Seminar and family DR.

I am a new comer and recently went to a seminar in Omaha to get the ball rolling for me. I enjoyed the meeting and we all asked many questions. The surgeon was awesome. I recently spoke with my family MD and it went well. He is not crazy about the procedure because of the risks, but admitted he may be apt to do it if he had this problem. He did say he would write a referral letter but wanted me to be very sure and to talk to people that have had the procedure and are well, and to talk to people who are sorry they had it. He gave me 1 name of a person who is unhappy, and I am having difficulty finding anyone else that is unhappy. Does anyone know someone who had problems or someone that regrets there decision to have WLS ?? Also: I am reading about a lot of lap bands being done. Why are so many of you doing these when they are still so experimental?? I would like to hear from you. Thank you all-Chris

Chris, the banding has been done in Europe for years and years...the insurance companies a few years ago call them"a temperory fix" but the have come along way today. I am 5 years post banding in June and would do it once a year if i had too. It save my life and game me back healthy years. I know of just a few that have had problems and only one the had the band taken completely out. My Dr in Scottabluff has done over 800 bandings now and i was one of his first 100 or so. When i was learning about the WLS the RNY was the one done the most and now its the banding. I dont kow how far you are from Scottsbluff or North Platte but if you want to talk to anyone, I know several people that would be very happy to talk to you. My personal email is [email protected] and my cell is 308-539-5712 in North Platte. I started our support group before I even had the surgery in 02 and still running a very successful one. I have a great partner in crime, his name is Jimmy and he deals wonderfully with the guys. I know he would talke to you at any time. Be sure to get to a support group and it will answers many of your questions or direct you to someone that can.... good luck and im always here or close by..Beth in North Platte our website is www.nowlssg.org it doesnt look to cool now but we are in the process of sprucing it up...

Hi Chris, Nice to meet you. What type of surgery are you having? This is a great place to learn about all the various types of WLS and why people have chosed the one they did. I am pre-op for the DS and I am very excited about it. Good luck.

Hi Chris, welcome to the group. I am also an old bandster like Beth. I have no regrets having the surgery done. I did have a band slip a year and a half after surgery. It was not fun but I got through it. There is risk with any surgery. The benefits of having the band far outweigh the risks. You might also log into the lap band forum. You could get a lot more opinions. Dr. Holloway did my surgery. He took excellent care of me. The important thing is do the followup as your surgeon recommends. That will increase the success of the band. Also eating healthy and exercise is important. I wish you the best of luck. Mona

Chris I had the DS done 2 years ago today! Must say I am very happy with the results, However I have had numerous complications. Including 2 near death bowel obstuctions. Read the complication list carefully and think it thru. I love the result but can't totally say I would do it again. I now have had 3 bowel obstructions, a seroma that wouldn't heal and had to be removed surgically. I think I spent almost 2 months in the hosptial last year. Was a big stress on me and especially on my family. My young daughter still gets stessed everytime she thinks I am getting sick. She worries alot that I am dying. be sure to check all your options and think your plan thru. Good luck Lori

Dear Lori: I am so sorry you have had some real scary complications. I do worry about that. I have a girlfriend , who too, had many complications. It has taken her 4 years to actually heal. It was a nightmare. She on the otherhand has so many health issues. Anytime she has needed surgery, she barely escapes death. I too have other girfrineds who have done great. Recently I got my records from my doctor and he has an entry in there that says that at present lifestyle I am killing myself. He also tells me that the risks of surgery with an excellant surgeon are no different fromt the risks I take everyday. I am planning the RNY with Dr. T White in Omaha. His track record is awesome. I decided against the DS because of being completely opened up. Can I ask who your doctor was?? Take Care, Chris

I am a newbie compared to the other people that posted - I have only been banded 2 months. I chose it because it seemed like the least invasive option and had the least amount of risks. I do have to say though that the weight I have taken off has been hard fought - liquid diet (20 pounds) and food choices/exercise for the other 13. It isn't a miracle answer and you still need to work at it!