Gastric or lapband, I am married and have 2 children and a tubal ligation.....?

290 lb female, 5' 3" hx: of hypothyroid controlled, moderate sleep apnea Tx=cpap, umbilical hernia,
I've tried it all no self control,

I did it. It's definitely a big decision and has to personally work with you and your lifestyle. It's not as invasive as gastric bypass and it's day surgery. Some people get it confused with gastric bypass.

The cost is around $15,000 unelss you have medical insurance that will cover it 100%. I wasn't that lucky but you can get financing. Your doctors office should be able to give you a list of companies that offer financing.

It has almost been a year and I have lost 5 sizes (from a 20-12) in clothing. I was not an extreme case. People who are bigger lose a lot more weight faster. It's not that hard as long as you do what they tell you to do. I would say the most difficult part is no more bread or carbination. But, now I really don't even notice that it's missing from my diet. I can eat most anything just not a lot of it. But, it's great because you actually feel full and your brain tells you to stop eating.

I just saw myself heading down a road of no return. I kept dieting and gaining it back plus more. It was a horrible cycle for 20 years. I wasn't an overweight person when I was younger. After I had kids, it kicked it into high gear.

I recommend you attend a seminar to get better informed about Lap Band surgery. They will be able to answer all your questions.

As a side note, I would be leary about going to other countries to get it done. But, that's just me. I have heard sucess stories but I would do my research thouroughly before taking that route. It's less expensive but there is always a danger regardless.



Here is how I found mine: http://www.trueresults.com/seminars.php#...

or

http://www.lapband.com/lapband/patientse...

http://www.sabariatric.com/sx_comparison...

that sites compares the 2 side by side

Lapband, you have much more control that way.

I would definitely recommend the lap band.Since there is no cutting anything except to get the instruments inside,it's much safer.Also,if something happens,and your body just can't handle it for some reason,the lap band is completely reversible.Good luck on your journey to be a healthier person!God bless.

Weight Watchers is great!! It is very different than any other diet. You go by points each day. The points are determened by calories, fat and fiber. They determine how many points you get by your weight and height. I wouldn't have the surgery. I weight 271 pounds and I'm 5'6 and I have tried everything. Weight Watchers is the only thing I have been able to stick with. I've been on it for 2 weeks and have already lost 13 pounds and I haven't even started working out yet. If you have the surgery you will lose the weight fast but you will have saggy skin because it is lost so fast. Then you will have to have surgery to get rid of the saggy skin. I would try weight watchers before you consider the surgery. The website below will give you a tour of weight watchers. I hope that helps. Good luck

You are a high risk candidate for gastric or lapband. I work in a hospital that specializes in these surgeries and unfortunately, I see more deaths from these procedures than the average person. Get more than one opinion and make sure you know the history of any surgeon or physician that you are seeing and make sure you understand their motives.

If you can't control your eating now, you won't be able to then, this is the misconception that most people have. this is also a reason many have complications afterwards. The weight loss is actually a result of the strick diet that you are put on after the procedure and not the procedure itself.

Start now, by choosing healthier foods and eat all you want. Think in terms of your health and not in terms of weight loss. Each time you eat it is a choice of life or death. Choose life.

Works for me.

I'm obese myself and have considered the lap band. I wouldn't even think of the gastric bypass because I personally know six people who went through it and only one has kept the weight off. To go through major surgery and then fail again? I don't think so. I have to check into the band surgery myself, but we all know what we have to do. Calories in, calories out. So simple, yet so hard. Good luck with whatever you decide.