mrsshmoo8289

That sounds exactly like me. Good luck with your surgery and your new life.

I've ordered both this one and the lap band one. I don't know which direction to go, so I want to thoroughly research both. In addition to these forums, those books looked like the best resources. Good to see some positive feedback.

I am on meds as well and I take them throughout the day..I get what I need and they work like they always did......

I asked the same question. I was told my sleeve would have no bearing on getting an MRI.

Staples are titanium and do not interfere with MRI. Same with most any other hardware you have surgically implanted (knees, hips, etc.). I've got a plate and four screws in my neck and it's fine for MRI, CT, airport security, etc.

Thank you, everyone! I was having a hard time finding the higher numbers, so I thought I would just ask here. It's very encouraging to read these replies!
I will wait until the class before I make any decisions about which procedure and the surgeon. After all, this was just the woman who answers the phone and not the surgeon and his nurse practitioner who will be answering a lot of questions. The surgeon does 90% of his surgeries as WLS. He's out of the University of Virginia Medical Center, one of the best teaching hospitals in the country. I feel very comfortable with his qualifications and see that others here have used him (searched him on the surgeon area). Their web page says the two surgeons have extensive experience with the most serious cases, BMI 60+.
A big factor in this is insurance. Because I also work at UVA, the lowest cost option is to use UVA as my medical provider. There is another medical center run by Sentara in town but it would cost me more to use them. They're not out of network, but they're a higher cost. Ultimately, cost is not the greatest factor. This is an investment. But it does make me want to start with UVA and go from there.
I've got The Big books coming on LapBand and also gastric sleeve. Even though I think I prefer the band, I want to make an educated opinion. I figure if I have a lot of knowledge going into the class, I will be able to get the most out of it. Then I can decide whether I need a second opinion or what. I don't think the surgeon lacks skills for operating over 50 BMI. I want to make the best decision for me though.
Thanks again for your replies. I really appreciate it!

That sounds exactly like me. Good luck with your surgery and your new life.

I know the feeling, that's what pushed me in this direction too. I am 36 but may as well be in my 50's or 60's or something. I remember back in 2007 when my weight had started to creep up, my friend (who was 45) and I were taking a class together, and they had us do an assignment called "What's your real age?" It asked us a battery of questions, including (1) whether we wore our seatbelt (2) whether we smoked (3) what our weight was, etc. Even though I am responsible about seatbelts, helmets, medication, no smoking, etc, I still ended up in the same "real age" category as her--45. And I was only 29 at the time.
I felt that was so discouraging. I made a promise to myself then that I would lose the weight as soon as school was over (ha ha), but that was the first in a long line of lies I told myself. I'm going ahead with the surgery because I'm tired of lying to myself.

Congratulations on choosing yourself and your healthy future. I was the same weight as you are now, 248, and I am at 214 this morning -- starting to dream of what we call Onederland, that far off land of not being in the two hundreds anymore. The thing about the band is it is designed to dim your appetite. I was such a good dieter, excellent at restricting for long periods of time, etc., but eventually I couldn't do it anymore and I'd gain it all back. It's an amazing thing to have the appetite monster off my back and to be out of food jail. I chose the band because it's less invasive and could be removed if ever necessary. I love my band and am loving myself all the more now that I am in control of my life and losing the weight I've been carrying for so long. Fire away with any questions -- that's what we are here for!

I was banded July 6 06... I was a month before my 40th birthday. I had a complete physical with my family doctor. He told me I was a "healthy" person for now... but it was just a matter of time. I have spinabifida and hydrocephalus... but besides that was healthy... but the day of my surgery I weighed 292 lbs.
I've had 9 spinal fusions and both my SI joints are fussed and I"m waiting for a hip replacement BUT having had Lapband surgery SAVED my life.
I started with a 54" waist and am now 30". I've lost 160 lbs. and have been able to maintain it without ANY issues.
I love the band because I don't feel like I missing out on anything... I can still go out with friends for dinner... I can eat anything in moderation except carbonation beverages... no rice or apple skins... everything else is fine. However, when I was losing I did have to follow the "diet" given to me by my doctor. I followed it to the letter and had great results. I reached my goal in just under 14 months.
My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.
Yes... I will always have issues because of my "bones" but have less weight will make it much easier to get around... I walk with a cane... sometimes 2 but if I didn't have the Lapband I'm sure I'd be in a wheelchair or worse.
If you would like to ask questions I'd be happy to chat with you on the phone... I have free long distance and would be happy to call you.
Please feel free to email me: tomander@bell.net
Tom, Toronto
Banded July 6 06
Wt. Loss; 160 lbs

Hi skywalker,, your story sounds somewhat similar to mine. I tried Weight Watchers for 1 solid year and lost 12 lbs........................ yep, 12 whole lbs and I fought for every one of those lbs. Sometimes your body just doesnt cooperate. So, after my sis in law and her hubby had the lap band I started looking into it and after ALOT of research, had it done in Dec 2011. I started at size 18 clothes, 225 lbs, lost 5 by day of surgery, and as long as I followed the drs rule 95% of the time , the weight came off 1-1.5 lbs a week. By Aug 1 I was down to 175, (!!!!) Then it slowed down a bit but was still able to get10 more lbs off , and have now settled at a comfy 160. I would love to get to 140, that may or maynot happen, but the best thing is im happier and healthir than I have been in years! !! The sleep apnea and digestive problems are gone, I wear size 10, i swim and run, get almost daily compliments, and like what I see in the mirror. Most importantly, I feel good from the inside out, something that food cant and wont ever do for me. This was by far , lap band was the BEST decision ever. Hope this helps, good luck to you!!!

love it .. Peanut Butter for me is heaven

I take five psychiatric meds a day. I have been seriously considering the Lap Band procedure, but I'm afraid it will affect how my meds are absorbed. I take some at Breakfast, some at lunch, some at dinner, so it's not just once a day.
Does anyone have experience with this type of situation? Doesn't have to be psych meds, any kind of meds would be affected. This is one of my biggest reasons to hesitate making the appointment with the bariatric surgeon, that and potential for weight regain later despite best efforts. I don't want to end up on liquid only, or something like 1000 calories day. That seems too low to me.
Thanks for any help you can give with this. Looking forward to meeting you all.