I'm seriously considering Lap-band, how did you find your surgeon?
Hi there,
I'm Amy and I'm new to this forum, although I have been on 3FC for awhile and I have been browsing this forum.
I don't know what will happen, but I am seriously considering Lap-band. I have about 100 lbs to lose and I have tried so many weight loss plans with very limited results, so I feel if I were to have a lap-band surgery, it would be a blessing. I know that it would be tough with after surgery, getting used to it, etc but I feel like in my life that my weight loss is the missing piece to my getting my life back.
I started to think about weight loss surgery a lot more after I met with a specialist who said that it's something that I should seriously consider. He told me a few success stories and it was very inspiring.
How did you find your surgeon? I live near a major city and I have contacted one of their bariatric surgery departments, I am going to go to an information session next month, I am hopefully going to reschedule so I can go to one sooner than what I had planned. I looked at quite a few of the video profiles of the surgeons on the hospital's website and there seemed to be some really good surgeons there. I tend to be a bit picky about what doctor I think I would do best with, but a couple of the surgeons there seem to be someone who I may click with.
I don't know a lot about WLS, but I am eager to learn more. Some of my reservations are that- I have a psych issue and I know that there is a long process before surgery, but I feel that my psych issue is well controlled. Also, I have mild acid reflux, I don't know if that would be an issue?
Thanks so much for any info that you can give. I feel that lap-band would be the procedure that I would be most comfortable with.
glad you're taking the steps you need to make an informed decision. When you go to the information session, make sure you hear something about their expected results and about their complication rate and the number of people who've died.
if you don't hear this information, ask them.
I understand only too well about dealing with a doc you can talk to. But be really sure - in your heart - that you're getting the one with the right skills for YOU. Which brings me to another point. lapband is a great choice for some people, and a not-so-great choice for others. with your psych issue and your reflux, it'll be REALLY important to discuss these issues with the surgeon. You'll need to hear the good and the bad about all the procedures, and how they fit in with your particular circumstances.
and the over arching issue about choosing a surgeon: be sure it's someone your insurance will cover!!!
Sea biscuit, I remember you! . I picked the hospital I wanted first, then researched their bariatric surgeons. Like Jiff said, make sure your insurance will cover the one you choose.
Just an aside, not meant to deter your choice of lap band, but my hospital doesn't offer them any longer due to the high rate of complications.
I had a couple of friends who recommended the practice I decided to go with. My surgery is scheduled for Feb. 12th.
I had a LOT of personal factors which influenced my decision and the major one was my Endo Doctor recommended it in Sept 2013. She has been with me through all sorts of crazy plans and I had just given up but didn't want to advance any further in the health issues that currently surround me. I am excited and one of my friends has lost 160 lbs with 30 more to go. I am excited!
Went for a walk today to get moving and it felt great but boy am I wore out. Incision sites are itching so they must be healing and I have my two week post op with the surgeon on Wednesday. I was a little disappointed that I only lost 2 lbs at one week post op and so far the scales isn't moving anymore. Doing great on the blenderized diet and today ate scrambled eggs for the first time.
Thank you all for the replies. I have thought a lot about lap band and I am not sure that it's right for me. I would prefer to lose the weight more naturally and use this as a last resort. Lately, I've been trying to eat healthier and I've been exercising some, if I can get past the mental barriers, that would be great.
I'm reconsidering Lap-Band. If I were to do it, I'd have to go through a process with my local hospital, they do the procedures there. I would have to go to an information session first, then meet with the surgeon.
I think that mentally, I am in a place where I want to lose weight, I am eating less of the unhealthy foods and more of the healthier ones. I still get cravings for the unhealthier ones but I'm realizing that they're just not worth it as much, which personally I feel is huge for me, I never had reached that point, it's a touchstone.
I look at pictures of myself and I feel so unhappy in them. I am ashamed that my face and whole body is bloated and so much like blubber, sigh I shouldn't beat myself up.
I think that there is a surgeon who I may click with after seeing his video profile, actually there are a couple of surgeons at the hospital who seem like people I could click with.
I guess I never thought I would be "fat," the psych meds have really done a number on me.
this is NOT an easy decision, and i know it's been on your mind for a long time. Most hospitals/surgeons have information meetings - when are you going? listen to all the options, and the pros and cons.. and think really long and hard about how you're willing to live for the rest of your life [because there are different vitamins and some slight differences in eating habits that each of the surgeries has].
wish i could wave my magic wand and fix this for you - and for all of us!
Thank you for your support. I am going to the information session in June or July at UPENN. I think that they are an excellent hospital and I watched some of the video profiles of the surgeons, I think that I would connect with a few of them.
My concerns are mainly about the psych issues and reflux but I will be seeing a psychiatrist at UPENN and I am seeing a gastroenterologist at JEFF. I have an upper endoscopy in the beginning of July because I have a lot of hiccups and I choke easily.
I think that I truly want to have this Lap Band, I just have a lot of questions to go over with the bariatric surgeon once I see him.
I'm seriously considering Lap-band, how did you find your surgeon?
. I picked the hospital I wanted first, then researched their bariatric surgeons. Like Jiff said, make sure your insurance will cover the one you choose. 
