Lap Band folks?

No complications here! Thank God!! Deb M

Will you guys please tell me a day of eating for you? Do any of you have somewhat normal holiday meals? I'm worried I will miss Christmas dinner and I only get one plate and its not overfilled or anything but it is fattening. I wish I didn't feel so worried/nervous about doing the surgery. I keep telling myself I am really sick of my lifestyle. What was the turning point for any of you to make your mind up? What were your worries going into the surgery? I do appreciate the comments. Sorry for so many questions. If you'd rather email me, send me a private message and I will gladly give you my email or cell number so I can hear your comments. Anyone here near South St. Louis area? If willing I would love to meet anyone that lives near Rolla area in June. I will be passing thru 44 to Rolla in June and July.

Lori... Don't worry about the questions! You will get all the info. you want or need before the surgery! As for Christmas dinner.....for me, it wasn't "Would I be able to eat Christmas dinner" it was "Will I be here for Christmas dinner?" Morbid Obesity isn't pretty or fun! Getting the weight off isn't going to be either but...I sit here now and ask myself "would I do it over and if I did, would I do it the same way" My answer would be a definite, yes! Lap Band is a tool to help you lose weight but it's not a magic bullet! You have to really want the weight gone! Your eating habits will change and your lifestyle will too but it will be for the better! My Turning Point... Before surgery, I weighed 291lbs. I had diabetes type II, breathing problems, sleep apnea, asthma, pain in my back, legs and feet, arthritis, depression. I have had 2 back surgeries and was looking at a third. I could feel myself dying! When I laid in bed at night I could actually feel my fat crushing me to where I could hardly breath! I had to almost sit up to sleep! The Surgery... I am a Christian woman and Dr. Hornbostel, my surgeon is a Christian man. I liked him from the moment I met him at his seminar. He is straight forward, honest, has a heart of gold and when he smiles he lights up the room! When I found out that he prayed before his surgeries, I knew I had found where God wanted me to be! I had total peace going into my sugery! What I eat now....well the way I look at it is... it doesn't really matter how much I don't eat now, it's how much better and alive I feel! Food was controlling my life, now I control the food and what I allow in my body! A regular day's diet for me would be something like this... 8am - Protein drink 8oz. A piece of wheat toast w/ Smucker's sugarless jam A piece of fruit Water, Sugar Free Crystal Light, or Unsweetened Tea (hot or cold) 10am - Protein drink 8oz. Water, Sugar Free Crystal Light, or Unsweetened Tea (hot or cold) 12pm - Protein drink 8oz. Small salad with triple hearts lettuce, a few small tomatoes, feta cheese w/rasberry vinagrette Water, Sugar Free Crystal Light, or Unsweetened Tea (hot or cold) 2pm - Protein drink 8oz. Water, Sugar Free Crystal Light, or Unsweetened Tea (hot or cold) 4pm - Small plate of dinner whi*****ludes 4 oz of meat, 1/2 cup of veggies, fruit (berries or a banana) Water, Sugar Free Crystal Light, or Unsweetened Tea (hot or cold) Now, you don't have to eat what I eat. You will pick out what's best for you! The above is just a sample of what I eat. I switch it up all the time. With your journey, you will find new eating skills and habits that fit you and trust me....you won't be starving! I am usually full after meals and sometimes I can't even finish what I have. My suggestion to you would be to not worry about too much so soon! This journey isn't gonna happen over night and you don't want to worry yourself too much with all the new stuff you will learning! One day at a time, keep God in your heart and stay focused on your goal! It will all come together before you know it! Good Luck and keep us informed so we can help you anyway we can! Deb M

Hi Lori- I too was interested in the Lap Band. In fact I went to a seminar in Sept 2006 in Spfd at St. Johns with Dr. Edwards and was sold on the idea regarding the ease of the surgery and recovery. Long story short-- Medicare isnt accepted there so I had to look elsewhere for the surgery. I went to the seminar in Sedalia at Bothwell with Dr. Hornbostel. He informed us that he is no longer doing lap bands---his reasoning made a lot of sense. His page on OH states this.... "We no longer offer lapBand for morbid obesity; concerns about its efficacy in at least 50% of those patients who have had lapBand have led us to conclude that it may not be worth the risk to the patient to embark on a treatment modality which may be of little or no benefit." http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+profile+Phillip+Hornbostel+hct. html I am not prepared to go thru this twice so I'm not going after the lap band anymore. I need something to work, the first time out. I'm already losing precious time because of all things that my obesity restricts me from doing. If I were you I would really do my research on the lap band. Just my two cents. FYI--- If you are seeking a surgeon I highly suggest Dr. Hornbostel. Go to his seminar and you'll quickly understand why everyone loves him and his staff here on the OH-Missouri forum. GOOD LUCK : )

Well I'm glad I got in and got mine before he stopped! I have lost 35 pounds since Jan. 26th 2007. I have had no problems and wouldn't trade my band for anything else! I guess I was just one of the lucky ones! I always said that, in my opinion Dr. H leaned towards the RNY instead of the Lap Band...guess I was right!.....lol Deb M.

Thanks for all the great info. I really appreciate it. If I have surgery it will be at DePaul that is closest to me.