FAQ's

For my first post, I thought it would be helpful to answer some FAQ's about my decision to have weight loss surgery. So, here goes. If you have any other questions, leave them in the comment section below and I'll do my best to answer as soon as possible.

Q: Why on earth would you even consider having Weight Loss Surgery?

A: For over a year I have been extensively researching and intensively praying about the possibility of having Weight Loss Surgery. Several factors have led me to this decision. I have tried, unsuccessfully, to control my weight for over 25 years. Despite many efforts at weight loss, my weight has climbed steadily throughout my life. I am now at my highest weight, with a BMI of over 40 which places me in the “Morbidly Obese” category. While I have not developed any weight related health issues (co-morbidities) yet, the odds that I will are very high. Here are a few of the possible health risks associated with obesity according to the Surgeon General.

• PREMATURE DEATH: An estimated 300,000 deaths per year may be attributable to obesity. The risk of death rises with increasing weight. Individuals who are obese (BMI > 30)* have a 50 to 100% increased risk of premature death from all causes, compared to individuals with a healthy weight.
  
• HEART DISEASE: The incidence of heart disease (heart attack, congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death, angina or chest pain, and abnormal heart rhythm) is increased in persons who are overweight or obese (BMI > 25).* High blood pressure is twice as common in adults who are obese than in those who are at a healthy weight.
  
• DIABETES: A weight gain of 11 to 18 pounds increases a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes to twice that of individuals who have not gained weight.
  Over 80% of people with diabetes are overweight or obese.
  
• CANCER: Overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk for some types of cancer including endometrial (cancer of the lining of the uterus), colon, gall bladder, prostate, kidney, and postmenopausal breast cancer. Women gaining more than 20 pounds from age 18 to midlife double their risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, compared to women whose weight remains stable.

So, to sum it up…since I have been unable to maintain weight loss using traditional methods and since I realize that my weight puts me at risk for serious health problems, I have made the decision to have surgery so I can make a positive, permanent change to my health.

Q: But what about the risks of surgery?

A: Of course, this is something that I have very carefully considered. I have 3 young kids, a husband and a widowed mother, all to whom I feel a great sense of responsibility. I want to be here for them as long as possible. Which, when I consider the risks of obesity, is the main reason that I’m having surgery.

The surgery I have chosen, laparoscopic gastric banding (A.K.A. Lap-Band) , is by far the safest of all weight loss surgery options. In fact, there is less operative risk with this surgery than with gall bladder removal. The risk of death as a complication from LAP-Band surgery is less than 1 in 2000 (the actual mortality rate is likely much lower than that…those numbers are out-dated and don’t consider the advancements that have been made). My risk is even lower because I am relatively young and relatively healthy and I’m having the procedure done by Dr. Fernandez at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center which has been certified by The American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence.

The most common complications with the Lap Band include: nausea/vomiting, reflux and food getting temporarily stuck. Less common problems include band erosion, band slippage, trouble swallowing, constipation, diarrhea, poor esophageal function and problems with the access port (the part of the band where the doctor injects the saline). Again, by having the procedure done at WFUBMC by a skilled an experienced doctor, my risks of complications are greatly reduced.
When considering any medical treatment, one has to do a risk/benefit analysis. After looking at all the statistics related to the Lap-band and comparing them to the statistics for obesity, I believe (along with my Surgeon, Psychologist and insurance company) that the risks of having this procedure are far outweighed (no pun intended)by the benefits.

Q: What's a LAP-band?

A: The LAP-Band is a device that is placed around the upper part of the stomach, and is designed to create a small stomach pouch and restriction so that the patient feels full after less food. The surgery is minimally invasive because it is done laparoscopically , so only 4-5 small incisions are made when placing the band. The band is made of a silicone tube that can be "inflated" by the addition of saline solution. These "fills" adjust the size of the band and the amount of restriction. Fills are done at the doctors office using a port that is placed under the skin. Saline is injected into the port which is connected to the band by a thin tube. Fills are usually relatively quick and painless. Here is a diagram:

I chose the LAP-Band because the surgery is quicker, less complicated and safer than other forms of Weight Loss Surgery. It is also reversible and does not alter the anatomy like gastric bypass does.

For more information about the LAP band, visit http://www.lapband.com/ .

Q: All you have to do is eat sensibly and get more exercise and you'll lose weight...why don't you just go on a diet?

A: True...if one consumes less calories than one burns, one will lose weight. That is a simple fact. However, very, very few people ( less than 5%) are actually able to do this successfully long term. I have tried just about every diet there is with some short term success. But, the weight never stays off. I always end up putting the pounds back on and then some.

Q: Isn't the real problem just a lack of self-control, will-power?

A: Maybe. But, with a lot of help from the good Lord, I've climbed some pretty big mountains in other areas of my life and overcome other obstacles (like quitting a 10-year addiction to smoking) that would have stopped a weak willed person dead in thier tracks. So, I think there's probably a lot more to it than self control. And, the latest research on weight loss confirms that there's a whole lot more involved in long term weight loss than simply eating less and moving more.

Q: Maybe you should go on "The Biggest Loser".

A: Trust me, I seriously considered submitting an audition tape to try to be on the show. But, then I did a little research on the winners from the first two season's shows...and guess what? Sadly, they've gained most/all of the ir weight back.

Q: You're a Christian. If you had enough faith God would heal you of your obesity, right?

A: I cannot tell you how often I have prayed that God would take this burden from me. I believe that this surgery is His way of doing just that. He has opened every door that had been previously closed in order for me to have this done, incuding my husband's workplace switching insurance companies to one that covers weight loss surgery. Everything has just fallen into place in order for this surgery to happen. I belive that God wants me to be healthy and joyful and better equipped to serve and glorify Him with my life. I see this surgery is a gift from my Father so that He can better accomplish His purpose in my life.

Q: How much will this cost?

A: It ain't cheap, that's for sure! The total bill comes to a bit over $20,000. Thankfully, my insurance will cover most of the procedure. Even so, my total out of pocket costs will be close to $4,000. However, to me that seems like a small price to pay compared to the costs associated with life-long obesity.