I need your help

Justin · December 5, 2007

First, let me tell you all a little about me. My surgery date is set for the 31st (New Years Resolution to the Max eh?) I'm set for the surgery. All my requirements are done. My insurance is covering the costs so I'm set there too. The problem is...I'm not sure I want to go thru with it. I'm 26 years old, 5'11", and weigh 285. I'm on a pre-op diet to reduce my liver fat (I was at 302 lbs 12 days ago).

I'm not getting the lap band to make me thin. I wanted it originally to prevent any heart disease in the future. My problem is that I'm allergic to vegetables, fruit, nuts, shellfish. Going on a diet can be difficult with those limits.

Well, during the diet stage, I found out 2 things about my body. 1, if I take an allergy pill (Clarinex) before I eat a salad, I don't get a reaction (used to close my throat and cause major MAJOR pain). I also found out that if I use a steamer, it destroys whatever it is I have a reaction to. I'm eating healthy for the first time in my life and wondering if I really need a Lap-Band. I'm sure some of this comes from being nervous about the whole thing, but I honestly don't know what to do.

I don't have a problem with the way I look / feel. I think that certain foods can be good for the spirit when you need a pick-me-up.

I'm asking you as a comunity if I should go ahead with the surgery.

sewenup1 · December 6, 2007

First, let me tell you all a little about me. My surgery date is set for the 31st (New Years Resolution to the Max eh?) I'm set for the surgery. All my requirements are done. My insurance is covering the costs so I'm set there too. The problem is...I'm not sure I want to go thru with it. I'm 26 years old, 5'11", and weigh 285. I'm on a pre-op diet to reduce my liver fat (I was at 302 lbs 12 days ago).
I'm not getting the lap band to make me thin. I wanted it originally to prevent any heart disease in the future. My problem is that I'm allergic to vegetables, fruit, nuts, shellfish. Going on a diet can be difficult with those limits.

Well, during the diet stage, I found out 2 things about my body. 1, if I take an allergy pill (Clarinex) before I eat a salad, I don't get a reaction (used to close my throat and cause major MAJOR pain). I also found out that if I use a steamer, it destroys whatever it is I have a reaction to. I'm eating healthy for the first time in my life and wondering if I really need a Lap-Band. I'm sure some of this comes from being nervous about the whole thing, but I honestly don't know what to do.

I don't have a problem with the way I look / feel. I think that certain foods can be good for the spirit when you need a pick-me-up.

I'm asking you as a comunity if I should go ahead with the surgery.

Justin,

Only you can choose. Have you dieted before and were you able to keep the weight off? Or were you like most of us and lose all the weight just to have it come back on again. Most people who opt for the band are yo-yo dieters - and this is VERY bad for your heart.

You need to take into considerations the pros and cons for your decision. Make a list of all the positive reasons and the negatives and decide which are more important to you. Also go back to your GP and discuss this with him/her. Do you want to live with taking anti-allergy medication constantly just to have a meal?

I have just had my surgery on Monday, while this is still a big decision for me and I still think why did I do this, I know that alone I will not succeed in keeping this weight off and under control. I am 47 and I still have a lot of years that I want to live.

Think carefully and if you are still really unsure, maybe delay the op and see how you cope on a diet, but what I think or anyone else thinks is irrelevant. This is your life and your body, discuss with your doctor and your family/friends and then do what is right for you.

Justin, I have no doubt that you are bright and intelligent and will make an informed decision that is right for you. Just remember it doesn't have to be right now- if you need more time to think about it, then tell your Dr to postpone the date until you are sure - your Dr will prefer you to be sure of this as well.

Good luck

Danna