Hi,

My name is Tonya. I am in the middle of doing the footwork needed to get insurance approval for the lapband. I went to my first support meeting last night. I found the support meeting to be quite discouraging though. Has anyone else had this problem? By discouraging I mean that I heard all the cons instead of hearing the 'heppy' outcome. I realize that this is a life changing event and all that but shouldn't we be hearing the good things as well? Prepared is one thing - scared is another.

Hi,

My name is Tonya. I am in the middle of doing the footwork needed to get insurance approval for the lapband. I went to my first support meeting last night. I found the support meeting to be quite discouraging though. Has anyone else had this problem? By discouraging I mean that I heard all the cons instead of hearing the 'heppy' outcome. I realize that this is a life changing event and all that but shouldn't we be hearing the good things as well? Prepared is one thing - scared is another.

Hi & Welcome to LBT Tonya

What were people complaining about ??

I love my band - it is the perfect fit for me. I needed portion control - with this tool I have been able to lose 97 lbs in 10 monts.

Some people go into WLS with the mindset that it will be the quick fix and they really don't have to do any work - That is so untrue. Any WLS is just a tool - you have to understand that you have to make lifetime lifesytle changes to your eating and you need to add exercise into your life.

The band's cons for some - taking so long to get to sweet spot - well discuss w/your doc how he looks at fills - does he do them slowly or aggresively - I can tell you I was too tight once and that's all it will ever take - being too tight for me is worse that being too lose.

I have gone to my local support group but I find that I perfer LBT as its open 24/7, I don't have to driven anywhere (cost of gas) and also I wasn't getting home until 8:45.

You need to read/listen to both con's and pro so that you can make your own decision

Good luck on your journey

Hi,

My name is Tonya. I am in the middle of doing the footwork needed to get insurance approval for the lapband. I went to my first support meeting last night. I found the support meeting to be quite discouraging though. Has anyone else had this problem? By discouraging I mean that I heard all the cons instead of hearing the 'heppy' outcome. I realize that this is a life changing event and all that but shouldn't we be hearing the good things as well? Prepared is one thing - scared is another.

Tonya, While there are some drawbacks to getting banded, (I consider them minute) it is definitely worth it. Whatever discomfort I experienced was minor and the benefits are tremendous. I am 16 months post-banding and I have lost 104 pounds. I feel great and I have more energy. I would recommend this to anyone who is obese. You will be glad you did this. Think positively and go for it.

Tammy

hi Tonya,

sorry to hear you had a negative experience with the support group.

the band is one of the best things i've done for myself. changed my life for the better no question about it.

read here (yes, the good and the bad). there is great support here.

best of luck to you.

I would suggest that you get a new support group.

I would suggest you continue trying the groups, as well as reading here. I was banded 3/25/08 but I have been going to support groups since last June or July. I found them educational. Yes I heard negatives, too, but then one woman said she had lost 90 pounds in 9 months. I was talking to some recently banded women and one who was a year or so out. The one a year or so out was not terribly friendly, didn't offer to exchange emails (I have become friends with one of the other two) and even told me I didn't look heavy enough to need a band. Well, at 5'7" maybe not, but 252 lbs and size 2x clothes told me otherwise. What, I should gain another 100 pounds and go into 4 or 5x first? My PCP had been after me to lose weight, and my liver enzymes were elevated on my cholesterol tests(surgeon said that could indicate fatty liver rather than problems with the medicine). My sister had RNY a couple years ago, so I did my homework, read a lot here and on obesityhelp.com, and went to support groups. I decided I liked the adjustability of the band and the lack of malabsorption issues, so I decided the band was for me. Hopefully some people with good experiences will come to the support group, but I would keep trying. Everyone's experience is unique, as yours will be.:cursing:

BTW, I have lost 70 pounds (working on 100) and have dropped from 2x to large (even the large pants are loose except in the waist). My coworkers are all cheering me on, and I have quotes hanging over my desk for inspiration ("Just because I can eat it, doesn't mean I should." "Just because I don't eat it doesn't mean I don't want to." "The band is not around your lips. It is around your stomach. It cannot keep food out of your mouth. Only you can do that." "One step at a time is enough for me. Impatience is simply a way of beating yourself up."). They are from books and newsletters, such as Lapband Solution, and Lapband Companion, that I bought and read. That is not to say some days aren't harder than others, but the band holds the lid on quantity, and that is most certainly what I needed. Don't be discouraged.

Edited June 4, 200818 yr by PATCHELTON