Why do people say these things.....Pre Surgery Jitters

[Guest guest]

Hello All - So I have been going about my business working my way through all

the pre-clearance testing my Doc requires. I finally finished the last piece and

all that's left now is to go through the actual surgery.

So, I've just been really jittery about the whole process. Today I'm chatting

with a co-worker.. (no one knows of my plans)and we start talking about work

stuff, that led to a discussion about the people you see daily on your commute,

blah blah, and she starts telling me about a woman who she knew who like 9 years

ago died, and it was because of Lap Band Surgery. I was like

huh?????????????????????? She said the woman had the surgery and died from

Peritonitis not long after surgery.

Now, I know that anything is possible, but man, you could have knocked me over

with a feather.....

So I said to her, well they've made advances since then on doing the surgery,

and she says " Well, I took it as a sign to stay fat and happy, and not put

myslef through such a surgery " (On a side note, she's a heavy lady)

I guess what I'm looking for is some reassurance.. I understand any surgery is

risky, but it's always been my thought that the band was relatively risk

free....

Ok, so now I'm freaked out.... ( Thanks for listening!)

Whew....

in NYC

[Guest guest]

,

Honestly, that would have freaked me out too!! 

I am sure things like that happen, but I think the odds of it NOT happening to

you are heavily in your favor!!

I am 4 years out and down 130 lbs, way healthier than I was pre surgery!!

Best wishes,

Patty

Why do people say these things.....Pre Surgery

Jitters

Hello All - So I have been going about my business working my way through all

the pre-clearance testing my Doc requires. I finally finished the last piece and

all that's left now is to go through the actual surgery.

So, I've just been really jittery about the whole process. Today I'm chatting

with a co-worker.. (no one knows of my plans)and we start talking about work

stuff, that led to a discussion about the people you see daily on your commute,

blah blah, and she starts telling me about a woman who she knew who like 9 years

ago died, and it was because of Lap Band Surgery. I was like

huh?????????????????????? She said the woman had the surgery and died from

Peritonitis not long after surgery.

Now, I know that anything is possible, but man, you could have knocked me over

with a feather.....

So I said to her, well they've made advances since then on doing the surgery,

and she says " Well, I took it as a sign to stay fat and happy, and not put

myslef through such a surgery " (On a side note, she's a heavy lady)

I guess what I'm looking for is some reassurance.. I understand any surgery is

risky, but it's always been my thought that the band was relatively risk

free....

Ok, so now I'm freaked out.... ( Thanks for listening!)

Whew....

in NYC

[Guest guest]

Hi, - our group is really for people already banded, but it sounds as

if you're very close to surgery , so I'm going to make an exception and approve

you. I hope Dan (the owner) agrees. You're also asking an important question

that deserves responses.

First of all, most people confuse bypass surgery with band surgery. About 99.9%

of the deaths and other horror stories people are quick to tell you about,

concern the BYPASS or DS, not the band. The death rate with the band is

extremely low - about 1 in 2000, the same as for Gallbladder surgery.

Secondly, the gut is not entered with band surgery, so there is no reason to get

a peritonitis unless there is a surgical error. Choose a highly-experienced BAND

surgeon, and this is very unlikely.

Any peritionitis is almost always with the bypass, and is one of it's well-known

complications - although still rare, even with the bypass. There WAS one band

death in Michigan a few years ago, in a well-known councilperson. He/she died

of a peritionitis from a surgical error - the gut was nicked. But when she

started to become ill, she ignored it for days until she finally went to a

hospital that did NOT do her surgery, did not call her own surgeon, did not tell

the hospital she had just been banded, and she died before they unravelled the

whole story. She really died of secrecy - trying to hide her surgery. THis is an

extremely rare case.

Further, 9 years ago the band was not even perforned in the US, so your

friend's story can't be true.

Who knows why people say things like this? When people KNOW we are being

banded, we get even more horror stories. " My friend's brother's ex-fiance's

best friend's mother's sister had that and died. " " I know someone who got the

band and never lost an ounce. " " Just eat less !! "

If your friend wants to stay heavy, and is unwilling to change and will accept

an early, certain death - that's fine, and HER choice.

YOU have chosen to take control of your weight, get healthy again, and opt for a

longer and happier life with your family. We all here made that choice too, and

support you. Others can join the " I'm fat and happy about it and don't want to

change " forums (tongue in cheek, here) .

