Im sorry to say buy I am REALLY tired of people trying to make my surgery "decision" for me. Especially healthcare professionals. Here is the irritating experience I had today.

At 8:05am i receive a phone call from my psych eval office. " Hello Mrs. Smith, we had a cancellation and wanted to know if you could switch your appt?". I said sure. Yhen the bombshell.. "could you be here by 11:45am today?!. Im sorry i have a job, but sure let me see what I can do. So I got the approval to go ahead and go. Ladiez and gentlemen, the stack of paperwork that is normally mailed was waiting for me at the office! I complete them and wait awhile for the psych to review the answers.

Appt time!

I start the normal conversation with the lady. All goes well up until the question, " so which surgery did you decide on?" At this point, please pack your belongings and run.

As soon as I said that I wanted the lapband, the questions and chastising started. I was asked whether i was sure that was the one i wanted. I was told how HIGH the failure rate was and that they even have stopped performing the surgery in Europe due to its failure. I nicely told the lady to back off and that its all about what effort you put into it. If i have the sugery thinking i can still eat like a fat girl then guess what, I will continue to be a fat girl . my thing is if everybody's choice as far as what they want to do weather is the lapband gastric sleeve or gastric bypass. We all know what is best for us and how we plan to deal with our demons. Just because a few people failed with the lap does not mean that all will. The data probably does not take into account the few that have Actually succeeded with the lapband. It made me feel, for a brief moment, that I shouldnt be trying so hard. I should just go with the options that "guarantee" weight loss because this is what im told. It also makes me feel as though all of my efforts, diet, exercise, mental prep are allll for nothing! But.. i made a promise to myself that i would no longer let myself feel as though people are railroading me or standing in my way.

Unfortunately her supervisor, head of the department, said exactly what she said word for word and had this to add. " I really urge tou to reconsider which surgery to have although its your choice. You still want to have the lapband although fmyour bmi suggests you have another? I see soo many patients that come back in here wishing to convert.

Funny, she even had and example.

A young man came in and he has had the lapband for 5 years. He had a problem with something called soda. He is now switching to the sleeve.

How in the world do you have surgery and dont want to chanve your habits?! But im wrong for wanting it with the Correct mind set.

To end on a decent note, i want to say this.

Yes I know i have a weight problem

Yes i understand my risks for surgery

Yes i have went over them endlessly with my surgeon

Yes i am making diet changes

Yes i am making exercise changes

Yes i am making major mental changes

Yes i am ready to live a healthier life.

So please medical professionals, just give me the facts and make a reccomendation on my choices instead of treating me like i am shopping on qvc. Surgery has costs, no matter which one i choose. But at the end of the day, its still my LIFE that will be on the line. Be encouraging that I have made it this far..

Amen!

FYI my surgeon is the only one who has stayed neutral! He gets that it is my choice and i appreciate him even more for that! Go Dr. Bittner!

Sent from my SAMSUNG GALAXY SII Skyrocket using LapBandTalk

So sorry you went through this! That is horrible!! I asked my doc about all the European "failures" and he stated it mostly had to do with an older band that is no longer even in use. Now honestly, I am not sure if this is true, but he seemed informed.

You are making an educated decision for yourself. Do not let anyone deter you!

Good for you!

You can fail with any of the WLS. Many people do, you are right... you have to make changes. with all of them or you will fail.

So Glad I picked the band. I'm losing weight and I am healthy!

Best of Luck to you!

Yes you can @ tkw.

They always use the term guarantee when refering to the bypass or sleeve. Does that not counteract with the willpower and discipline we are supposed to develop?

It just feels like they are looking at me like a failure and are awkwardly trying to prevent my doing so again....geeze..lol.. i love this webiste for support. You all are awesome! Keep up the great work and stay encouraged!

Sent from my SAMSUNG GALAXY SII Skyrocket using LapBandTalk

My sister had a gastric bypass, lost a lot of weight and gain most of it back.

Yes, there is no magical WLS, just have it and lose weight. Nope not gonna happen!

Thats right @ maddysgram!

I wouldnt take the magic way over our journey anyday.

Sent from my SAMSUNG GALAXY SII Skyrocket using LapBandTalk

Good on you for standing your ground. The lapband has worked for so many, it's up to us to make the changes and use it as the tool it's intended to be used as. Sure some people do all the right things and they have complications but its a risk we all take for a healthier life.

The guy that had a soda problem then it's his own fault for not being successful.

I like your attitude and you have informed yourself and know what's ahead if you. I wish you the best with the whole process!

The only one to try to hange my mind was my insurance. I told them that I was 23 and too young to be rerouting entire organ systems. People can fail no matter what. I have a relative who did the bypass and you'd never know it now.

I had lapband July 11 of last year and have lost 120 pounds. My doctors are actually concerned I've been too successful and have lost too rapidly. But I have been super committed to logging whatever goes in my mouth and I also make sure to work out hard.

You seem determined and educated. don't let people get to u, it ain't worth your time. Go for it, I wish u all the luck in the world.