Am I wrong for wanting Lap Band surgery?

[Lovely Lady 46]

I decided to share with other people that I am comfortable telling, that I do plan to have Lap Band. I always seem to hear the same same- I AM NOT LOOK FAT AND HOW I DON'T NEED LAP BAND. I know that since I am 5'8" is tall, but I weigh 266 lbs - and that is morbidity obese. I don't think they are saying that to be nice, I think they really believe I really don't need surgery to lose weight. What do you think? Am I wrong for wanting Lap Band surgery?

[QueensTy 82]

If you're getting the Lap-Band as a get skinny quick, you may want re-think having the surgery. There are so many life changes that you have to be prepared to make. Lap-Band doesn't give you permission to eat deep fried Twinkies just in a smaller portions. Eating better, slowing down at meal times, chewing food properly etc. These are all things your surgeon should tell you about pre-surgery if not red flags should go up.

Do your research! A prepared patient is 200% better than an ignorant one.

[Leepers 1,195]

No. You are not crazy for wanting lap band. People are just saying that because they don't know what else to say. Only you can decide to take control of your health. There will be many people out there with negative opinions. Don't listen to them. Listen to you. You are the one who has to live in your body.

[2muchfun 8,928]

Don't take this the wrong way but even if you did look morbidly obese, people will tell you not to have WLS. If you feel like you're not healthy and fear this can shorten or affect your health you should do what you know will give you the biggest bang for the buck. If you've tried every weight loss program like the rest of us, then WLS might be right for you.

But, it's a huge commitment and do not, think for a second, this is the easy way out. It's not. It's a lot of work and it's an emotional ride not meant for everyone.

tmf

[HotButterFly 981]

"People" don't walk in your shoes. They don't matter, what matters is YOU, how you feel, and what you want to do. Screw them!!

[turquoisekaty 23]

I'm personally ignoring all the people, and there have been a lot, who tell me not to get the band or suggest that I can lose a few pounds on my own.

As others have said, do your research, listen to your doctor, and know what's what. I'm 5'9" and just under 300lbs one day before surgery, and I wish I had gotten a band a year ago when everyone said "you don't look obese... maybe a bit overweight" even when my BMI was pushing 40.

[Lovely Lady 46]

I don't eat a lot of junk food. I have cut my portion size and sodas are out of my diet. I am trying to cut down on eating beef.

I now am eating mostly white meat from chicken and I like eating salads. I don't use a lot of dressing. I am trying to eat healthier then I was.

This weight is not helping my arthritis. I was told by my PCP that losing weight is the best thing I can do to help . I don't expect a quick fix to my weight problem. I have learned there is no such thing as a quick fix! I created the problem, it is now up to me to figure out how to deal with it. I know it is going to be a lot of work. I think I can do this with the support I get from this site .

Edited January 14, 2014 by LapbandIs4Me

[B-52 7,113]

As I was going through all the pre-op testing, etc, everyone I came in contact with...including the Cardiologist, Pulmonologist, a few RN's, etc...looked at me and said "Why YOU...just go on a good diet...."

I did not want to go through the whole story about how I tried and failed miserably at every diet time and time again, and my co-morbidities were killing me...I needed that "Magic Bullet" or else....this was my last resort....

and yes, I was morbidly Obese but only my PCP understood it knowing my full medical history.

Incidentally, my Cardiologist, one of which who said I did not need surgery, but all I needed to do was diet....NOW calls me HIS best "Success Story"...a complete turn around for a cardiac patient.....and he takes all the credit for encouraging me to have the surgery....(he's now a believer in WLS)

I can't believe how short sided Dr.'s can be....

Edited January 14, 2014 by B-52

[MandaMom23 684]

Nope! There is nothing wrong with putting yourself first, and taking charge of your health! You need to brush off all the negative comments, and do what's best for YOU!!

[parisshel 1,892]

One of the first posts I ever wrote on my blog (The Lapband Chronicles) as a pre-op addresses this feeling of surrendering to the blatant truth...that traditional dieting had never and would never work with me. I looked around and tried to find a significant number of people for whom traditional dieting had worked. I could only find one person that I knew IRL that had, through OA, lost 80 pounds and kept it off for life. ONE PERSON! Yikes!

No one ever said to me why don't you just diet? (since I was always on a diet) but had I been asked that question, I would have turned it around and said do you know anyone with 80+ pounds to lose who has actually lost the weight and kept it off for life?

Look at this forum and look at all the transformations that have gone on and are on-going. Look at the statistical success rates of WLS and compare them, if you can find them, with traditional dieting.

For me, WLS is THE gold standard. I only wish I had done this years ago, instead of wasting so much money, energy and mental bandwidth on Weight Watchers.

[kimk1999 450]

I am 5'4" and weighed 208 starting my pre-op / 202 day of surgery. Trust me, I know the feeling of thinking just one more diet to try before going full on surgery. I had been diagnosed with one comorbid condition and therefore I qualified for insurance to pay. I was close to being diagnosed with sleep apnea too (insurance wanted home study they found a few issues and wanted an on site study). I needed something that would permanently give me negative feedback. I'm a month post op. Hardly anyone really knows I've had this so I didn't meet really any objections lol.

[kll724 3,055]

No, you are not wrong to want WLS. People seemed to think, if they can do it, so can you, (lose weight). Others, don't wan t you to have it because they don't want you to be thinner, healthier than they are. They do not walk in your shoes or feel your pain. I think you are wise to try to get healthier. That is why the rest of us are here, too! Best wishes, Karen..aka..kll724

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,722]

how could wanting to make oneself healthy, wrong?

have the surgery and get healthy, happy and live a long/wonderful life..

be the example of health.....naysayers are everywhere......most have no idea

and hence why they spout utter nonsense....

[Jim1967 3,569]

At the end of the day you are the one walking around in those shoes. How do you feel about it? That is the most important question of all. People can either get on board or just step off. If those naysayers really care enough about you then they're going to get behind you on this. If they don't then at least you'll know where these people stand and perhaps they're not worth having in your life. I got the support and encouragement from my Wife and Parents and that was good enough for me. My Sister does not have a weight problem and actually she works part time for Weight Watchers. She was not a fan of the surgery but she's never said anything negative (at least to me directly). On the flip side she's never really asked me questions about it.

Of course, I do not know of your situation so this is coming from a guy who 44 years old and 488lbs didn't give a **** much about anything and that includes peoples opinions. It was a life choice for me and at the end of the day it is about me and no one else.

Good Luck!

Edited January 14, 2014 by Jim1967

[Bandista 7,466]

"But you carry your weight so well!" This one always drove me nuts -- I wanted to say, "well, you carry it!" And just for the record I didn't carry my weight well. There is photo documentation. I looked and felt like hell. I am almost thirty pounds down, seventy to go, but already I feel so much better. Oh, and I had to gain to meet the insurance requirements. Just wasn't fat enough for 'em! Good grief.