can't decide

hi everyone. My name is Toni and I am really interested in the lap band surgery, but I'm really scared. I am 45 and obese with medical problems creeping up on me left and right. I want to know what I am getting into with this surgery. It's hard to find sites with negative comments. Everyone says it's great. I want to know the good and the bad. Any regrets? :-s

HI tony, I'm 45 too, and chose rny over lap band because I knew I needed the sugar deterant, also because my insurance considered lap band more experimental. My profile will tell you the good bad and the ugly, and will give you some helpful pre and post op hints, that may just be informative for you. YOu will find many who are negative, and some who have died with this surgery. Its good to read it all, and fully know what you are doing and why. When you k now its right for you , it will not be hard to proceed without worry. I hope we can help encourage you through this. blessings, Tami

Thanks for the info. I really haven't pursued anything yet. I'm worried my insurance won't cover it. I have BCBS Fl. I know a lot of people have the rny but it just seems so-o-o-o drastic. The lap band just isn't as invasive. I had contemplated the rny earlier but read some really bad horror stories and wasn't sure if it was for me. Then I heard about the lap band and I felt a glimmer of hope. I also worry about the changes involved in either procedures. I know there has to be some kind of mind set. I worry too about the eating. I have always had a weight problem and my husband always says he doesn't know how I stay as big as I am because I don't eat as much as everyone in my house. I just know I can't keep going on like I am now because every time I go to the Dr. one more health risk pops up. Toni

Toni I forgot to tell you, I know a few people who had bcbs and everything was covered except for 6000 dollars.

Hi Toni, I had the lap band put in 7/2005 and had it taken out 5/31/06 and revised over to the RNY. The band was removed for medical complications.. please feel free to check out my profile for the details. I'll probably get bashed for this but personally the band is not all that it is cracked up to be. Don't get me wrong it's a wonderful tool as long as you can follow the rules to the "T" or at least 95% of the time. My husband has the lap band and has done terrific with the band. He had it put in 11/05 and lost 90lbs within the first 4 months. He hasn't lost anymore since he has been pretty much maintaining the 90lbs though. He went for his first fill last month so we'll see what happens. In my opinion you have to be totally dedicated with the band. It is an easy surgery to eat around. The band will not restrict "carby" food and junk food. That goes through with no problems whatsoever. I know a lot of people *****gret having the band and I know a lot of people who are doing great with the band. It just depends on how you use it. Just do your research and do what you think is right for you!! If you would like to check out a board that has more "honest" feelings about the band I would take a stroll over to lapbandtalk.com Well just my 2 cents and if you have any other questions or want to talk feel free to e mail me anytime!!! Good luck!! Jo Ann

It sounds like you have really had a hard time. I read your profile and wow what a roller coaster ride. That is what scares me. I don't know if I could choose the rny after going through the lap band. I'm just really scared of the rny. I haven't gone to a seminar yet. I'm sceduled to go in December. Maybe that will shed some light on all the questions I have. This is such a life altering procedure, but then again my body needs a little altering anyway. Thanks for your honesty. Toni

Hi Toni, mind boggling yes.. Been there. I personally had the rny for many reasons. Just to name a couple 1. My body doesnt adapt well to foreign obects, so i chose not to go that route. 2nd, I know a couple people who had the lap and was successful for awhile but they didnt experience the new eating habits. They were still able to eat cheese burgers and milk shakes, where with the rny people get dumping etc so they learn to adapt a new lifestyle without the junk. I have experience problems with the rny but mostly caused from becoming pregnant. I wish you the best in whatever you decide.

Toni- You can go to the PUBMED website and do a search on LapBand and get abstracts of research articles. Then you can request copies of the articles that most interest you from your library. Red