Trying to make the decision-need help

I am searching for a surgeon for lap band surgery.  I have gone to the seminar for Dr. Goldstein and visited the support group for South Jersey Bariatrics.  I was very impressed with this group but I am still having reservations about going through with the surgery.  I have not yet made the decision of what to do.  I have already made and cancelled an appointment with a surgeon from Temple.  I am sitting here now wondering if I should just pick up the phone and make a consultation appointment but I am having some fears and apprehensions.  People on this board have given me feedback and have been so kind.  Please let me know if you have experienced the same feelings.  Thanks. Michele

hi michele i would  like to suggest going to some more free seminar meetings -- get more knowledge on the different types of surgery and how each surgeon performs the surgery -- talk to more ppl at the seminars and support groups and ask a ton of questions --  i am the type of person that i jump -- both feet -- don't look back -- i have no regrets about anything in life -- just learning experiences --  good luck to you take care roberta

Hi Michele,

I have to say that at the beginning i was a little apprehensive but i knew that i needed to do something fast because i was getting bigger an bigger, with this in mind i went to a seminar and i found THE BEST surgeons, Advance Laparoscopic Surgeons in Florham Park. I don't know if this is near you but they are truly the best.

After making my decision (which surgery to get) i was so excited to get it done that when February 4 came i was ready. I remember that i was called to the Prep room and then to the surgery room and the nurse ask me if i could walk  into the room and i told her: " i can run if you want me to". My point is that you need to be sure of the procedure you are getting and feel comfortable with the surgeons too.

Im only 9 weeks out and it has been wonderful.

Hope this helps!

Miriam

I researched 3 doctors before I made a decision. You need to feel comfortable with your doctor. As for deciding if the surgery is right for you, you need to ask yourself about your quality of life. If you don't think you will have a good quality of life without the surgery then you need to have it done. Remember it's a whole lifestyle change and you need to make the commitment. In my case I wanted to be free of diabetes and sleep apnea. I still have diabetes but no more sleep apnea. My diabetes is in control and I am now thin and healthy. I wanted to lose the weight quickly so I decided to go with lap RNY. Both lapband and lap RNY require incisions in the abdomen so both are considered major surgery. Do your research, go for consultations, see what feels right. You'll know!

Thanks, Sheri, for you input.  That is what I am doing at this time.  I have high cholesteral, borderline diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure.  If I try to exercise or even clean my house a little more energetically, my joints and muscles ache all over.  It is so hard to tie or buckle my shoes.  I don't fly too often but when I do, I have to ask for an extension for my seat belt.  The first time this happened, I didn't know what to do.  Going to the theater is hard because it is so hard to get out of the seat once I am in it.  I never know what to do with my hands once I sit because of how uncomfortable I feel with my body size and it is hard to just keep them in front of me.  Forgive me for rambling on but I guess I had to just get it down on paper to see how debilitating my life is as is.  Thanks so much.  Michele