Recent Posts

stephm
on 6/18/07 5:48 am - Knoxville, TN
Topic: RE: Can't Decide Between Lap Band and Bypass...OPINIONS, PLEASE!!!!
Thank you, Amanda!  You are already beautiful before the WLS!  Good luck on your journey!!!
ilove2read
on 6/18/07 3:28 am - Germantown, MD
Topic: RE: Can't Decide Between Lap Band and Bypass...OPINIONS, PLEASE!!!!
Hi Amanda, This is so tough! I wish my doctor would just make a formal recommendation one way or the other to take it out of my hands and get my mom off my back--BUT I know he like all other surgeons is concerned about malpractice suits. I am at least 305 pounds, maybe more like 315--my scale only goes up to 300! It sucks big time. I can't do many things and it's been taking me 2 years since my first surgeon visit and I STILL haven't made up my mind.
a_manda
on 6/18/07 3:16 am - MO
Topic: RE: Can't Decide Between Lap Band and Bypass...OPINIONS, PLEASE!!!!
Your mom does have a point. I know for me that I dont have extra time to try out the lap band first. I've been putting off a lot of things in life because I cant do them at 341 lbs--- one example: finish school. Some have had great sucess with the lap bands while many others have had to have a revision done. Not sure what the failure rate is for lap bands but the failure rate for RNY is 30% (failure as in not meeting your surgeons goal which is usally  to lose 50-75% of your excess weight). Take your time-- it IS a hard decision for sure.
348/199/140




ilove2read
on 6/18/07 2:01 am - Germantown, MD
Topic: RE: Can't Decide Between Lap Band and Bypass...OPINIONS, PLEASE!!!!
Oh, Lordy! Just as I was leaning more toward the Lap band! This is so tough. My mother is really pressuring me accepting the Lap Band 'first."
a_manda
on 6/18/07 12:52 am - MO
Topic: RE: Can't Decide Between Lap Band and Bypass...OPINIONS, PLEASE!!!!
WOW--- your before and after pic is AMAZING!!!!!
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a_manda
on 6/18/07 12:50 am - MO
Topic: RE: Can't Decide Between Lap Band and Bypass...OPINIONS, PLEASE!!!!
My surgeon has stopped doing Lap Bands because he says it doesnt work-- and not worth the risk ot the patient. "Then, I said, screw it the RNY is probably better for someone with so much weight to lose" I read that lapbands work well for folks who are 100 lbs or less overweight. And RNY for folks who are 100 lbs and MORE overweight. So RNY would be helpful for you. In the end--- it's a hard decision to make. I went back and forth myself till I researched more and spoke to my surgeon. I'm pre op still and comfortable with my decisions. Best of luck to ya!!
348/199/140




stephm
on 6/17/07 2:22 pm - Knoxville, TN
Topic: RE: Can't Decide Between Lap Band and Bypass...OPINIONS, PLEASE!!!!
Starting Height:  5'8", Current Height:  5'11" (I can wear heels now and the taller I look, the thinner I look!)  Starting Weight:  325, Current Weight:  190.  My doctor's goal weight was 175; for a normal BMI, I should weigh 164.  My goal weight was to get to a weight that I had energy and to become happy & healthy - and to have a 1 be my 1st digit.  The other part of my goal was to finally get pregnant - so working on that goal now!  In the mean time would be great to reach 175 by my 2 yr anniversary.  With the band it averages to 1-2 pounds a week. which it has been 21 months so I've averaged over 6 pounds a month and have met the 1-2 a week.  Some weeks you'll have nothing and others 4-5 pounds.  At the beginning you think 1-2 a week will take FOREVER but if I didn't have the lap band 21 months ago - would I be 130 pounds down - no I'm sure I would've weighed more!  And the time goes by faster than you think! P.S.  Thanks for the compliment - you made my night! 
ilove2read
on 6/15/07 7:47 am - Germantown, MD
Topic: RE: Can't Decide Between Lap Band and Bypass...OPINIONS, PLEASE!!!!
Hi there, WOW you've got quite the transformation! Can I ask your starting height and weight? How long did it take you to lose your weight? Are you at goal yet? It looks like your husband has new, younger, hotter wife!
stephm
on 6/15/07 6:35 am - Knoxville, TN
Topic: RE: Can't Decide Between Lap Band and Bypass...OPINIONS, PLEASE!!!!
If your insurance covers the gastric banding (lap band), it should cover the fills also as that is the only way the surgery will work.  What you are going through is perfectly normal - I struggled with making the decision on type of surgery also.  You might want to attend support group meetings for both the RNY and the lap band patients in your local area.  That helped me to talk face-to-face with other patients.  Good luck!
stressedkim
on 6/15/07 5:37 am
Topic: RE: Best Quote Regarding WLS

