imaginegirl

True. I look forward to no longer being embarrassed.

I drink too much wine right now. I'm hoping that having the structure of surgical requirements will help prevent that.

I have tried a few diets and exercised for years. Like many people, I've lost a few pounds but haven't made the dietary changes a permanent part of my life. The only medical problem I have related to obesity is GERD. Also my BMI is over 40. I have social issues, which I don't know if they count -- years of embarrassment for being obese and also the shame in blaming myself. Do you think the doctor will approve me for surgery? Do doctors insist that you have more physical problems than I do?

What a fun trip! Enjoy.

Elcee. I really appreciate your detailed description. That, plus everyone else's stories tell me that the band is probably not for me.

I'm so glad to hear that!

I weight 260 and want to get down to 150 or 170.

I'm curious about those of you who've had Lap Band surgery or the Vertical Banded Gastroplasty. From what I've read, the band surgeries have a lower excess weight loss than something like gastric bypass. I hesitate to cause my body to avoid absorbing nutrients, which is what gastric bypass does, and the sleeve is bad for people with GERD, so I've been thinking about the band. Do you have any regrets? Any side effects like GERD? Problems with eating certain foods? How much weight have you lost? You're viewpoint is appreciated!

Does anyone drink wine after WLS? I know it's empty calories, but I'd like to be able to have a glass periodically.

He only wants you to eat food that stays in your stomach and fills you up. I haven't met with the nutritionist, so I don't know about the stages. I wonder if that person is more reasonable.

I went to a bariatric surgeon who insisted that I go on a high protein, low carb, low fat diet. It sounds helpful, but realistically, I'm a pescetarian who relies on fish, beans, nuts, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat cottage cheese for my protein. When I told him I eat fish, he basically said that's good and gave me the impression that I'd have to rely on fish for my protein needs. I would get sick of fish if having to eat it two or three times a day. And he said no protein shakes or any food that's squishy or liquidy. That rules out protein shakes, yogurt, and cottage cheese. And beans are ruled out because they contain carbohydrates. Nuts are ruled out because they're high in fat. I was very discouraged after talking to him. How have you changed your eating habits? Which eating plan do you follow now?

I'm really grateful to you all for your great advice and understanding!

Some people with no biology working against them can lose weight easily and keep it off. I think the "easy" belief came from people like that. Anyway, I don't plan to tell coworkers and most friends. I'll just tell them I did a lot of hard work and started eating less and exercising.

That book sounds fascinating. I'll read it tonight. I sure am ready to be released of the guilt. I feel so guilty for not being able to keep off the weight. I'm ready to have a new tool to help me.

I've tried losing weight by willpower, and you're right, it doesn't work long-term. I'm glad the surgery makes losing weight and maintenance a little easier. I'm willing to exercise and eat better. My sister and mom have had the band surgery, and I've seen what they've had to do to keep off the weight. I think I'm ready to do that.

I've exercised periodically throughout my life and never lost weight. I haven't tried very many diets -- just cutting back on what I eat and eating healthier. I did try Weight Watchers twice. No matter how I eat, I can't keep off the excess weight. I'm wondering if I'm taking the easy way out by wanting surgery. It won't be easy, actually, because I'll still need to change what I eat and exercise. However, won't surgery be a tool in helping me lose and keep off the weight? I feel kind of weak and pathetic because I haven't had enough willpower to lose and keep off weight. Will people think this if they learn I had surgery?

I'm considering gastric sleeve surgery and have had so many questions. I'm glad you guys are here to help. When I eat, I really try to enjoy the food, to eat mindfully and not just scarf it down. I call myself a foodie because I enjoy good food. When I go on vacation, I usually have a few places in mind where we can eat. I don't want to leave it up to chance and have a bad meal. I don't lose control and "pig out" when eating except for one dish I enjoy. I often take food home to avoid eating too many calories in one meal. After the surgery, will I still be able to eat enough food to enjoy it? Or will that part of my life be completely over? This is a drastic decision to make, and if I can never enjoy food again, if I can only have a few bites, what kind of life is that?

My friend had to lose 13 pounds before having gastric bypass surgery. I'm going to the same doctor, so I wonder if I will too. If I could lose 13 pounds, I would have done it. Do you know what I mean? The only way I figure I could do it would be to go on a liquid diet. Did you have to lose weight before the surgery and why?