Still on the fence about surgery.

[Mel Mel 0]

Daily I change my ming regarding this surgery. One day I'm 100% into it and then the next I'm scared of the surgery and want to try it on my own.

I got my bloodwork back and was cleared to start the low carb diet. But since I work at the hospital where my bloodwork was done i took a peek. There's nothing. All my levels were fine, maybe slightly off but nothing of major concern.

And at first, my husband was against me having this surgery and now he thinks I should. Not that he's making my decisions for me but I do value his opinion.

I'm 26 and I feel like such a big fat failure. I'm afraid of making a decision and it being the wrong one. I'm supposed to go for an endoscopy this week and I'm about to cancel it because I'm afraid. But 110lbs is a lot for me to lose. Can I do it on my own? Is this surgery the best choice for me? I meet with the surgeon April 1, and I feel like I'm losing time to make a choice.

I'm hoping that someone out there has been through what I'm going through. My husband just doesn't understand it's not just a choice to have surgery or not. Afterward there will be major changes in my eating habits and food tolerances. I've only told him and one friends whose mother is thinking of having the surgery. So I don't feel like I have anyone I can really open up to and really share my thoughts and concerns.

[kkarryall 0]

It is a hard decision...I understand where you are coming from. It certainly is a lifestyle change. For me, I went up and down so many times with my weight...I was just sick of it, and knew I had to do it....Good luck in your decision!

[sandiegokate 0]

Of course everyone needs to make their own decision, but for me, I wish that the lapband was available when I was 26. I've spent my whole life going up and down. I finally feel like I have control over it. I look at food differently now. When I used to diet I would eat what I was suppose to at a meal and then say to myself "ok, now what can I eat?". Now it takes little to fill me up and I make better choices knowing that I only have so much room and it doesn't bother me if I can't eat more. I can eat just about everything, just in smaller quantites. food no longer controls me!

I am watching discovery health right now about a 900lb woman who is having gastric bypass.. interesting show. The specialist said only 5% of people who are morbidly obese will ever be able to take off the weight and keep it off without weight loss surgery. When I heard that it confirmed my decision. Also, as you get older it gets harder.. even with the band it comes off slower!

Best of luck with whatever you decide!!

[amylovescookies 8]

I know EXACTLY what you are going throught at this very moment. I have the band, and I love it- wouldn't change a thing. However I'm now in line for a Tummy Tuck and I am scared.:smile2: I totally want the flat stomach- but the recovery is a different story. Oh my goodness- I hate pain.

As for your 110 weight loss goal; I wouldn't think of it in such a large number. Instead lose the weight in small thoughts. Don't stress. I think that if you go through with the LAP-BAND® you will be very glad you did.

Let's do this together. I have a feeling that neither one of us will have regrets.

(But make sure you have your head on right- this is a life changing decision.) :eek:

I put my tummy tuck adventure on youtube so I wouldnt chicken out. Feel free to follow me.:tt1:

Good luck. I'm rooting for you:thumbup: I'll be here for you if you need me!!!

[Spartan 4]

Of course everyone needs to make their own decision, but for me, I wish that the LAP-BAND® was available when I was 26. I've spent my whole life going up and down. I finally feel like I have control over it. I look at food differently now. When I used to diet I would eat what I was suppose to at a meal and then say to myself "ok, now what can I eat?". Now it takes little to fill me up and I make better choices knowing that I only have so much room and it doesn't bother me if I can't eat more. I can eat just about everything, just in smaller quantites. food no longer controls me!

I am watching discovery health right now about a 900lb woman who is having gastric bypass.. interesting show. The specialist said only 5% of people who are morbidly obese will ever be able to take off the weight and keep it off without weight loss surgery. When I heard that it confirmed my decision. Also, as you get older it gets harder.. even with the band it comes off slower!

Best of luck with whatever you decide!!

I have never been able to understand how people who are that heavy can live. It must be a horrible existence.

And, bypass is SO difficult to perform at that weight....the mortality rate on the table and short-term post-op is pretty high. But, it HAS saved some lives.

It's tough road regardless of which path you choose to take. And as sandiegokate said, it DOES get harder as you get older.

S.