HI, I TOTALLY AGREE THAT INTENSIVE THERAPY IS REQUIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!      I WOULD DO ANYTHING IN THE WORLD TO HAVE MY 430 POUND HUSBAND BACK AND LOSE THE WEIGHT ON  HIS OWN, SLOWLY.  BY THE WAY, I AM 150, THIS IS THE HEAVIEST I HAVE EVER BEEN, AND MY HUSBAND WAS 190 WHEN I MET HIM 17 YEARS AGO, AND HAS LOST 120 TO 130  ON 2 SEPARATE TIMES BY HIMSELF BUT COULDN'T MAINTAIN IT. AS I SIT HERE NOW, MY HUSBAND IS IN A REHAB IN PENNSYLVANIA, ADDICTED TO ALCOHOL AND AMBIEN, XANAX, AND GOD KNOWS WHAT ELSE, BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FOR 6 MONTHS.  HE DIDN'T KNOW WHO HE WAS ANYMORE, "HE NEEDED TO FIND HIMSELF."  THE SAD THING IS IF YOU DON'T GET OVER WHY YOU ATE LIKE THIS YOUR WHOLE LIFE, WHICH IS AN ADDICTION  -- AND I AM SO UPSET THAT HIS INSURANCE AND DR NEVER REQUIRED THERAPY -- THAT'S RIGHT, JUST ONE SESSION -- SOMEWHERE I THINK I AM RIPE FOR A LAWSUIT FOR THIS OVER RUINING MY AND MY 9 YEAR OLD SON'S WORLD -- BUT THAT IS ANOTHER DAY, CAN ONLY HANDLE SO MUCH -- THAT ALL YOU DO IS TRANSFER YOUR **** TO SOMETHING ELSE, I.E., ALCOHOL, SEX, PILLS,  OH, AND BY THE WAY, WONDERFUL GUY WHO NEVER SCREWED AROUND, HAS HAD SIX GIRLFRIENDS IN THE PAST YEAR.  i FELT LIKE I WAS LIVING A LIFE WHERE MY NINE-YEAR-OLD WAS MATURE THAN THE 17 (REALLY 40) YEAR OLD THAT I WAS MARRIED TO. WHAT A LIFE CHANGE.  WENT FROM A WONDERFUL GUY WHO WAS A 3X TO A GUY WHO STARTED TO GO AND GET MANICURES AND PEDICURES WHERE I WENT.  I HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH THAT.   I AM SORRY, HE MIGHT LOOK GOOD ON THE OUTSIDE BUT HE IS THE UGLIEST PERSON I HAVE EVER SEEN BECAUSE OF THE INSIDE.  HE IS A SOULESS PERSON NOW.  I TOLD HIM THAT THE DAY OF HIS SURGERY I EQUATE IT TO THE DAY MY "HUSBAND" DIED, BECAUSE I DO NOT LIKE OR LOVE THIS PERSON ANY LONGER, AND IF I MET HIM NOW WITHOUT KNOWING HIM PREVIOUS, I WOULD NOT WANT TO EVEN GO OUT ON ONE DATE WITH HIM.  IN CLOSING, THANKS ALL THE DOCTORS AND WLP'S AND INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR RUINING MANY LIVES, BECAUSE OF THE ALMIGHT DOLLAR.  IT WILL SURELY COME BACK TO BITE YOU IN THE YOU KNOW WHAT ONE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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