the benefits in a nut shell!

http://www.asmbs.org/Newsite07/patients/benefits.htm

this is a great little drawing from the ASMBS....

Wow if that doesn't say it all nothing does!  I have a friend whose doctor has just recommended that she consider banding.  She is hesitant of course and told me that she would wait to see how I make out before she looks at it closer.  I am definitely going to share this link with her.  I don't want her decision to be based on me alone.  She needs good sound statistics like this to help her decide.  She is the one and only friend that I have told about this and she was shocked when her doctor mentioned it to her.  I told her look it is at least worth looking at; there is nothing saying you have to do it. 

I am now in a precarious situation.  I do not want to influence her one way or the other.  So unless she asks questions I am not going to offer anything to her.  I do not want her to end up deciding to do it, then regret it and blame me or feel that my influence was overwhelming.  But if and when she asks I am certainly going to offer her this information. 

Thanks,
Ann

For me it just seals the deal even more. To get rid of most of my illnesses is a God send . Thanks for posting this ,

Oh for sure!! Everything that surgery could help us with listed right there in black and white!

Thanks C! :-)

HI Anne,
I certainly hear you on this one as one of my favorite people, Michelle is going down the WLS road.  Her mom is my absolute hero and favorite as well...so no pressure eh to make sure Michelle does the right thing.

but...actually....I don't feel the pressure..and I used to...but will tell you why.

First...my family sees how successful WLS has been for me, they see me eat normally...even better and more tasty then they do half the time.  So...they are keen to see Michelle have the same quality of life.  But what I did when it first came up was to tell Michelle there are 4 different surgeries.

She needs to do one heck of a lot of research to decide what is the tailer made solution for her.  My solution is not her solution....she has to see what eating habits she has, what diseases she has, how much she has to loose, and then when she really knows what surgery is for her...see where to have it.  Free in NB or go pay for it somewhere.

I told her this because one lives with the surgery for every mouthful for the rest of their lives.   To have a surgery that does not fit...for the cost of a decent car loan does not make sense to me.

So...of she went to choose.  I was off the hook alot because what ever she decided...would be her decision and based on her research.    And...no one wants to pay for their surgery if it can be free...but I guess as someone who did pay for a DS, and did not take the free RNY...I guess I have my own different opinion about living with the surgery I didn't want.  (And must day, my loan payment is the best money I ever spent. 2.5 years now..half way there..and pay it with a smile)

So...Anne, as you know I harp on...     remove yourself from the equation by helping your friend to make her own mind up about surgery.  Then she makes her bed...she lies in it!

Take Care,
Catherine

ps.   the really funny thing about Michelle and her research is she came back and said..Catherine...the surgery you had is not for me...I want the ds.  Well..I had told her I had the bpd/ds, but she didn't hear all the letters...so she really did make an independant decision. 

pssss.  and the super cool thing was that all 4 surgeries are now possible in NB under Medicare!

If you have loved ones who are not sure if WLS is a good idea...print this little drawing out for them.  It is a great overview.

(see link in first post of this thread for drawing)