Lapband

[CodingQueen]

Lisa,

You might want to check this out. The people on these boards have had the surgery and they are discussing the problems they've had. It should give you an idea of what to expect if you and Eddie decide to go through with the procedure.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/forum/70-lap ... lications/

CQ

[Ginny M.]

CQ, I went to that web site and only read a few of the comments on the opening page.  I am SOOOOOOO  GLAAAAAD that I found LDL.  Before I found LDL my nailtech and the beauticians in her shop were thinking of the lapband.  I thought, I'll see what they come up with.  After all, we all want the "quick fix" if we can.  They found it was too expensive.  But after reading that website . . . NO WAY EVER!

Liza,  please go to that link that CQ just gave you.  If you do decide to go the lapband way, PLEASE be sure you are FULLY informed.


Ginny

[LINDA RN]

You may want to check out LuLu Roman's testimony on YouTube.
She was very successful with the lapbad in loosing 225lbs but they said because of complications she had to have it removed....another surgery.
and now concerned about gaining it back. She at least could afford both surgeries.

[mroszczak1]

I read those message boards, their experiences are horrible and they had to pay 16,000 to be in that kinda pain. All I have to say is that is INSANE!

[MsHeirloom]

I spent some time on those boards as well.  What a public service to be able to read the accounts of others.  Although I realize that not everyone has a negative experience, that board should be required reading for informed consent for anyone contemplating having a lapband surgery.  The hype makes it seem like an easy fix.  Obviously, it is not the panacea that has been presented.  I am thankful each and every day that I committed to LDL!  Pam

[witheraway1]

Personally, my DR. told me never to have any kind of surgery unless there was no other way. I am a big chicken anyway of things like that. It's never easy to undo the damage we can do to ourselves by eating too much. Lot's of luck and the best on this one. Think it over carefully my friend...... 

[tprouty]

Hi Lisa.

Wow, you and Eddie have some serious decisions to make. I feel your frustration and pain, and just want you to know how much we are all pulling for you.

Obviously, you already know that the lapband isn't an easy fix nor a magic pill. It comes with its own serious set of complications, and the chance that the weight can be regained again if the overweight person does not deal with the underlying issues that brought on the overweight. But if one is facing the choice between life and death, the lapband could feel like a lifeline. Tough decision.

Please don't feel like your situation -- or Eddie's -- is impossible to manage with LDL -- whether you choose the lapband or not. LDL can be adapted to your lifestyle, and many people eat out for virtually all of their meals and still lose weight. Granted, they may lose it slower because they are not in 100% control of the ingredients in their food. But it can be done. If Eddie can't deal with explaining his situation to every waitress and restaurant manager along the way (I can see how that would be excruciating), perhaps you could print out a card of his basic requirements and laminate it. He would just need to hand it to the waitress. Something like:

"I need your help and encouragement. My life depends on it -- literally.
My meal requirements are:
  1. Grilled lean meat or chicken breast, with no breading or gravy
  2. Vegetables and baked potato (no butter or sour cream) instead of bread or fries
  3. Salad with (his favorite) dressing on the side
  4. Fresh fruit if possible. No sugar

A similar card could be prepared for a breakfast menu of eggs or omelet (a baked potato instead of hash browns if available, or substitute sliced tomatoes or fresh fruit or something that he likes and would eat). Even a lean grilled steak with eggs for breakfast.

You could make a whole deck of cards with menu choices like chili on baked potato, chicken caesar salad, grilled salmon or fish, and other choices common to truck stop dining. Pick a card -- any card -- and enjoy the meal. If Eddie has a regular route that he drives, or places he stops often, I would bet that many of the people who know and love him will get behind his critical need for a healthier life and be eager to offer encouragement and good choices.

Other people here have adapted LDL to all kinds of lifestyles and schedules. It is sometimes a real challenge, but it can be done.

I DO understand that when there is no one else around to be accountable to, it is so very easy to give in to temptation, habit, emotional addiction, making excuses for "just a taste" or "just this once" and so on -- things that are totally unrelated to whether I am hungry at this moment, or even if I am already physically full to the point of real discomfort. I struggle with this, too, but am determined to find the solution that works for me and keeps me accountable to myself and encourages positive LDL choices until they become my new habit and automatic lifestyle.

Your own situation is difficult, since you cook for Meals on Wheels. Have you checked out the messages from Sicilian Mama on these boards? She, too, is a professional cook who has run her own successful catering business -- and has been able to lose a lot of weight on Let's Do Lunch over the last couple of years. She will be the first to admit that she still wants to lose more, but the Let's Do Lunch way of life is really so simple and do-able and so very enjoyable and healthful, she is sticking with it for life. She doesn't post very often these days because she has taken the job of teaching healthy cooking for students at her sons' school. If you go the the "Members" link above, and search members for "Sicilian Mama" you can catch her enthusiasm and a lot of good advice. She also has a personal blog: www.eatabiglunch.blogspot.com  and I would bet that, if you can catch her attention, she would be happy to personally encourage and help you through some of your rough spots.

LDL works like no other plan because you should NEVER be hungry or feel deprived! And it is delightfully uncomplicated because you don't have to measure or weigh anything or count points or calories. The BEST part by far is that you never have to be hungry and grit your teeth and stick it out!

Please hang in there as you and Eddie work together to find choices that will bring you many years of health and happiness! Whatever choice you make, remember that you have a lot of friends here to encourage you.

Here's to learning better and better how to choose life and health, and how to be kind and true to ourselves. 

Terri

[MsHeirloom]

Terri- A very nice post.  It's good to "see" you.  Hope you will be posting more often.  Pam

[lrainbow2006]

Thank you everyone, again.  Terri, you had some very good suggestions.  All I can do is show him or tell him all these ideas and let him decide for himself.  I had a long talk with myself this morning and have recommitted myself, again... to LDL.  Eggs and beans for breakfast which kept me full until late this afternoon.  Then I made my traditional bean/veg soup which if I don't always have available in my fridge I tend to pick the wrong things to eat.
My biggest problem is I don't THINK before I put something in my mouth.  Am I really hungry?  Is it worth the weight gain?  If I can make myself slow down and make a conscious decision every single time and listen to my own stomach, literally, I think I can do well.  Easier said than done or we would all be a size 6. 
I have read some of Sicilian Mama's posts in the past and I give her alot of credit. To lose weight while being a great chef.  I will have to look up her blog too. 
Eddie has a doctors appt on May 9.  We will try to get some answers and advice from there too.
Roger, Eddie does snack on the soynuts and endamames, and he does like them.  But they do get boring, even I admit that. He is a big fruit and vegetable eater, in fact, since I have met him, I eat more salads than I have ever before in my life.  He just LOVES his meats, bbq's, steaks, pork and he is a quantity eater.  I know he eats too much of those, especially pork.  He won't give up his milk or cereal either, though we have found a good low sugar one he will eat and he only eats it a few times a week.  And whole milk too...won't touch anything else.  He is stubborn..   
He is an adult and I guess he needs to make his own mind up whether he wants to eat healthy and feel better or not.  I think I just have to let it go and hope he chooses right.  Okay..I posted long enough...thanks for reading this...  Lisa