I'm afraid NO surgery is risk-free, and I hope your doctor has been clear about

this. There are possible complications with ALL sugeries. But the riskd of band

surgery are quite low. The band is also not a magic cure - there are hard

changes we have to make, new committments, and work we have to do.

The way I looked at it was this:

" I am morbidly obese. I have tried everything else. The risk of my dying early,

after years of increasing disability if I DO NOT have surgery is 100%.

the risk of dying from band surgery is less than 1%.

What are the best odds? "

Glad you're here with us. When you can, go thru the files and links here, where

you'll find lots of good information.

ASk anything you like - we're open and honest here, represent no doctor, and do

our best to " tell it like it is. "

Sandy R

band educator

>

> Hello All - So I have been going about my business working my way through all

the pre-clearance testing my Doc requires. I finally finished the last piece and

all that's left now is to go through the actual surgery.

>

> So, I've just been really jittery about the whole process. Today I'm chatting

with a co-worker.. (no one knows of my plans)and we start talking about work

stuff, that led to a discussion about the people you see daily on your commute,

blah blah, and she starts telling me about a woman who she knew who like 9 years

ago died, and it was because of Lap Band Surgery. I was like

huh?????????????????????? She said the woman had the surgery and died from

Peritonitis not long after surgery.

>

> Now, I know that anything is possible, but man, you could have knocked me over

with a feather.....

>

> So I said to her, well they've made advances since then on doing the surgery,

and she says " Well, I took it as a sign to stay fat and happy, and not put

myslef through such a surgery " (On a side note, she's a heavy lady)

>

> I guess what I'm looking for is some reassurance.. I understand any surgery is

risky, but it's always been my thought that the band was relatively risk

free....

>

> Ok, so now I'm freaked out.... ( Thanks for listening!)

>

> Whew....

>

> in NYC

>

[Guest guest]

,

Your right, no surgery is risk free, and as you continue on your " band Journey "

you will hear more negative information, some may be true some not. After a

couple years of being banded I've heard and seen quite a bit. I have hadsome

bumps in the road myself. But none of it changes the fact that I have lost a

lot of weight, and I feel so much better. I have my life back. I'm very happy,

I have seen some bad outcomes. (no deaths) But I would do it again in a

heartbeat. Only difference is I wouldn't go to Mexico, I would stay in the US,

find the extra money, so I would have easy access to better follow up care.

(and it has nothing to do with the violence in Mexico, but rather the

convenience). But is sounds like you are going through a US doc anyway. There

are risks, and noone thinks they will happen to them, but they do happen (I work

on a post-op floor so I see when surgeries go wrong,for even the best surgeons,

even the simplest procedures have risk.) The basic question for me was " what is

my quality of life like, and how long am I going to live if I don't lose weight?

The answer was very easy for me. Good luck, whatever you decide.

He

[Guest guest]

HI ,

I too heard scary stories before I got banded two months ago. I can't

speak for the safety issues of being " done " anywhere else outside my

home country (Australia) but I do know that here, so far out of the

thousands of people that have been done there hasn't been one death.

When you hear stories like this, most of them are repeated by people

who's top priority is subconciously, themselves! They don't reallly

want you to change in any way because as long as you remain the way

you are- it reinforces their own confidence in themselves in a whole

lot of ways. They reason if you don't change or take action to improve

yourself and your life, they don't have to either. Yeah- stay fat and

jolly- it won't be them that has to live with an inevitiable diabetes

problem- or stroke- or heart attack- or mobility problem- early death

etc- not to mention all those issues fat people have to live with

daily...like having a rotten self image and not being able to buy

clothes off the peg etc!

To be really honest, even IF the risks were much greater than they

really are- I would be lining up for the banding without a second

thought- the benefits of being able to enjoy a " normal life " far

outweighs the certainty of spending the rest of one's life as the

" blob " that I once was- any risk is better than that (as I am already

experiencing after just two months and 15kgs down). To bend an old

adage- no guts no glory - lose the guts and I can tell you there's a

lot of glory. Good luck,

regards,

Dan

On Sat, Mar 14, 2009 at 3:18 AM, jenniferberman55

<jenniferberman55@...> wrote:

> Hello All - So I have been going about my business working my way through

> all the pre-clearance testing my Doc requires. I finally finished the last

> piece and all that's left now is to go through the actual surgery.

