I think I want it but don't know where to start

[Adamc1303 0]

I just joined this forum. I am a 26 year old male. I wasn't over weight at all most of my life. I got married at 21 and have gained 25 pounds a year. That's right I gained about 40 pounds the first year and then more weight every year ever since. 5 years later and I am 100 pounds heavier. I think it's mainly because I now have a desk job and prior to working I was always very active. I was always a big eater but I guess I was burning it off. Now I am obsessed with eating and it has taken over my life. I can't move anymore, I get tired from anything. I am always looking for a place to sit. I am always uncomfortable in cars, regular chairs etc... I never want to go out, I hate the way I look and I am just full blown depressed. The food and crap I eat won the war and took over my body and life. I have been on diets and I wont lie they really worked but I can't be on a diet my whole life. I get very annoyed and shot tempered when I am on a diet, either because I am hungry, tired of counting foods, writing things down etc.. I just want to be normal. I can't buy any clothing since I can never find my size so I now have a very large shoe collection since thank go-d I still fit into shoes. Every time my wife wants to go shopping I end up with a pair of shoes and hate going. I work in the corporate world and I have to get pants, shirts and suits custom made which cost a fortune! Since I gained the weight so quickly and was always thin I always kept thinking that this is all temporary, just a phase in my life. Like I would look back in a few years and think I remember when I was fat. Unfortunately I have come to the realization that unless I do something drastic about this I am going to get bigger and bigger. My heart pounds after 1 flight of steps. I used to play 4 straight hours of basketball and not even feel it. I don't think I can do 4 minutes now.

I have though about the Lap band before and done some online research about 2 years ago and then a little bit every few months every since. Today I just decided that I need to decide if I am doing this or not. I think I need to weather I want to or not. I read about 20 articles online and watched and entire surgery on you tube. I also watched other you tube clips where people that have undergone the surgery talk about them selves. Everyone seems happy. My issues are that I am so scared of this thing! I literally feel like I rather die of a heart attack in the future. Does it hurt? You have a ring and port in your stomache! That terrifies me. I am so scared of the band slipping? Can it slip if I exercise? Like if I am skiing? What happens if I mess up and do eat the wrong food? I also can't figure out if my insurance will cover the surgery. I don't have anyone that can recommend a doctor in NYC.

Well anyway sorry for being such a big baby.

Thanks,

Adam

[Adamc1303 0]

A few more questions. I just saw a few threads about de-banding. Does the band eventually come out? Is another surgery always needed? When was the first surgery done? How long has this been around?

Thanks again,

Adam

[ChicagoWinter 0]

I believe that a majority of people get the band with no intention of having it removed. In fact, removal of the band was something that was never discussed or planned during my process. People have had the band replaced due to various issues, but I think the liklihood of that happening varies.

It is normal (and healthy!) to have so many questions. I had a lot of questions before having surgery and found that reading forums (and watching vidoes on YouTube) really helped me. To actually be able to *see* someone look dramatically different post-surgey was great motivation for me. I was never really nervous about the surgery itself, I was more concerned that I would be "the only person in the world" that surgery would not work for. After reading the forums I found that many other people felt this way, too. :smile2:

As far as it hurting, I really think that depends on each person's outlook. There was discomfort after the surgery, but my worst issues were with gas pains (that went away) and feeling lethargic from reduced calories. I cannot feel my band inside of me. However, it reminds me that it is there when I eat too fast or too much.

My personal issue with food is that I ate too often. I would have a meal and then an hour later snack on something else. It wasn't that I was hungry, food just "sounded good". The band is breaking me of that habit because I physically CANNOT eat that way any more. If I am still full and I try to eat, I will throw up. (To clarify, it is not the typical "your stomach contracts and forces food out", it is just a matter of bending over and the food comes up. Some people refer to that as a "PB"...productive burp).

You asked about band slippage with skiing. I think that band slippage has more to do with other things (i.e. constant vomiting?) than with exercise. There are a lot of people on the forums that work out strenously (runnning 5ks, etc) and have not had that issue. However, you can always ask your doctor about that.

As far as insurance is considered...the best people to help you with that would probably be the surgeon's office. You can defnitely try calling your insurance company and asking about the coverage. I did that, but wasn't overly convinced that I was asking the "right" questions or had the proper procedure codes, etc. The surgeon's office is experienced with dealing with all different types of insurance and can provide you with additional information. I believe that at a bare minimum the requirements go by your BMI. You have to have a BMI of 40 or above OR a BMI of at least 35 and a co-morbidity (i.e. sleep apnea, high blood pressure, Type II diabetic, etc). I believe that these are the general guidelines, but there could be exceptions to this rule, also.

I know this has been a long post, and I am sorry if I did not answer many of your questions. I really think that the journey is a little different for everyone, and all I can tell you about is my personal experience so far. I think you are on the right path by doing research and deciding what the best option is for you. I wish you the best of luck...regardless of what you choose.

[elcee 3,343]

See what married bliss does to you? Sad isn't it?

It is a requirement of most insurers that you go on a Dr supervised diet first. They need to see that you are committed to the process and are not just looking at it as a quick fix.

I think you should go and see your normal GP and discuss this issue with him/her.Then attend an information seminar - this will give you a far better idea of what being banded is like. For me meeting other people that are banded has been the best support that I could ever have. Reading stuff on the internet does not compare to discussing it with other experienced people face to face.

It also sounds as though you have a problem with head hunger. i.e you eat even though you know you are not hungry. The band does not stop this. You may need to see a person that specialises in eating issues to assist you with this.

The band is not supposed to be removed unless there are problems. Theoretically you can have one for life.

HTH

Edited March 7, 2010 by elcee

[btrieger 21]

I'll be totally honest with you. I don't think you should be looking at getting surgery just yet.

You say that you've been overweight for only 5 years. Some of us have been on diets that lasted longer than that.

100 pounds is easier to lose for young men than most will admit. I've got 2 pounds to go before I can say I've done it for the third time.

Talk to a therapist and see it you can identify what is triggering you to overeat.

See a nutritionist so they can get you on the right track.

Start exercising more. Park further from the entrance to work or if you take public transportation, get off a block sooner. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Find a buddy with a common goal that is willing to exercise with you.

It's a personal choice and I'm sure everyone here will support you in whatever decision you make but I would try the alternatives first.

Good luck

[LeighaMason 19]

I am going to disagree with btrieger, I think you should continue to look into the band but you need all the facts before you make a decision.

You need to start with a information seminar and then a consultation with a surgeon. You need to go to support groups and listen, both to the successful and the unsuccessful bander's. Be extremely truthful with yourself. Mentally, can you only eat 3 small meals a day, with 2 small Snacks (once you have restriction)? Will you be willing to give up junk food and only eat quality food that meets your nutritional needs? Will you be willing to exercise? Are you willing to spend time and money getting the aftercare from your health care team that you will need? Are you going to be willing to journal all your food to make sure you are getting enough nutrients? This is a full time commitment.

As far as the pain goes, it varies by individual. But think of it like labor. Would you be willing to go through it if you come out on the other side with something precious? (Your health instead of a baby)

Sorry but I was self pay so I cant really help you with the insurance part. But before you decide, study, study, study.