Good morning all, I'm a newbie to your site. I'm just now considering having the lapband surgery and I'll attend a seminar on Tuesday the 26th. I had an appt with my Primary Health Care Provider yesterday for my annual exam and mentioned to him what I was considering, well first off he said I'm a perfect candidate as I have many health issues. The reason for me considering this is that I have just been diagnoised with Onset RA and my weight is a big issue with this diagnoisis. Then he proceeded to say that he would support me in whatever I decide HOWEVER he is not a fan of the surgery, he feels that it's a cop out so to speak for those that just don't want to diet and exercise and that the patients that he has seen that have had the procedure are very sick for the first two months after the surgery and that most gain all of the weight back that they lost plus more. I have to tell you I was so excited at the possibility of having the surgery and now after talking to him....well all I can say is now I'm not sure. I'll still go to the seminar next Tuesday but I just wanted to find a place where I could talk to others that have had the procedure (which he suggested by the way) to see what the experience has been for those that have had the surgery. I have numerous health issues, that my weight has contributed to. I've tried numerous diets to no avail. Any response would be greatly appreciated!!

CJ

Cj.... sounds like you and your doctor need to be more educated on the band. For him to say that its a cop out is just plain ignorant on his part. If all people needed to do was diet and exercise, then why is obesity on the rise? Some of us need more. Every one of us have tried probably every diet and exercise program known to man-kind. And most of us have succeed at one or more of these. Problem is, once you go back to your old habits... the weight comes back too.

Having WLS i a life long commitment. Do you have any idea how bad i would love to eat a big hamburger with cheese... and on a bun with a huge side of fries and a creamy milk shake... are a big slice of Deep dish pizza with everything on it and extra cheese ...OMG... I'm sure the people doing WW and Jenny Craig... etc can... My point is, having WLS is more than just diet... it a commitment to a life of change. Changing not only what you eat, but how much you eat, how you eat, when you eat, what your doing when you eat..... None of us woke up one morning and said... Hummm today i will start taking the easy way and go have WLS. It was something we all heard about, and put great thought into. Is this for me? Why have i failed at every diet i have every tried? What if i fail at this too? How will it effect me and my family for the rest of my life? Is it all worth it? You my friend are the only person that can answer any of those and many other questions. Not me, not your wife, not your family, not your friends... and certainly not your ill informed doctor. You took the first step and went to the seminar, but i would attend a few of the support groups. Talk to some of those people. Ask question and then ask more questions. I would suggest you also make an appointment with a nutritionist and a shrink that deals with people like us that do compulsive thing like over eat, gamble drink, have OCD.. etc. WLS is not for every one. I have had friends that have had the BP, Sleeve and LB lose weight only to gain it all back. Not because the surgery fail... but because they failed.

Good luck with what ever you choose to do...

Thanks to everyone that has posted so far. You are helping me in making my decision. I'm not taking this decision lightly. A few years ago I looked into this procedure as well and decided that it was not for me. But I can honestly say that my mind set this time is much more focused and I know that it will be a "lifestyle" change for me. I just can't imagine someone doing this procedure and not being committed because to me the ramifications (sp) are not good if you don't commit 100%. That is why I'm doing my homework so to speak to make sure that I am ready to be 100% committed. This forum has been the best info for me. Again thanks to all and I hope that more posts are yet to come. I'm looking forward to the seminar next week.

Cj... go to a few different seminars with different doctors in your area that do WLS... You need to feel comfortable with this doctor and his staff. He/she will be what makes or breaks your outcome. I have seen may people come in and say, i wish i would have gone to another doctor... he/she won't fill me when i want or i only saw him/her for the surgery and now i have to see the RN or PA. My doctor listens to me. He asks how i feel and i'm honest and say... Doc i feel like i could eat the paint off the walls...I know i'm still losing weight, but it's only because i make my self stop and i'm hungry all the time... Ok, well lets make an adjustment and see how it goes... then HE does the fill. I did at one point have issues with one of his RN's. I told her and him that she was rude and uncaring towards his patients and needs to be more aware of how she speaks to people.... I also, lost my insurance after my LB and he was charging 250 for a fill out of pocket.... I told him i couldn't afford his prices... the RN said... oh well, he won't change them.... Well i did my research and found out that the average price for a fill in a 100 mile rad. was $150... i went to him, plead my case and ... I WON.. he now charges $150 for a fill.

Some questions i would ask:

What will the follow up be? How many fills are included in my surgery price? How much will they be after? Who will do them? How will you do them? What determines your decision on when to give a patient a fill? What is your % of successes? What is your % of failures? Do you have patients that are willing to talk and give advice? Do you have a support group? When and where do they meet?

Cj... go to a few different seminars with different doctors in your area that do WLS... You need to feel comfortable with this doctor and his staff. He/she will be what makes or breaks your outcome. I have seen may people come in and say, i wish i would have gone to another doctor... he/she won't fill me when i want or i only saw him/her for the surgery and now i have to see the RN or PA. My doctor listens to me. He asks how i feel and i'm honest and say... Doc i feel like i could eat the paint off the walls...I know i'm still losing weight, but it's only because i make my self stop and i'm hungry all the time... Ok, well lets make an adjustment and see how it goes... then HE does the fill. I did at one point have issues with one of his RN's. I told her and him that she was rude and uncaring towards his patients and needs to be more aware of how she speaks to people.... I also, lost my insurance after my LB and he was charging 250 for a fill out of pocket.... I told him i couldn't afford his prices... the RN said... oh well, he won't change them.... Well i did my research and found out that the average price for a fill in a 100 mile rad. was $150... i went to him, plead my case and ... I WON.. he now charges $150 for a fill.

Some questions i would ask:

What will the follow up be? How many fills are included in my surgery price? How much will they be after? Who will do them? How will you do them? What determines your decision on when to give a patient a fill? What is your % of successes? What is your % of failures? Do you have patients that are willing to talk and give advice? Do you have a support group? When and where do they meet?

I don't have RA but I do have Osteo which equates to PAIN!!! I like you have tried many a diet and I have lost the weight to only gain it back and then some. I chose the lapband because I wanted to help ease the pain of my aching bones due to the osteo which my weight contributed to it in the first place. Since I have lost 71 pounds, I am no longer on any of the arthritis medications. I take nothing. I do still have pains everyday but nothing like I did when I was 71 pounds heavier. This decision was the best thing for me to do and you have to decide if this is the best thing for "your" body, not your doctors. I love my thinner self the one I thought I would never see again since my high school days. Good luck with your decision. I hope we are helping you to decide.