Investigating Lapband Option

I am currently investigating the options that are available with Lapband surgery.  I am in the process of collecting information and looking at the requirements from my insurance company.  A local hospital is sponsoring an informational meeting next week and I am attending that meeting.  My main concern at this time is that when I make this decision, which I haven't yet, I will have people in my life that will not support me.  My husband will be willing to support me in an effort I make.  I feel fully committed to making the best decision for me, but fear what response I will get from others, as I have already shared this information with one person who just wants me to hang in there and keep trying.  I've been trying with endless programs for 20 years.

I've decided that I will not share anymore information until I have made a final decision.  However, I am wondering how to share that information once the decision has been made.

I am from north eastern Michigan.  Thanks for any advice or support.

I too struggled with this decision and chose Lap Ryn because I know myself and with my sweet tooth, this will work better for me. Once that said, as I informed my friends and family, I made it really clear that I wasn't asking for their approval or even an opinion, I was just informing them of my decision. This has worked for me. Whatever your decision, the very best of luck to you.

Good luck with your decision! I would be open to all of the surgery types that they discuss in the info session. I went into mine looking at the lapband as well. But you know what is right for you.

I had the lap-band done in June 2007 so for I have lost 145 lbs . It changed my life for the good . I know that I would not do the things in life I do know without this surgery. But Remember this is a Tool and the work still comes from you. Without will power and exercise you can fail.
Good luck and don't look back
You can do it too
Randy C

When I went through my process to get WLS I only told very few people about it because I felt it was my personal decision about my health.  I decided to let more people in and truthfully there are always the people with opinions.  Overall I have had wonderful support from friends and family and I have decided that to all the people who have a negative opinion I just intend on proving them wrong.  LOL

Good luck at your seminar!

Once you actually meet with the surgeon, you will probably know what is best for you. 

I am scheduled for VSG on 12/29.  Only my husband and my favorite sister in law are aware of what I am doing.  I am too thin skinned to tell anyone else.  Everyone has an opinion, and wants to share it whether you want them to or not! 

This board is a great way to obtain the support you will need.  I read posts daily and always jotting somehting down to do in the future or to look-up.  I also love the "bookmark" application at the top.  I bookmark tons, then go back through, re-read and then delete if they no longer apply.

I have also carried my extra weight for 20 years.  I don't think my stomach is made for "normal" diets....which do work, but not when after you've eatten everthing...you feel you could eat a whole meal.

Good Luck!
Colleen

How quickly I've learned that this is a safe and supportive community online.  Thank you so much for your encouragement.  It is so helpful to know I am not alone in my situation.

I have a very supportive husband who has helped me to see that what others think or say does not matter.  I have his total support, and also have a friend who's sister had the surgery.  Although she doesn't know I am thinking seriously about this, she will support me as she has been able to lose weight without surgery. I have a very strong will, and once I make a decision I stick to it and make every attempt to carry out the plan.  I can work to be the healthiest me and prove the nay sayers wrong.

I also am currently in therapy and hope my therapist can help support the decision once it is made.

I am a school teacher and am concerned about my energy level when I am not eating very much.  I will continue to post here and SO appreciate your help and encouragement. 

We, as morbidly obese people, tend to be the "caretakers" of everyone around us.  We try so hard to please other people and not cause waves.  And what happens?  We neglect ourselves and spend too much of our energy worrying about what other people think of us.  It's a common trait of the obese .... I know, I've been there. 

So NOW is the time to be selfish.  This WLS Journey is all about you and what your needs are.  Who cares what others think?!  This is not about them. 

Yes, you're going to get comments from people and not everyone is going to support you.  But that's alright.  They aren't the ones who have to walk in your shoes.  Definitely keep the decision making process to yourself until you are 100% sure what you need to do.  Come here to OH and get advice and opinions - we know what it's like to go through this because we've been exactly where you are now.  But people who are not educated in this surgery will not be able to help just yet. 

I would recommend buying the book"Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies"  and reading it cover to cover.  I've read the entire thing twice and refer to it often (even now at 1 year post-op).  It will give you an inbiased viewpoint of all the different surgeries --- including the 4 main surgeries performed today and a history of old surgeries that are no longer performed.  It will walk you through the entire decision making process from picking a surgery to picking a doctor to what to pack for the hospital.  Great resource!

Put in a call to your insurance company today.  Find out which surgeries are cover (even if you aren't considering one or another, find out ALL that are covered).  Find out what the exact requirements are for insurance coverage and ask for that list of criteria to be mailed to you.  This will become your checklist as you go through the process.  Many insurances require a physician documented diet history ... so if you need one, best to start it now while you're still trying to decide.  Do not rely on anyone else to find out this information for you.  The insurance clerk at a surgeon's office might have general information about your coverage, but you need to have the very specific information for your exact policy ... this can help you avoid much heartache and headaches in the future. 

As for how to tell others about your surgery.  It's totally up to you.  I told my immediate family and my 2 bosses about it as I began the process.  I told my bosses because I knew that I would be having several doctor appointments coming up in the months leading to my surgery that I'd need days off for.  It's not a requirement to tell them, but it made sense to me, so I did.  Then once I went all the way through the process and got approved and had a surgery date... then I told my co-workers and was then more open with discussing my surgery.  My mind had been made up, I was confident in my decision and I was equipped with the information to defend my decision if anyone questioned me (nobody did). 

As you're researching LapBand... don't forget to check out the other surgeries.  RNY, DS and the Sleeve.  Figure out your dieting habits, your metabolic system and trigger foods and match the type of surgery to those issues.  Each surgery can be successful as long as you choose the right surgery for you.

Good luck
Pam

Ditto what Pam has said -- very sage advice.

 I second the WLS for dummies book -- I found it about a week before surgery and wish I had it long before.
Being a fellow teacher here's my guess as to what you're going to experience:  In about 1-2 months post-op you will find much more energy.  Many of my students have become 'inspired' by watching my transformation and  lots of them are actively working on getting healthier by either losing weight or doing more exercise.  I think even gonna try to get a team together for next year's Detroit Marathon.  If I can get even 1 or 2 (of my 250 students) into being fit and healthy than maybe that's somebody who won't have to go through my trials and journey.
Being in a little more public spotlight made me uneasy at first but i love watching/listening to the kids try to get more physical and active.  As I said in my PM, read my profile/blog and you'll see my decision to be public and why/how I made it.
Good luck!