>

> So, I've just been really jittery about the whole process. Today I'm

> chatting with a co-worker.. (no one knows of my plans)and we start talking

> about work stuff, that led to a discussion about the people you see daily on

> your commute, blah blah, and she starts telling me about a woman who she

> knew who like 9 years ago died, and it was because of Lap Band Surgery. I

> was like huh?????????????????????? She said the woman had the surgery and

> died from Peritonitis not long after surgery.

>

> Now, I know that anything is possible, but man, you could have knocked me

> over with a feather.....

>

> So I said to her, well they've made advances since then on doing the

> surgery, and she says " Well, I took it as a sign to stay fat and happy, and

> not put myslef through such a surgery " (On a side note, she's a heavy lady)

>

> I guess what I'm looking for is some reassurance.. I understand any surgery

> is risky, but it's always been my thought that the band was relatively risk

> free....

>

> Ok, so now I'm freaked out.... ( Thanks for listening!)

>

> Whew....

>

> in NYC

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi .

I have been banded about 7 months. I was not afraid at all of having

the surgery. My doctor had done tons of gastric bipass, but not a ton

of lapband. He is a very good surgeon though. My surgery took a

couple hours longer than normal due to my liver being huge. We knew

it was large. I was only around 50-60 pounds overweight, but it was

500# woman overweight size. I don't drink either. Anyway, I had

surgery on Monday and went back to work on Wednesday for a few

hours and Thursday for my full schedule.

My aunt had the surgery in September and is doing well.

We both had so many health issues. I am 45 and she is 58. We knew we

had to do something or we were dying young like so many others in our family.

I told everyone I met about the surgery at least 6 months before I

had it. I've never regretted that decision. Most have been very

supportive. Some have been skeptical. Some afraid. I am educating

people as I go.

Good luck.

At 10:18 AM 3/13/2009, you wrote:

>Hello All - So I have been going about my business working my way

>through all the pre-clearance testing my Doc requires. I finally

>finished the last piece and all that's left now is to go through the

>actual surgery.

>

>So, I've just been really jittery about the whole process. Today I'm

>chatting with a co-worker.. (no one knows of my plans)and we start

>talking about work stuff, that led to a discussion about the people

>you see daily on your commute, blah blah, and she starts telling me

>about a woman who she knew who like 9 years ago died, and it was

>because of Lap Band Surgery. I was like huh??????????????????????

>She said the woman had the surgery and died from Peritonitis not

>long after surgery.

>

>Now, I know that anything is possible, but man, you could have

>knocked me over with a feather.....

>

>So I said to her, well they've made advances since then on doing the

>surgery, and she says " Well, I took it as a sign to stay fat and

>happy, and not put myslef through such a surgery " (On a side note,

>she's a heavy lady)

>

>I guess what I'm looking for is some reassurance.. I understand any

>surgery is risky, but it's always been my thought that the band was

>relatively risk free....

>

>Ok, so now I'm freaked out.... ( Thanks for listening!)

>

>Whew....

>

> in NYC

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Comments below.

Friday, March 13, 2009, 8:18:31 AM, you wrote:

> So, I've just been really jittery about the whole process. Today

> I'm chatting with a co-worker.. (no one knows of my plans)and we

> start talking about work stuff, that led to a discussion about the

> people you see daily on your commute, blah blah, and she starts

Side comment. Don't EVER think you can tell " just one person and no

one else will ever know " . Some people tell everybody (I told no one

in advance, but told everyone afterwards, mostly because I was banded

in Tijuana). But you just can't untell anyone. I have a local friend

who has been banded for almost nine years (and she's not dead), and

she's told NO ONE except her husband and those of us in a small local

band group. Not her parents, adult children, etc. Her choice, not

mine. She's still fanatic about it. I've got web pages up and I'm

wide open about it. Others are in the middle.

> telling me about a woman who she knew who like 9 years ago died, and

> it was because of Lap Band Surgery. I was like

> huh?????????????????????? She said the woman had the surgery and

> died from Peritonitis not long after surgery.

As Sandy noted, people weren't being banded in the US back then (June

> Now, I know that anything is possible, but man, you could have

> knocked me over with a feather.....

