pugmum

I've been thinking whether I am going to tell people when I get banded and I think I will. I guess mainly because whenever I have asked people how they are losing weight, I've wondered, "why am I not able to be that successful, what do they have that I do not? Strength? Willpower? What?" So, I don't want other people to feel like other people can do something they cannot. Otherwise, I would want to keep it private also. Having said that, I guess I wouldn't want thin people to know! I would feel judged. Geez, I have no clue! Kelli

Some great stuff in this thread. I have struggled with these questions, also, and yes I do believe that being overweight is somewhat of a spiritual void, but what isn't these days? I guess I have moved into a more gray area of accepting myself where I am and accepting the opportunities that are given to me which will help serve God better. My parents had me on a diet in the fifth grade. I vividly remember being on the playground counting the calories in Starburst candy. I was not an obese child by any means, just had some of that "baby fat" that our Moms used to call it. From then on, my focus has been on dieting. Even when I have had thin moments it has been about dieting. Right there, God was intervening because we have free will. My parents had free will to make me go on a diet every other day. I have come to accept being banded as someone posted earlier about "meeting God half-way." I did the exact same thing in AA as a recovering alcoholic....I felt God led me into AA where there was all of this love and help and by meeting him half-way, I simply had to stop drinking. Now I simply have to have surgery and do what is required to be successful. I believe God wants me to be the best person I can be. I'm sure he cares if I have band surgery or continually diet and fail and ruin my body. I guess I'm just exhausted with dieting the normal way. I admit it. I'm tired. I have such ingrained complex feelings associated with overeating that I've already looked at in therapy. But, therapy didn't change these issues because sometimes issues are still there. So then, we move into what I like to coin "living life well with unresolved issues." This is an uncomfortable position to be in, but we all do it every day! So, I'm going to be banded because I think it is the right thing to do to initiate some control regarding my weight. A little help from my surgeon and I am going to be empowered both physically and spiritually. Because of feeling better about myself, I will have a better relationship with God and everyone else. So, any type of addiction is a spiritual malady alongside the genetic part), but how we walk through it is the spiritual beauty. As my husband says, "once the fire is started, no-one really cares who started it." I have tried to do a couple Bible based diet programs and I simply didn't like it, didn't want to have to do all the work b/c I have failed so much it is like the Myth of Sisyphis where he has to push that huge stone up the same hill day after day after day. I think that is where the emotional stuff comes up and our (at least mine) ability to bounce back and try again becomes less and less. Hopefully, this will be a whole new approach! Kelli

Heather, I wonder why he does that? It couldn't be all about the money...I just don't get it. He seems like such a sincere guy, he must think that is a truly good procedure. I don't have the guts to do it anyway, but I was thinking about it. Did you by chance have your procedure at the Greenbrae Surgical Center? That is where mine is on THURSDAY. Geez, I cannot believe it's almost here! :hungry: LOL Kelli

I hope this isn't inappropriate, but I've been giving some serious consideration to the Restrictive Vertical Gastrectomy, but I do not know anyone who has done it or even knows someone who has done it! lOl Has any bandster checked it out? It seems ideal in that there is no change to the intenstines and the issue of malabsorption is nonexistent. I'd appreciate any comments! Kelli

Bonnie, That is good to know! My surgeon is Dr. Feng. From what I have read and researched, all 3 surgeons are good. It's encouraging to read you have had such a positive experience! Thanks, Kelli

Jessie, This is quite a list making you an inspiration for me! Thanks for posting these things. It's the things no-one wants to mention that are so important!!! Good for you! Kelli

Thanks y'all. It's fun to know that there are others who have gone through/are going through/ or will go through the same things I am. Now I'm getting to the point where I just want to DO IT! LOL. Kelli

My date is 2/2 and I completely related to what you're going through. It's like I wake up in someone elses life and they're going to have WLS. Kind of weird. I am normally wishy-washy when it comes to big decisions, but even more so with this one. My husband has been consistently encouraging me, though, when I say, "maybe I'll try WW again." He just looks at me and tells me that in 5 years I'm going to wish I did it when I was younger. I appreciate that because he's keeping me out my biggest obstacle which is fear. So lately, I have been focusing on the great things that are going happen as a result of this small procedure. A friend recently shared with me that a monkey must let go of the branch behind him in order to grab the one in front of them and keep moving. For a happier life, I'm letting that back branch go, grabbing the branch with the band on it and keep on going! You can too! Kelli

Emily, You too! Your surgery date is my sister's lap band 1-year anniversary. She has had no complications and is really really happy she had the surgery! :biggrin1: Kelli

That's funny because when I read this thread I thought, why would someone who is a size 10 need lap band surgery?! LOL Yeah, I used to think a size 10 was HUGE...that was before the size 18 and then..er...well, I'll be banded pretty soon. I'm tired of plus sizes. :thankyou: Kelli