[ssandedoc 0]

Hey Mel,

Totally understand where you are coming from because I'm in the same boat as you. I go Tuesday for my first pre-op nutritionist appointment. I have do this for 3 months before I can schedule the surgery date. I am 25 and been struggling with my weight my entire life.

My thinking is that I go ahead and start the wheels now and do everything possible to get this surgery scheduled, etc. If something miraculous happens in the next few months and I don't want surgery, so be it. But if I can't change in 3-4 months then its time to do something. I have been off a lifestyle/diet plan for couple years now, tried to get back into the motions but feel like I have too much to loose (over 200 pounds).

Does your insurance require you see a psychologist before surgery? Maybe scheduling an appointment with a therapist would help you straighten things out better.

[Mel Mel 0]

Thank you everyone for your support and thoughts. I'm having such a tough time with this low carb / high Protein diet and finding the Protein drinks that I like. I think I'm starting to feel overwhelmed.

I've been to the psych eval but at the time I was completely onboard. I haven't been able to see my therapist because I've been working when she has business hours.

ssandedocI did the same thing... go through the motions and then make a decision. All I have left is my cardiologist appointment and my followup with my surgeon. I still have a few pounds to lose before the surgery. I guess its normal to get nervous this close. I could be scheduling this surgery when I meet the surgeon next! I was even nervous going in for the endoscopy.

sandiegokate

At the seminar my surgeon said 10% but the odds still aren't in our favor. And I see your point. This is why my emotions flip so often, if I was able to do this on my own, I wouldn't have steadily gained 10lbs a year for 11 years.

amylovescookies

Good luck with the Tummy Tuck.

My husband was against the lap band at first, I don't know what changed but he's on board. Not that I want him to tell me what to do, but it does mean alot that he wants me to have it. Like I said I'm healhty... now. But we want to start a family and I just can't at this weight. Too much that can go wrong. I think he understands this and wants me to stay healthy and even get healthier.

I really do appreciate everyone's responses. And thank you for the well wishes.

[serenity55 15]

Hi MelMel,

You say you're afraid of the surgery. Do you mean the actual procedure?

Have you tried diets before? How successful were they?

There are risks involved with everything we do, but I've found that, with the band I've lowered mine. I've been taken off one of my blood pressure meds. There are so many things that I couldn't do before that I can now.

I think it's natural for you to be afraid; I was, as I'm sure many others were. I've found a tool that has helped me lose weight, and though I still have a long way to go, this is weight I know I couldn't have lost on my own.

Only you can make that final choice, but for me, it has been worth all the fear I had.

Keep in touch. Let us know what you decide, and the best of luck!

Debbie.

[leroyspuds 0]

Hi Mel, (this is a long post and only reflects my personal experience)

I chickened out twice before actually having the surgery. It took me three years of emotional push and pull to finally have it done. I was scared of the surgery itself, scared of Pbing and food getting stuck, and grieving over never being able to eat tasty foods again. (None of which has been a problem.) During that three years I tried several times to diet on my own to no avail. The final straw was I bought a treadmill and started using it only to have my knee give out on me. I just couldn't win. Because most diets fail the lap band was my last hope.

The reality was the surgery was a cinch. I also realized that I could eat tasty foods after a few weeks, just in smaller portions. I don't miss junk food very much and I'm already starting to develop much healthier eating habits.

There were some challenges. I felt kind of crappy the first week because of gas pains and I was very hungry during the liquid stages. That all goes by really fast, and my doc said I could have as much full liquids as I needed so I wouldn't be hungry. He said the first several weeks were for healing, not losing a bunch of weight. With the one-week pre-op diet and five weeks post-op I've lost 19 pounds just by sticking to the diet progression prescribed by my doc.

Your band will not begin to be operational until you have some fills. Between surgery and finding you're sweet spot with the fills you may be hungry and have to rely on will power to avoid eating bad things and too much food. I'm having my first fill in three days. As my band starts to be more filled up I'll have to eat slowly and chew really well to prevent Pbing and food getting stuck. There are some foods a lot of people have problems with, like doughy bread, and it will be trial and error to see what my tummy will like. So that challenge lays ahead for me yet.

