Hi all,

First off I want to say that these message boards are so informative and I am soo glad that I "stumbled" upon them when I was researching the procedure. ( I am still waiting for my cardiologist referral so no surgery yet)

That being said, I am scared!!! At first when I was collecting info and reading some posts I was psyched and couldn't wait for my paperwork to go through, and I still feel that way mostly..lol but the more I read and learn about the procedure, post op etc, I have to admit it is making me very nervous! I am afraid of being under the anesthesia, afraid that I will not be able to stick to the post op diet, etc.... I know these feelings are normal, but how did you all just bite the bullet and say "I am doing this"??

I know this is what I need... I am 5' 4" and weigh 294lbs. I have a heart condition that causes me to have a pacemaker. I know I will be better off losing weight and keeping it off. I just need to convince myself that I will be fine and this will work.

I do have a very loving family who support me very much, so I know that will help also.

Thanks for reading my ramblings:)

Rae

Rae, It sounds as if this is the surgery you need, for your health as well as giving you a chance to live a longer life. My suggestions would be to stay focused and do exactly what your Doctor tells you to. Good Luck. I am 5 days post op and I am feeling pretty good.

Hello Tigerlily,

So, I had the same doubts abot the surgery that you did. Specificallly, I was terrified of the anethesia. I am a 28 year old female, 5'4 and went into the surgery weighing 216 lbs. My main motivation was my health and the fact that I want to have a baby. I have no heart conditions or comorbidities. But I think the thought of having a heart condition or diabetes was scarier to me than taking the plunge.

Since my surgery I have not been perfect (you can read my post "I want to cry"). With that being said, I have lost a total of 20 lbs in a month. I was hard both emotionally and physically. I made an appointment with a therapist to deal with all the "head isssues" that come along with the surgery.

I guess what I am trying to say is that the benefits DO outweigh the costs. The fact that you have a great support system is wonderful. Also, the fact that you are so young and have a heart condition should be a very strong motivator for you. Although the ultimate decision to get the surgery is yours, I strongly urge you to do it. It will be the best decision you will ever make :-)

I wish you the very best of luck with your journey!

Take care,

Hala

Hi,

I am new to 'forums' but wanted to 'meet' other like minded people. 'worried' got my attention as it how I feel, I have been approved for banding and I am currently on a pre op diet, with surgery planned for 11th sept, and although I should be delighted, I am really worried.

Will I come out of the surgery?

Should I have one last chance of losing the weight by myself?

I feel that I have falied to need surgery?

Apart from my husband and daughter I don't want anyone to know I have had surgery, can I keep it a secret?

should I go a head with it?

All advise will be much appreicated.

Thank You

'K'

Hi,

I am new to 'forums' but wanted to 'meet' other like minded people. 'worried' got my attention as it how I feel, I have been approved for banding and I am currently on a pre op diet, with surgery planned for 11th sept, and although I should be delighted, I am really worried.

Will I come out of the surgery?

Should I have one last chance of losing the weight by myself?

I feel that I have falied to need surgery?

Apart from my husband and daughter I don't want anyone to know I have had surgery, can I keep it a secret?

should I go a head with it?

All advise will be much appreicated.

Thank You

'K'

Hi ya'll!

You are 100% perfectly normal to have these fears! 99% of everyone here at LBT had them too! After surgery, then you get the 'what the hell have I done' syndrome! LOL! Be prepared for that too

All of that goes away as you learn this new way of life. Everything gets easier with each passing day and after about 3-4 months life is really just about back to normal, except that you are eating much less (and hopefully exercising more). It actually gets back to normal sooner than that, but going in for fills periodically and then readjusting to new restriction causes a few bumps in the road...but then you get to your sweet spot and it's smoothe sailing after that.

The way I got over the preop jitters is just hanging around LBT and reading as much as I possibly could, getting to know people, both peers and mentors, and staying the hell away from the complications board! When my surgery day neared I just kept putting one foot in front of the other until I got there. I just trusted ALL the people here who kept telling me to just do it!! I'll be so happy I did, etc. And, of course, they were 100% correct. I love my band and would be VERY upset if I ever had to give it up. I was self pay and it was worth every penny and more.

And, yes, I also have kept it a secret. It's not so hard to do.

Let us know how we can help. That's why we're here!

Hi. I have only had my band for 5 days now, but I can tell you that I am very happy I did it. I've already lost 10 pounds.

The first questions is, would you rather live happy or live with health complications? The risks of having this non-invasive surgery are so much less than what you are already dealing with (heart problems). This surgery could save your life. At the rate I was going, I was shortening my life every day.

food. Yes, I'm in love with food. I have been in the restaurant business for 17 years, I love the art and social aspect of it. This is my life. I had to make a decision to look at food differently. I think I will respect it much more with the band. I will still be able to enjoy the foods I love, but in a different way. I have had no problem so far sticking to the pos-op diet. Funny thing, I don't feel that hungry. Today I got to eat Stage 2 foods. Which included Cream of Mushroom Soup. (I put it in the blender and strained the small pieces out just in case), but it tasted wonderful!

One more thing.... I too was hesitant about the surgery. I think all of us were. But, there's so much success here. You should talk to people who have had the band at different stages. That's what I did. Maybe somebody new like me who can tell you about the hospital stay while fresh in my mind. Also, somebody who is mid-weight loss and perhaps somebody who's kept it off for 3+ years.

Go with you gut.

Hi Terry.

Thank you so much for your reply, It is encourageing. Thank you.

I am obese but don't eat all day everyday, so I just keep asking myself 'do I really need it' and 'why can't I do it without the band?'

I am just going around in circles.

I am pleased to hear you were able to keep it secret, I just feel like a complete failure, and I feel so embarrassed to think I am even considering this as an option.

I have only scanned this site, maybe I need to be dedicated to it!

Thanks again

Best Regards 'K'

Thank you everyone for your insight. I do know that this is the only way that I will be able to lose the weight and keep it off. I guess I just have the "what if" syndrome right now. I will take your advice Terry and stop reading the Complications board for awhile (out of sight out of mind)lol

I get inspired by the before and after pics and will definately make that board a frequent stop.

I am worried about re adjusting to food, I too (obviously) love food and am married to an executive chef, so food is a major part of our lives. My hubby is so supportive and has even said he would do the liquid part of the diet with me if I wanted him too. So sweet!! I wouldn't put him through that, but we did talk about him coming up with some yummy recipes!!

Thanks again for all your input !

Rae