New and scared....

Like many of the people on this board I have struggled with my weight since childhood.  I had some great success years ago with WW and went from 340 down to about 180...Over the years the weight has crept back on and today I am at 260.  I decided on WL surgery and did a ton of reseach on various options and surgeons. I settled on lap band with Duke and attended one of the informational session.  I completed the surgery paperwork that night and meet with my potential surgeon Dr. Torquati a few weeks ago.  Things have fast forwarded and I am not scheduled for surgery on Nov. 22 (my birthday none the less). I wanted a Dec surgery date but it I did not move ahead in Nov, I would need to wait until late Jan/early Feb.

Now I am scared to death, scared of the surgery, scared of the post op diet and everything else that I was so confident about a few months ago.  I am also scared that w/o this surgery I will died before my 55 birthday like both my mom and grandma.  I have hbp and diabeties as co-morbs.  I am newly married and the mom of a preteen and want to be able to live my life to the fullest.

How do I regain my confidence?

  It's ok to have a moment, but then look at all the facts and know you are moving in the right direction. Are you seeing a counselor? That is what keeps me on track. Counseling and The twelve step program. If your head is not in the right place, the surgery is wasted because it only HELPS you with combatting your food addiction, not cure it.  I am almost 2 yrs. out  RNY, and down 130 lbs. and feel great!  I thought I would be dead at 54, but 2 years later I am healthier and better than I was at 40. Love and light-Deb

If you have done your research and know that the lap band is for you and understand all of the complications then you will be fine.   Just make sure you have done your research.  The band can be very fickle.  It can tighten when you have sinus infections, it can be hard to eat some foods.  And it can take 6 months to 12 months to get restriction.


If you have not bought any weight loss surgery books please do this so you know in your mind you have made the best decision for you. I recommend weight loss surgery with the adjustable gastric band by Robert Sewell.  He is truthful about the problems some people have had and how good some people have done.

Tamara

Hi Mommy,

It is not unusual to get the 'OMG what am I doing?!' thoughts as surgery approaches. I know that I had them as did most of the people that I've spoken with and as a support group leader with a very large in person and online members, that's a lot of people.  You really need to feel secure in the type of surgery that you have selected. You need to know that it's not a cure, but it is a significant tool. No matter which tool you use, you will need to make behavioral changes. That really scared me as I approached surgery because I couldn't make them before surgery, so what made me think that I could after? I have found that along with my tool, the journey that you go through post op helps to break you of some old, bad habits, but if you aren't careful they will come back to haunt you. I have found that I am able to leverage my tool, along with changes in behavior that have allowed me to lose the excess weight and keep it off, even during a year filled with significant stresses that would have added a good 30 lbs before my surgery. 

Wishing you all the best as you move forward,

I think with anything, knowledge is power.

I started out many years ago choosing the band. I have settled on the Duodenal Switch and feel very comfortable with my decision. It has a very low % of regain and in the hands of the right surgeon can be quite "safe." With any surgery, there are different complications that can arise. Really only YOU can make the decision on whether any WLS is right for you.

I did find that the more research I did the better I felt overall about my surgery, choice of surgeon, post op life etc.

If you haven't checked into the Duodenal Switch, check it out. It's always good to be informed on all of your options. DSfacts.com is a great site. Also, head on over to the DS forum.

I'm sure you'll do great with your surgery! Wishing you the best!