Hi

I'm a 12 yr breast cancer survivor at age 42. After I had my ovaries out, really started packing on the lbs. Fast, like a roller coaster ride that I can't get off of. 240 lbs is unhealthy and making me unhappy. I'm scared to undergo yet another surgery...(done at least 10 so far) I think to myself "Why can't I just lose the weight on my own?" But, the thing is.... Days/weeks/months go by and Injust don't lose the weight! Scared to do lap;Scared to not do it! And, maybe I should just get gastric bypass? But, isn't lap safer?

I could really use some motivation and great stories out there.......

Feel free to check out my blog on here or on you tube...jennypoo6043....this is the best decision i've made in my life..started last may at a size 20. Now i'm in 12's headed towards 10..hasn't been easy..but would do it again in a heart beat! Best wishes..you can PM me with any questions..i'm an open book.

Feel free to check out my blog on here or on you tube...jennypoo6043....this is the best decision i've made in my life..started last may at a size 20. Now i'm in 12's headed towards 10..hasn't been easy..but would do it again in a heart beat! Best wishes..you can PM me with any questions..i'm an open book.

Thanks! I am about a size 20-22. Not happy. Question-- how long were you put of work? I worry about that.

Hi Krolso - you've been through a lot!! We've all had the "I should be able to do this on my own" refrain. I just figured for me I needed help. I have a medical condition that can be treated medically! So I finally opted for it and I am so glad. I'm not perfect, by any means, but someone posted here once that we need to be good bandsters, not perfect. I started at a size 24 (tight, if I were honest with myself and 284 lbs. Banded on 1/26/12. Now I'm down to 222.5. I wear a size 20, but not for long. I exercise, log what I eat on myfitnesspal (even when I occasionally cheat), and enjoy life. Not quite to the green zone, but close.

I have a VERY sedentary job. I had surgery on a Thursday, back to work on a Monday. Tired, for sure, but doable.

Good luck, keep asking questions and looking at the forum, you will get lots of info!!

Nicki

You have had to deal with a lot! I guess it all boils down to motivation. I have a friend who had a full gastric bypass several years ago she did have complications, and it was tough for her. she will always have some malnutrition but has gained back a little of the 100# she lost, and she has chronic diarrhea. Bypass is a much more radical surgery, than banding. I know it is important to improve my health by loosing weight. I have tried many times and in many ways to do this on my own and failed, so I had banding a little over 2 mos ago.

deciding factors:

1. minimal down time (day surgery and home in evening, off work for only about a week) 2. the band is adjustable and fit is personalized to your needs.

3. I will not have to sacrifice nutrients with loss of absorbtion in the bypassed part of the small intestine, because the entire intestine is left intact. (also same reason less diarhea with band)

4.I realize I need some kind of personal assistance to learn how to eat in a more beneficial way ( this is where the band really works for me)

5. the realization that no matter what I do I will have to be compliant and working at the outcome, people can learn to eat around the effects of gastric byass or band if they refuse to comply.

6. finally, I just lost my younger sister to cancer. My whole family dies of cancer. I asked the surgeon "if I got cancer how would this affect me nutritionally?". he replied "it would not with a band. It can easily be unfilled or removed if necessary with minimal surgery."

Yes lap band is much safer, I am very glad I had it done, I am learning how to eat correctly, which I was unable to do before, and I am not hungry..

God bless you with your decision whatever it may be keep in touch, there is a lot of support here.