peacequeen

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the support. I'm really educating myself on the sleeve. I'm still undecided but I'm still in the process of the hoop jumping.lol I'll keep you guys posted and check in to see how everyone is doing. You guys are really wonderful and I wish the best for each of you!!!

I was informed that due to swallowing and dysphagia problems as a result of my myasthenia gravis, it is not recommended that I have a lapband. My doctor said that the gastric sleeve would be a more logical choice in my situation. My problem is that it scares me. I just wonder what any of you would do. I know it will take something drastic to get the weight off of me. I have to do something. I can't just diet and excercise is very minimal due to my condition. I could really use some prayers and advice, anything anyone can tell me. I know I will need to convert to the sleeve forum I just feel I know some of you here, if you could help me find the answer. I'm really scared. I never thought I'd have to make this decision.

Sandy, sorry,,I just didn't know if you saw her message,,didn't mean to sound like I was smackin on ya.lol

Sandy1,,Henriikka posted the results right before yours. I'm so sorry you didn't win but in a way you did. You've met some new friends and we'll be glad to support you in whatever effort you take to lose your weight. This is a lapband forum but we're all having the same struggles so I don't think it matters. So I hope you stick around. I know you can do it. I'm still waiting to hear if I will be able to have the surgery due to health issues..so I may end up with the same outcome as you. I'm not going to let it stop me from reaching my goal and fulfilling my dream. We can push forward together. I wish you the very best. God bless. Karen aka: peacequeen

I just sent another vote in. I may not make it to vote tomorrow because I will be out most of the day but I will try. I just know you'll do great! Good luck!!!

I get what you are saying. I personally would prefer to not have all candy coated info about something as important as this. I remember a time, I didn't want to hear a negative thing anyone had to say but I'm listening now. I want to know everything. This is LapBandTalk not HappyWithTheLapBandTalk...,,I love hearing success stories as much as the next person but I want to hear the bad too so I can prepare and make the right decisions. I don't want to be one that says,,if I had it to do over again.,,I guess I should say, I haven't had any surgery yet but the day I was at my pre op consult..I was asked by a nurse if I would rather not have the sleeve instead. Alot of people were getting revisions and the sleeve was more successful.. and this was from the office of one of the largest bariatric institutes in Ky. Is that making me decide on the sleeve,,no, not yet. I'll end up making the choice that's right for me but I do want to hear about both sides.

It's not been a time consuming effort. I don't mind at all,,only takes a few seconds. I've enjoyed seeing the enthusiasm around here. I hope you win! I am a faithful person and believe if it's meant to be,,it will happen,,if not, it won't. If you don't win, try not to be disappointed but use the experience to motivate you even more..a way will come for you, I've learned patience is the key. Continued good luck to you!

That's probably true. I'm sorry you are having so much trouble. Hope things get better for you. Can you have your band removed?

I voted!

onikenbai..does your 4 pound weightloss in 2 years have anything to do with why you are mentioning the band removals? I know there are risks and there are issues as you have mentioned but I've also read 1000's...upon 1000's of successes..over years. I haven't been banded or had any surgery..yet..but just sayin...

I go through spells where my hair falls out to it being very dry and brittle. I have had to splurge and have it professionally conditioned along with my scalp treated. It helps some but the problem comes from within the body but it doesn't hurt to be kind to your hair. Thanks for the link! I look forward to checking that out. Just FYI..I'm on 200 mcg of Synthroid daily. This is likely to change everytime I have my check up..it goes up and down. Synthroid keeps it pretty level,,it also depends on what I eat, how much sleep I get, stress,,etc. I've tried everything else with no luck...I have to have name brand. No generics or natural remedies.

Yes, I agree. I should have been told it would take weeks to get the results from a simple outpatient procedure that's about the equivalent of a barium swallow, less invasive than an endoscopy. As of today, I still haven't heard from them. This isn't something I'm just concerned about the results, I am interested to know the findings but it will determine whether I even get to have lapband surgery or not. My next option would be the gastric sleeve which makes me nervous. That would take me back to the beginning too. As everyone here knows, it's just a nerve wracking process, it would be nice if they could just be a little considerate..especially to a person who suffers anxiety.

There ya go,,another vote for ya!

I was diagnosed hypothyroid about 25 years ago. It eventually set on hashimoto's thyroiditis. It really does make it difficult to lose the weight! I've been on synthroid for years, it works some of the time. Sometimes my immune system shuts down due to other stuff and my thyroid will get out of whack and I have to have my meds regulated. Keep a good check on your thyroid. I haven't had surgery yet but found this post interesting with some good useful info. God bless!

Thanks Shirley..gotcha I have an appointment June 8th with a new psych. I'm following the rules, I've done everything they've asked of me and I've only complained here..only because they won't return my calls or give me my test results. Thanks everyone for the advice and tips. I checked out a couple sites here in our state and set up a new seminar for a different facility for June 3rd. I'm still going to follow through with the psych appt because I'm sure my Insurance company is watching my every move waiting for a screw up. I never in my life have had to deal with so much red tape to get a procedure. It's funny that if you want plastic surgery,,that's much easier (I hear).