> So I said to her, well they've made advances since then on doing

> the surgery, and she says " Well, I took it as a sign to stay fat

> and happy, and not put myslef through such a surgery " (On a side note, she's a

heavy lady)

--

" It's OK to be a little broken, everybody's broken in this life " Jon Bon Jovi

Dan Lester, Boise, Idaho, USA www.mylapband.tk

Banded 4/27/03, Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana

Started at 355, at goal in the 210-220 range for almost 4 years

Ultimate goal of 195 Tummytuck in Boise and SmartLipo in Tijuana

[Guest guest]

I had the jitters, too. More scared of failure and reaction to anesthesia (had

bad reaction in past)

My doctor said all the things your doctor told you about facts, figures, etc..

and then she said, look. These are your choices: " What if something happens

after the surgery to me " v/s " how long till the inevitable health problems

(diabetics, for me) take my life?

I'm still afraid of failing at this, too, esp since beyond PT I don't get any

work outs in, but I don't ever regret it. I would have given up a LOT time ago

if it were not for the band.

Banded 8/19/2008

Lost 36.8lbs

No exercise - healing from injury.

>

> > So, I've just been really jittery about the whole process. Today

> > I'm chatting with a co-worker.. (no one knows of my plans)and we

> > start talking about work stuff, that led to a discussion about the

> > people you see daily on your commute, blah blah, and she starts

>

> Side comment. Don't EVER think you can tell " just one person and no

> one else will ever know " . Some people tell everybody (I told no one

> in advance, but told everyone afterwards, mostly because I was banded

> in Tijuana). But you just can't untell anyone. I have a local friend

> who has been banded for almost nine years (and she's not dead), and

> she's told NO ONE except her husband and those of us in a small local

> band group. Not her parents, adult children, etc. Her choice, not

> mine. She's still fanatic about it. I've got web pages up and I'm

> wide open about it. Others are in the middle.

>

> > telling me about a woman who she knew who like 9 years ago died, and

> > it was because of Lap Band Surgery. I was like

> > huh?????????????????????? She said the woman had the surgery and

> > died from Peritonitis not long after surgery.

>

> As Sandy noted, people weren't being banded in the US back then (June

>

>

>

>

> > Now, I know that anything is possible, but man, you could have

> > knocked me over with a feather.....

>

> > So I said to her, well they've made advances since then on doing

> > the surgery, and she says " Well, I took it as a sign to stay fat

> > and happy, and not put myslef through such a surgery " (On a side note, she's

a heavy lady)

>

>

>

> --

> " It's OK to be a little broken, everybody's broken in this life " Jon Bon Jovi

> Dan Lester, Boise, Idaho, USA www.mylapband.tk

> Banded 4/27/03, Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana

> Started at 355, at goal in the 210-220 range for almost 4 years

> Ultimate goal of 195 Tummytuck in Boise and SmartLipo in Tijuana

>

[Guest guest]

,

I was nervous before banding. I think everyone is....it's major surgery.

I was banded 11/18/08. My biggest fear was the anesthesia. I have a difficult

time coming out of it.

It happened this time as well. I ended up spending the nite in the hospital,

which was fine.

Sounds like the co-worker you were talking with was using every excuse in the

book as to why she should stay fat.

I don't regret my surgery. I have more energy and feel so much better.

Good luck!!!

 

Beth

 

________________________________

From: jenniferberman55 <jenniferberman55@...>

Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 10:18:31 AM

Subject: Why do people say these things.....Pre Surgery

Jitters

Hello All - So I have been going about my business working my way through all

the pre-clearance testing my Doc requires. I finally finished the last piece and

all that's left now is to go through the actual surgery.

So, I've just been really jittery about the whole process. Today I'm chatting

with a co-worker.. (no one knows of my plans)and we start talking about work

stuff, that led to a discussion about the people you see daily on your commute,

blah blah, and she starts telling me about a woman who she knew who like 9 years

ago died, and it was because of Lap Band Surgery. I was like huh?????????

????????? ???? She said the woman had the surgery and died from Peritonitis not

long after surgery.

Now, I know that anything is possible, but man, you could have knocked me over

with a feather.....

So I said to her, well they've made advances since then on doing the surgery,

and she says " Well, I took it as a sign to stay fat and happy, and not put

myslef through such a surgery " (On a side note, she's a heavy lady)

I guess what I'm looking for is some reassurance. . I understand any surgery is

risky, but it's always been my thought that the band was relatively risk

free....

Ok, so now I'm freaked out.... ( Thanks for listening!)

Whew....

in NYC

[Guest guest]

Thank you all for your kind responses.

