vincereautmori

I'm on the way to finally taking the leap into WLS, right now I am so uncomfortable in my own skin I can't stand it. I have no energy, clothes are 3X and still don't fit, moving is a struggle, I feel like I'm sitting on the sidelines of life. For those of you already into the journey, when did it feel like things started to turn around?

Absolutely inspiring, I'm the same age and experienced the same frustrations throughout my life and finally making a decision to live my final years as healthy as I can. Thanks for the reassurance that it' never too late.

"Fat discrimination is alive and well, trust me"

I totally agree, I often find myself at functions searching for someone to engage in conversation. I have also experienced situations in my career when I have been passed over even though I had superior experience, but I didn't look the part. Still, I want to do this for myself and my family, not to comply with an expectation by other people's biases. But it's easier said by me as I only have a couple of more years before retirement. One of the benefits of getting older (lol).

Do you find people, in general, treat you differently as a lean person vs. when you were heavy?

I haven't made a final decision yet,, but that's one of my fears, I can be faithful to diet and exercise.........for about 4-5 months, then slowly slide back up on the scale. So has the band helped you over the times you feel like quitting ? How do you feel now, 62 lbs. lighter, and still heading towards you goal? You are doing awesome and keep the faith!

Don't forget one big statistic, what percentage of the population suffer from obesity? Fat people are voters too.

Beanie, that fb responce was awesome and passionate, I doubt I could have been as diplomatic.

Of course, this is coming from a man, but I hate looking at myself, I try to avoid photos, never mind my fat gut in all it's glory. If I go through with this surgery, I hope I'm less self deprecating.

I was reading an article on CNN today about how the AMA wants to classify obesity as a disease. The corresponding comments were ruthless, I'd say 80% of them said, and I'll paraphrase, "the reason for obesity is fat people are too lazy to excersize and too undisciplined to control how much they eat" , "all they have to do is eat less and move more, it's that simple"

We all know it's truly not that simple, and inconsiderate comments do not help. We need to remember to support and not judge our brothers and sisters in this battle with us. Even after we succeed, don't forget where you came from and how to inspire those who are struggling in their journey.

Welcome Kim, I too am in the early stages and very close to making my decision. I think you'll find everyone helpful and supportive, there is a collective wealth of knowledge and experience in this forum. Good luck!

Not that you need our approval, but absolutely no doubt everyone here supports your decision. You have not just decided to address your health and weight, you have decided that you are a worthy and intelligent woman and that you deserve compassion and respect . As for your bullying workplace, do you have a lot of time invested there? Perhaps once you have gained your health and self confidence, other opportunities will arise.

Wow, Doesn't take much to get some people off topic and devolve a site from an educational resource into a bully pulpit. I suppose it needs a serious moderator. Thanks to those of you who took my question seriously. I think I''ve gotten all I can from this topic. BTW, I am quite real and I have a weight problem and looking for help, but I guess unless I fill out the form to some of your satisfactions, I am under suspicion.

Thanks Mis73, your answers are always enlightening, and what you have accomplished is impressive. I did see the Australian study and is factoring into my decision. Although it may be a negative perception, I still think it's prudent to look at other viewpoints and research based facts. I am beginning to believe the European study may have ulterior motives and flaws. But the main beauty of the lap band is still intact, even in their studies, if there's a problem years later, it's reversible. Can't say that about the other WLS's.

Thanks pgkpjs, it's cool, it's easy to be aggressive when you have the benefit of anonymity, but in general I have found most lap banders helpful and compassionate. BTW- good job, looks like you're doing well and it sounds like a decision you don't regret. I hope to be there myself someday.

I'm inclined to agree with Bandista's comment, it wasn't until recently that Europe began bashing the band, they also have socialized medicine, and they are in worse economic shape than we are. It may very well be a public cost issue. As far as looking at success stories, that's plentiful enough on the web, I even know a couple of people who have been successful with lap band surgery, but to make an educated decision I want all the facts now, before it's too late. Oh, and Labwalker, I think your band is a little too tight.