For Protein I order powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury unflavored whey Protein powder on the internet and mix it with Crystal Lite. I can't even taste the Protein. I drank four 8 oz servings a day for 80 grams of protein. It also counted toward my Fluid intake. Now that I'm on soft Proteins I only do three servings of the supplemental protein.

That's been my experience and I don't regret it at all. Lots of people on this website have lost 100 pounds and more with the band. Good luck with your decision and surgery should you have it.

[Mel Mel 0]

Hi MelMel,

You say you're afraid of the surgery. Do you mean the actual procedure?

Have you tried diets before? How successful were they?

There are risks involved with everything we do, but I've found that, with the band I've lowered mine. I've been taken off one of my blood pressure meds. There are so many things that I couldn't do before that I can now.

I think it's natural for you to be afraid; I was, as I'm sure many others were. I've found a tool that has helped me lose weight, and though I still have a long way to go, this is weight I know I couldn't have lost on my own.

Only you can make that final choice, but for me, it has been worth all the fear I had.

Keep in touch. Let us know what you decide, and the best of luck!

Debbie.

I get worried about the surgery and post op how I will tolerate it. If I will be successful. What people will think. I hate having this secret but at the same time I'm not sure I'm ready to share this with many people. I've only told my husband and one friends only because the lap band was recommended to her mom. My parents and close friends don't even know.

[Mel Mel 0]

Hi Mel, (this is a long post and only reflects my personal experience)

I chickened out twice before actually having the surgery. It took me three years of emotional push and pull to finally have it done. I was scared of the surgery itself, scared of Pbing and food getting stuck, and grieving over never being able to eat tasty foods again. (None of which has been a problem.) During that three years I tried several times to diet on my own to no avail. The final straw was I bought a treadmill and started using it only to have my knee give out on me. I just couldn't win. Because most diets fail the LAP-BAND® was my last hope.

The reality was the surgery was a cinch. I also realized that I could eat tasty foods after a few weeks, just in smaller portions. I don't miss junk food very much and I'm already starting to develop much healthier eating habits.

There were some challenges. I felt kind of crappy the first week because of gas pains and I was very hungry during the liquid stages. That all goes by really fast, and my doc said I could have as much full liquids as I needed so I wouldn't be hungry. He said the first several weeks were for healing, not losing a bunch of weight. With the one-week pre-op diet and five weeks post-op I've lost 19 pounds just by sticking to the diet progression prescribed by my doc.

Your band will not begin to be operational until you have some fills. Between surgery and finding you're sweet spot with the fills you may be hungry and have to rely on will power to avoid eating bad things and too much food. I'm having my first fill in three days. As my band starts to be more filled up I'll have to eat slowly and chew really well to prevent Pbing and food getting stuck. There are some foods a lot of people have problems with, like doughy bread, and it will be trial and error to see what my tummy will like. So that challenge lays ahead for me yet.

For Protein I order Unjury unflavored whey Protein Powder on the internet and mix it with Crystal Lite. I can't even taste the protein. I drank four 8 oz servings a day for 80 grams of protein. It also counted toward my Fluid intake. Now that I'm on soft Proteins I only do three servings of the supplemental protein.

That's been my experience and I don't regret it at all. Lots of people on this website have lost 100 pounds and more with the band. Good luck with your decision and surgery should you have it.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. It really means a lot to be able to talk to others who feel the same way I do.

[CurvyCat 0]

I'm right there on that fence with you, for many of the same reasons.

I have only told a few people that I'm considering it, and have had mixed responses.

I just finished up the 90-day medically supervised plan required by my insurance and lost 23# during that time. I don't know whether or not I'll even be approved for the surgery, and even if I am, I won't be able to have it until June due to a TON of travel I'm doing in May.

So, I'm just continuing the plan on my own until I leave on my first May trip, and I'll decide after Memorial Day, if I'm approved at all.

It's so hard to decide because I have done it before on my own. It was only pregnancy and then a total lack of motivation afterward that put it all back on (100+ pounds down and then back up). I'm not having any more kids, so that particular scenario is not going to happen again.

BUT, it took me over 3 years to do it via diet and exercise alone, and the whole thought of being hungry again every minute of every day for another 3 years (and after) is VERY daunting.

Just call me a waffle and pour some maple on me. :thumbup: