Need Encouragement

It has taken years to get my head around the idea of having WLS but finally after several doctors telling me how critical my obstructive sleep apnea is, and all of them urging me do do this, I finally decided to have surgery.  After doing a lot of reasearch I decided on the LapBand.  I was relieved to have reached this decision.  

I had all of the pre-operative sessions done, the evaluation, psych, pre-surgical testing and was scheduled to have it done but right before my surgery date, the rug was pulled out from under me.  The company I work for has an exclusion on the insurance policy because they viewed any kind of WLS as "cosmetic."  I wanted to die.

I fought and fought with the powers that be and finally, after two years, they have lifted the exclusion, so now I'm ready.  ... or so I thought.

A friend told me to check out this site before I make any final decisions.  After reading all of the horror stories on here about the band, I don't know that I want to do it.  Mind you, if I don't do the band, I won't do anything.  This is just my personal choice.

I'm brand new to this board so maybe some of you who have been on for a while can give me some better insight.  Am I making a mistake?    

I have not discussed this with my family AT ALL, however, my friends and my husband are supporting me.  Now I think I may be chicken'ing out!  I'm so depressed. 

Help.

Get a piece of paper and write two columns. yes on one side and the no on the other side and write down why you should or shouldn't. and be truthful. clear your fears and then look at it again, the main this is to be happy with you.  good luck. it will be well

 
I have had my band 2 years now. After 16 fills I never reached restriction. Complete waste of time and money! Had I known then what I know now I never would have gotten my band. I would not wish the band on my worst enemy.

My suggestion to you would be to read the revision forum and see how many on there are revising FROM the band. If it was that great there wouldn't be that many ppl wanting to get rid of it now would it?

I also suggest you ask about the band on the RNY, VSG and DS forum. You will find plenty of FORMER bandsters on those forums. Ask them which surgery is better. The band............or the WLS they revised to.

CHOOSE YOUR WLS WISELY!

Good luck!

I'm pretty certain if it weren't for the LapBand I'd either be dead today or in a wheelchair on permanent disability.  The LapBand saved my life.

Yes, some have problems, but many do not and many are very successful with it.  You have to decide what you want to do and just do it.  If the only WLS you want is the LapBand then I say, go for it.

I have not one regret!  I am a new person today!

 
There are happy bandsters ( like me).

There are unhappy bandsters who did nothing wrong!

There are unhappy bandsters who could not make  the lifestyle changes needed.

There are bandsters whose surgeons screwed up.

Show me the surgery for which you could not say all of those things!

Then go back and find a thread I posted about four days ago, title Statistics. The actual stats are not as bad as you may be led to beleve.

Kate 

 Hello,  I had the lap band surgery on 11/10.  Sor far, it is working ok, but it is too early to tell.  I pray that I don't have any of the nasty side effects and complications that some people have had.  I have lost 20 lbs since the pre-op diet, it is a start.  I have my post op appt on Monday.  I feel that this was a good decision for me, i just could not lose the weight on my own.  Michelle.

I like you had two options, to have the band or not to!! I never consider any of the other WLS because the omplications are more severe and i understand that if my body rejects it then I have to get rid of it!!! but why be negative from the start? i had the lap band 9/19/2011 and i love my band, no i dont tell people to do it because it isnt as easy as it look, this is a life changing process and it is hard. i eat so small  and i excersice like a maniac!!! i workout in the morning and at night and have lost 34 pounds in less then 2 months! so if u are going thru with the surgery make sure ur ready for the commitment it forces on u!!!

Be positive trust in God, he will keep u safe :)


on the losers bench and loving it!!!!

Be aware of the referred left shoulder pain that occurs in a lot of banded patients.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/3850196/shoulder-pain -after-lap-band-related-to-diaphragm/

It can range from moderate to chronic and severe. Sometimes it doesn't occur until years after being banded, some of us have it from the get-go. It's from the band irritating the Vagus nerves in the diaphragm. The band is in very close proximity to the diaphragm and can affect your breathing, cause the left shoulder pain, and hiatal hernias.

Before deciding, Google: left shoulder pain with the lapband as well as hiatal hernias.  When you see how close the band is to your diaphragm, it only makes sense that it would cause problems in a lot of people.

It's normal to have left shoulder pain after a laparoscopic procedure, but the chronic left shoulder pain isn't like that. It's a stabbing, burning, debilitating pain that I wouldn't wish on anyone ever.

I thought the lap band was the answer for me. It turned out to be the lowest turning point in my life... it damaged me so horribly that I'm still having bad side effects and it's been over 6 years since removal. 

I would recommend researching the negative aspects as well, just so you can make a fully informed decision. (And I realize that's what you're doing by posting!  You're smart!)  At the weight loss surgery seminars, they paint a glowing picture and focus little on the negatives, so reading the Revisions Forum here would be a good thing to do to get the full picture.

Good luck to you with whatever you choose.

Thanks to all of you *****sponded.  To be honest, after reading all of the posts on this forum (not just this thread), I honestly think I may not do this.  The stories I've read have scared the daylights out of me!  I know that all surgeries have risks but from what I've read here.... I just don't know now... 

I appreciate your honesty.