Oh, man, I had NO IDEA this process would go so smoothly and efficiently! I'm going to have the lap band on Feb.2!! One minute I think about it and I'm excited, then, the next minute I'm FREAKING OUT wondering what the *((* I'm doing to myself. I only have the day before on liquids, I don't think I could do 2 weeks. You friends who remember how it was...were you more fearful of the surgery itself or were you more apprehensive of waking up and having this "thing" inside of you? Is it weird? My sister said that when she came out of anesthesia, besides being sore, she didn't "feel" any different. She told me it's not like they're amputating a leg or something. Anyhow, would love to read some experince. Thanks, Kelli

Good for you! Yawhooooo! Kelli

Yes, that does help! It all helps and makes complete sense to me. When I think of restarting a diet program, such as, WW or something, I think I can lose 25 or 30 pounds (if I'm lucky), but then it goes downhill. Kelli

Okay Alexandria, I'm going to trust you! It seems too good to be true to live as a thin person not obsessing about how to keep it that way. I'm truly getting excited! Kelli

I take Paxil, I must have missed the dose which had the "high" in it. It sure has alleviated all of my anxiety issues. I'm grateful for that. I just began taking Wellbutrin with the Paxil and it gives more energy. Then....I went into a very scary place.........my brain! It got to thinking, well, with taking wellbutrin (which does decrease my appetite) and going in tuesday for my little CPAP machine I'll feel much better, gee, maybe I'll just being to lose weight and not even have to have the surgery. LOL Errr....does anyone else think like this?? Kelli

They might be able to put you some type of "antibiotic prophylaxis" treatment before and after your dental work. This could take care of any pre-existing and postoperative infections going on in your mouth. Just a thought. Kelli

Thank you to all of you for taking the time to answer my question. I realized something by reading these posts...there is never a miracle answer to any type of struggle. There are still rules to follow and if one can abide by and follow the lap band rules, it will work. I were successful following other rules, well, then, I wouldn't be willing to follow new rules. That may sound confusing, but it's quite clear in my brain. LOL Kelli

I have been reading and reading and this forum is stocked with great information. The one thing, though, that perplexes me is that, what is so different with the band? I have read about many banded ones still being hungry so I get confused as to what exactly is helpful about the band. If we eat like the doctor advises pre-band would there be any need for the band? Does the band sincerely help you eat better? Eat a lot less? Think about food less? Curious mind needs to know! While I understand it is not a miracle cure, is the "full" feeling that complete that I will never think of another diet? Thanks! Kelli

Wow, a lot of us have sleep apnea! I was really surprised that I have it since my husband said I snore, but do not quit breathing. Then I got to thinking, how would he know, he is (literally) deaf in 1 ear and sleeps on his good ear! LOL I guess it's good to know that losing weight will lessen it significantly. In regard to restless leg syndrome, that is awful! I have only experienced it once, but that was enough. Some antidepressant medications can be the primary cause. My step-mother had it really bad and they put her on the medication I see advertised, just can't think of the name, it made a huge difference for her. Kelli

I just completed 2 sleep studies and now I go back for my very own CPAP machine. Supposedly, once you begin using the mask, you can really tell the next day because your not as drowsy and willing to eat bad food (Like I do when I'm tired). Does anyone have any experience with sleep apnea? Thanks, kelli

Heather, Thanks for the info! One thing I really like about Dr. Feng is his thoroughness when answering questions. I'm sure a lot of this business is about money, but when I asked him why he does this type of work, he said because in no other specialty can he see such happy patients a year after their surgery! He said that is motivating. Are you pleased with your band experience? Kelli

I love that first poem, I can totally relate! Wow, it brought up a lot of past stuff, if ya know what I mean. Thanks, Kelli

Tonya, That's interesting to know the hospital is noisy! That would never have crossed my mind! I highly recommend M-tech as a transcription school. It most definitely matters where you attend school. If you have any questions, please feel free to email at kbyers@spheris.com I would be happy to help in any way! Kelli

Hi there, I have not been banded yet, but my surgeon to be is Dr. Feng with SFL. In the consult I did not feel as if he were trying to "talk me out of it," but I did think that he answered my questions honestly which I appreciated. I have read about him and his qualifications and I feel good about my decision. Are you seeing one of the three, in particular? Kelli

Okay, I think it is becoming a bit more clear. The thing I do not understand, though, is how one can eat and maybe not feel as restricted as before. For instance, I have spoken with a couple of banders who are 1+ years postop and they can eat more than in the beginning. How is that so,if the size of the banded portion of the stomach does not stretch or change? Thanks! Kelli