Waffling
gspea
Posts: 412 Member
Hi all. In October the doc had a come to reality meeting with me. Do something with my weight or suffer the consequences. She recommended taking to the Bariatric surgeon. I did, taked to friends who had the band, by pass and the sleeve. I started the process but insurance denied due to no medically manage weight loss for six months. So put surgery dates on hold for the LapBand and decided to start the six month visits.
My sixth month visit is in July . I have lost 32 pounds since Nov 1st.. I was asked just the other day why are you having surgery ? You are losing weight! But I can lose weight but keeping it off and losing the last few pounds is where I have problems. Because of nay-sayers and such I am now beginning to waffle on what I should do. Help. :ohwell:
I have read MANY stories on here about all the problems with the band surgery. Some even are like scare tactics. I haven't seen as many stories of the successes. Anyone out there who can tell me the norm is good?
I lost 100 pounds on a restrictive diet many years ago. All but fifteen found their way home again. I don't want that to,happen again. I need to get my head back on straight again. Any advice?
I feel really confident that I can do this - this time. I am not doing any fad diet or program. I just need some reassurance I am not making a mistake..
My sixth month visit is in July . I have lost 32 pounds since Nov 1st.. I was asked just the other day why are you having surgery ? You are losing weight! But I can lose weight but keeping it off and losing the last few pounds is where I have problems. Because of nay-sayers and such I am now beginning to waffle on what I should do. Help. :ohwell:
I have read MANY stories on here about all the problems with the band surgery. Some even are like scare tactics. I haven't seen as many stories of the successes. Anyone out there who can tell me the norm is good?
I lost 100 pounds on a restrictive diet many years ago. All but fifteen found their way home again. I don't want that to,happen again. I need to get my head back on straight again. Any advice?
I feel really confident that I can do this - this time. I am not doing any fad diet or program. I just need some reassurance I am not making a mistake..
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Replies
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Hi! I had the Gastric Bypass surgery in March of 2012. Like yourself, I have heard all kinds of stories about all the different surgeries out there. Let me say none of them are an easy decision to make. I chose not to do the lap band, because of the number of times I would have to go in for fills and it simply wouldn't work me.
I think that whatever you feel the most comfortable with is how it usually goes. The way I went was an open RNY and most people do not want to do this because of the procedure.
Before I had surgery I had to jump through all kinds of hoops for the insurance company, it does go by faster than you think on that, but it is beneficial also, because it allows you to be in the right state of mind both mentally, emotionally, and physically. What really helped was I had to meet with a counselor to make sure emotionally and mentally I was ready for this change, but it also helped me to figure out some of the reasons I tend to go back to food for comfort.
I had someone who met with me after the surgery that helped me adjust to my new way of life.
It's hard not to listen to those who have little faith in what your doing, but look into your heart and surround yourself with positive people who will stand beside you know matter what you choose to do.
Also take a really long hard look at any co-morbidities you may have, such as high blood pressure, diabetes,etc.
When I had my surgery I wound up getting rid of extra doctors I had and I am only taking two medications now after having taken about nine different ones.0 -
If you know in your 'heart of hearts' you CAN/WILL lose the weight on your own, then DO IT. Technically, the surgery will always be a back up (w/6 mo wait). Contrary to you, I knew I couldn't. I needed a wake up call beyond my MD (et al) warning me that I'm a ticking time bomb. I had RNY in Jan 2012. My surgical scars are my motivation that remind me every morning that I'm on the straight and narrow track. - yes I could gain it all back as so many who had the surgery often do. But with the 100+ lbs I've lost now, and the 95 left to go, I'm too close to my goal to blow it all away. My surgical scars are my red badges of courage. Good luck with your decision.:drinker:0
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I actually delayed getting my surgery for several years. I lost and gained over 100 pounds in that time. I could lose it...I just couldn't keep it off. I had GBS on April 4th, 2012. It isn't a miracle cure. I still have to be extra aware of what I am eating, make the right choices, and most of all...move my butt! This tool does help me by keeping me accountable though. I can no longer eat in the huge quantities I was capable of before. I can make bad decisions and eat food that is too high in calories, but I cant eat two Whoppers in a sitting! I also cant eat things high in sugar and carbs because it doesn't love me anymore. I opted for the GBS because I actually needed the threat of dumping to keep me honest. It has also made my diabetes much more managable. No matter which surgery you choose, there is still work that you need to put into it to be successful. Not just the physical, but the "head stuff" that goes along with it. Is it worth it? OMG yes. The only regret I have is that I waited as long as I did. Good luck!0
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Everybody has already said all the things to be said but I notice one thing is missing..
No matter what surgery you have, this surgery is performed on your stomach. It doesn't fix your head.
I guess I would say if you're having concerns about the long term success after WLS, there is no cure-all. You can gain weight back after lap band, sleeve, duodenal switch and RNY. You can gain it ALL back.. The thing that a weight loss surgery offers you is time -- this fail-safe golden honeymoon period where you have to work on your HEAD while your body is doing what it's going to do because of the restriction you've given it.
No one surgery is right or wrong -- but one is right for you if you've made this choice. No one surgery is a guarantee of success. If you've lost weight in the past and put some of all of it back on (like most of us here, even some of the post-WLS patients), then there's more at work here.
Does your surgeon's clinic offer support classes? Do they have a staff psychologist who does the psych evals that you can meet with independently? I would share this kind of trepidation with someone like that or with a counsellor in a group setting -- they can help you begin to work through it.
You don't have to be superwoman and do it all by yourself!! :flowerforyou:
Stef0 -
Yes my surgeons office offers a ton of pre and post surgery support groups, classes and followup care. I do agree that the HEAD is the one that needs fixing more than the stomach. I was all about this in December then Insurance denied due to no Medically managed weight loss - so I am almost done with that - July 11th is my final appt. They will then re-submit. I was just getting myself all in a twitter - some posts from some people are really really scary to read.
I have lost and gained probably my entire body weight over the years (like alot MFP's) - For some reason this time around I have the feeling that it is clicking this time. I had some challenges yesterday and today and instead of just giving in - I did something I hadn't every done - I made different choices.
Just knowing there are people out on MFP that have gone thru this and understand is really helpful.0 -
Yes my surgeons office offers a ton of pre and post surgery support groups, classes and followup care. I do agree that the HEAD is the one that needs fixing more than the stomach. I was all about this in December then Insurance denied due to no Medically managed weight loss - so I am almost done with that - July 11th is my final appt. They will then re-submit. I was just getting myself all in a twitter - some posts from some people are really really scary to read.
I have lost and gained probably my entire body weight over the years (like alot MFP's) - For some reason this time around I have the feeling that it is clicking this time. I had some challenges yesterday and today and instead of just giving in - I did something I hadn't every done - I made different choices.
Just knowing there are people out on MFP that have gone thru this and understand is really helpful.
Good luck with your insurance. Mine also made me wait for 6 months plus gather a lot of other documentation such as a documented 5 year weight history. Once all the hoop jumping was done though, they covered my surgery 100% after my deductible. Besides, I was able to use that 6 months to start learning all the new habits that I now have to carry on for the rest of my life. So it was really a good thing
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