Just getting started

Today I decided to begin my weight loss journey. I currently have a BMI of 51.8 which means that I am super obese. I have spoken with a surgeon about the lap band surgery but I need to be evaluated by a stomach doctor first because my stomach doesn't function well. My surgeon believes that the lap band is a good choice since I am a diabetic with complications and have heart disease and have had a previous heart attack. He believes that by losing weight I can reverse the damage that the diabetes has done to my stomach and nerves. I am worried about the surgery because my stomach already doesn't empty well and I am planning on putting a band around it. I have to see a specialist at Cleveland Clinic to get approval for the surgery. In the mean time I have started riding a bicycle, walking on a treadmill, and swimming. I plan on joining curves as well, now that my cardiologist has approved it. The main problem is that I eat as a coping mechanism for anxiety and depression. I have started seeing a therapist and psychiatrist to try to get help to stop eating when I am not hungry. I also have no idea of the kind of diet I need to be on and I am looking for help. If anyone knows of any inpatient weight loss centers please let me know. I believe that if I was an inpatient that I could get a handle on the weight problem and learn the tools to let me come home and continue my weight loss.

Regina,
  Have you considered or looked in to any other types of WLS? Specfically the DS? With all of your co-morbidity factors and worries about your eating patterns, hearing that you are considering the lap-band is more than a little worrying to me. Please stop by the DS forum and read up on vets experience with it, go to www.dsfacts.com , and ask others in the complications and regrets forums about their experiences before you settle on a type of surgery, especially since so many insurance companies are starting to incorporate "one WLS per lifetime" clauses into their policies. The DS may not be for you, it's not the surgery for everyone, but I do feel compeled to point out: I have heard of and talked with countless lap-band-to-DS revisions, but never heard of someone revising from a DS to any other surgery. Please feel free to PM me if you'd like to, and good luck!

Have you looked into any other surgeries other than the lap band? Does the doctor you are consulting with DO any other surgeries so that he could fully advise you?

As for the diet, you may want to consult with a nutritionist given your medical history, but I followed a 1500-1800 calorie diet pre-op, and lost 85 lbs before I had surgery. I ate a well balanced diet with an emphasis on higher protein meals/snacks. I did use protein shakes for breakfast for 6 months since it was convenient and better than my normal fast-food routine in the mornings.

I think you've made a great start with identifying your triggers and getting help. That will absolutely help you along this process. Just make sure you do your research and pick the right tool that's going to help you be as successful as possible. All of the surgery types have forums - check them out for a couple weeks. Read about the postive/negative of each, the statistics, complications, etc.

        The Lap Band is not always easier.  Than the other surgeries. If keeping your blood sugar up or down is a problem.  Remember, Getting enough food down will be hard.  The first six  months.  It will be hard and Even painful once or twice.  Learn about  what surgery your going to have. You may spend all day just trying to get enough water down.  Because , You have to take small sips.  That does count your three meals.  Which almost have to be liquid before they will go down.  Plus the protein shakes you have to drink to get enough protein down. It you don,t get enough protein down you can shut down your Liver.  Specially if you have Diabetes.   Plus any pills you have to take.  Sometimes the Lap Band is more painful than the other surgeries.  Because of the refills.  People think in there heads.  If I hate it . I,ll just have it  undone and go back to normal.   After I get skinny and  I will not have to worry about it any more. It not always that easy the damage to your stomach has already been done.  The first time the band is tighten .   Plus, Weight loss with the band is slower and less is loss.  I was told with the band.   It have more than a hundred pounds to lose.  It is pointless.   Because, With the Lap band you 60 to 70 pounds at the most.   Some people less than fifty pounds is lose.  Since you have high B.M.I.  Please speak with more than one doctor.  Find out what is right for you.  Find a doctor Specializes in High B.M.I.s

      I had my Gastric- By- Pass about  38 day ago and I have already lose 42 pounds. I not trying to scare you. I just want you to know it is a lot of hard work.  But, It is the best feeling in the world to finally being able to lose weight.   I don,t would have gotten under 300 pounds without the surgery.  I actually felt at the time.  I had the surgery if did not have it.  I would be dead with in three years.
      Just inform yourself.  I thought new everything about the surgery before I had it . Research for two years.  But, until  you go through it Yourself.  You just have to be prepared for anything. Every person is different.  You whole lifestyle will change.  The way you live your life The way you think about food.  What you eat.  How socialize and eat in public.
  HW :390  SW:340  one month later 298 and going down.
 Even with all the hardships it is so worth it.  Feeling better than I have in years.

Definitely a lot to think about!  All the surgeries have their benefits and drawbacks, and it is up to you and your surgeon to decide what is right, and no results are "typical."  I had the RNY and my doc said it would be considered a success if I lost 50% of my excess weight.  I was about 200 lbs overweight, so expected to lose about 100.  6 years later, I have lost almost 250 lbs.  I worked with a man who was close to 600 lbs.  He opted for the lap band.  I was skeptical, but after 3 years he had lost over 300 lbs.  I have seen some inpatient weight loss centers, but I believe that unless you are completely immobile and require 100% care, you would probably pay for them out of pocket, and I know it's really high.  I remember seeing a documentary about a place called Brookhaven Obesity Clinic.

Good luck, whatever you decide.  I didn't lose any weight before surgery.  :(

 All the replies I've read have a lot of good information.  It's a great step to gather all the information so that you can make the best decision for YOU.  I started w/BMI of 59.  My RNY surgery was 5 weeks ago and now my BMI is 49.  I had diabetes, on 3 oral meds which stopped the day of surgery.  My blood sugars now range between 103 and 130 with NO MEDS.  I am off one of my two blood pressure medicines. I too always ate for comfort/stress and am looking into going into therapy, either group or individual.Congratulations on the start of an amazing journey!

I understand a bit of what you are going through. I am a food addict and I eat emotionally. I too am a super morbidly obese diabetic. I have just started my journey and am in the process of choosing surgeons. As for treatment centers, there are quite a few.  Try Shades of Hope http://www.shadesofhope.com/

PS Jack I love your dogs photo!!! Very cute

Regina, I would just add that the best tool will only work if and when you are ready to make lifestyle changes.  Resaerch, Research and then Research some more.  Find out about all types of theforms of surgery and decide which ones are right for you then, consult your surgeon to have him or her explain the pros and cons of each.  I had lots of weight to lose and wanted the VSG(vertical sleeve) but my insurance would not cover it.  I had to switch to the RNY, but others seem really happy with the Deudentl Switch DS.  Just make sure you are getting what you want. 

Sounds like you are doing alot with exercise, therapy and possible medication to handle your anxiety.  That is good.  The more prepared you are the better success you will have after, I think.  I saw a therapist for 3 months before surgery.  She recommended Dr Michelle May's book"Eat what you Love and Love what you eat" book to assist me with changing my behaviors and eating habits. This has been a God send to accompany me on my journey.  Dr May has a very friendly approach with a TOTAL NO DIETING approach.  Since I did also have emotional eating I have loved this approach and have been successful in finding alternatives to food whn I am anxious.

I am so pleased for you that you are starting on the path to wellness and wish you the best of luck and hard work on your journey.