Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Howdy! Going to a Lap-Band seminar tonight...



Recommended Posts

This is my first step in learning more about whether Lap-Band is right for me. It has taken a few months of discussion with my DH to get him to support me, and he's still not 100%...but he's getting there. Hopefully, this meeting will help answer questions that we both have.

I am 38, I live in Houston with my husband and two lovely daughters, who are 4 and 15 months. They keep me very busy.

I have never been a skinny girl, but I've always been tall. I am 5'11". I weighed 150 at 15, 170 at 23, and continued to gain throughout my life, with the last few years being the worst. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2002. Severe. I had a TSH of 125. My weight at that time was around 250. I had my first daughter, and was able to get down to 220 with Atkins, but after my second child was born 15 months ago, everything changed and I am now at 300. I essentially gained 50 lbs within a year, and three months of that year was strictly doing Weight Watchers (I joined after the 2nd was born). It's hard to do WW and go to meetings when each week you see a gain and not a loss.

My endocrinologist sent me to a specialist that deals with resistant thyroids, who flat-out said, "You HAVE to lose weight. If you don't, you will have diabetes by the end of the year. If you want WLS, tell me, I will write a script for it right now. It is that critical." We were like, whoa, whoa, wait a minute...surgery...what? We didn't want any part of that. We left feeling...kind of upset but it opened a window in my mind, though I didn't really know it at the time.

It's been almost 9 months since then. Now that my thyroid is under control, it is time for me to get my weight under control. I was extremely resistant to WLS due to the thought that I was "giving up" and was unsure if it would even work for me. However, after reading some blogs over the past few months, and researching lap-band extensively, I decided to approach my husband with the idea. He was initially resistant as well, as he feels surgery is so drastic and unnecessary--but he also realizes what kind of weight loss battle I have been in since we have been married (7 years next month). I know he wants to see me healthy and happy; but he is a Ph.D. in cancer research--so he is very wary of things like this. He has to have all the data before him so he can make an educated decision. I'm the same way, but not as...anal retentive about it. :w00t:

Anyway, it was a long road just to get to where I am but I am sure my story sounds familiar to many as they have been down the same path. I am anxious to go to this meeting and just want to learn more; I am ready to start my journey and am ready to be healthy in all ways. I realize it's all on me and that the band is a tool, but I also acknowledge that I may need that tool in my arsenal to help me and it is not a weakness for me to say so.

Thanks for listening to me ramble :blushing:, and I look forward to getting to know you all better over the coming months.

:w00t:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, I went to the seminar last night. It was very good, but I was surprised when I walked in. The doctor that gave the talk was Dr. Davis--he and his son were on the show "Big Medicine" on TLC. I recognized his accent right off the bat! It was a very good seminar and my husband was fully supportive once we left. I think his questions were answered.

The bad thing--which, I suppose isn't "bad" necessarily--just annoying--is that my insurance requires me to be on a medically supervised diet for 6 months--so any hope of me being banded this summer is out the window. It's slightly disappointing, but not horrible. I just wish my insurance company could understand that for the past, oh, 15 years of my life I've been on a diet. Kinda funny.

My next step is to see my PCP, which I have an appointment with her on Tuesday. I am excited and can't wait to get the ball really rolling. I might be banded by January--it's an amazing thought, really. I've been yo-yo-ing between 230-275 throughout my 20s and 30s and now I will be going into my 40s being healthier than I've ever been. It's a sobering thought. Sad I wasted so much time, but happy I am doing something now. :thumbup:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congratulations, Paula, on your weight loss goals. Hope it works out for you without too much stress.

By the way, as a cancer survivor (uterine and ovarian in my late 20s), I give your husband an affectionate and hearty salute in his research!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you so much! Hubby is always grateful for the kudos, as you might imagine the ones behind the scenes don't always get the recognition they deserve.

His cousin died at 27 of ovarian cancer. He was 23 and at UT; both had plans to enter medical school when she was diagnosed. When she died, he decided he wanted to be on the research side of things. He's been with MD Anderson now a little over 11 years. I am super proud of him. :)

Congratulations on being cancer-free!! :thumbup: Awesome!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Polly!

It sounds like you are really doing your homework and that's great. I know it's a bummer when you start and then find out about the 6 month diet requirement. My journey took from August 08- June 09, but it allowed my to really get my head around the surgery.

I did want to mention that some insurance companies take weight watchers records as a supervised diet so if you've been on WW recently you can try to use those. Talk your surgeon's insurance coordinator about it.

Good luck!

Linda

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • rlcpd

      Two months out from hiatal hernia repair.  Surgeon said to expect a lot more flatulence...something about the 'air' no longer being able to 'burp' out so comes out the other end.  That is my experience but have no understanding of why that swallowed air cannot be 'burped'. ???
      · 1 reply
      1. BlondePatriotInCDA

        As I understand it since your stomach is smaller and not completely resting against your diaphragm anymore you no longer have the ability to "push" burps out as well. Plus, since its smaller and we don't digest slower the trapped air moves a lot quicker out of the stomach so its no longer available to burp out. Hence the other option for removal.

    • Lizette1122

      Anyone had the TORe procedure? How did it go? How much weight did you loose? 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×