Weigh-Ins are on MONDAYS - Updated July 3, 2017

Surgery Date: October 20, 2009:

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Is Lap Band Surgery For You? A Giveaway Too!

Did you know that when I went to my weight loss surgery seminar in August of 2009 to learn about surgery, I had already made the firm decision to have gastric bypass?  I remember the staff passing around the Realize Bands and Lap Bands around the room for everyone to touch and feel.  I remember not even looking at them and handing them to the next person in the row of chairs.

I had researched gastric bypass on almost every webpage on the interwebs. I had already signed on the proverbial dotted line. I was getting gastric bypass.  The end.  Deal done.

At my first pre-op appointment with my surgeon, we talked all about the bypass.  But then my surgeon asked me "why don't you get a band instead?"  His main reason was it was cheaper.  Hah! I have always been a firm believer in the saying "you get what you pay for" so price was not a factor, especially when my health was involved...but there was about a $10k price difference....and being self-pay patient, it was worth a second look.

So off I went to scour every single bit of information on the interwebs again...this time it was researching all about the gastric band.  I even attended gastric bybass/band (mixed) support groups.  That is when I really made my decision to get the band.  I saw that the bypass patients would in the same breath talk about all the weight they were loosing and how great it was, but also say how they would "dump" or be sick sometimes and how they couldn't eat, this, that, or the other food. Yikes.  Is that the lifestyle that I wanted?  No way.  So that's how I knew the Lap Band was for me.

I am currently reading a great book by Sandi Henderson and Gloria Samuels called "Is Lap Band Surgery for Me?"  These ladies are veteran bandsters: they talk the talk and walk the walk.  The book is a great resource for anyone looking into having gastric banding surgery.  I wish that I had this book when I was researching weight loss surgery options.  You can check out more details HERE.
Are you or do you know someone who is researching getting the band and could use this book?  I will pass along my signed copy of the book in a giveaway.  Just post a comment below and I will use a random number generator to pick a winner.  Good luck!

10 comments:

  1. hi there

    thanks for the kind comment on my blog.... it's reassuring to know i'm not alone in this. I was starting to think I was nutso for not seeing what everyone else does! But you're right.... we have lost our weight relatively quickly and it's going to take some getting used to. I need to start taking more pics alongside friends I think are thin.... that comparison helps because then I can see where I am in relation to a skinny person..... even then, though, i'm shocked when I realise I'm smaller! lol

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  2. Pick me!!!! I would love to read it even though I am a year into the band. There is always something new to learn!!!

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  3. Thanks for the suggestion for this excellent resource. I'm going to see if it's avaialble for Kindle as I always have my on the go book with me!

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  4. AnonymousMay 19, 2011

    I would love to read the book! After reading your blogs and others, I decided this week that I want the Lap Band. I have just this week scheduled my initial seminar appointment, it is on Monday, May 23rd. You are a great inspiration!
    Thank you, Lisa

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  5. I would also love a copy of the book. I have several people that I have talked to that are "thinking" about all I have told them. It would be great to be able to LOAN them the book (after I read it, of course)to help them in their thinking!

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  6. I am sill learning. I learned something from your post yesterday about restriction. thanks

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  7. What a great idea! I'd love to be picked for this book. I'm at the very beginning of my insurance's required 6 month pre-surgery counseling. I'm reading all the WLS blogs I can find. I'm FULL of questions about whether to
    make this huge leap. The "pros" are very promising and could truly change my life for the better...but the "cons" are there too and are scaring me. This
    book sounds like it would truly help me. Thanks! Melissa heymelissawolf@gmail.com

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  8. I am still in the research stages, myself, and trying to decide between bypass and the band... with conflicting opinions coming at me from all sources! This book could be really helpful. :)

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  9. AnonymousMay 22, 2011

    I made the decision to have lap band surgery this weekend, with the loving support of my husband...who sweetly cried as i told him what it felt like to live in my body as it is right now (highest weight 267, current weight 249.) I don't have a surgeon, or any idea where the procedure is done in the closest city near us...but beginning today...i'm on a mission!!! If you haven't given the book away yet, i would love to read it,,,and would be happy to pass it along afterwards!!!! Thanks! Dede

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  10. I just started thinking about lap band. I would really like to read this book...

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