SassySenior

Hi Kim, I am also a Texan, living in Dallas. This seems like a good forum and lots of support, which helps make our journey easier. So who's your doc?

I have not given up on my goal to lose 200 lbs. -- I'm not THAT easily influenced by the opinion of others. I just believed what the other bandsters were telling me. I thought I would have to lose the remaing weight on my own.. I'm glad I found this forum because positive support is much better than cautionary warnings. You don't know me yet, but I am a highly motivated, goal-oriented person with high expectations.. I have achieved most of my goals in life as a result. I'm glad to hear that it is realistic to meet my goal weight. And when I do meet it, I have a second goal ready to go. Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post..

Well, the majority of the feedback I got said I'd probably lose only 100 lbs or less. My goal is still gonna be 200, but I'm trying to be realistic. See my 1st post. Hey ... thanks for jumping in!!

This is actually my 2nd post -- just fumbling my way around the forum. From everything I'm hearing, it seems like I probably won't lose the 200 lbs. I want to lose. I guess I'll be lucky if I lose 100 lb. I keep going round and round in my mind what to do. Truthfully, now with a more complete picture -- thanks to others who have responded -- I think the sleeve would be my best bet. Chances are good that I'd lose a substantial amount with the sleeve, and if I needed a revision, I could easily convert into the bypass. That said, Medicare, does not cover the sleeve yet. It's anyone's guess as to when they will -- anywhere from 18 months to 5 years. I don't have the time to wait. I am too scared to have the bypass, because of my age, weight, prior history of a heart attack and co-morbidities. I'm sure I will pass all of the pre-op tests with flying colors. But I'm afraid to be on the table for the length of time it takes to do a bypass and the fact that it's 5x more dangerous than any other procedure. Since I had extensive abdominal surgery in the past, they don't know if scarring will be an issue that will force an open surgery vs. laparoscopic. And while I'm not having any heart problems, who knows what will happen during surgery. My doc tells me I'm already at a higher risk for pretty much everything, including a pulmonary embolism. Now all I have to do is find the right doc. My doc is probably the best and most experienced surgeon around, but I do not like his support staff (particularly the P.A. who will be doing the fills). Right now I'm on the medically supervised diet and doing quite well, to my surprise I've already lost 12 of the 20 pounds I need to drop without much effort. I'm not actually following the "diet" just being practical about what and how much I eat. Best wishes and healing thoughts to all.

What about 2012 Bandsters? I will be banded sometime in early 2012. Is there a place for me to post about my journey. Like a Banded To Be. :0]

Hey ... thanks for writing back!! Here's my update: UPDATE: Just fillin' you guys in.. From everything I'm hearing, it seems like I probably won't lose the 200 lbs. I want to lose. I guess I'll be lucky if I lose 100 lb. I keep going round and round in my mind what to do. Truthfully, now with a more complete picture, I think the sleeve would be my best bet. Chances are good that I'd lose a substantial amount with the sleeve, and if I needed a revision, I could easily convert into the bypass. That said, Medicare, does not cover the sleeve yet. It's anyone's guess as to when they will -- anywhere from 18 months to 5 years. I don't have the time to wait. I am too scared to have the bypass, because of my age, prior history of a heart attack and co-morbidities. I'm sure I will pass all of the pre-op tests with flying colors. But I'm afraid to be on the table for the length of time it takes to do a bypass and the fact that it's 5x more dangerous than any other procedure. Since I had extensive abdominal surgery to remove my ovarian cancer, they don't know if scarring will be an issue that will force an open surgery vs. laparoscopic. And while I'm not having any heart problems, who knows what will happen during surgery. My doc tells me I'm already at a higher risk for pretty much everything, including a pulmonary embolism. Now all I have to do is find the right doc. My doc is probably the best and most experienced surgeon around, but I do not like his support staff (particularly the P.A. who will be doing the fills). I am going to see if I can find another doc as this one is 35 miles away, and I won't see that PA unless I have no other choice. I thought the doc wouild b e doing my fills, but I was ill informed. Since I live in Dallas, I should be able to find someone quite competent -- Dallas is loaded with weight loss docs. Right now I'm on the medically supervised diet and doing quite well, to my surprise I've already lost 12 of the 20 pounds I need to drop without much effort. I'm not actually following the "diet" just being practical about what and how much I eat. Best wishes and healing thoughts for all you and any newbies. I'm not sure where I'm gonna hang out on this board -- but I will be popping into the 60s for sure. Kate

