If there are any Christians out there who are looking for special support during this time I thought we could start a thread related to this. It might help with those thoughts and doubts as to if this is the right thing we are doing or any other 'shares' that might come to mind. I could use some at this time in my walk.

Sister in Christ,

Valerie

Hi Valerie!

I'm new and I'm not sure I know how to get into the Christian Bandsters group. I posted a new post; but I'm not sure if it was to the Bansters' thread or to a general forum. Could you advise me? Thanks Valerie! Anne

Not Valerie, but you're here, Anne with an "E". You can go to "Thread Tools" on the above tool bar and choose "Subscribe To This Thread" and you can choose to get emails whenever there is a new post. Or, you'll always be able to click on "Quick Links", "Subscribed Threads" and find this thread in a hurry.

WELCOME, by the way!!

Thanks for the help Phyll ! So, if you have time; tell me your story. :crying:

I still need prayer. Saw my oncologist today and the CT/Lung was inconclusive (2 lesions present L lower lung...largest over heart is the size of pencil eraser too movable to needle biopsy and the other is too small) plan is to do a PET scan next Friday. I'm told they're too small at this time to consider thoracic surgery. So, if the PET scan is inconclusive, the oncologist wants to repeat the CT in 3 mo. The oncologist saw no problem with my planned gastric lapband surgery scheduled for 9/30, but my urologist called tonight and recommended the surgery be postponed for 1-3 mo.(well, since my obesity is 50+ years old I guess a few more months won't hurt). I finally know this whole battle belongs to God...not just verbally but hands off completely. I think for my not knowing is allowing the enemy free reign with my imagination & fears and that leaves my poor DH to put me back together. Thanks for letting me vent. MarilynC

God's blessings, Marilyn. I agree not knowing is so hard - and so is waiting. It is so conducive to worry and fear. God has made you a strong woman, Marilyn, and you have a strong and supportive husband as a partner. My prayer for you is that you and your husband feel His healing hands and all His love.

Marilyn: You are in my prayers and so is your husband. I know this not an easy time, but isn't wonderful to know the Lord? He already knows the outcome, so there is no need for you to worry about it(easy for me to say). Keep us informed on what's happening so we can support you through every step of your journey.

God's Blessings,

Susan

Thanks for the help Phyll ! So, if you have time; tell me your story. :thumbup:

Hi, again! I forgot that you wanted to hear my "story" until I was rereading the posts here.

Fat all my life after being a skinny toddler who was constantly nagged to eat, eat, eat! (So they tell me!) So I guess I learned at an early age that eating was a way to get approval! Until it got out of hand and I started getting "chubby", and then my Dad would scold me for eating too much!! I think I was about a size 16 when I got married at age 20. Then three pregnancies added more weight and by the end of the 3rd pregnancy, I was horrified to see the scales top 200! Got down again... probably hovered around 180 for quite a few years (only 5 ft 2 in then, 5 ft now). Eventually, I was back over 200... no pregnancy this time, and went on to hit 250 at some point in time.

By my late 40s I was topping 300! DH would not let me consider weight loss surgery and diets were not working. Finally, 2 yrs ago, after he had two emergency surgeries, I had an opportunity to talk with a bariatric surgeon in DH's presence (his surgeon) and he relented and we began planning for surgery. I was undecided as to what type until last spring (2007, that is) when we both agreed that lapband was the safest way to go. So I had my surgery 7/20/07. Top weight pre-surgery was 327. It's slow but steady for me... I am losing about 5 lb a month... but it's coming off!

Today I had an appt with my primary care doc. She cut strength of one of my BP meds in half a couple of months ago, and discontinued one of my cholesterol meds. BP was 108/64 today, so now she's cutting strength of the other BP med in half. I need to have another sleep study because I"m sure I also need my CPAP adjusted.

I still need prayer. Saw my oncologist today and the CT/Lung was inconclusive (2 lesions present L lower lung...largest over heart is the size of pencil eraser too movable to needle biopsy and the other is too small) plan is to do a PET scan next Friday. I'm told they're too small at this time to consider thoracic surgery. So, if the PET scan is inconclusive, the oncologist wants to repeat the CT in 3 mo. The oncologist saw no problem with my planned gastric lapband surgery scheduled for 9/30, but my urologist called tonight and recommended the surgery be postponed for 1-3 mo.(well, since my obesity is 50+ years old I guess a few more months won't hurt). I finally know this whole battle belongs to God...not just verbally but hands off completely. I think for my not knowing is allowing the enemy free reign with my imagination & fears and that leaves my poor DH to put me back together. Thanks for letting me vent. MarilynC

Marilyn, you have been in my thoughts all day today. I hope you are doing okay. Has the PET scan been done? You are in my prayers.

