I wrote this in response to another thread, but then decided maybe it would be good to create a new thread on this topic since it seems to come up over and over. It could help some people who may be considering surgery and reading here to see what to expect.

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For those doubting the surgery now after reading this, just keep reading and learning. Try not to have a knee-jerk reaction to anything you read on here. Everyone is different in what they can tolerate and also how tight they wear their band. I was lucky to have have a mom that was already banded for two years before I was banded. She told me all about the good, bad, and ugly of the band.

Here's the thing, though... she was an insulin dependent type 2 diabetic, high BP, high cholesterol, had trouble walking more than a block before surgery. She lost over 100 pounds in a year post-surgery and it solved all of her obesity related medical conditions. I have no doubt that it probably added 10-20 years to her life by having this surgery AND a much better quality of life.

Prior to my surgery, I took meds for high BP (10+ years), meds for high cholesterol, was diagnosed w/sleep apnea, and prediabetes. There is no doubt that I was gonna end up going down the same path as her even though we had both dieted our asses off for years. On regular diets, we both lost weight very slowly, but couldn't keep it off.

Now, I'm 6 months post-surgery and ALL of my obesity related medical conditions are GONE. My BP is completely healthy without meds, I no longer need meds for high cholesterol, my fasting blood sugar is 80 (well below pre-diabetes level of 100+), and I don't even snore (let alone have sleep apnea). Yes, I've PB'd a few times. And, yes, I've given up some foods that don't work for me. But, it really seems like a small price to pay for what I have achieved health-wise. And, I NEVER feel like I'm dieting. To me dieting=hungry. I don't mind giving up certain foods as long as I don't have to be hungry. And, really, the list of foods that don't agree with me is very small compared to all the great foods I CAN eat AND truly enjoy now that I don't have to be stressed about my health and measure every single morsel that goes in my mouth.

I do think you need to consider this surgery w/your eyes wide open, though. It is not all roses. But, also consider what your life will be like if you don't gain control of your weight and health. I wish you all the best!

Edited June 22, 201016 yr by adagray

Well said.

Amen. I am almost 3 months out and feel amazing. Weight loss is slow but body change is amazing.