Did any one else have the fear that I do?

I was able to put the nerves out of my mind until I was in the prep area. Then I was actually crying as they wheeled me the OR. Nerves are completely normal. Deep breaths.

When I had my lap band, I lost about 65 lbs over the first year. Then I started having complications and began experiencing regain until my revision. With my revision, I've lost almost 90 lbs in just over 6 months.

Hopefully you have done your research to make an informed decision, but I did want to point out that partially and actually even complete gastrectomies have been done for many, many, many years in cancer treatment, so long term data is available.

I also would disagree on your assessment that VSG is a more dangerous procedure. Take the time to review the high rate of post-op complications of the band and how frequently follow-up surgeries are required to repair, replace, or remove the band. To me, it seems like more surgeries would equal more risk.

Best of luck,
Lindsey

You are absolutely not alone in those feelings!  I think you should be more worried if you DIDN'T have those fears, lol.  I was absolutely terrified up until, oddly enough, the day of surgery.  Once I was at the hospital everything was just so well coordinated and scheduled that my confidence really shot up.  Then when the anesthesiologist came in to pre-drug me...I am told I laughed and smiled all the way into ER. 

I had my lap-band surgery 2 years ago to the date (June 18th 2009) and I lost about 40 lbs, maybe 50.  Unfortunately it didn't work out for me and I am revising, but obviously not everyone has the same problems.  I wish you the best in your decision and I hope you have an un-eventful surgery and recovery!

Steph,

I have to say, I was so touched that you answered her question and kept is so sweet.  Even though the band didn't work for you, you didn't bash or anything.  I just think that was very nice.  Sorry, it might sound strange, but it was very sweet, to offer encouraging words. 

I'm so sorry the band didn't work for you, but I know with your wonderful attitude you will have great success w/ your revision. 

Best of luck to you and I hope your revision is safe, uneventful and you have a speedy recovery! 

Jamie

I wasn't nervous or scared, but I'd had several other surgeries before my band surgery so I didn't have to deal with fear of the unknown. I've heard many, many other people express the same anxiety and fear that you've described...it's not fun, but it's normal.

I suggest that you tell your surgeon or a member of his/her medical staff about your anxiety and ask them to write an order for you to have some sort of calming medication (i.e., a tranquilizer) on a "PRN" (on your request) basis after you arrive at the hospital or surgery center, and be sure to mention it again to a nurse when you're admitted for your surgery. 

Before every surgery I've ever had, an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist came to talk to me after I was admitted to the hospital or surgery center. They explain how you'll be sedated and anesthetized, ask about whether you or someone in your family has ever had an adverse reaction to general anesthesia, and answer any questions you have. It's perfectly OK to tell them you're afraid you won't wake up from the surgery. I guarantee that you're not the only person who's ever said that.

As for my weight loss, I lost my excess weight (90 pounds) in my first year as a bandster, regained 25 pounds during my 2nd year (due to a band slip, port flip, and a number of personal problems including my mother's death), and lost the 25 pound regain during my 3rd year post-op. I've been at my goal weight and maintaining without any problems for 6 months now.

Jean

This was very helpful information and sounds a lot like my history with my weightloss of 26 lbs. prior to surgery date and 100 one year post banding with a 27 lb weight gain the 2nd year after a failed pregnancy. I've lost 13 of those and I continue to practice good clean eating and exercise to lose the rest. However, I've never gotten to my "supposed" correct weight of 150 for my height of 5,5 but I feel like I look great when I'm no smaller than 175. Do you think that it's important to get down to a person's correct BMI and that to suggest anything else is a cop out? Sometimes I feel like I'm making excuses but I also know the reaction I get from folks thinking that I look bad at my smallest weight.

Personally, no, I don't feel it's essential to achieve a "normal" BMI. For one thing, the BMI system is a statistical one, not a medical one. The insurance industry adopted it as a "universal" way to measure obesity (and it's easy enough to use), but it doesn't take into account things like bone density, muscle mass, gender, age or ethnicity.

My weight goal was at the high end of "normal" on the BMI chart because that seemed achievable to me. I was determined to get there and I did, but it seems that my body wants to weigh about 5 pounds more than that. I feel better than I have in my whole life, I'm healthy and energetic, clothes shopping is fun now, and I think if I lost more weight now, I'd start looking scrawny.

You can't put too much weight on other people's observations of you, though. If they've been accustomed to seeing you at a heavy weight for years and years, it's going to take them a while to get used to you at a lower weight. Compared to your high weight, your low weight probably does look too low to them. I feel like I haven't explained that very well, so here's a link to an article I wrote about this issue for today's issue of the Bandwagon on the Road newsletter.
http://jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com/2011/06/seeing-world -through-fat-colored.html

The most important question is: how do YOU feel about your weight? why do YOU feel like ending your weight loss phase is a cop-out? I'm pretty sure you've worked very hard to get where you are and deserve a lot of credit for that, so give yourself a pat on the back. If you want to take a weight loss vacation, go right ahead. You can return to the weight loss journey in the future if your health or whatever indicates that you should.

Jean

Very normal to be apprehensive of the unknown, and for you surgery is a big unknown since you've never had any.

I personally wasn't afraid of my banding, but I had been through a huge surgery about 16 months earlier that was horribly emotionally upsetting and I had nothing left to be afraid with.  From June 2007 to August 2007 I cried every day before my hysterectomy for cancer.. I was drained.

If your anxiety is severe, talk to your surgeon or pcp about a short term prescription for an anti-anxiety medication. If they give the prescription, be very careful not to overuse them, they can become very habit forming (aka addicting).

Also talk to your anesthetist or anesthesiologist and tell them about your apprehensions.  I told mine I did not want the experience with my hysterectomy.. that even with preop meds I was crying all the way into the surgery suite.  They assured me that that would not be the case.. and it wasn't. I barely remember being wheeled out of the preop area.

Hang in there, you will get through this time.  It's not easy, just take it one day at a a time, even one minute at a time if necessary.  Find things to keep yourself occupied (learn a new hobby, play online games, clean cabinets, etc) while you wait for your surgery date.  :)

ETA:  I forgot you asked about our personal weight loss.  I lost only like 2lbs before surgery because my doc didn't require a pre-op diet.   I had my surgery about 2 1/4 years ago and have dropped 200 lbs (+/- depending on how much sodium I had the day before).  No regains yet (not saying they might not happen ) and no major band problems.  Had one tiny (.2cc  that's 2/10th's ) unfill last spring (2010) due to being a tad too tight for a while.  Have had more fill since and doing fine.

 It sounds as if your mind is already made up so I will just wish you good luck and hope that you have a successful lap-band. 

OsoGrande,

I've been meaning to tell you that you are a class act.  I know how much you hate the band and how horrible it was for you.  But when you give advice you never bash the band to other people.  Just wanted you to know it didn't go unnoticed.

I am glad you are now free of pain and moving in the direction you wished to.

Donna