My decision to have lapband

[stajin22]

My decision to have this surgery was one of the best things I could have ever done. Last year in Oct. I was diagnosed as having 2 leaking valves in my heart. For months it realy bothered me, I researched and read on what can happen. When I finally got myself together I had to make a choice to get some of the weight off to release someof the pressure on my heart. My thoughts stuck with my children, I want to be able to live to see a grandchild born. I want to live to grow old and not die because of the decisions I have made. Along with the weight I was starting to have problems with my vitamin D levels that never stayed on target. Even though I was eating whatever I wanted my vitamin D levels would not remain in normal levels.Now that I have had the surgery it has not been an eay task. You have to exercise and make the right food choices. I am currently almost 2 monhs out and have lost 16 pounds. When I went to the doctor for my post op appointment I had gained 5 pounds and was devastated. I have currently lost all of them but 1 pound. It may seem like it is not a big amount but would I have done this without the help of my band. I would not turn back the clock to choose any other procedure.

[MsJacquiiC]

Wanting to see your grandchildren is as good a reason as any to choose WLS Gina. I'm happy for you that you've seen some success with your surgery. How far are you from your goal weight now?

And yes! You make an excellent point that the critiques of WLS would be advised to understand. WLS is not an "easy way out" -- You have to change your eating habits and exercise habits amongst other things to make your surgery a success. Surgery is only a tool to assist you in making the changes required to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Anyway - I know for me - having chosen the RNY is one of the best things I've done for myself in years. I'm only 6months post-op - but thus far it's been a good journey. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner!

Jacquii.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass A type of gastric bypass procedure which combines restrictive and malabsorption techniques - meaning, it reduces the amount of food a patient can comfortably eat (restriction), and also reduces the amount of calories that can be digested in the small intestine (malabsorption). This combination of bariatric methods leads to greater weight loss and the roux-en-y procedure is seen as one of the best ways to treat clinically severe obesity. See WLS Videos for animated surgery technique.