I am confident (99% of the time) in my decision. I have chosen a surgeon who is

well known in NY who only does the band and has placed over 3000. As he said to

me " I've not had one mortality, and I sure as h@#$ am not starting with

you " ......

Yet, all it takes is one story and off my mind goes again....darn jitters. As my

co-worker was telling her story I kept thinking " Did they even do the band

then... " I guess that's what happens with 5th hand info...lol

Yet I know, as you all have said that staying at an unhealthy weight is alot

more dangerous then going through with the surgery.

I really can't wait until the surgery has come and gone and I'm happily on my

way. It's the waiting that is the hardest part....for me anyway... gives too

much time to think.

I am FINALLY done with all the pre-clearance hoops and testing....all that's

left is to have the surgery.

I wish you all continued Weight Loss Success!

in NYC

[Guest guest]

Stay positive! Visualize the things you want to accomplish and want to do with

some good loss.

Also, take a look at the document in the files here called " BEFORE band surgery

- things to do in the 1-2 months before band surgery " - The time before surgery

is never wasted time, as there is lots to do and get into place.

The next 2 weeks will go by quickly, then you'll be banded and starting a whole

new life of better health, activity, and weight. We're glad to be a part of that

and will help all we can - but it will be mostly up to you and your choices and

committment.

You can do it!

Sandy R

>

> Thank you all for your kind responses.

>

> I am confident (99% of the time) in my decision. I have chosen a surgeon who

is well known in NY who only does the band and has placed over 3000. As he said

to me " I've not had one mortality, and I sure as h@#$ am not starting with

you " ......

>

> Yet, all it takes is one story and off my mind goes again....darn jitters. As

my co-worker was telling her story I kept thinking " Did they even do the band

then... " I guess that's what happens with 5th hand info...lol

>

> Yet I know, as you all have said that staying at an unhealthy weight is alot

more dangerous then going through with the surgery.

>

> I really can't wait until the surgery has come and gone and I'm happily on my

way. It's the waiting that is the hardest part....for me anyway... gives too

much time to think.

>

> I am FINALLY done with all the pre-clearance hoops and testing....all that's

left is to have the surgery.

>

> I wish you all continued Weight Loss Success!

>

> in NYC

>

[Guest guest]

One more thing. Take some pictures of you before surgery. Either in

underwear, or preferably naked. These days you can do it yourself

with a digital camera and a full length mirror. Or have a good friend

or spouse take them. You can check my website to see mine. No, not

naked, so don't worry about it, but they show the changes.

dan

Sunday, March 15, 2009, 7:03:24 PM, you wrote:

> Stay positive! Visualize the things you want to accomplish and want to do with

some good loss.

> Also, take a look at the document in the files here called " BEFORE

> band surgery - things to do in the 1-2 months before band surgery " -

> The time before surgery is never wasted time, as there is lots to do and get

into place.

--

" It's OK to be a little broken, everybody's broken in this life " Jon Bon Jovi

Dan Lester, Boise, Idaho, USA www.mylapband.tk

Banded 4/27/03, Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana

Started at 355, at goal in the 210-220 range for almost 4 years

Ultimate goal of 195 Tummytuck in Boise and SmartLipo in Tijuana

[Guest guest]

dan,

What is your website?

________________________________

From: Dan Lester <honu@...>

moonshadow.sandy < >

Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 12:08:47 AM

Subject: Re: Re: Why do people say these things.....Pre

Surgery Jitters

One more thing. Take some pictures of you before surgery. Either in

underwear, or preferably naked. These days you can do it yourself

with a digital camera and a full length mirror. Or have a good friend

or spouse take them. You can check my website to see mine. No, not

naked, so don't worry about it, but they show the changes.

dan

Sunday, March 15, 2009, 7:03:24 PM, you wrote:

> Stay positive! Visualize the things you want to accomplish and want to do with

some good loss.

> Also, take a look at the document in the files here called " BEFORE

> band surgery - things to do in the 1-2 months before band surgery " -

> The time before surgery is never wasted time, as there is lots to do and get

into place.

--

" It's OK to be a little broken, everybody's broken in this life " Jon Bon Jovi

Dan Lester, Boise, Idaho, USA www.mylapband. tk

Banded 4/27/03, Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana

Started at 355, at goal in the 210-220 range for almost 4 years

Ultimate goal of 195 Tummytuck in Boise and SmartLipo in Tijuana