Hi:

I just received my surgery date-Aug. 2. I'm really nervous and scared. I've never had any surgery or even been in the hosp. I'm also scraed that I will have the surgery and then after not be able to stick to the diet. I obviously haven't been able to prior to this. How do I make this decision? Any suggestions?

Tesma

Hi:

I just received my surgery date-Aug. 2. I'm really nervous and scared. I've never had any surgery or even been in the hosp. I'm also scraed that I will have the surgery and then after not be able to stick to the diet. I obviously haven't been able to prior to this. How do I make this decision? Any suggestions?

Tesma

Probably 90% of the people who get the band have these exact types of thoughts and questions, especially just before surgery. One thing you might want to do, if you would like a lot of feedback quickly, is to run a search on this forum with search terms like "second thoughts."

I'll try to give some short answers to your questions. As for "sticking to the diet," the purpose of the band is to help you lose weight without sticking to a diet. That's the point. With the band, you feel full with much smaller portions so you don't have to diet. You have to work with the band and not deliberately sabotage yourself by drinking McDonald's milkshakes all day. But if you just eat regular food, you will find that you are full on much smaller portions and you will lose weight without being hungry. We all have issues with controlling food. You don't need to solve all of those issues ahead of time for the band to work for you. The band helps you lose weight even if you still have issues with food. But again, there are limits. A person can find a way to gain weight even with the band, if they try hard enough.

As for being nervous about the surgery, everyone is. Surgery is scary. But the fact is, the actual risks are quite low. And when you compare the risks to your health from obesity that will come from not having the surgery, the odds are good that you will conclude, like most of us here, that the risk of surgery is less than then risk of not having it. So, we do it.

Ultimately, you will need to answer these questions for yourself. But most of us here have made the decision to get the band. And almost everyone is glad they did.

Trust me, I was scared too, most people are, you making a big decision. I almost backed out, but the possibility of finally getting over the yo yo dieting out weighed my fear, so I went thru it. I was also scared of giving up my "comfort" foods, sweets. I didn't tell anyone about my surgery, because I was embarrassed that I was going thru another weight loss attempt. They had all seen me go thru the diets, liquid diets, etc and see me lose weight only to gain it back again.

Now that I'm about 5 mos out, I have no more fears, I know I will make it this time and it was the best decision I could have ever made!

Its not easy sometimes, especially in the beginning, some months you have great losses, and some months you have just a few pounds (if any), but the key is, I'M NOT GAINING! For the first time in my life, I am in control, and I'm not gaining weight! I love my band! I do miss food sometimes, but not as much as I love my new life, so the joys far out weight the "missing certain foods".

hi tesma; i like the rest of the guys said, its pretty scary. but i wanted to share a story with you. on yesterday, a woman here died at the company where I work at. (i don't want to scare you) she was a very obese woman. It sadden me because I was just talking to her last week but also, she was finally trying to eat right. she was starting the adkins diet. its not an overnight thing for us to gain this weight. Its just like keeping a food journal, you won't be so quick to waste your calories on some junk food so when you get the band, you will really think more about what will happen if you over do it. stay encouraged, stay uplifted and stay on this forum!!!

goodtimes,

How old was the woman who died? Did she have any health problems besides being obese? :cry

ps

That was an awesome response Mark. Tesma, you have a lot of the same fears that I have. I am just trying to breathe and take the process one day at a time.

Good responses to your post.

The band will make you feel full but it doesn't make food choices for you.

I have found that shrinking made me make better decisions.

I stopped a few times at Dairy Queen for a small (lol) blizzard. Had to chuck them both times because I could not eat anymore then about 1/2 inch down. Total waste of $3. I learned.

I was SO TIRED of my yo yo dieting I couldnt stand it another minute.

I have beat my food addition. I control food now. Food does not control me.

I feared I would eat my way back but I still get full and cannot.

I am confident about food and myself with food.

I will step off my soap box now,

edie

she had to be approx. 65. she had many problems, arthritis, breathing problems. i believe it did have a lot to do with her being obese.

Thanks to all who replied. I feel better about the decision. This site is wonderful because people understand. Alot of nayers around me, just think I should be able to diet/excerise. I think they are fearful that something will happen during the surgery. Anyways, it's nice to get positive support here. Marcy

tesma, check out everything you can on the web too. One of the leading factors that led me to choose the band, was that there was zero mortality rate. No one has died from band related causes. Even with a complication, i became very nervous and my surgeon came in and said "its not a life or death surgery". It might be life altering! but you arent putting your life at risk to do it.

thats what i dug about it the most.

Hi Tesma,

We All Get Nervous About Something In Our Lives. The Band Is The Greatest Thing I Ever Did. You Will See When You Have Your Operation. I Wish You All The Best And Good Luck.

I Had My Surgery February 2006 And Have Lost 102 Lbs With 48 More To Go. I Plan To Make My Goal. Hang In There.