Non-surgical options in the area?

Hello everyone!  A few months ago, I read Khaliah Ali's book about her experience with the Lapband. Even though I am a nurse and have been overweight my entire adult life, I had never heard of it until I read her book. I got excited, spoke with my primary doctor about it, got a referral to Drs. Singh and Averbach at St. Agnes and am currently going through all the pre-op hoops. I've met Dr. Averbach, completed my six months of Weigh****chers (most of which I did before even hearing about the surgery!), met with the nutritionist and had my psych eval. I'm scheduled for a sleep study this weekend. After that, it's just a matter of insurance approval. So, here's the thing....I am 5'3" tall and currently weigh about 222 pounds with a BMI of 38-39. Before I started WW, I was 239, with a BMI of 40-41. I don't really have serious comorbidities (unless the sleep study is positive)...just high fasting blood sugar. My mom, however, has all the expected ones: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, etc. I know that if I don't do something, I will end up exactly where she is. Like all of you, I've tried many different programs over the years with basically the same result: lose weight and gain it all back. In discussing this surgical possibility with my family and friends, most people have been very supportive, including my husband, my pastor, my therapist, my brother and my mom. However, my Dad and both of my sisters have expressed reservations about my having the surgery, both from a practical and spiritual point of view. I'm glad they are asking my a lot of hard questions, becasue it is forcing me to think through a lot of stuff before I commit to the surgery.  My parents live in Lynchburg, VA. Aftrer my mom's recent angioplasty, she had to undergo cardiac rehab at a hospital near them. While there, she heard of a 12-week wellness program offered by the hospital called L.E.A.N. (Lifestyle, exercise, attitude, nutrition). She and my dad decided to sign up. It is run by professional hospital staff, includes weekly meetings with a small group of people (12 I think), during which they weigh in and discuss all sorts of topics. They received a very detailed workbook whi*****luded information, questions and exercises related to each of the 4 topics. They are expected to complete the daily "assignments" in the workbook, keep a food log and exercise daily using the pedometers they were given to count their steps. I think they are abou 8 weeks into it and they love it. They have both lost about 15 pounds. They feel it's different from the other programs they've been on because it addresses all the areas and includes small group support and accountability. (I'm not sure what their plans are after this 12-week session is over....) Anyway, my dad was asking if any of the programs I've tried were like this one. Honestly, I can't say that they were. Probably, the closest is Weigh****chers, but that requires more self-motivation, I think, whereas this program has more intense guidance. So, now I'm wondering, should I stop pursuing surgery for a while and see what else is available? Do any of you know of a program similar to this one in our area? I know I would definitely need longer than 12 weeks, so it would have to be a long-term kind of program. I checked out some of the area hospitals and it seems they might have some stuff, but they seem more geared to eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. And then there's the whole cost issue.....my insurance won't cover any obesity treatments except surgery! Any thoughts? Thanks! Michelle :)

A word on the spiritual aspect:  many of us, myself included, felt very much led of God to this surgery.  Please do not let your family's objections stand in the way, especially the objections of parents or siblings.  You are an adult now.  Their opinions are less important than the opinion of your spouse and your own children.  Often, they just speaking their fears.  Don't let their fears decide for you. When we went to China to get our daughter, it was in the middle of SARS.  We had dealt with infertility, plus over 2 years of adoption processing, yet my mother was terrified and called begging me not to go, sure I'd contract SARS and die if I went.  I knew that Madeline was absolutely the child that God intended for me to raise, and there was no option but to go and go now, so I refused to let her fears stand in the way.  (In fact, her attempts to interfere infuriated me.)  She is, of course, all upset about the weight loss surgery.  But it's my life and not hers. Weight loss surgery isn't a panacea, especially the band.  It will still take all your self-discipline and courage to succeed at this.  Why not help yourself a little bit by having something pul inside you that'll fool your stomach into thinking you've eaten a big meal when you haven't. Best wishes!

I heard from so many people "Can't you just eat less?" I wasn't eating tons of food. My diabetes was increasingly affecting my body. My A1C was near pefect. I kept gaining weight. I did this for me and not for my family. My family is now pleased with my results.  You, of course, need to make the best decision for yourself. This is for you- no one else!

Hi Michelle, Welcome to the Maryland board. I cannot give you advice on such a lifechanging procedure but maybe you should explore other options first. They have a forum here for non-surgical weight loss also. I can tell you that even though I had the surgery last week that I still plan on having other things in my life to help me deal with my eating issues. I am in therapy and plan to start exercising regulary when I am instructed to do so. If I see myself, down the road, falling into some of my old patterns, I intend to get help immediately. Surgery is not a be all, end all and I knew that going in. It is going to take some hard work on my part. It is, however, a tool to help me. Five years from now, I suppose, that tool is not going to work the same way it is now so I must use it to its full benefit now and change my life where eating and food are concerned. As said above in another post, I believe that God led me to this surgery. I have been praying for years for a way to get this under control and this is where He has led me. I always thought that God would do for me what I could not do for me what I could not do for myself and so He has. Good luck on you journey.

Thank you both for your responses. I have to admit, when I imagine getting the band, I feel tremendous relief and excitement. When I imagine not getting the band and trying another weight loss program, I feel mostly resignation and almost a sense of futility.  I certainly understand all the ramifications of having WLS. I've done a LOT of research, bugged Dr. Averbach with emailed questions and spent a long time with the nutritionist at my initial consult. I KNOW I'll have to make a lot of changes to make the band work for me. I'm willing to do it because I know I will get results. I can't be sure of results with anything else. I know in my heart that this surgery is the right thing for me to do. I've been praying a lot about it. Basically, I feel that God is telling me that no matter which way I decide to go, he loves me, he will be with me and he will continue to guide my steps.  After I read your post, Edie, I realized that you really hit the nail on the head. I am responding to their fears and letting doubts creep in. I feel at peace with my decision. I just don't want to have to tell my family that I've decided for sure...especially my sisters. They have both expressed some pretty strong objections (mostly spiritual ones), including one that says I am being deceived by the evil one into having this surgery because "it won't address the heart issues" that caused my obesity to begin with. Sigh. I could go on and on about this, but I tend to be long-winded anyway, so I'll leave it for another time.  Thanks for the support both of you, and for hearing what I was REALLY saying! Michelle :)