tonya66

I wanted the gastric bypass, I'll be honest. But, I've chosen the lap band because of the less mortality rate during surgery. I have children at home and I don't want to risk losing my life and leaving them motherless. I have 3 very close friends that have had the GB and are doing great, however, one of thier friends is in the ICU now for 30 days since her GB surgery. Her family was informed her kidneys are now shutting down, the chances of her survival now are very slim, and they are doing a 24 hour vigil around her bedside. It really hits home when you know someone that is dying because of WLS. I am determined to lose the weight and I look at lap band as a tool, not a cure for my weight loss. I have about 80 lbs to lose. I weigh 225 lbs, 5'6", so not quite a 100, so I think the lap band will give me that extra help I need. I go to my seminar next month, and then will schedule the consultation with the doctor and file my insurance papers. The only thing I'm scared of is the erosion of the band, I will make sure I make all my doc appointments. I am not against anyone having the GB, like I said, I really wanted it, but decided it wasn't the right choice for me. I have friends that would recommend it in a heartbeat but they will tell you its not a piece of cake. I am going into the Lap Band with the idea that it is not a piece of cake either, and I know there might be some side effects, but to me I'm ready for anything in order to get these 80 lbs off. I'm hoping to get lots of support here while I go thru my journey, I'm trying to read everything I can to be well prepared. I'm keeping my surgery a secret from my family, most probably won't agree with that, but I have my reasons and I know I can't tell them. I agree with most everyone here regarding why they made thier choice. I was a little freaked out about having the "foreign" object as well, but the post here explained it well, so I'm over that.

Hello all, I've just joined the forum. I've been out looking and searching for any information I could find on Lap Band Surgery, and trying to find a support group, looks like I found one. I don't have a surgery date yet, but I go to my seminar 11/11/06. I'm excited. I'm hoping to have my surgery in January. I first was looking into Gastric Bypass, I work with several women that have had it and they look awesome now after 1 year. But my husband is so against it, I could never talk him in it. So I was going to go thru it anyway, and just not tell him, but one of the girls I work with told me that there could be some serious complications, she did not have any, but a friend of hers had it done 30 days ago and is still in ICU. She told me that her kidneys are shutting down and they don't think she will make it. It really scared me, she said I really didn't have much to lose and suggested the lap band, so, that started the Quest to find out as much as I could about the lap band. Now I'm more than convinced it is the right choice for me. I am not telling anyone about the surgery - I plan on taking a "trip" out of town - thats when the surgery will be performed. I have my reasons for not telling my family, or anyone, so I'm glad I found this forum so I can share it with someone.

Hello all, I'm new to the thread and was out searching the internet for any and all information regarding lap band surgery. And stumbled accross this thread and the great and wonderful story by Lisa. I was trying to find some success stories because I'm a little worried the Lap Band won't work for me. I think Lisa has proven it does work. I go to my seminar next month and then I will have to set up an appointment to file to the insurance to get the approval. I've already called my insurance company and the only qualification I need is a BMI of 40, and I'm there. I'm exactly 40. I'm so happy I stumbled accross this forum and I'm looking forward to reading more success stories.