going under the knife

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2007
going under the knife
9
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 3:12pm
This is my first time on this web site and I am a little nervous. I am looking for help and support on lossing at least 130 pounds. I have been over weight my whole life but it just seems like it has gotten worse. Looking back when I thought I was over weight in high school (I was) but now I would give anything to be that size again. I am thinking of having the lap band procedure. Has anyone had it? does it work? or am I just kidding myself and I have to find the modivation to just exercise and eat right without the lap band. any help and suggestions would be greatly appriciated.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2006
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 4:12pm
Hello and welcome... This probably wont be of much help but I to am considering getting the lapband. In highschool I was overweight(275lbs). After pregnecies and miscarriages I ballooned to a whopping 368lbs. With diet,exercise, the help of my metformin, and currently I am seeing a dietician I am at 313lbs. If you are able to get a dietician thru your insurance company I would recommend it. She is helping me realize that I need to eat at about the sametime everyday even thou I have to eat the same thing everymorning for breakfast. I have an appt. this month with the local surgeon in town who specializes in bariatric surgery this month(24th)my insurance company requires that I see the dietician and have a closely followed diet for a minimum of 6 months to a year before they will ok and pay for the surgery. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Avatar for bigmomma66092
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 7:41pm
If i was rich i would get it done, becouse im a bottomless pit and am always hundry, and would love to get it done. but u sound a little hesitant so i would maybe wait a bit to be sure thats what u want. good luck hun. kelley
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-1999
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 9:25pm

I've never considered it, but I believe that most reputable doctors won't perform a procedure like that until, like Angie said, you have stuck to a dietician/doctor-supervised diet for a specific period of time and/or lost a % of your weight - I think to show that you are really motivated and not just looking for a 'quick fix'.


I might be wrong with this and I invite people to correct me if so...but I think that's how it is at least where I live!


Kelly

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2003
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 10:21pm

You are correct, Kelly. Unless there is some life-threatening reason that surgery is required immediately, most doctors insist that you lose weight first. Partly because anesthesia is more dangerous if you're overweight and partly to see your commitment level. I considered the surgery myself, but thought that if I can stick to a diet for 6 mos. and/or lose 40 lbs., I might as well go the rest of the way myself and avoid having surgery!

Good luck in making your decision, Angelval. Only you and your doctor know what's best for you.

Mary #3




Edited 1/5/2007 10:22 pm ET by ursaluna
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2007
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 12:34am
Thanks for the responses. I really think I have a lot to think about but I love this message board just knowing there are people out there that feel the same as me is great. Good luck to all of you
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2007
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 12:38am

Thanks for your input. I am looking into all of my options and just feel like I am so unhappy that it is really time to do something. I feel like I say it all the time but it is now time for action and results. Maybe doing the surgery is a short cut but maybe its the boost I need. time and doctors will tell.

Thanks again
Jenn

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2007
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 12:54am

angelval--I think that bariatric surgery is an awesome thing, there are so many people out there that are alive because of it. my mom had gastric bypass three years ago and went from being a diabetic with high blood pressure to being off all medications. That being said I think that really giving it a good committed try with the help of a dr. or dietician is the best way to start out. I am in my last chance change of lifestyle before I look in to surgery myself. My dh and I discussed it and decided that I was going to really, really give it one more try but if I can't do it I am going to persue surgery. I am completly committed this time and am loseing at a great pace as I change things in my life. I am learning to enjoy different foods, and activities and I feel great about myself. Good luck in whatever you chose to do, you came to a great place!!

Cassandra
289/255.8/150

Avatar for tpixie
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 8:42pm
Hello!
I had lapband in April of 2005 and have lost 107 lbs since then. (I also have hypothyroidism so I consider myself a slow loser although I am right on the mark of 1-2 lbs per week)It is by far the best decision I ever made. It is not a quick fix, you have to learn a new way of life as with any life change. You have to commit to changing the way you eat and the follow up care that is required. The nice thing about the band is that it is always there to provide some physical willpower when I don't have the emotional willpower. It also is there for life and won't fail me unless I fail it.
I still have a few (umm ok 50) lbs to go, but I now have a light at the end of the tunnel whereas before I wanted to curl up in a ball and hide in the tunnel.
One key is to make sure that you are ready to make the lifestyle changes that are required. I don't diet anymore at all. I can eat whatever I want, I just eat less. I eat better than I ever did because I don't want to waste my precious space on junk. It is possible to beat the band if you eat chocolate and pizza all day. But it's not like I never have it either. Now I just don't feel guilty about it.
One thing that you need to make sure of is that you find a great surgeon with a good aftercare program. Aftercare is soo important with the band.
Hope this helps!
Kris
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2007
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 9:08pm
Thank you so much for your input. and congrats on the weigh loss. I am really going to look into all of my options.
jenn