I am introducing myself

Hi, Crystal and welcome!

Wow--you and I started at the EXACT same weight--344 pounds. How weird. I am 5' 6", so my BMI was about 55. 

I don't want to sound like a naysayer, but has your doctor said that the LapBand will get you to goal? I was told by three different practices (two of which actually did the LapBand) that it would not, (and the stats I saw supported that) so I opted for the DS surgery.

If you want to learn more about other surgeries like the RNY, VG or DS, feel free to visit their forums here on OH.

I wish you the best of luck on your journey!

Nicolle

Actually. he said I would lose 70% of my extra weight.  But he did say that is just an average, that I could do better than that if I worked at it.  You know I am so ready to work for it too.  I do know someone (my bff) that lost 200lbs.  I know it would be easier to lose the weight with RNY but I'm just very worried about the "rerouting" of my plumbing.  I like the fact that the Lap Band is reversible.  Also, I don't like the malabsorbtion of the RNY.  I guess I'm just a big baby.  I also can't take too much time off at work and 4-6 weeks is just too long (with the Lap Band it 1-2 weeks off).  I'm a single mom and if I'm not working then no bills get paid. 


Oh I just thought this was really funny.  The spell check didn't like the "malabsorbtion" and one of the alternate words was masturbation or molestation!!!!  I think my spell check's mind is in the gutter.... Hahahaha

I understand the part about the single mom stuff. It must be very difficult to try and put your needs first, even when they are life-threatening.

It's strange what scares each of us. A tour of the various boards here, particularly the revisions board, would net horror stories to rival those in your scariest novels!

Rerouting my intestines SHOULD have scared me, but it actually scared me MORE to have a foreign object like the Lap Band in my body--knowing that my body would try and either get rid of it or grow over it freaked me out. Also, adjustments, erosion and foamies freaked me out a bit, too. I wanted to feel more "normal," whatever that is.

Plus, the makers of LapBand actually discouraged me, too. They say in their own literature that "a weight loss of 2 to 3 pounds a week in the first year after the operation is possible, but 1 pound a week is more likely. Twelve to 18 months after the operation, weekly weight loss is usually less." With nearly 200 pounds to lose and a history of failing at diets, I was pretty sure I wouldn't make it through another diet.  You seem to be very motivated, so you may blow their stats out of the water!

RNY freaked me out its potential for dumping and developing ulcers. PLUS, with arthritis and disc problems, I need to be able to take NSAIDS on occasion and you're not supposed to do that with a RNY.

So I had the DS. I eat incredibly normally (protein first, of course), take my vitamins, and thank God, have had zero complications so far. No dumping, no strictures, no anything weird. My three- and six-month labs were excellent, just a little tweaking needed, which was expected. It's been really easy so far--too easy, so I am waiting for the proverbial "other shoe" to drop! You guys will be the first to know when that happens, as I will share it here!

We all have different "freakout" issues, so it's best to do as much research as we can and make a choice we can each live with daily. I wish you well and can't wait to see your posts from the "Loser's Bench," ESPECIALLY if they have naughty words in them!

Nicolle

I agree how we all get freaked out about different things.  I know someone that felt the same as you, she didn't want a foriegn object in her either. 

I just say, everyone has to make up their own minds.  In the end they're the ones that have to live with their decsion.  To me anything is better than living your life 100-200 pounds over weight. 

Thanks for the encouragement.