Vanity issues
I lurked for a while... I still waffle back and forth. I meet again with my PCP in a couple of weeks and we will likely talk about WLS again.
Anyway, I may save that emotional gooiness for another post but here's the one for the moment.
I am partial to the banding types of surgery (my PCP also felt it was likely the best option for me but definately wanted me to talk to the VU WLS people in more detail)... with that in mind, how much scaring do you have on your abdomen? One of my main hobbies is belly dance and I'm looking forward to baring my belly someday without feeling super-self-concious due to size. But are they big? Obvious?
And how much hair loss did you experience? A co-worker had RYN and alot of her hair fell out and is still very very thin even 3 years later. Did it grow back?
Thanks,
Jonnelle
I had RNY and my scars are about 1 inch long. If you Vitamin E them in the beginning they will not look so bad. AS for hair losss, it depends on the person. I lost a lot, I'd say, but it never looked thin. Scott lost all of his! LOL So each person is different. I perfer the RNY and other procedures that force you to change your life style. To me, and this is only my opinion, the band does not force you to make a lifestyle change. You can still eat whatever you want, just in smaller proportions. There are a lot of foods I can no longer eat because of the RNY and that is good for me. With that said, I still can eat a lot of foods that are not healthy for me either, just in very small propotions. It is a personal decicion for every one and no one can make that decicion for you. MAke an EDUCATED decicion. Do your homework. Talking to people is fine, and all well and good, but do not let us make your lifestyle change for you. And remember, it is your decicion, so don't feel you have to justify yourself to anybody!
Good luck!
Beth
Hi Jonnelle!
Welcome to the board. I totally understand the vanity issues. I am currently 3 months out and dealing with the hair loss right now. I guess it really depends on what kinda hair you start with. on one of the other boards, someone posted a link to this article yesterday about hair loss.. interesting. read away!
http://bariatrictimes.com/2008/09/19/the-latest-on-nutrition-and-hair-loss-in-the-bariatric-patient/
As far as the scars go... Go to a support group. Just ask and someone will show you their scars. They really aren't bad at all. I would be more worried about the loose, flappy skin but that's just me :)
When you put "VU WLS people", were you meaning going through Vanderbilt? My hubby and I are both Vandy patients of Dr. Williams and love him. There is a support group at the new facility in 100 oaks mall on April 7th. Go to it. Lots of info and people to answer questions.
Let me know if I can answer anything for ya!
I went to Vandy with Dr. Richards and LOVE him and his staff! I opted for the Realize Band though, and while it is less evasive and does not have the dumping like other surgeries, it has been very successful for me! I do have to say, I have made lifestyle changes just because I figured why go through all this and then continue to eat what I did, because of course I'd fail.
My scars are not bad, the largest I have is right about my belly button (which I can see now!) and it is about an inch and half long. I use lavendar oil with vitamin e on all my scars and they are fading nicely. The other scars are less than a finger width and with my oil they are also fading.
With the band as well as biotin, I have not suffered hair loss and I'm almost four months out. I have had one attempted fill and the port was hiding, the next time they tried it was under radiology and it did not hurt at all.
Like everyone has said, research, read, research, read, go to support groups, and talk to people.. talk to your PCP, and then when you get to the weight loss clinic, talk to those doctors...
Like so many have said, the only regret I have is not having surgery sooner!
Good Luck with your decision and if you have more questions, please post them!!
Amy
