Cold Feet....need help!

Hey guys, I'm knew here, and could use some help/advise....  I have been wanting the lap band for quite some time now.  My insurance doesn't cover it, so I am paying for it myself (I have been saving for a while...).  I finally had enough money saved & I had my first consult EVER last week.  Within 20 minutes of being there, I was scheduled for surgery THIS COMING FRIDAY!!  (Once they found out I was self-pay...the ball started rolling...very fast...).  Here is my concern-- When I was at my consult, the Dr. suggested that I should have the sleeve instead of the band (because I want to lose over 100 pounds).  Once I told him that I was self-pay & couldn't afford the sleeve )it is $7000 more),  he said that the band would be "alright".  O.K....I don't know if it's cold feet... but I can't stop wondering if I am spending money on a procedure that may not be right for me.  I am 5'5" 270lbs.  Any advice would be much appreciated.

Ok, I'm hoping the stuff I'm gonna say in this post is stuff you've already done.

Research, research, research.

You can lose weight with any of the WLS, you can fail with any of the WLS.  It's about understanding how and why you eat and understanding the pros and cons of each surgery and how they work for you.

FOR ME, the band was perfect.  I'm a volume eater so having a restrictive procedure made sense for me.  I've lost 80 pounds and am very happy about where I'm at.

You said you're self-pay and money is an issue - are fills (and potentially unfills) covered for the first year? What if you need an upper GI, etc. ?  If you go with the sleeve, what kind of supplements and follow-up stuff do you need (I never researched the sleeve so have no info on it).

I know it's a favorite line of the DS'ers but very apt - research twice, cut once!

Hi Kim, Paying for fills won't be a problem for me.  I think that I've done quite a bit of research.  I devoted quite a bit of time to reading posts on here as well.  I'm just scared...thanks for responding :)

In that case, stick to your guns, put on warm socks and Woo Hoo! You'll be on the loser's bench in another week!!!!

I understand where you are coming from.  I too am 5'5" and weighed in at 244 in Jan. I  was also self pay.  My consult was on Jan. 4th, and was banded on the 14th.  I got so scared, I e-mailed my friend and told her what to tell my family if something happened to me.  I would only consider the band for myself, because it was the least invasive.  I was gaining weight like a snowball gathers snow, rolling downhill.  I was a volume eater too, and loved sweets.  I don't have much experience with the band yet, and I know as with any surgery there are risks and possible complicarions.  But  with about 28 lbs gone (maybe a bit more) I'm very happy.  I did consult my PCP and he was on board with it too.  He said by summer he thought I'd be quite happy.  I hope he's right!  Good luck to you with your decision.  If you think it's too fast, just remember, they'll be ready to take your money if and when you feel you're ready. 

Thanks, Debbie.  Good luck to you as well!

If you've researched your surgery choice and are happy with it, then stick to it.  Everyone has doubts the closer they get to surgery.  My only caution is that with you being self-pay, double check fill costs and post op costs because there have been several people on this board that have had issues with paying for fills as self-pay patients. 

Thanks.  My fill cost isn't too bad. 

Miss Kitten, it's understandable and not uncommon to have cold feet but being 270 should not stop you from getting the lapband if you feel that is the right procedure for you.  I was 266 the night before surgery and theres many ppl on this board that started at a higher weight and are being successful.  Did you see this post a few days ago?   I hope this helps :)

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/4372496/Message-fo r-Steph-M/

Post Date: 4/14/11 9:54 am
Last Edit: 4/14/11 9:58 am

Name	Surgery Date	Start Weight	Goal  Weight	Current Weight	Complications	Happy with Band?
Steph M	5/28/2010	290	150	222	n/a	Yes
Katie T.	10/24/2008	372	190	320	None/only me not following the plan	Yes
Lori R	8/11/2009	275.5	150	155.6	I've had my ups and downs like any bandster. I haven't had any serious complications, but I have had a lot of fills and unfills due to being too tight, too loose, acid reflux, etc.  I threw up A LOT with the band, especially in the beginning and even now, throw up at least a couple of times a week.  Usually it's my fault--one bite too much or not chewing enough.	I'm happy with my results, but there are days I want to rip the darn thing out.  If I could, I'd switch over to the sleeve just because of the maintenance issues and because I totally miss eating salads!  I haven't been able to eat lettuce now in almost a year!  I suppose if this is the worse thing that happened to me, it's really nothing to complain about in the great scheme of things.
Tooty	3-31-09	210	135	135	None	Yes
Jean M	9/19/2007	221.5	132	133	Slip, port flip	Yes
Jennifer R	10/20/2009	385	150	316	None	Yes
Cmagouirk	3/24/2008	354	160	214	None	Yes, we are fiends now
Jacklyn	2/26/2009	330	223	180	None	Yes, wouldn’t have it any other way
Melanie W.	1/10/2008	260	150	197	Band slip	I am happy with my band when he is not being a jerk.
72jsb	2/10/2011	296	160	243	Port incision took longer to heal, delaying my first fill.	So far, very happy with my band.  I know I am only 2 months out and have a lot of ways to go but so far loving it!
Jolena P	8/25/2010	266	166	214	None	Yes!
Brandywyne	6/21/2010	242	150-160	180	No real one	Extremely
Denise63	7/23/2009	280	155	164	Nadda
Ozzie Girl	11-16-??	265	145	222	None	Love it, love it, love it!!
Psychomom	5/10/2010	261	160?	204	None	Yes!!!
Barbara314	2/18/2011	333	190	275.2	None	Yes
Country/AKA V	3/8/2011	230	137	214	n/a	Yes
Seattle Sue	12/29/2008	275	165	182	None	Very
Dixye	6/7/2010	257	140ish	191	None	Yes 100%
Cheyenne000	1/21/2009	237	145	170	No	yes
Hislady	10/19/2007	315	160	275	No restriction	No, it just wasn’t the right surgery for me
Jenbuzz	5/6/2009	253	140	1621	lack of skills of PA with performing fills8-7-09	Yes, very happy with my band,
Phyllis	8/7/2009	222	125	125	NO	YyyyyESSSS!!
Karen  R	10/3/2008	225	135-145	1???	NO	Yes, very
Colleen S	7/9/2009	238	150	200	None	Totally-haven't lost a lot, but still hopeful     and much healthier - bloodwork is now exceptional!
Sue K(Grannymedic)	5/4/2010	208	145	150	None	Yes!
Melanie V	2/2/2010	207	150	160	None	Love it
Bootoou	9/20/2006	348	185	250	Not following plan

Thanks, I missed that post!

Cathy