Beni

I have seen 3 Bariatric Surgeons (because I felt like I needed 2nd opinions). The last one I saw, who is the chief of surgery at the hospital and Harvard Medical School educated told me he no longer does Lap Band because he simply does not believe in it. He has done over 2,000 weight loss surgeries and the outcomes are not very good for Lap Band. It does work for some people, he said, but in his opinion if you look at statistics, the evidence simply is not there.

We have a lot to ponder upon. A lot of the research I have done lately points to the fact that this is a tool not a cure. Meaning we will get a jump start on weight loss but only for a little bit (6 months according to another Bariatric doctor I saw) after that is up to you and how well you count your calories. The human body is so adaptable and will learn to cope with the new starvation status quo after surgery 1. Metabolism will slow down 2. The 2/3 intestine remaining will become more efficient with food absorption 3. The new pouch will stretch very gradually with time if we eat too much and will hold more food 4. Hunger will cause many to regain weight because even though your pouch is small you can eat all day long if you eat slowly and take breaks. 10 little meals a day are possible. Over 1,500 calories a day is totally possible. Also, high calorie foods and drinks will still be in this world too. In other words, it will still be a head game, just as it right now before bypass. The hope is those 6 months we will be enough time to reprogram our eating habits and reform. It kind of works like rehab, as I understand it. I don't have substance abuse but I imagine you go to rehab for a period of time to learn to cope without the substance you crave, lets say alcohol. You can't have it because it's not available at first. Same with food after bypass. The only not so little problem is you can live your live without alcohol but you can't without food. It will likely be - being an alcoholic who has to drink 3 drinks per day but no more. Are we going to be ale to stop at 3 drinks? This is what keeps me up at night in this decision process. We may well be in a situation where this is the only choice but we need to go to battle in full knowledge of what we are dealing with, don't you think?

Yes, please tell us why you regret it?

Thanks, I will. I have an appointment tomorrow.

finediva How do you research a doctors complication rate? Beni

Yes, it helps me because your story is my story. I too am the only person that can rescue me. It's so scary. I feel like I am standing at the edge of a rock cliff with one of these triangle wing things you sail through the air with and deciding to jump in the hopes the wing will hold you up. But doing it in the full awareness that you can not stand at the edge of that rock anymore. Good Luck to you, Beni

You Rock! Great job. I can't wait for my turn to wear bracelets. I am going through the 3 months of obligatory (insurance requirement) nutrition consults at the moment. Beni

Oh so true. I have been thinking about weight loss surgery for years but I am always shot down by doctors and family. They make me feel like I should workout more and eat less. OMG, don't you think I want to.