Super Nervous...

Hello guys!

I am soooo happy I found this site. I begin my 3 month pre-op nutritional counseling next week. I have a tentative surgery date of June 2011 because I am a teacher. As an African American woman, I am nervous because weightloss surgery is not really talked about. How can I find out the "top complications from lap band surgery?" I have decided to go with Dr. Champion, but is there a way to find out if he has had any deaths related to the procedure? and if so, what were the reasons???

I was very nervous about the surgery also .  I was worried about death because I have a son and hubby to take care of and when you are 350 pounds it does make it a little more risky for us.

I flat out asked my doctor how many lapbands he has done and how many people have died during this surgery I wanted to know even if the news wasnt good.

He has been doing this for five yrs plus does about 15 lapbands per week and he has no deaths at all from this surgery and he has done people that have weighed 400-500 pounds .

That put my mind at ease.  It really is a very very easy surgery but there is always a risk when you go under to be cut on .  It can happen to heavy person or it could even happen to somebody that is in excellent health .

Dont sit there and make yourself worry and get yourself all worked up over.  I was in surgery at 1 pm and I walked out the door to go home by 7 pm that night :o)

Like I said ask your doctor flat out about deaths and so forth you do have a right to ask that information I did and did not feel bad about it at all .

Good luck you will be just fine !!!!!!!! 

Hello thininme,

I understand your fears, I have 3 children and a husband. I just had my surgery monday, feb 21st and 3 days out am feeling much better. Talk to your surgeon about your concerns and do everything they tell you for diet beforehand. The liquid diet is important to shrink the liver.  I had a slight problem with oxygen levels being around 90 after surgery so I stayed overnight and am just fine. Check the hospital out too, I did beforehand and they were great at making sure the risks of clots were low, I had heprin shots and leg inflatable things before and after surgery.

Even though I was super scared everything turned out ok, I now look forward to loosing the weight and being healthier so I can be around for my hubby and kids even longer. It takes more then a surgery to get rid of me!

Hope that helps!

Dasimomi