Is this the right place to introduce myself?

Hi, I'm having a hard time finding the "newbie" section lol. I hope it is okay to post this here. Please forgive me if it isn't.

My name is Amber but you can call me Ber if you'd like, most people do. I am not very good at these Forum things but I feel I should make an attempt at introducing myself and explain why I'm here. I hope this won't get too long.

I have been overweight my entire life minus the one year I met my husband, at 16, and that year I was blessed to weigh only 125lb. It didn't last long, maybe 8 or 9 months, and I quickly gained the weight back and then some. I got comfortable as time went on and went back into my old eating habits. Fast forward to now. I am 30 years old and married, for 12 years, to a wonderful man. We don't have any children but we do have 2 Chihuahua's - Banjo & Angel and 1 Budgie - Tweet.

About my health: I am 5'1 and 265lb, 287lb being the most I've ever weighed. I've been diagnosed as morbid obese. That word is so ugly. I have had PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) since I can remember starting my first menses and it has brought about a lot of physical, mental, and emotional problems for me, including infertility and hirsutism. If anyone can relate to that alone they will understand what it's like to feel less feminine. I am Insulin Resistant. My hair is brittle and skin is dry. I have high Blood Pressure, a fatty Liver, Hypothyroidism, high Triglycerides and fat in my blood, and high Prolactin (a Pituitary gland hormone).

I recently had a doctor appointment with my PCP and she has mentioned, for the 2nd time, Lap-Band. She said with all these health problems progressing as fast as they are and with my weight as high as it is and me being only 30y.o. that I am on the verge of a heart attack or stroke and that this surgery could possibly reverse all of this. I haven't told her yet but I am thinking about getting it done.

I am here reading and learning about it. I won't lie I am scared. I never have had surgery before let alone a foreign object implanted inside of me to help me lose weight. I know the Lap-Band itself won't magically make me healthy, happy, and thin. I realize this is a life long journey that requires of me to exercise, eat right, and take the proper amount of vitamins and minerals. But I am tired of being overweight. I am ready for a change. I am ready to be the woman I know I can be.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I know I will learn a lot from you all and I respect your input, advice, and knowledge.

Blessings, Ber

Welcom Ber,
I was very scared also right up til they wheeled me away. I am only two weeks out but I am excited about this journey. Good luck! I also have PCOS.
Amanda

Hello and welcome ! It is normal to be scared and unsure through out this whole process .:) The great thing is you can get so much knowledge here and on the web about the surgery . I love my band and am so thankful for it and the changes it has made in me and my life.:) I look forward to seeing you around the forum and wish you good luck on your journey !

 

Welcome.  This is a wonderful place to voice your fears, victories, and hopes for the future.  It sure sounds like a lapband could help you with your medical issues.  We all are scared going in---that's perfectly normal.  Most of the people here are very encouraging and helpful.  Congrats for putting your story out there, and we will save a spot for you on the loser's bench.

Welcome.  Good for you for considering getting a handle on your weight at your age.  It will be a bit easier to do it now than if you wait till your 50 like I did... and have even more to lose.

If you weren't scared or worried, that would be abnormal.  I can't predict how your experience will be, but I can tell you that my life with a foreign object inside to help control my appetite has been very good.  Thin is not my goal, I am happy to be nearly normal and healthier.  Other people do strive to be thin and that's ok too.

Many people function every day with prosthetics, some visible, some not so visible.  Sometimes I wonder if there is anyone without some kind of aide for walking, listening, breathing, etc.  :)  I know there are, it just seems like the majority of the population has some sort of extra help.

Read, research and ask questions, we'll help if we can.

Welcome, Ber. We don't really have a newbie section, so jumping in anywhere is quite OK.

Weight loss surgery is a major undertaking and it's perfectly normal (and healthy) to find it scary and overwhelming. For me, knowledge is power, so I suggest that you do a lot of research (there's a lot of info about the Lap-Band here on OH - click on any of the topics listed under About the Lap-Band System on the righthand side of this forum page (and there's info about the Realize Band on the Realize Band forum). Read lots of threads here on the band forum to get an idea of different peoples' experiences with the band and post your own threads to ask questions. As you read posts, keep in mind that nobody posting here is a bariatric medical professional. Also keep in mind that members tend to post more often when they're having problems and need a lot of support, so that tends to skew the view and make it look like the band causes more problems than success.

Good luck as you start your WLS journey.

Jean

Hi Ber, welcome to the forum. You picked a good time to have surgery. The band is now tried and true. The drugs used for anesthesia work better and leave fast so you wake up quicker. The surgery is done with 5 tiny incisions so the pain hopefully will be less. I also had diabetes but I got rid of it for about 7 years. I am back on  insulin but at much lower doses. I have kept my weight off for over 7 years. I don't regret getting the band. Hope this helps your research. Mona

Ber,

Welcome. I had surgery last Wednesday and seriously considered calling the whole thing off the night before because I was so scared. It has been a great experience so far and I am so excited to get my new life underway.

I have not been overweight my entire life and so the fact that my weight became both uncontrollable and a focus was devastating to me. I am insulin resistant and have hypothyroidism, oh and my body was thinking menopause might be fun-no, it is not given I am only in my late 30's.

The fact that you have come here is a major first step. I did not feel like I belonged here until last week, so you are both brave and ahead of the game. My advice is to begin the process, because it can be long, and ask questions, become introspective, and give yourself the gift of a full life.

Good Luck,

Carrie

Hello and welcome!

Having weight loss surgery is a big, life altering deal and you are wise to take it seriously and to be nervous. I think it is great your doctor is encouraging you to look at surgery to help you lose weight.(I know you mentioned the Lap Band specifically, but there are 3 other major weight loss surgeries available -- Sleeve, DS, RNY -- that you may want to learn about too.)  I wish my doctor would've mentioned the possibility of surgery to help me instead of continually going over how important eating right and exercising are every year at my check up. Clearly that wasn't working for me.

I think all of us here felt/feel like do you now. I know I was so sick of being overweight and all the stuff that comes with it, but scared to move forward with something to "drastic" as surgery. I had my Lap Band "installed" almost 2 years ago and it's been one of the best decisions I've made to date. It was my first surgery and I was honest to God so scared I would not wake up from surgery. Funny thing, after the surgery I was like, wow! I can handle that!!

Best of luck to you,

Trixie