In tears and scared

Carlene · May 28, 2006

My doctor was trained in Mexico to do the Lap Band procedure. But if I were you, I would use my insurance. After care is EVERYTHING with the band. Sometimes it's hard to find a local doctor who will fill patients who were banded in Mexico. They also tend to blame anything that goes wrong on "the other guy". It's always best to have the same doctor do your fills etc that did the band surgery.

Ana Maria · May 28, 2006

Dr. Ortiz performed my banding and my unbanding. His facilities are top notch and he and Dr. Martinez provided me with excellent quality care. I live in Los Angeles so I was never more than 2 hours away in the event of an emergency. Even so, if I had the opportunity to have the surgery performed locally I would have done it. It's just EASIER and more convenient. I think the 6 month pre-diet may turn out to be a good thing. If you can lose some, ANY weight beforehand you have a better chance at being successful in the long term in my opinion. Some discipline and a lot of effort are required to lose weight with the band. For many people the weight loss is not automatic with a band. It comes with a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. If you are not, or have never experienced success on any kind of diet, your success with the band will probably be limited. IN MY OPINION. Your mileage may vary.

Unfortunately the band does not prevent or eliminate compulsion towards food. Good luck with whatever you decide. We're rooting for you!

-Ana Maria

beachgirl · May 28, 2006

Thank you all for you help. It's been such a rough road and yes I think my husband knows that as long as I'm fat no one even glances my way and I think maybe he was thinking all crazy and that maybe, just maybe I might get a look from someone else or something. Crazy is what it is, I mean he gets up every day, puts on his tight jeans, nice clothes, sprays his cologne and yes, he looks nice and I know how many looks he gets but I wouldn't want to take that from him because I know it makes a person feel good, so why would he not want me to feel good. We live in Kentucky or very close to Tennessee, (Nashville) if that helps anyone with Doctor locations. I have never been so consumed with anything in my life. I promise you I'm one of those people who eat very little, I know well how can you be fat, well, I can't do a whole lot because of the fat and all of the disc problems but really I don't and a few days ago we went to K.F.C. and my husband ordered us both buffet because we had never tried it. I was never so embarrassed in my life as to walk up to that buffet and try to get food on my plate as I was sure EVERYONE was saying, "Oh my God, she really needs the buffet", that is why mentally, I've got to get rid of this it is controlling my life.

Thank you all,

You all are godsends,

Sherri

Stitchy · May 28, 2006

...Thank you all for you help. It's been such a rough road and yes I think my husband knows that as long as I'm fat no one even glances my way and I think maybe he was thinking all crazy and that maybe, just maybe I might get a look from someone else or something. Crazy is what it is, I mean he gets up every day, puts on his tight jeans, nice clothes, sprays his cologne and yes, he looks nice and I know how many looks he gets but I wouldn't want to take that from him because I know it makes a person feel good, so why would he not want me to feel good.

You might have something there. He mignt not even be aware of it though. Men, in general, are simple creatures that don't analyze feelings as much as women. (Sorry guys, this is just stereotypical jabbering here). Kind of a male protective of his turf kind of thing. It keeps you safe from the predators.

SRaeM · May 28, 2006

You may have to pay 20 % with your insurance, but have you checked if there is an out of pocket total? Most companies have a maximum your required to pay out of pocket. If your 20% reaches that amount, you don't pay anymore.

derbygirl · May 29, 2006

Absolutely....put yourself first. For several years, I shrugged off weight-loss surgery because I was scared of dying. But I've come to realize that life as a morbidly-obese person is no life at all.

MarianneTN · May 29, 2006

The thought of dying by making this decision crossed my mind as well. It was also very clear NOT making this decision was going to kill me. My blood pressure was elevated, my diabetes was out of control, I was developing diabetic neuropathy in my feet and hands, etc. It made sense to take a leap of faith and get the band. Goodness knows when it's your time it isn't going to matter if you're on the table getting banded, in the shower singing your favorite song or on the highway on your way to work.

While I'm only three weeks out, I still say this is the BEST thing I've ever done for myself.