Would you do it all over if you could???

I was approved for surgery about a month ago and was told by BCBS I could choose whichever surgery i wanted. I felt that the sleeve was the best way for me to go. THen BCBS stated I could not have that. I really do not want to go the gastric bypass route. So my question to all of you is.....how is it working for you and if given the chance to go backward would you do the band again? Has it been successful for you? What is the biggest issue you have? Thanks in advance.

I would absolutely do it again in a heartbeat. 6 months out of surgery, I've been able to lose approx. 40% of my extra weight.... which is actually quite a bit faster than I expected.

My only advice would be to really research and talk to other patients. Post-op, I discovered a few things about being banded that nobody ever told me.

You really do have to eat SLOWLY.... otherwise you'll start burping uncontrollably like a trucker..... and I can tell you from experience, this can be rather embarrassing when you're giving presentations at work, LOL.

You might also experience "bubbly guts" from your dietary changes at first.... nothing that chewable Gas-X can't cure.... and for me it eventually went away.... but again, be aware that it's a possibility.

Also, follow portion guidelines. Even if you feel like you're fine in the moment.... if you overeat, you WILL regret it later. (Dry heaves, hiccups, burping, etc).

Overall, the benefits outweigh the risks.... just make sure that you're at least aware of the possible goofy side effects.... and that you're willing to follow all the crazy strict guidelines. :)

"The benefits outweigh the risks".......says it all. Thank you!

Hi Lisa,
I am only 5 weeks out.  At this point I would divinely do it again.  It has been great so far.  I went in yesterday for my first fill it went great.  I didn't want to go the bypass route either.  I wanted something safe and if down the road something happens and I get sick I would have it taken out.  You are only able to eat small amount but that is ok.  This is the first year I didn't gain weight during the holidays.   Good luck with you research.  Come back often and ask questions. 

Wendy,

Thanks for responding to my question. Do you find yourself hungry?

Lisa

Lisa,
I would say the first 3 weeks I was not hungry. But I am hungry now. I have only had 1 fill.  I will have to get another one,  You might want to post this on the Lap band forum.  They is a lot of people on there that would have had the land for years.

Wish I could give more of an experience answer as I just got my band on 9/16, but so far I am loving it.  Sometimes I wish I lost a little more, but I am losing consistently and quite good I must say.  So, I know I am doing it healhty and right.  Good luck on your journey and deciding.  We'll be here for ya! 

Boo

Boo,

Thanks for responding to my question. Do you find yourself hungry?

Lisa

Right now my hunger is actually pretty controlled.  If I lose sight of my water or protein, I will notice my hunger sets in.  The head hunger is there sometimes, like another poster said.  I would think most surgeries would have that since it's all in the head though.  So, it is something to be aware of know we have to learn how to handle it and beat it.  I have done great so far, but like I said I'm just a newbie on this journey.  If you do go forward, don't wait till you have the surgery to start.  Start now!  Start counting, dieting, reading obesity books, lap band books.  It helped me tremendously and I felt myself WANTING it as I learned and started to understand obesity physically and mentally and even socially.  It really helped empower me so that when I started I was all ready ahead of the game.  :) 

Boo

well for me i still have doubts that i did the right thing. I have had a good result i think..im not were i thought i would be at this point in my journey but im so far from where i started. So for me its a love hate relationship with my band.

The one thing i cant seem to get a handle on is my head hunger and the need to eat sweets...im such a junkie.. bad habits are so very hard to change. So most days i have to take it one day at a time. When i go shopping its so wonderful to be able to shop in the normal section not the plus size or full figure section...kinda makes you wonder why they dont have a skinny section or an underweight section.


so to really sum it up ..no i dont regret my choice i only wish i had more self control.