thinking......

[emjay 8]

Thoughts before surgery. I admitted to myself that I couldn't do it alone after failing time and time again on various diets, losing hundreds of lbs over the years and gaining them all back. I realized how silly it was to do the same thing over and over again and not beat the demons.

Frankly, I didn't want to end up with the same health issues that plague both sides of my family. If I could get 10 more QUALITY years of life by getting a lap band and have my weight no longer be an issue in my life, then I could focus on other things that are important to me. I no longer wanted to have an excuse not to do something because of my weight.

I am at a point right now that I don't care what people think about lap-band surgery. It worked for me. If they don't think it's a good idea, they can keep their opinions to themselves. Let them walk in my shoes the last 25 years and see if they would feel any different. I saw the responses to the article about the coach Rex Ryan about him having surgery recently and the ignorance of people continues to amaze me. They don't get it.

If losing weight and being able to keep it off on your own were easy, there would be more than a 5% success rate. Knowing what I know now, I would have done it 20 years ago if it were available and common.

[mvonmelon 0]

You are not alone. Many of us have had the same feelings. As for myself, I was extremely nervous because this is elective surgery and I didn't want to make a wrong decision. On one side of the equation I had my family that was rooting my decision on, and then on the other side I had some friends that were concerned about the surgery. With all of the tug-of-war I realized that it didn't really matter because the ultimate decision was mine.

What I did, that might help you, is to review my reasons and thoughts for having the surgery. I wrote down a list of pros and cons and my fears/outcomes to decide which way the scale was tipping -- for/against? I asked myself if I felt that I had adequately researched the options? Did I choose the right doctor? Am I comfortable with this doctor? And finally, the big question I had to ask myself was if the risk of undergoing this operation would outweigh the risk of not undergoing this procedure. For me, even though I am married and have 3 children, I decided that it was better for me to go through with it than to risk not having a good quality of life or being healthy enough to be around for them.

This is a big decision and I understand your not taking it lightly. Just have confidence that you will choose wisely for you. This is not a club that everyone wants to join. We are all doing it because we realize that we need special help.

Good luck and God Bless! You will make the decision that's right for you.

[zani 0]

I had similar thoughts for years before deciding on moving forward with the lapband. I kept thinking I should be able to lose weight on my own and did not need surgery to be successful. However, one night having dinner with my mom and aunt who are also obese I realized I did not want to end up like them. I wanted to live a long and healthy life and it was not going to happen being obese. Again, it took me 3 or 4 years to acknowledge I need a tool to help me lose weight. Once I made the decision there was no looking back.

I was banded on March 8th. I've been fortunate that the surgery and recovery went smoothly.

In the end, I think someone has to be ready to accept they need help to move forward with the surgery. I was at that point. I must say that since the surgery I have a big load off my shoulders. I know that I am finally doing something about my weight.

[new_journey4me 1]

*DEEP BREATH* I'm right there with you...I have questioned this whole journey and myself EVERYDAY since August. And in the end I get the same conclusion - I NEED TO DO THIS! And I can't wait for my journey to begin. I think it will be the best thing for me!!!

I have the support of my fiance, my friends and my family...it took sometime for my parents to come around, but now they understand and support my decision. But the only person I'm aiming to please, is myself. Without me being happy there would no reason to do this. People are either going to be with me or against me and I can't control what they think. So I try not to let any negativity about this come between me and my goal.

There are definitely days and nights that I find myself off in some other world, stepping outside of myself and taking a good look in at who I am and who I will become. I always dreamed of be healthy, happy and skinny. Skinny was never part of my vocab. Even when I was a tri-sport athlete I was never under 190. I'm hoping this will help change all that...

Am I scared? Absolutely! I don't want to fail at another weight loss program. And I don't want to let myself down again. Am I excited? HELL YA!! I can't wait for everything to be finalized and get on with it all. Can't wait to be banded and start my "new" life!!

All in all I'm very positive about the decisions I have made in order for me to improve myself and my life. I'm 80% EXCITED, 10% ANXIOUS, and 10% SCARED!! But I'm ready!!! Bring it on!!! :confused:)

[ForMyBoys 0]

I have lost 95 pounds in 1 year. My husband really stressed me out in the beginning because he did not want me to have the surgery. I was 265 pounds and could not stand to look at my self in the mirror. I had the surgery and in the past year have been hospitalized 3 times and made countless emergency room visits. I have had tubing wrap around my intestines, tubing attach itself to scar tissue, Constipation and an eroded esophogas because I BP about once a week if I eat to fat. I would take back every pound I lost in a heart beat if I could be healthy again. I did not go to Mexico and have just any doctor do my surgery. I had a top physician at our best hospital. I hope you are one of the lucky ones and everything goes well. I was scared and should have listened to my husband. My vanity has cost me dearly.

[Gettin Control 0]

Hi, I am 8 days post surgery and I went through the same thoughts you are going through. What I finally came up with is I need to do this for me. I want to live longer and enjoy my family and friends, and I want to like me again. I decided not only is it good for my physical health but it will be good for my mental health as well. After I gained weigh, my self esteem really took a down hill climb, my husband was great and kept telling me he loved me no matter what I weighed, and so I ate more. Wrong thing to do because, when it got so out of control not only was I upset with myself but I was upset with him. When I asked him later :thumbup:what he really thought he said, I didnt want you to be upset with me so I told you that it didnt matter what you weighed. I got the hint that it really did matter when he was paying attention to other women who were alot thinner then me. When my BP got out of control I realized it was time to get this under control. I think it is normal to wonder if this is right for you, you just have to do what you feel is the best thing for you.

[adagray 1]

I will tell you what my mom told me (she was banded two years before me). And, before my surgery she said not to worry about the surgery/recovery because this will be the easiest part of the journey.

And, she's absolutely right. Other things about this journey have been really hard... dealing w/insurance and getting real with myself about the lifestyle changes I have to make being the BIG two. But, the surgery/recovery is really just a small blip in the journey.

Best of luck to you for an uneventful surgery and easy recovery. :->