This is my first post. im 260, a heart pt since 21 and have had several blood clots. All my drs agree I need to have this done, but somehow I have freaked myself out and am scared. I had a woman tell me today that four people have died in the last three months because of lapband.. malnutrition even with the band removed, heart attack, you name it I have heard it.

Yet, no one haas anything positive to say...

Can anyone help me get in the right mind frame??

This is my first post. im 260, a heart pt since 21 and have had several blood clots. All my drs agree I need to have this done, but somehow I have freaked myself out and am scared. I had a woman tell me today that four people have died in the last three months because of lapband.. malnutrition even with the band removed, heart attack, you name it I have heard it.

Yet, no one haas anything positive to say...

Can anyone help me get in the right mind frame??

If you go to a reputable surgeon in a reputable hospital, you have nothing to worry about. Any ACS Center of

Excellence will give you an outstanding experience, with very few, if any, problems. This band is going to be with

you for the rest of your life, so why not go for the best? The band is the safest weight loss surgery you can get.

Search on Google for statistics by the Government or the American College of Surgeons for honest facts,

not someone's guess or rumor. Look on this forum for lap band success stories, there have been thousands

of people through here successfully banded, you have absolutely nothing to fear.

Surgery is scary no matter what, but your chances of having a better life and living longer are better with the surgery. Many Many more people have died from obesity related conditions than from lapband surgery.

My surgeon is a Center of Excellence. And your right, more people have died from obesity... and I will def be researching~!!

Read this thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/139074-negativity/

I had my surgery not quite a month ago at a Center of Excellence. My doctor insisted that I stay overnight in the hospital. During the time that I was in the hospital, they monitored all of my vital stats, kept the massage thingys on my legs to prevent blood clots and gave me heparin injections. The following morning, I was taken to the xray department where I was given barium to sip so they could view the placement of the band and ensure that I could easily pass liquid through the band. After xray, they took me to the ultrasound department where they checked to be sure that I didn't have any blood clots in my legs. After I had a "meal" of Clear liquids and no nausea, I was allowed to go home.

Even though I would have preferred to go home and sleep in my own bed, I was glad that my surgeon's protocol was as cautious as it was. I had undergone laparoscopic procedures previously, so I knew what to expect and I didn't expect any complications. Nor did I have any.

I'm quite sure that since you have a history of clotting issues, your surgical team will be right on top of things to prevent any issues. I would also mention your history of clot issues every time you see your surgeon, his nurse, the surgery nurse that preps you for surgery, the anesthesiologist, and all of the nurses you see in the hospital.

If you have questions, call your surgeon and/or ask the great folks here.

Being that you have a history of bloods clots definitely stay in the hospital they will monitor and make sure that that is prevented. Look around here, read threads, there's lots of positive things. Please usually knock what they don't understand. Good luck!

I was so nervous because of the risks associated with the lapband surgery, but at the end of the day -- your quality of life if you lose the weight will be so much better. You'll put less strain on your heart for sure, which could extend your lifespan by years.

Certainly there's short-term risks and long-term risks and worries with any procedure, but for me, it will be so worth it if I can just get through the hurdles I need to get through. Good luck! I'm sure you'll do wonderfully! Just pay attention to what the doctors say, make sure you're at least getting Protein and Vitamins in, and you'll be fine.

Best thing I have every done. Right now I have been stuck about 24 hours and it is not a happy feeling but I went from 251 to 169 lbs and it was so worth it. People get confused and lump all weight loss surgery together. I know I have heard of people say people have died but was it really Lapband or Bypass? Was it because of Band or other problems they already had? Some people talk bad about WLS because they can not have it.

I think we have to decided for ourselves my choice involved prayer and I felt it was right for me. I am so glad I did it I am not gonna lie and say it is just wonderful but better than any diet I have been on. Even stuck it is so worth it. The stuck phase will pass and I will be fine again. Do not live your life in fear, trusted yourself and your dr to be smart enought to make your choice. If you believe in prayer it helps too.

Cheri

lap band or gastric bypass? I havent heard of anyone dieing of malnutrition from the lap band. I havent had my surgery yet, but Ive been keeping up with the forum and hearing street talk since Jan of this year. Ive heard of the band slipping but nothing worse.

Don't be scared. I had my surgery last Thursday 11/17 and went home the same day. I have not had any major problems. I have been hungry when frustrated other than that, I was grocery shopping on Friday and at work yesterday. I have already lost 10 pounds.

Whoever is telling you that is just jealous. I heard it all before my surgery and I did it anyway. Absolutely the BEST thing I have done for myself in my adult life. I have NEVER heard of someone dying from Lap Band.

I too was like you - scared from all the negativity I was hearing from friends. I was soooo scared that I started having chest pains (later found out it was all due to anxiety) and they pushed my surgery date back just to make sure my heart was okay. Now I have to wait til Dec. 14 to get my surgery when I could have had it already if I hadn't had been so scared. My sister and brother in law had it about 4 years ago and said they'd do it again - they LOVE their band. If it wasn't for my sister... I'm sure I would have let "others" talk me out of it - but I knew my sister would be upfront with me and she says it's the best thing she could have done for herself. (And she looks GREAT!) I also agree w/ what another person wrote (above)... PRAYER works!!! Best wishes!

Hearing this feed back def makes me feel better. Thanks everyone!!!

All the best to you hon. It sounds as though you would really benefit from the surgery. I had my pre-op today and will have surgery for me. It has been a six month journey working with a Center of Excellence but so worth it. I have learned so much. There are always risks with anesthesia and I don't take it lightly. But like everyone has posted, the risks of doing nothing are greater than that. I am almost 55 and am a medical nightmare. I hate to think what I will be like at 65. Set a goal. I want to live to see my children become responsible adults and my husband and I enjoy a modest retirement. I want to see every national park west of the Mississippi and my husband does too.

I have only had one person express negativity. I consulted with each specialist I see and they all encouraged me to go for it. I have told a lot of friends and received their support. I have not told my sisters who live out of state because I do not feel that I would receive their bleesing.

You need to develop a support team both online and face to face. Drink a lot of Water. Begin to eat high Protein and low carbs. Try to take a walk each day. Remember that parking farther out from the store counts as well as climbing stairs. Little things add up to big things. It is worth it to get a gym membership. It has been so beneficial to me.

If I can be of any help. please feel free to message me. All the best to you, hon.

Melinda

I echo everything everyone else has said here. The thought of surgery is scary. Except the day I was born, I had never been in the hospital, not even for stitches, let alone surgery. But the surgery was the easiest part. I used a Center of Excellence and trusted my surgeon. Once I entered the hospital, I just surrendered to it all.

BTW. When I had to see a Cardialogist before my insurance approval, the first words out of his mouth were "congratulations on making the decision to have weight loss surgery".