I'm new here and thinking about the Lap Band Surgery

MissBevy · 07-05-2008, 12:16 PM

Hi- my name is Bev and I'm considering having the lap band sugery. I've been on Weight Watchers SO many times (currently doing it again) and I do well until I get to the 40 - 50 pound weight loss and then I seem to lose my motivation. I've been overweight all my life and and tired of being this way. I have 7 year old twin boys and I'd love to run around and play with them, but my weight prevents me from doing so. I am tired of always being the biggest one in the room and having to be so self conscious. I've been considering having the Lap Band surgery for the last few days after talking with my husband. I have a degenerative spine problem and it is VERY painful. I also have a knee problem that gives me the blues. I know that no surgeon would even consider doing surgery at my weight so I need to take matters into my own hands and lose the weight somehow. I'm interested in the surgery but scared of actually going through it. I am not sure I could go through the period of not being able to eat solid foods. That makes me nervous to think I can't put food in my mouth and chew it......sad, huh? I LOVE food and hope that by having the surgery I can still eat. I know that I would have to watch what I eat when eating whole foods. I'm a sweet-a-holic and I am afraid I won't be able to eat cake, cookies, etc. Is that true? I'm hoping that by joining this community, you can help me understand better what this surgery entails, what I'm going to have to give up, what changes I'll have to make, etc. I'm interested in hearing about what all of you are going through who have been banded. I'm interested in hearing about what steps have to be taken to even get approved for the surgery. In other words, folks, HELP! Thanks in advance for any help you can give me in my journey to making my decision. Bev

gina bean · 07-05-2008, 01:54 PM

Bev,
Many of us sound just like you, with the same questions and fears. Nothing you can write about would suprise us or sound stupid.
I'm not yet banded but believe it I have been researching and trying for over two years now for insurance coverage. I feel confident and informed on the lap band.
Don't us my insurance experience as an example because I have yet to hear of anyone waiting as long as me. But I in no way can be a self pay and its a good chance my 4th insurance company is the charm.
Speaking for myself and friends with the band its not easy and it is scary for lots of reasons but mostly the idea of lossing our best friend, the food. Right? The one thing that has stuck with me from the very begining is what the DR said at my first seminar. "I'm not saying you will never eat a piece of your kids birthday cake again, just a smaller one." That has stuck with me and I live by it for strength. I squirm everyday thinking am I doing the right thing.
My advise is research it. Lap band helps most aillments, you feel better, look better and become more active again. But you have to remember its only a tool. A major life style change in the food department has to happen for it to work. Its not a get fit quick thing. Its a way to help you control and learn portion size. You can eat a treat it just has to be a bit or two. Remember since you only have room for so little food it needs to be high protein good for you stuff. Listen to your Dr, follow their instructions and you will be home free.
Just remember, like I have to tell myself, you still have to figure out why your over eating. The minds part of this is major and you have to keep it busy with other things. Crafts, planting flowers, board games, talking on the computer, whatever you like to do.
I hope I helped, I can relate 100% and have used the board and my friends so much in this journey. Write me anytime,

Gina B
Sunny Florida

NY2LAGirl · 07-05-2008, 02:04 PM

Missbevy being only 1 year younger than you I can't imagine having twins!!! ;) I do have a 10 year old boy and I know what you mean about keeping up, it is very tough. My son wanted to take horseback riding lessons with me and I was told I was too heavy. (180 was the limit)That was the deciding point for me. I too have a degenerative spinal Dx and I had sleep apnea (which has improved 99% already) and my blood pressure was slowly creeping up.
My insurance would not pay so I am a self-pay. In 2 months I am down 21 lbs and I can eat anything without difficulty. Granted I don't have restriction yet but some without restriction have difficulty eating but not me. Now I watch everything I eat on daily plate.com and try to stay at around 1000 calories a day so if I want that choc. kiss I have it but I don't over do it! I eat my protein first then try to get in my veggies or fruit. The funny thing is I don't want the sweets I craved so much before surgery and I have no explaination why. The ONLY time I need choc. is during TOM and I have dark choc 1 square, that's it.
Do your research go to a few free seminars with different docs and I am sure if you decide to go the lap band route you won't regret it. There are so many amazing people on this site who will be there for you every step of the way, you will never be alone!

j_holm07 · 07-05-2008, 03:31 PM

Why hello Bev! Please do not be concerned about your questions we all have them! I am only 4 days from having my lap band put on and I have a lot of the same questions as you do! Growing up on a farm, I have learned to LOVE food, and I cook often. You will still be able to eat what you want, its just a matter of protein and portions. That is not to say that there is not great discipline that goes hand in hand with this surgery. I don't recommend this surgery if you have a hard time dealing with stricter food guidelines. But I am only 19 and I am doing this....thats a lot of years of not chowin down when i want to, but I am doing this for me and only me. This is my life, and thats how you gotta look at it. You want to be healthier, and the Lap Band is a GREAT tool to attain that goal.

Josh

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Band Date: July 9th, 2008
Insurance: Medica
Current Weight: 299 lbs.
Goal Weight: 190 lbs.

Only a few more days and I will have broken this curse that has haunted me!!! GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE JULY BANDSTERS!!

Nancy33 · 07-05-2008, 03:51 PM

Welcome Bev, Most of your responders are also fairly new. I have had the band for 8 months so let me add my two cents worth. The times you will be restricted to liquids and mushies are right before and right after you are banded. Don't start the liquid diet before your doctor requires you to. (You'll get bored and cheat) the liquids and mushies after the surgery are OK to start with cause you won't feel like eating a lot for a while (usually you are on for 2-3 weeks depending on doctor) After you start getting hungry it is sort of fun trying to see what you can make mushy, I have heard some really weird things on this site! if you like weight watchers and enjoy going, keep doing that. You probably won't start losing until you get to the right amount in your fill and ww can help you make healthly choices.

There is not as much being deprived as you might think. I hit my sweet spot with my last fill (I can stay full for 3-4 hrs on about 1/2 to 1 cup of food) (after 6 fills) If I want a cookie, I eat it but I don't want the whole bag like I use to, thats what the band does for you.
Also, I know that I need my protein, and veggies so I eat those first and even though my husband has the biggest sweet tooth going and I always have sweets in the house, most of the time I just say I'll eat them later and then, never do. what I can't eat (and it seems to be different for everyone) is prime rib, steak, lettuce and doughnuts.(Can still do danish though!) lol

gregvd · 07-05-2008, 03:53 PM

Hi Bev.
This is a TOOL. A wonderful tool. It's like you got your own little policeman down there, making sure that you stay good. Without it, (like all of us) no self control.

From going to weight watchers, you have gained all the knowledge, understanding, determination and now with the help of the Lap Band System, YOU can finally (AND WILL) succeed.

In my life time, I have probably lost over 300lbs in weight, to only put it back on, and some.

I really can get up every morning and say to myself. "I will do good this day". And Actually do it.

My nurse once told me "At special occasion or holidays, you can eat a piece of cake or cookie or even chocolate, but not every day is a special occasion or holiday".

To me, the life of feeling good and knowing there is a light at the end of the tunnel, with the help of the Lap Band is so much better than any sweets could be.

I lost my father when I was 11. He was only 54 and over weight, and died from a heart attack. I have two beautiful teenage daughters, and I'll be damn if I'm going to leave them.

Last but not least: I will go to Disney or where ever by next year, and go on rides with them and be able to walk the place without my feet killing me.

glorybee123 · 07-05-2008, 05:39 PM

It's a little hard to explain but you just don't feel the same way about food after the band. Food no longer rules your life. You really just don't care about it much anymore. It is wonderful not to feel hungry ALL the time! You can still eat most things, just not much of them but you still enjoy eating and the taste of things. You can eat just one cookie and not the whole bag! It's great!

cindy730 · 07-05-2008, 05:49 PM

It is like being set free!

MissBevy · 07-06-2008, 01:06 PM

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post. I appreciate your well wishes and your help and advice. I admire all of you who have chosen to have the band done and your courage you show while going through your recovery and everything that comes after recovery. Thanks for sharing your experiences with me. I'm full of questions so I'll be posting an awful lot! Best wishes and big hugs to you all! Bev

Heatherooni · 07-10-2008, 10:05 AM

Welcome to the board MissBevy! I know I'm late in responding but good luck with your decision. You'll do great no matter what!!! (((HUGS)))

ssflbelle · 07-10-2008, 12:33 PM

Hi Bev and the others
Bev we are very much alike in our physical problems and questions and love of sweets. I swore I was reading my own posts and not yours. It is so nice to see I am not alone. I am still waiting to have my first consultation July 22nd. I have researched since Jan of this year and feel sure this is the WLS I want. I like the fact that I can will still be able to have a sweet from time to time and not feel like I have to eat the whole bag of cookies or whatever it is. I have been following WW (for the umpteenth time in my life) and started using the sit down machines at Curves for about 2 weeks now. As of June 30th I gave up drinking diet soda and now drink my crystal light and diluted juices out of a sippy cup. So I am beginning to slowly make some behavioral changes before the surgery.

Sorry I can't answer any of your questions but those who have the band already seemed to have provided a lot of answers. I must say I am very impress with the weight losses I see here. Greg are your tickers correct? WOW Man you are really working at getting thinner. Keep going strong and hope to see you all on the boards.