I was responding to a forum posting by someone who was having a hard time. She was wondering out loud if weight loss surgery was the easy way out. Apparently, that’s what she was hearing from people in her life. I know I have worked very hard to get to where I am today, healthy and at a normal weight. EASY WAY OUT? I don't think so. After battling obesity from the time I was 2 years old, the band finally gave me the means to win the battle. Almost 6 years later I am still having little skirmishes although I am maintaining my weight loss. Take last night for example. I made a great dinner- some salad a piece of salmon and some quinoa. I know exactly how much I can eat, but still put too much on my plate. I also knew when I was full, but continued eating past it, and was forced to pay the not so pleasant consequences of a hard stop. Why do I still do that on occasion? I don't know, but every day, with every meal I still need to make the correct choices. And every morning when I wake up I am still amazed that I am no longer fat. Face it- we all have issues with food- I definitely do, and it will continue to be a challenge for me. That's why we are all out here on line supporting each other, learning from each other. I plan to go back to basics today- everything served on a dessert size plate because that's all I can eat! What was I thinking? The point is, I wasn't...mindless eating is what got me to where I needed the band to gain some control and I am not about to let it take over again. So now you have my two cents on Gastric Banding- Is it the Easy Way Out? What do you think?

NOT the easy way out, my only way out. Its been difficult, and will continue to be. I am a food addict. Every day, hour, moment can be a struggle. But I keep at it, and I pick myself up and dust myself off when I fall off the wagon in the ways I have learned to without hurting my band.

I posted a thread called, I Know it's not easy but ...

What I was interested in knowing was that people have emotional struggles on this journey. For some, yes, it is easy, and as I said in my post, in the few blogs I've read here, and some bandsters I've talked to, it seems like it's been a breeze.

It hasn't been easy for me, but I would get banded again in a heartbeat. I was simply interested in the emotional battles people were having. I don't recall anyone saying it was the easy way out--just easy for them.

Debbie

There is nothing easy about this process. It makes me so angry when people say that. I still have good and bad days was down to 155 and started cheating, now 163. I will start walking again now the snow is gone. Most people do not understand we have tried everything and can not keep the weight off. I try to blow it off now that I have 2 1/2 years in, but still get my panties in a bunch when some skinny girl says something dumb like you took the easy way out. Now I pray for them lol.:smile2:

sorry, but this is the hardest damn thing i've ever done!

It was not easy shelling out thounsands of dollars of my OWN money to pay for this. I was too fat for insurance and unfortunately the gov thinks students dont need help (sorry my rant)

It was not easy learning to re-eat...ask anyone who had to step out for 30 min during a meal and try to explain what was happening

For some of us, it was not easy giving up the comfort of food.

The only easy thing with the band was that i gave me the first experience of feeling "full" I had ever had in my life. It has given me a chance to finally loose the weight. It is nothing more than a tool. For some, the band life came easy and allowed them what they could not do for so long. However, without that ever so hard life change, we will not loose the weight. So for those looking for an easy way out...keep looking. For those who know they need the help and are willing to change, try the band.

I have a long battle to fight, but with the band, I am fighting vs before the band when I was already defeated.

I agree with what people said before, it is not the easy way out, but it is a way out.

Easy - I don't think so. The decision to have surgery, the surgery, the recovery, the changing my eating patterns, learning not to drink with meals, learning to take small bites and chew everything thoroughly,eating slowly, planning every meal, getting in all of my fluids, adding exercise to my daily routine, giving up foods that are too difficult to eat with a band, not using food for comfort or reward - these are all VERY HARD to do.

Feeling full after eating a "normal" size portion,finally seeing hope materialize into the reality of losing weight and keeping it off, having a tool that will give you signals as to when to stop eating- these are Easy by the definition of the word. They pave the way for the Hard things to become "doable".

I chose banding, much as the cancer patient chooses chemo over death, as a means to an end. I am happy to say, I made the right choice for me!

Easy - I don't think so. The decision to have surgery, the surgery, the recovery, the changing my eating patterns, learning not to drink with meals, learning to take small bites and chew everything thoroughly,eating slowly, planning every meal, getting in all of my fluids, adding exercise to my daily routine, giving up foods that are too difficult to eat with a band, not using food for comfort or reward - these are all VERY HARD to do.

Feeling full after eating a "normal" size portion,finally seeing hope materialize into the reality of losing weight and keeping it off, having a tool that will give you signals as to when to stop eating- these are Easy by the definition of the word. They pave the way for the Hard things to become "doable".

:biggrin:

I think it is easier, because I do not have the fears of regaining. So that makes it a positive, easier way for me. I know that it still takes cutting calories and moving about to make it happen.

Of course I can only speak from my own experience. It is the easiest way I have ever taken off weight in my life. I also think it is how I look at it .... my attitude about it. I have not had anyone say to me "oh, you took the easy way out." I have told everyone.

My response to "Bree99". I'm glad you brought up the point as obesity being a medical condition and the tool of WLS to utilize to accomplish that goal. I'd forgotten that and I appreciate the reminder. If anyone ever tells me this is an easy way out, I will remind them! There is nothing easy about this. Difficulty for me has been managing weight of 290 for the past 5 years and uncontrolled Diabetes on insulin. So this is my option to choose to control my "medical conditions" - Obesity and Diabetes. I'm 9 days post op and still have some minor pain around the port but the weight loss has been great. The liquid diet sucked but now I'm on mushy foods which is great. What I really love is that my appetite doesn't exist right now. I'm imagine that will change but for now I'm loving it. I still get "visual" cravings for foods from the tv or when I'm out but I know they are visual and I'm working on ways to get through those. Everyone here is a hero in my book and I know we will continue to be successful! This forum is a great support for me. Thank you all. 15 pounds pre-op - 13 pounds post-op.

My response to "sandi2004" is "ditto" for me! All the things you mentioned are difficult. An entire lifestyle change. Mindset too. My decision to commit to WLS has not been easy starting with the 7 months pre-op requirements I had to meet before the insurance would authorize treatment. Thank you for your reminder Sandi. Things will continue to be wonderful. Surgery date 3/2/10 - Pre op weight loss - 15 pounds - post op - 13 pounds. Rose.