UPDATE: Just fillin' you guys in.. From everything I'm hearing, it seems like I probably won't lose the 200 lbs. I want to lose. I guess I'll be lucky if I lose 100 lb. I keep going round and round in my mind what to do. Truthfully, now with a more complete picture, I think the sleeve would be my best bet. Chances are good that I'd lose a substantial amount with the sleeve, and if I needed a revision, I could easily convert into the bypass. That said, Medicare, does not cover the sleeve yet. It's anyone's guess as to when they will -- anywhere from 18 months to 5 years. I don't have the time to wait. I am too scared to have the bypass, because of my age, prior history of a heart attack and co-morbidities. I'm sure I will pass all of the pre-op tests with flying colors. But I'm afraid to be on the table for the length of time it takes to do a bypass and the fact that it's 5x more dangerous than any other procedure. Since I had extensive abdominal surgery to remove my ovarian cancer, they don't know if scarring will be an issue that will force an open surgery vs. laparoscopic. And while I'm not having any heart problems, who knows what will happen during surgery. My doc tells me I'm already at a higher risk for pretty much everything, including a pulmonary embolism. Now all I have to do is find the right doc. My doc is probably the best and most experienced surgeon around, but I do not like his support staff (particularly the P.A. who will be doing the fills). Right now I'm on the medically supervised diet and doing quite well, to my surprise I've already lost 12 of the 20 pounds I need to drop without much effort. I'm not actually following the "diet" just being practical about what and how much I eat. Best wishes and healing thoughts for all you newbies. I'm not sure where I'm gonna hang out on this board -- but I will be popping into the 60s for sure. Kate

Melissa, I'm in Dallas, and I just joined this group. I'm just starting out.

Hi all, I just joined this group last week. My plan is to get the band in the next 3-6 months. My goal is to lose 200 lbs. I was feeling pretty good about my decision until I went for my first visit with the dietician in my surgeon's office and spent some time with the Physician's Assistant who was overbearing, bullying and very negative. Plus she is the one who does the fills. While my doctor assured me the band was a good choice, his P.A. was trying to talk me out of it, saying things like "we had a patient who lost 200 lbs. but it took her 6 years to do it." I told her one of the compelling reasons I chose the band is because the bypass is 5x more dangerous and maybe even more so at my age (65), weight (403) and co-morbidities (diabetes, heart attack 12 years ago, and coronary artery disease -- well controlled with no problems since). I'd like to get your input on losing 200 lbs. with the band. I might add that on my own self-imposed diet I've lost 12 lbs. in the past 30 days (nothing drastic, just more vigilant about what and how much I eat). I chose this doctor because he has the best credentials, experience and success rate in the area. I feel like I need him to be my surgeon even though none of his office staff seems supportive or very caring. Your thoughts?

Hi all, I just joined this group last week. My plan is to get the band in the next 3-6 months. My goal is to lose 200 lbs. I am 65, weight 403 and co-morbidities include diabetes currently, heart attack 12 years ago and coronary artery disease -- well controlled with no problems since. On my own self-imposed diet I've lost 12 lbs. in the past 30 days (nothing drastic, just more vigilant about what and how much I eat). I chose my doctor because he has the best credentials, experience and success rate vs. others in the area, even though none of his office staff seems supportive or very caring. How do I get started with the weight loss tracker?

Ooh ... this is discouraging the last post was 2 months ago, and the one before that was 8 months ago. Doesn't look like this forum is very active. W-a-h. I'm a newbie, just about to go on 3 month diet with surgery planned for early 2012. I live in Dallas. i'm 65 and weigh 415.