My name is Wendy, I'm 26, and despite all of my efforts to lose weight I've ended up here. I've been overweight for my entire life. I've lost weight in the past (80 lbs in 2005) but have gained all of it back over the past 5 years. I've come to realize that my weight is not something that I need to fix just temporarily, but for the rest of my life. I have no problem losing weight if I stick to it, but it becomes VERY discouraging when you lose and regain it all over and over again. I think this might be my bottom. I'm the heaviest I've ever been and I feel helpless. I feel like no matter how hard I try to lose the weight and keep it off, I'm eventually going to end up back here again... it's very hard to get motivated when you're thinking that way. In any case, I have a doctors appointment tomorrow with my family doctor and I'm going to chat with him about the Lap-Band procedure. I'm nervous but I've read through some of the posts on here and I think it's normal to feel that way. I'm embarrassed that I'm even considering going to these lengths but I think it's time to admit that I can't do this on my own. Wish me luck!

My name is Wendy, I'm 26, and despite all of my efforts to lose weight I've ended up here. I've been overweight for my entire life. I've lost weight in the past (80 lbs in 2005) but have gained all of it back over the past 5 years. I've come to realize that my weight is not something that I need to fix just temporarily, but for the rest of my life. I have no problem losing weight if I stick to it, but it becomes VERY discouraging when you lose and regain it all over and over again. I think this might be my bottom. I'm the heaviest I've ever been and I feel helpless. I feel like no matter how hard I try to lose the weight and keep it off, I'm eventually going to end up back here again... it's very hard to get motivated when you're thinking that way. In any case, I have a doctors appointment tomorrow with my family doctor and I'm going to chat with him about the Lap-Band® procedure. I'm nervous but I've read through some of the posts on here and I think it's normal to feel that way. I'm embarrassed that I'm even considering going to these lengths but I think it's time to admit that I can't do this on my own. Wish me luck!

At first I thought my weight issue had to do with self control and that something must be wrong with me if I can't keep it under control. Truth is, some ppl have to work much harder and in different ways to maintain a healthy weight! Obs we are in that group. I feel like Lap Band is a great way to supplement the things we have tried and a catalyst to start to do things better and differently forever! No one would choose to b obese and deal with the emotional and physical implications!

but we can choose to do something about it! :bolt:

I really like the idea that it gives you increased control. I'm an emotional eater and no matter what the occasion (even if there isn't an occasion at all) I can justify to myself a reason to eat. I don't yet have any health problems related to my weight and I'd like to keep it that way. I just feel like I've been depriving myself of living.... I feel like I've been surviving life instead of living it. I want that to end. I know we deserve better than that.

My name is Wendy, I'm 26, and despite all of my efforts to lose weight I've ended up here. I've been overweight for my entire life. I've lost weight in the past (80 lbs in 2005) but have gained all of it back over the past 5 years. I've come to realize that my weight is not something that I need to fix just temporarily, but for the rest of my life. I have no problem losing weight if I stick to it, but it becomes VERY discouraging when you lose and regain it all over and over again. I think this might be my bottom. I'm the heaviest I've ever been and I feel helpless. I feel like no matter how hard I try to lose the weight and keep it off, I'm eventually going to end up back here again... it's very hard to get motivated when you're thinking that way. In any case, I have a doctors appointment tomorrow with my family doctor and I'm going to chat with him about the Lap-Band® procedure. I'm nervous but I've read through some of the posts on here and I think it's normal to feel that way. I'm embarrassed that I'm even considering going to these lengths but I think it's time to admit that I can't do this on my own. Wish me luck!

I like you went through all the diets. I lost weight and then gained it all back again and then some. I reached my highest weight of 304lbs and I couldn't take it anymore. I was also one of those people that though that the lapband or any weightloss surgery for that matter was the 'easy way out.' I even went to the lengths of trying to talk myself out of it because I thought it meant that I was a failure.

Anyway now that I have had the lapband I understand life differently. It wasn't that I was a failure it was that food was just such a major part in my life I could no longer do it on my own. I am a food addict. Food is a drug and anyone that is overweight that thinks they can kick the habit on their own is in for a rude awakening. Now I'm not saying that everyone with a food addiction or that is overweight should rush out and get the lapband done. What I am saying is that you need support from others.

The lapband is definately not the 'Easy Way Out.' There is nothing easy about this process at all. I have worked extremely hard to get where I am today. But the lapband will help me to keep that weight off that I wasn't able to keep off with the diets. Lapband is a lifestyle change it's not a diet. You don't really have to give anything up. You just need to eat in moderation. Of course as you go along your taste buds change for certain things and you won't want them anymore. Your old habits follow too. But in time you also learn how to deal with them.

In conclusion I understand now that if I didn't do something I was going to die. And at the age of 43 it wasn't my time. So basically the lapband saved my life. I have no regrets except that I should have gotten it done sooner. I haven't been this happy about my weight or weighed this much since 1987, I have lost a total person on the outside but gained a new person on the inside.

Anyway I wish you much luck on your journey. This is probably one of the best decisions you could ever make for yourself. Please keep us posted on your progress.