I have a question for those banded

[BellCurveBabe]

I am getting banded in 3 days (May 15th) and I have not told anyone. I mentioned it a few months back and got such a negative response from my family and boyfriend that I decided it was easier to just keep it a secret. There is such a negative stigma associated with getting weight loss surgery. I live in Hawaii and my family lives on the east coast so they will never know. I told my boyfriend that I was going to California to get a hernia repair. I figure that this is for ME and it really isn't anyone elses business. It will be my little secret

[arianna]

Hi April,

I was just like you and didnt' know whether to tell anyone or not. by the way, I got banded in Feb. My husband knew and supported me 100%. Two days before the surgery, I decided to sit with some of my "REALLY CLOSE" friends and have a talk with them. I explained the procedure to them first and then told them my reasons for having the surgery. I also told them that the only reason I was sharing this info with them was because I needed their support in all of this and not any judgements. They've all been great throughout this journey with me though a few didn't think I needed to do something this drastic. In the end it was my decision and the people around us should accept that whether they agree or not.

I have to admit I wouldn't tell just anyone. My in laws are for instance would give me such a hard time so you need to make your own judgement as to who would be supportive and understanding and who would make you feel guilty. You should be proud that you are taking this step. I have never felt better about a decision. I'm not losing the weight as quickly as I'd like but I know that it will come off and slowly working towards it.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do and keep us posted on how everything goes.

Arianna

[dejongshy]

I told my boyfriend that I was going to California to get a hernia repair. I figure that this is for ME and it really isn't anyone elses business. I

How interesting..... I did the same thing.... My husband and my immediate family know but not my in-laws or anyone else. My mother and sister are also banded so I have a great support system in that respect.

My Birthday is May 15, I will be thinking of you..... Good Luck...

last year on my Birthday I was 232lbs... This year I am hoping to be 173ish...

Shy

[DanR]

I used a email that a friend has sent to his family and customized it for my own. (Plagiarized )

Here is my original email which Angie customized for her own use (with my permission) and everyone is welcome to use it

Dear Name,

I am going to have Lap-Band surgery at the Obesity Control Center in Mexico. My surgery will be performed by Dr. Ariel Ortiz and he will be assisted by Dr. Arturo Martinez.

I have three primary concerns about having Lap-Band surgery at Obesity Control Center in Mexico:

1. Risk of Surgery

With over 400,000 Lap-Band surgeries performed worldwide, the Lap-Band is a proven safe, viable alternative offering excellent weight loss results. This minimally invasive surgical procedure eliminates the need for drastic stomach stapling and gastrointestinal bypass of normal digestion.

2. Quality of Care

Dr. Ortiz is a world-renowned expert on Lap-Band surgery. He has performed over 6,000 bariatric procedures and he is designated by Allergan, the manufacturer of the Lap-Band, as one of their proctor (trainer) surgeons. The Obesity Control Center is designed specifically for Lap-Band surgery and it is dedicated to offering the Lap-Band procedure with the highest level of safety, exceeding all US standards for surgery.

3. Personal Safety

More Americans will visit Mexico by noon tomorrow than will visit London in a year. Most foreign destinations, with the exclusion of Canada, are more dangerous for Americans to visit than is Mexico on an incident per visit ratio. Most homicides in Mexican border areas have been inter drug cartel exclusively. If you deduct the gangland related murders from the statistics, visiting Mexico is safer than visiting most US cities. The Obesity Control Center is located near the border in prestigious Zona Rio.

Initially, I considered the Obesity Control Center because my insurance does not cover any type of weight loss surgery and it is very expensive in the US. Now, I would choose the Obesity Control Center over US hospitals because I believe I have found the best available surgeon and facilities. I joined the Lap-Band Forum and everyone praises Dr. Ortiz and the Obesity Control Center.

My dad struggled with his weight all of his life and he died from obesity related comorbidities at the age of 72. My oldest brother has struggled with his weight all of his life and he has type 2 diabetes and wears a CPAP machine to bed for sleep apnea. So far, I do not have any obesity related comorbidities and I want to keep it that way. I want to live a long, healthy life for myself - and for my loved ones.

Watch a Lap-Band commercial. I am scheduled for surgery one month from today.

Love,

Name

[Michelle2]

I am getting banded in 3 days (May 15th) and I have not told anyone. I mentioned it a few months back and got such a negative response from my family and boyfriend that I decided it was easier to just keep it a secret. There is such a negative stigma associated with getting weight loss surgery. I live in Hawaii and my family lives on the east coast so they will never know. I told my boyfriend that I was going to California to get a hernia repair. I figure that this is for ME and it really isn't anyone elses business. It will be my little secret

I am so with you! I was banded July 21st,2008 and the only person I told was my ex-sister-in-law (in the event of an emergency). When I mentioned the lap band to my boyfriend of 10years he reacted quite negatively also, so I had it done while he was on a golf trip...he still has no idea! When I fly down to the OCC for my fills and tell people that no one knows my little secret, I always hear "I wish I hadn't told anyone". When people notice my 40+ weight loss and ask how I've done it, I simply tell the truth...I split meals with BF and eat much smaller portions. Call me selfish but I want to take the credit for my weight loss. I've worked hard to make good food choices only to have people give all he credit to the band! I love,love,love my band but it's a silent partner! This is absolutely 100% for you and it really isn't anyone else's business.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. The OCC was great, I went alone and couldn't have been treated better.

Take care!