margiemm2

Shauna - congrats. I was banded on Tuesday, so I'm just two days ahead of you. I went home on Wednesday but had to go back yesterday for CT to rule out pulmonary embolism - a pain between ribs, unrelated to incisions. No problem and today the pain is gone. How is it going at home? How much are you drinking? any problems with liquids going down? did they do a barium swallow test before you went home? Someone told me that the third day after surgery is the worst and for me it was. I feel better today. Maybe I will get through the day without pain meds?! ....maybe not.... Wont it be nice to be all healed and concentrating just on the purpose of the journey and not the pain? margie

P.S. The surgeon, when I told him what she had said, was disgusted - said that they no longer recommend that people contact that woman, that she was "over the edge."

It was a support group originally recommended by the surgeon's office. (Buffalo, NY) The leader is very capable and knowledgeable but I think she is using old info and not really current with lapband techniques. And she is heavily invested in her GBP surgery. She tends to personalize everything - she thinks that her experience is everyone else's experience. I resented that because I really have not experienced most of the rejection and depressioin that she has. agghhh.. I am just happy that I no longer belong to that group - I unsubscribed. AND I am very happy that I have now committed 100% to lap band and will have it done on Sept. 16. Have all my preop stuff scheduled and my last weigh-in at the clinic on the 8th. Fingers crossed.

Yep! My blood has been boiling too - for months I have listened to her dis the band. She is SO invested in her surgery and the power that she has over her loyal band of followers...!!! Today I unsubscribed from that group - overdue! Thanks.

I became interested in lapband a year or so ago when I saw the ads. I felt that the bypass was just not right for me, but this seemed plausible. But when I raised the issue in a support group online, the leader of the group "leveled" me, saying that she would NEVER recommend the band unless the person was very young, had little weight to lose and had not been fat very long. She continued that it could erode into the stomach and cause problems. Lots of people end up having GBS anyway. SO! She totally intimidated me. When I finally got to see the surgeon (3 weeks ago) he said I am a good candidate for either one. Tell me about the AGE thing. Am I (at 61) too old? I am seeing lots of people losing LOTS of weight here so I pretty much am discounting what she said. Opinions? margie

Please forgive me - I've never really done this kind of messaging before and I am insecure about it.... But I really appreciate all those responses. Another question: what about long term with the band - do people just keep them in for the rest of their lives? I guess so... Will I have to have fills forever or do you get to the point where you have found your "sweet spot" and don't need to change it? I live far from the doctor and hospital where they will do the work, so Im worried about making that trip (it's 1 1/2 hours - fine for now but what about when I'm 85? lol)

Help! Trying to decide between GBS and lapband. I need advice! margie