:confused:I’m seriously thinking about getting “banded”. I attended the information session in November 07, but was side tracked by my mother’s illness and eventual death in January. I’m 52 years old, 5 feet short and my weight has reached an all time high of 293 lbs. (I’ve never told anyone how much I weigh!!!!). I have some fear of surgery although I’ve had major surgery with no complications. I know two people who’ve been banded and are doing well. I don’t know why I’m so apprehensive, but I do know that I now have health problems that are directly connected to my weight (sleep apnea, HBP, back pain and edema). I’ve tried weight watcher more times than I count. I know if I don’t lose weight my health will only get worse. Is getting “banded” as easy as some make it seem? How do you get over the apprehension? Are there any words of encouragement out there?

Hi LadyDee and welcome!

I finally reached the point in my life that I knew I needed surgery or would be obese for the rest of my life.

I am nearing 3 weeks post-op, so cannot speak to the long-term.

But here is my experience:

Surgery is never to be taken lightly, but we have to weigh the benefits against the risks. I have been under anesthesia several times, so I was not too worried about that--yes, I know there are inherent risks, always.

Each person recovers at a different rate. The only other abdominal surgery I have had is getting my appendix removed. I can say that this recovery has not been as easy as that one, but I was 14 years younger, and 50 pounds lighter when that surgery happened!

I have seen some folks here write of returning to work within a few days of being banded. For me, I was not that quick to recover. I had two weeks scheduled off, but my doc said I could return to work after one week off.

A few days after my surgery, I came down with a cold--perhaps this is why I was "slow" in recovery. I returned to work after a week, but should have taken that week off. I only worked half-time, but very much regretted my decision to return.

That said, I am now in my 3rd week of recovery and am feeling much better. The cold is gone, I am back full-time, and feel that I am getting back in the swing of things.

So far, I do not regret my decision and I am looking forward to getting back to 100%.

Only you can make the determination if this route is worth the risks. For me, it was. I was tired of fighting obesity without a full aresenal of weapons. Now I feel as though I have pulled out the big guns and will win this war!

Take care of you and do loads of reading and asking questions. It is a big decision!

Denise

:confused:I’m seriously thinking about getting “banded”. I attended the information session in November 07, but was side tracked by my mother’s illness and eventual death in January. I’m 52 years old, 5 feet short and my weight has reached an all time high of 293 lbs. (I’ve never told anyone how much I weigh!!!!). I have some fear of surgery although I’ve had major surgery with no complications. I know two people who’ve been banded and are doing well. I don’t know why I’m so apprehensive, but I do know that I now have health problems that are directly connected to my weight (sleep apnea, HBP, back pain and edema). I’ve tried weight watcher more times than I count. I know if I don’t lose weight my health will only get worse. Is getting “banded” as easy as some make it seem? How do you get over the apprehension? Are there any words of encouragement out there?

I never told anyone my weight either until joining places like this. ;o)

WLS is never to be taken lightly. And NO! It's not easy. Thing is, traditional diet and exercise while maintaining a weight loss is too hard. I can't do it or I wouldn't have needed surgery. People can call me a person without self control, no self discipline, whatever they wish. I'll admit to it all. But it was still too hard. WLS is also very hard but it's the kind of hard WE can do, OUR population.

It's no easy pill to swallow that we can't refrain from stuffing our faces. It's not like we actually prefer a donut over thin, it's different. It's a food obsession and compulsion. It's an eating disorder and not always a matter of self control.

Weight Watchers... heh... I swear, those folks survive off of repeat business. All the same people go there, lose weight, and then return when they have regained.

Learn EVERYTHING you can about banding. Know everything, be able to answer anyone's question without having to research it first. Then you'll know if this is for you or not.

Good luck and don't be hard on yourself. If you are like the rest of us, you probably are. ;o)