Actually the trauma from childhood was something different, my parents were killed several years ago while I was an adult..but that's beside the point..but just wanted to clear that up. Shirley, you made alot of sense and you're probably right. I just didn't feel like I should lie, it's not in my character. I did want to make sure I was making the right choices and answering all questions as honest as possible. I was under the impression they would help me through everything and that any tests wouldn't rule out surgery but help them to help me???? The psych knew most of my weight gain was because I quit smoking 8 years ago (35 pound gain) then I developed a rare autoimmune disease and was on steroid treatment for a long time and gained 70 more. So why he felt my past trajedies were related, I'm not sure. I do want to have the right mind set, therefore the therapy. I just still have issues with the fact that I haven't met my surgeon who should have already followed up with me about the procedure I had that will determine if I even get to have lapband or not and they won't return my calls. I think that's unprofessional and makes me wonder what my follow up care would be like.

Thanks for all the responses. Is it normal that I have yet to ever meet my surgeon after 6 months? I should've mentioned that. I saw him at the seminar in January..that's it. I didn't really get to talk with him,,there was an open question/response for about 15 minutes but that's all I've seen of him. He had his assistant do all the stuff on pre testing day (meet nutritionist, weigh in, take psych test. etc). He also had someone else do the esophageal manometry. The reason I failed the psych test was because my parents were killed in an accident and it's caused some depression and anxiety and because I have low self esteem from childhood trauma. These are things that I feel are legitimate reasons for therapy. But to use this against me because of my weight is not right. I've sought help on my own over the years and am taking meds. I told this to their psych but he requested for me to continue seeing my therapist and to find a psychiatrist to re evaluate meds. He would not approve me unless I do this and get clearance from them. His "test" was very twisting. Questions like, "have you ever wanted to hurt yourself"? Well, I could lie but I didn't. There were times I thought about it but obviously didn't do it. When I lost my parents, it was everything for me to even want to wake up in the morning. I explained all of this to him. He used every answer I gave as a general answer for all my weight issues,,and I don't think that was fair. I think I was kinda mistreated, I don't think I should be told that I have to have a test in order to have the surgery then be forced to wait longer than normal for results and to never get responses to my calls. I think it's very unprofessional and I am a little nervous about having them do my surgery. I think I do need certain tests because I have health issues (a different post). Having a bunch of tests is not a problem,,it's just the response time (if any) has been ridiculous.

I've had previous concerns about my surgeons office but blew it off. Now I'm frustrated again but with my surgeon. I'm almost 6 months into this process from the seminar till now. So far I haven't had much hope. I've had one visit that included an all day feast of tests in March. I failed the psych test so I'm in therapy and seeing a psychiatrist for meds (this was their own psych), my therapist doesn't understand it..since I'm already on meds. The nut told me I needed to go on a 6 month diet because my insurance company requires it but I spoke with 5 different people through my ins. co. and they said they know of no diet I need to be on for 6 months. But she insists, so I'm forced to do it. I'm failing miserably,,I'm actually gaining. I never could diet well, that's why I wanted the surgery. Then they want me to do about 10 different "big" tests, I had one,,an esophageal manometry,,not very pleasant but I went through it because the PA told me the doctor will use this test to determine if I will be able to tolerate the band because I have a condition that causes dysphagia. Well I had it over 2 weeks ago and have heard nothing. I called and had to leave a message with a nurse and that was 3 days ago. How can they expect me to get all excited and diet and be at peace about having this surgery if they won't keep me up on what they are doing? My husband told me he thinks I need a different surgeon. That this office seems like they have way too much on their plate and to let patients worry waiting to get a phone call. I know they are busy but is this normal? I do think it's a bit rude to tell me I can't have surgery unless I pass a test, then not be notified if I even passed the test. I'm just getting worse. My eating is getting more out of control, I have no self esteem, I'm disappointed and I don't know what to do anymore.

Got another vote in for you!

Sent another vote in for you today!

This particular response was very helpful to me. I recently realized I had become a binge eater. I am also an emotional eater..and I just love food. I'm def going to talk to my therapist to help me get a grip on the binging and way of thinking when I do it. I think that is my biggest problem at the moment. I haven't had surgery yet and still waiting to qualify due to medical issues but it won't hurt to get hold of the problem regardless whether I have the surgery or have to lose it the traditional way. Thanks for putting something so complicated into perspective for me,,you made it much easier for me to understand and when I read it,,I was like "AH HA!!" that's whats wrong with me!

I'm so sorry for what you are going through but it's probably best you know now instead of after you're married that he had some insecurity in your relationship. It may be the fact that you were moving into a positive direction in your life and he liked you just the way you were,,just speculation. If that's the case, that is a lethal relationship for someone getting ready to go through such a huge life change. Even though he may have seemed supportive, obviously he was insecure about something. Hold your head up and I agree with Becca, maybe find a good support group where there are people having weight loss surgery. You are self concious about the outcome of having surgery..loose skin. Maybe having people around you that are going through the same body change can help keep that part of your thoughts more positive. Those who have had surgery already and have lost a larger amount of weight could share with you how your body will change and maybe give you tips on how to keep from having loose skin. You might meet some great new friends as well. Good luck to you,,keep us posted.

Wow, you were classy!lol I think you handled very well. I'd like to see a response from him..if he's brave enough to give one.HA!

Just sent another vote in for ya!

I just voted for you,,good luck!