Phyl, I love your story. You are a rock star! God bless you and your husband both. I know from earlier stories you are celebrating 40+ years of marriage (was it 43?). I know it is slow for you, but you have your act together and you know that it's the long haul that's important.

God bless,

I have just finished my insurance requirements and am waiting for approval. hope to get banded soon. some people in my church feel like should not have any kind of surgeries . it makes you hesitant to tell many. on the other hand a lot of my friends at church our my biggest supporters because of prayer.

Welcome, Morph. It's a tough decision whether and whom to tell about this surgery. On one hand, it really isn't anyone else's business but yours. On the other, I know we all hope our friends will be supportive of our decisions. There is one thing I have learned from all the posters on LBTalk - this is not easy and it is not a quick fix. If you decide to tell others it is an opportunity to educate them about what lapbanding is really all about. I hope you receive the support and prayers you deserve from everyone you decide to tell. I know you will receive a lot of support from the others on this thread and other threads on this site.

God bless you and guide you,

Lapband friends and prayer partners you are all so wonderful. God has blessed me with a wonderful family and now new friends that pray and support. His blessings are without measure. My PET scan was Friday and I have an appt. with my oncologist tomorrow...then maybe I'll know something definite. MarilynC.

PS my surgeons nurse said my appts. are good for 6-12 mo. so the only thing to redo is the insurance approval.

Marilyn, do let us know what is said Friday. You're still in our thoughts and prayers!!

Phyl, thanks for sharing your story. inspiring!

About sharing about surgery with your church friends: When I got my surger I told no one besides my husband and kids. Then afterwards as folks started noticing I was open and upfront with them and shared I had had lap band surgery. My entire family knows except my parents now who live across the country and have no idea I've lost anything at all and will surprise them but I will tell them about the surgery. My mom is a very negative person but when she sees my success she can't say much. However, that being said the only folks I have not told are my church friends outside of 2 closer friends. My husband leads a small group in our home and not one person has commented on it. I think that's so odd. And 2 of the gals in it are former WW employees and are very anti surgery even though one is very overweight now. These are the folks I am the most scared to tell and they should be the first. If they ever ask me, I am not going to lie about it but have just not put it out there myself.

Phyl, thanks for sharing your story. inspiring!

About sharing about surgery with your church friends: When I got my surger I told no one besides my husband and kids. Then afterwards as folks started noticing I was open and upfront with them and shared I had had lap band surgery. My entire family knows except my parents now who live across the country and have no idea I've lost anything at all and will surprise them but I will tell them about the surgery. My mom is a very negative person but when she sees my success she can't say much. However, that being said the only folks I have not told are my church friends outside of 2 closer friends. My husband leads a small group in our home and not one person has commented on it. I think that's so odd. And 2 of the gals in it are former WW employees and are very anti surgery even though one is very overweight now. These are the folks I am the most scared to tell and they should be the first. If they ever ask me, I am not going to lie about it but have just not put it out there myself.

I can't believe they haven't said anything!! What is the matter with us "church people"??

I told my "church friends", and everyone else, for that matter, from the beginning. In fact, one of my friends from our "Primetimers" group had her surgery a week ago. I'm really psyched about that because she has multiple medical problems and it will be wonderful to see these improve as she loses!

I may have said this in the other Christian bandster thread but when I was thinking about the band and if it was the right thing to do my sil who had gastric bypass said she felt that the scripture about if your hand offends you cut it off, if your eye offends you pluck it out gave her peace. Her stomach was offending her so she did what she had to.

As for me, I prayed about it, started researching bypass surgery and found out about the lapband (I think it was the Lord) then I tried to get it done with my dh's insurance and they said absolutely no bariatric surgery. So I prayed some more. I was able to pick up insurance at my job, I qualified and it paid 100%. I feel it was God the whole time. He just kept opening doors. I feel very blessed to have the band.

wow you could have written my story for me. I never have felt to sure about anything in my life. I had a door close and another opens,.,,,, I am using a Dr. that Saved my life after another weight loss surgery that failed. I think that the Lord put him back in my path again.

At sign up time in November I will be joining my Companys insurance that will pay 15,000 towards my new life. My DH's insurance wont pay at all. It will be 09 when i have my 2nd rebirth.... I cant wait.

I would love to hear how you are doing after this post.

Blessings to you all

Your Sister in Christ,

Mary in Arkansas

Edited September 18, 200817 yr by melody_mary_42f
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