WLS wars (mine is better than yours???)....thoughts.....

I had Lap-Band on Dec. 6, 2007. I recently spent sometime "reflecting" by reading my blogs. One thing I realized is....how crazy it was in the "research process and after wards". I was so very protective of my choice.
 
I lost a friend over it. She had RNY. I realize we were both scared out of our minds and instead of supporting each other through our differences, we let our pride and fear break us apart. It's been almost 2 1/2 years later and we've both moved on.

I realized through all of this....that it doesn't matter how you lose weight. They can staple your stomach, put a band around it, remove a portion of it, bypass it, etc. ...it is what they said it would be from day one....It's ONLY a tool and nothing more! It takes work regardless. There is no reason to sugar coat it. You will fail, if you don't work at it and keep fighting for your goal.

One thing I wished I could have told myself way back when is this....it doesn't matter the choice so much. It matters what you to everyday to reach those goals and to stay focus. Before anyone starts throwing flames....I know sometimes the surgery itself goes wrong or doesn't agree with some. I totally get it. I just think we should realize we are all so fearful of the same thing....failure. I think we would all get through this if we all realized the one thing the doctors tell us all the time. It's just a tool. However, I know now it sometimes takes experiences (trail and error) to realize it. I'm so grateful for my tool and I've been learning to use it wisely and I'm still learning!  Best wishes to everyone! P.S. and no I don't think mine is better than yours. LOL!

Great post!

I agree and think that this is a personal decision. We have to decide what is best for us and it may not be the best for someone else. What IS important is that we lose the weight and get healthy to live a happy life.

Paul

You look great and I'm sure that cute little boy in your picture with you.....really loves that you are healthy too! Best wishes!

It's really strange about how people are not only defensive about their own wls, but actually condemn other's choices.  I know this happens with other things like choices in brands of vehicles for example - but it is to the "nth" degree with wls.   I am fairly new to this board and I recently posted  a discussion about how the lap band forum is the only one I feel safe on and can actually accomplish what I need to do - which is learn and get support for my new lap band experience to help me be successful.  When I check around on the other forums they are kind of mean and scary......lol.  Which leads me to think lap band people are happier........lol - now I'm doing it.......lol.

You are absolutely right - it doesn't really matter what choice of wls we make - if we're not ready to make the most of our tool - we probably will have problems and may not succeed.  That is why I pledge to follow my surgeon's directions and listen and respect the banders who are so gracious to help out a newbie like me.

Great post - I really enjoyed it.

Sharon

PS - Sorry about your friend.  Sometimes things end and it's really no one's fault - it's happened to me too.

Sharon,

Best wishes to you. The first year is somewhat overwhelming. The attention both negative and positive can be so overwhelming and emotional. Take time to pull yourself away from it all and relish in the fact that you are doing yourself such a great favor. Being healthy is the greatest thing we can do for ourselves. Best wishes to you!

Oh and you are sooo right....being healthy is being HAPPY!!! I'm a happy lapbander! LOL!

AMEN! occasionally some real wars get going on OH but we've done pretty well lately. I got caught up in it at one point but sat back and looked at it and realized that I didn't have any prejudice against any other surgery, I was feeling threatened. Truly, it doesn't matter about me. What is important is the new person. They should be encouraged to research all options without pressure. I have several friends and acquaintances who have had RNY, encourage my son-in-law to investigate DS, would have had VGS myself if insurance would have cooperated, and chose the band for myself without knowing anyone who had one. (This must make me a mutt )

You are right, it doesn't matter how we get there. Thanks

You are right. Best wishes to you and your son-in law!!!

Agrre, Good post. WLS is like other things- take medicine for example. They prescribe you something and it may not work for you like it does for other people. Everyone and their body is different. Another example my doctor gets a laugh with me because I'm actually allergic to all the latex free bandaids! I'm like "give me latex!" WLS surgery is a tool. Some people are successful with one surger and some people aren't. Personally, I think the best thing for me doesn't have to do with my stomach but my head. I really need a lobotomy! Karen

I like the medicine comparison. Good point! Best wishes to you!

Great post!

I really believe that I would have lost weight with any surgery, because I was ready to change my life.
I was ready to commit to 'whatever it takes' and would have complied with anything necessary for whatever surgery  I had.

I am grateful that my band was affordable and that I was able to have it done when I was ready ---