myjourneyagain

Congratulations on 60lbs! That's awesome! and in 3/12 months! Wow! I hope that by May 13, I can say the same thing! Or sooner...April 25th will be three months post-op for me, and it will be my 43rd birthday...I mean 4th anniversary of my 39th birthday. What a great present to myself that would be! As for your dad...maybe he enjoys seeing updated pictures of you and that's was his skewed attempt of letting you know that?? Maybe not...but it could be he's very proud of your achievement and maybe doesn't really know how to express it, especially if you haven't been very close to begin with. I pray that is what it is. But it sounds like that even without him, you have lots of other family support to help you celebrate! God bless!

While I agree with everyone, some people actually get "offended" when you tell them its not the lapband it's them. I had a person tell me, she couldn't recommend it, it didn't work, all she could eat was candy and drink shakes.. (not protein shakes). I tend to be blunt sometimes without realizing it, and say the first thing that comes to mind, and this friend just kept saying I don't recommend it, its a waste of money. For myself, I kept talking to various people and learning more and found great support . That would be great to team up , if she is willing, just don't let her negativity get to you, let her learn from you. No one said it would be a "game of candyland!"

I think you should try to help her realise in some subtle ways that the band does not prevent her from eating food no matter how tight it is. Befriend her, I don't know? suggest you team up? Seems like total ignorance on her part to me. I wish few years back someone had told me or even suggested how this band really is supposed to work. I pretty much thought... I'm smart, I can read, don't need anyone to tell me how it should be done. Boy was I wrong! Try help her see the importance of sticking to some kind of plan! All the best..

I agree with everyone who responded so far. The lap band appears safer and with less risks. To me, once they cut your insides, there is no going back. I researched and talked and made up my mind for the lap band because I know this is what I want to do and with this help (of banding) and my willingness to be healthy, I know this was the choice for me.

I knew that if I was going to do a procedure, it would be the gastric banding. I just think gastric has so many more risks, and even though the weight loss may be faster, I could not overlook the problems.
Don't get me wrong, I've known people who have had bypass and have done great, but it's not for me. You will decide in time what is best for you.

I also went back and forth but what made me choose the lap band was it was slower weight loss which is more natural, ur able to tone as you loose, and also the malabsorption. With malabsorption your body is not able to use all minerals and vitamins the same anymore. So you will have to take Iron, multivitamin, b-12 injections, calcium, and vit D for the rest of your life. With lap band only a multivitamin and you are good to go. But you also need to factor in how much you need to loose. Just do your research write down questions you have and be prepared to drill your surgeon when you meet this him. They like you to ask alot of questions anyways it lets them know that ur are very intrested in the best thing for your health. GOOD LUCK ON YOUR JOURNEY...

I was a little unsure at the start, so i really sat down and researched what expierence ppl had with either or , i decided for the lapband cause it doesnt cause malabsorption and the thought of messing with my insides like that really scared me but the doctor will sit down and talk it over with u and im sure u will make up your mind :-) ...

Yes, I dealt with it and I came out fine. Surgery was March 2,2012 once they gave me the cocktail, I was out when I woke up I was in recovery. I was so scared of all of those things. But what happens if u don't have the surgery? Remain optimistic and pray. It's practically normal to have fear. Praying for a safe surgery for you. Stay focused and know that you are doing the right thing for you. It will all work out. Good luck.

Welcome!
I have a little knowledge but each system is different. I work with a group of primary care pysicians, and typically on the first visit it's a "get to know you" session but if you made the appointment with the intentions of discussing your weight, they may give you the referral. Otherwise, if you've been established long enough with your GYN (since they were the one suggesting it) I would give their office a call and just explain that you would like a referral from them since you're just getting set up with a PCP and want to get this done sooner rather than later.

congrats to you...nothing like true love, and a great supporter....my hubby is the exact same way

I'm very proud of the progress you have made. Just pray and know that mom's always give their opinions whether we ask for them or not...that's them.

Pep talk time! Kat, instead of thinking "i have only lost 48 lbs", you need to think, WOW I am 48 lbs lighter. During weight loss our bodies go through periods of plateaus as the recover from the weight loss and adjust to redistribute the weight. Did you take your measurements? I sat at a plateau from June of last year until this past January, I exercised, I ate right most days but the scale never moved. Than in January I got an adjustment and started losing again. Now I lost 15 lbs than in the past 3 weeks I have sat at the same weight, I exercise and eat right and still the scale stays the same. My point is I am losing maybe not as quickly sometimes as i would like but I am not gaining. I know you have only lost 5 lbs in 10 weeks but you didn't gain. Also as we lose large amounts of weight it becomes harder and harder to drop the weight and the less you have to lose the slower it comes off. Please do not become discouraged, discouragement can sabotage our journey. Keep doing what your doing and take pride in your success to date, reward yourself with a new outfit or piece of jewelry for your accomplishments. Be happy with yourself and believe in yourself, you will get there in time. Good luck I know you will be successful.