Update/research progress

Thursday I had my first consultation. It was a group seminar thing, so no one-on-one yet, but I got some clarifications on things.

What was most interesting was my emotions and reactions. When I first walked into the room, a big room about half-filled with 40 or so people. I became very emotional, with tears in my eyes. An overwhelming sens of sadness, that I had come to this point. That I was a failure. that I was not like these "other" people - FAT people. And this sort of rolled into a anxiety attack, with me sweating and really wanting to run.

But I stayed.

The whole group dynamic was probably not the best intro for me. There were so many distractions by people - cell phones, babies whining, people shuffling and huffing and puffing. Ugh.

Most of the info I had already read about repeatedly. But I did get a little insight in that I really heard them pushing a bit on gastric bypass over banding. The RNY has significantly better results, and happens in a more automoatic way, because of the malabsorption qualities, over the band, which deals only with restriction.

I still have this idea that the rearranging of your intestines is just not "natural" and could have some serious long term effects.

This Wednesday I have an appointment with one of the premier therapists in the arena of eating disorders. I want to be sure I have worked out - or at least gotten under control - the "stuff" behind the weight. I don't want to have this radical procedure and then find myself 3-5 years down the road fat again and no other alternatives.

The initial group meeting can be very daunting. I am a Kaiser member so I understand the jumping thu hoops but in retrospect the classes did me alot of good. With Kaiser they follow up with you in groups every three months post op. It has been interesting to see the people that went to the initial  class and those that have had the surgery and been succesful.

I never considered the band I had too many comorbidities I had a RNY 06/10/2008 my intial weight when I began my classes was 300# at surgery I weighed 275# today almost 14 months out I weigh 168# . I am off all my medications I have completely changed my life.

I continue to follow all the rules it is just part of my life. I get my fluids, take my supplements, eat protein first and do not drink with meals. easy... I excersise regularly. One thing I have realized is that my OCD has actually nade it easier to eat the right foods.

Good luck on your journey!

Beau,
It is a sad fact we feel alone as we start our journey. My journey is going on 1 1/2 years now. I have learned that my support group and this forum is what keeps me focused. You will hear many stories and see people at all stages. Many are new, some have failed, some are going gang busters, they all have unique stories. Keep on listening and researching. You will find your answer soon enough.  I am a band patient and happy with my results. I probably would have lost more with RNY. As people will be telling you, these are tools. It's how you use them that drives your success. Best of luck!
Tom

I had the same feeling walking into the first WLS meeting to get more informed.  " so this is what/where I've come to"  feeling.  Yeah, it sucks.  Soldier on dude, soldier on.

Hang in there Dogbeau, this is part of the process.  Zac

Hey there handsome.  This is undoubtedly the biggest decision you will ever make.  And you are right in going to seek help to make sure that the brain power behind your eating is dealt with before you have your surgery.  I would have to say that the mental part of this is about 70 - 80% of the battle.  Once you get your brain wrapped around this fact tthat your change is for life and you know that this is what you have to do to stay healthy forever then it will be easier for you to do. 

I had to do a 9 month mostly liquid diet before my surgery and during that time, my total behavior around food changed.  I was now eating to live instead of living to eat.  I made better choices and it really helped me to maintain this pattern well after my surgery.  After dropping 251 pounds, I'm not looking back one bit :)

Well, it sounds like you are on the right track and kudos to you for going to see and eating disorder therapist.  I considered the band and with my research here on OH and on other boards noticed that those with higher BMIs tended to have problems with their bands and ended up having to have a revision to RNY.  Once I realized their was a trend, I decided that at my weight, the band was not for me.  Keep in mind that all surgeries have risks. Treat your supplements and protein like they are medicine and keeping up on your labs should decrease your risk for complications in the deficiency and deficiency related issues.   I'm sure that with the help of the therapist and with talking to the surgeon, you will make the right choice for you.  Best of luck to you.