So, I continue to research issues with the band, and I'm sure a lot of you have come across references to the European and Canadian move away from banding. Europe claims to be years ahead in long term studies of lap bands, and that doctors in the US are not listening to them. There is concern that there are more complications as time goes on, and of course efficacy. Have you had a discussion with your surgeons on this, and what do they say?

I hate to keep this thread going, you can definitely beat a subject to death, but there are a couple of observations that seemed to have gotten lost in the discussion. First, the title of this support group is to address people with complications, Dana was obviously frustrated with her condition and expressed it, we can either respond in a positive way or a negative way, that's the risk one takes when writing on open forums. So, people will no doubt be pationate on both sides of the argument.

As to her assertion the lap band can cause serious complications, I think we're all aware that any WLS has a risk factor. But my question to Dana is, while you had the band, did it work for you? I doubt she would have kept it for 20 years if it was causing her problems, and the beauty of the band is that since it has caused problems, it can be removed. Can't say that about most other WLS, if complications arise. So Dana, did you have about 20 years of a healthy and active life? All that being said, my thanks to her for offering another way to look at the possibilities we could face and that we need to factor into our decision.

I'm still researching, but one of my fears is that I'll opt for WLS and I'll be hungry all the time, then the hunger overwhelms the surgery and undoes any good it might offer. Seen too many people revert to their old ways. I realize any method is only a chance to help and the tough mental part is my job, but does the lap band help to control hunger or appetite? That's where I could really use the help.

Would he be as willing to buy furniture if it were his health at stake? Is it selfish to want to survive?

Can you still be a foodie after weight loss surgery?

Thank you all! I hadn't thought looking at surgery as a more powerful attempt to find a permanent solution to a problem that would otherwise, never go away. I also appreciate all of your insights to the tenacity and strength it takes to live with a surgical decision. I guess it's not such an easy way out.

One of the feelings I'm struggling with to make the decision to go ahead, is that this is a cop out, I feel like I've failed to have enough self discipline to do it on my own without surgery. It feels like it's taking the easy way out. Have any of you had to overcome the same thing, and how did you come to grips with it?

Hi Bonnie, you're further along than me, I still haven't made a final decision, but I am searching for the motivations for a tough journey. I'm the ame age as you and our habits are no worse than someone younger but we have lived with them longer. I think that's part of the problem for us, they are part of us and our lifestyle is familiar and comforting. But we are transitioning at this point in our lives, we're getting closer to retirement, our kids are mostly grown, we have lost or are losing our parents, and we have a lifetime of health issues catching up with us. It's time to focus on ourselves, if we want to be there for our families and still participate in life, we need to take care of ourselves. Good luck to you, and I hope to read about your sucesses as you travel this new path in your life.

Hi Everyone, I've been obese most of my adult life, I tried all kinds of programs and they work to some degree, but after about 4-5 months I either lose interest or the stresses of life overcome my efforts and I slide back. I have all of the weight related comorbidities, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, sleep apnea. My knees and hips hurt all the time and I have no energy or stamina. A pretty dreary picture. I'm looking into weight loss surgery as a last resort, not what I wanted to do, but after too many years of failing to overcome this condition by traditional diet and exercise, I feel I need to do something different. You could all help me to make a decision if I can learn first hand, how others faced the same issues.

I know when I lose a few pounds it makes a big difference in my energy levels, but if you eat a lot less, is energy or stamina a problem?

I'm kind of shy and reserved, I know when people see you lose a lot of weight at once they always ask how, right now I'd rather not try to explain my option for surgery, how did some of you handle it?

I like the idea of the lap band over surgeries that reconstruct your insides, there's lot's of horror stories on the internet, as well as success stories, I suspect a lot of the problems are due to the patient complying with the rules of living with the lap band, would you agree?

How much have you had to change your life because of the band (a big fear of mine)?

Thanks to everyone who can help