why did I have to take such a serious step to lose weight" This is when my fiance usually steps in and reminds me how lucky I am to have such a privilaged life and how everyone has things they are unhappy about.

Other emotional issues have not come up yet, but I will definitly write about it if they do.

Mary:)

claraluz · November 4, 2003

Lace, it is very normal to be anxious before surgery. Only you can really know whether this is right for you. Remember, it is only a tool. You will still need to exercise some good judgement about what you eat, but that will be a lot easier to do with the band. Your experience is common for those who have a lot to lose: Less than 5% lose all the weight and keep it off without help. So those who tell you that you should be able to do it by yourself are really telling you that you should be able to do a better job than 95% of the people in your condition. It's possible but not probable.

I don't at all want to minimize the risks of surgery, but having gone through it, I don't actually consider it an extreme measure. I've been banded two months and I'm not yet to the point that I'm eating all the right things or exercising regularly, but I am thrilled that I get full after eating less than half of what I would have before. And I've lost 25 pounds. And I'm not even fully restricted yet.

Knowing what I do now, if I could have done this when I was still young and healthier and had only a BMI of 35, I think I would have been better off. Just one person's opinion.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Nancy