Hi my name is Tami. I have been thinking about banding for a few years now. I had made up my mind to get it early this year and was scheduled for 3/1/07. My husband's aunt had the procedure done in early Feb. She had horrible results. Her surgeon had nicked her stomach 6 times and didn't catch the mistake. She went home and one week later, nearly died form being so septic. After having the band removed immediately and being on a feeding tube for 2 months, she has finally recovered and decided to just be fat. She, as well as the rest of my husbands family strongly discouraged me from having the surgery. I was convinced in my mind, that my surgery would be ok. Needless to say, 2 days before surgery.....I chickened out and cancelled. I have been having regrets every since. I know researching your DR is key, which I have done, I just still have a little voice in the back of my head saying, "is it worth the potential problems"? Was anyone as chicken as me, and is this normal.

I've had elective surgery before and not thought twice about it. :help:

Has anyone used this Dr?

I welcome any thoughts or comments.

Tami

Potential Dr Carson Liu

Orange County, CA

Hi my name is Tami. I have been thinking about banding for a few years now. I had made up my mind to get it early this year and was scheduled for 3/1/07. My husband's aunt had the procedure done in early Feb. She had horrible results. Her surgeon had nicked her stomach 6 times and didn't catch the mistake. She went home and one week later, nearly died form being so septic. After having the band removed immediately and being on a feeding tube for 2 months, she has finally recovered and decided to just be fat. She, as well as the rest of my husbands family strongly discouraged me from having the surgery. I was convinced in my mind, that my surgery would be ok. Needless to say, 2 days before surgery.....I chickened out and cancelled. I have been having regrets every since. I know researching your DR is key, which I have done, I just still have a little voice in the back of my head saying, "is it worth the potential problems"? Was anyone as chicken as me, and is this normal.

I've had elective surgery before and not thought twice about it. :help:

Has anyone used this Dr?

I welcome any thoughts or comments.

Tami

Potential Dr Carson Liu

Orange County, CA

I'm not familar with that doctor, but I do think it's important to realize that yes, things can go badly wrong with lap-band surgery. It's very rare, but that doesn't help if it's you.

I thought of it this way, I was taking a calculated risk. I knew that I could have a bad surgery, die or have problems. I also knew there was a very small chance of it happening.

On the other hand, I already was paying a price for being obese. I couldn't keep up with my neice, climb a flight of stairs, enjoy going to the mall for a stroll. My back hurt, my knees hurt, I have sleep apnea. Not to mention all the things I was at risk for and facing if I didn't do something.

Tami, any surgery has risks. That said, if you carefully research the doctor, you could put some of your fears to rest. To be considered an expert in the field, the surgeon should have placed at least 100 lap-bands. Make sure you ask your surgeon how many surgeries he has done. How many have had complications? Any deaths? Lap-band is a relatively safe surgery if the surgeon is careful. Good luck.

Thank you for your comments. I wish I had found this site earlier. I am learning a lot. And I think I will be rescheduling my surgery date.

Super and Lisah great answers.

Tami I was not ready for a gastric bypass. Cutting my organs was more than I was prepared to do. I was content to be fat. Then the next two years brought a diagnosis of diabetes and sleep apnea. Regulating the diabetes medication was hell. After two years I was ready mentally for something. Then the Lap Band started being advertised. I researched it to the nth degree. I so the low risks, the quick recovery period and best of all, quick weight loss with lasting results.

I encourage you to stay true to your heart. Your family does not live in your body. They do not pay your bills nor do they work your job. (Dynomini on here is a great strong woman who has posted some motivating thoughts) You do whatever you feel is right for you.

As for me, the band was the right thing. I'm losing weight about 7 pounds a week. I'm 15 days post op. I am so happy and HOPEFUL. I have HOPE for the first time in a very long time.

I want to run again.

I just got re-scheduled for next week. I'm going for it!

I dont think you will regret the decision. I know of very very few who dont end up thankful that they had the surgery!