Hey everyone. This my very first post about weight loss surgery ever, anywhere. I've looked into the option off and on for a few years and got really serious about it lately. I have my first appointment with the weight loss (Lap-Band) surgeon tomorrow evening. Most of the time I feel completely sure that this is what I want to do, but then after reading stories I become very discouraged and start to doubt myself. (I just spent 2 hours in the "Success Stories" section, and feel like I read about more failures, heartaches, and disappointments than anything.)

I am 30 years old, about 5'10'' and weigh 340 pounds, so I have quite a bit to lose. I'd love to get to 185 as a personal goal.

In 2008, I had been dieting on my own and dropped close to 100 pounds just by (drastically) restricting my calories and bad carbs. I started at over 350 (350 was as high as my scale went, so I honestly don't know how much over I was) and ended up getting to 255 or so. I felt like I was well on my way to reaching a weight I was happier with, even though I didn't know what that weight was. (The weird thing is I lost that much weight, but really only went down about 2 pant sizes, from an 18 to a 14, and only about 1 shirt size, from a 26/28 to a 22/24. I'm top heavy!) But it was good losing the weight because I felt SO much better and was able to go off of blood pressure meds and everything. I went from barely being able to walk 1/2 a mile to walking 3 miles most days of the week. All on my own!

However, I found out I was pregnant and, naturally the weight loss had to stop. I was so thrilled to become pregnant (whole other story!) and tried to manage my weight during the pregnancy. I gained about 40 pounds during my pregnancy and have gained some since I had my daughter in 2009 - and now I'm back up to 340+, which is indescribably depressing. Losing the weight was so hard, and now I have it all to lose again.

So, cutting to the chase, I'm wondering if this surgery is for me. I would love some honest feedback on this. Does the band really help with hunger? Does it help with anything other than restriction? I feel like I've proven (to myself) that I can lose weight on my own, if I am motivated. And from everything I've read, those who are doing well with losing weight after the Band, seem to be doing so by eating extremely healthy foods, cutting out everything bad, and exercising religiously. So where does the Band come in? Wouldn't we lose weight, with or without the band, if we only ate 800-1000 calories a day and exercised 3x (or more) a week?

That being said, I have been significantly overweight since childhood. I've never been at a "healthy" weight that I can recall. I know I weighed in the 100's at some point in my life, I had to, but I can't remember it. No idea what that would feel like. My insurance has already told me they approve Lap Band surgery, I have an appointment with the Bariatric Surgeon tomorrow, so I have to get this figured out. Do I have a valid reason to question having this surgery, or am I just scared? I really need someone to explain to me why it's worth it, even if I have a history of being able to lose a significant amount on my own.

I hope someone can help me make get things figured out. I am so conflicted about this!

I decided last week that I would go through with the surgery. I've been thinking about it for 8 years. I'm now 56 yrs old. My first appointment is next week. I'm ready to make the lifestyle adjustments necessary. It's a huge decision. But I'm convinced now that I cannot do it on my own. I have lost significant weight before, but menopause has put all that to a skeeching hault! I haven't touched junk food, salt, white flour, soda, processed food for years; I eat clean and workout daily but the weight doesn't budge. I'm 5'10 @ 285 with BMI of 40. I need this tool to help me control and limit portions. I wasn't convinced 8 yrs ago. I am now.

Wow I see were thr same age,,,,, I wish you the best of Health, and enjoy your journey.

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I met with the surgeon who was very nice and informative. My insurance covers the procedure, but does require a 3 month diet in advance. So I will be going back to see the dietician and surgeon once a month. In the meantime, I do plan to try getting back on a diet myself to see if I can still do it. Talking to the surgeon actually made me feel even less that the surgery is for me. I told him I had lost close to 100 pounds on my own, and he said that is almost unheard of with "the obese and morbidly obese" - and that the band is purely restrictive. He said your appetite does decrease after a month or so, but only because you are teaching yourself to need less, just as you would if you just cut calories back on your own. I seem to have more questions than answers! But at least I know I have a backup plan.

When I restricted my own calories, I was hungry for several weeks but then I adjusted and felt fine. I lost weight, went off blood pressure meds (still off them), and exercised daily. I feel pretty confident I would have gotten to my own personal goal weight if I hadn't become pregnant - I actually lost my last 20 pounds the month before I found out I was pregnant and had to stop losing.

Anyway, it's definitely a personal choice everyone has to make for themselves. I'm so happy to have heard all of your perspectives, for sure.

I have an appointment with the psychologist and dietician a month from now. I'm hoping to lose about 20 pounds by then, just to prove to myself I can still do it!

Thanks again, and best wishes to everyone.

I have an appointment with the psychologist and dietician a month from now. I'm hoping to lose about 20 pounds by then, just to prove to myself I can still do it!

Did you get weighed at the appointment for your starting weight? Not sure what your BMI is or if you have comorbidities but if you are still considering the surgery then you will want to start the paperwork while you're still over the threshold that your insurance requires. I know I would hate to lose some weight on my own then decide I wanted the surgery and the insurance wouldn't pay because I wasn't heavy enough!

I told him I had lost close to 100 pounds on my own, and he said that is almost unheard of with "the obese and morbidly obese" - and that the band is purely restrictive. He said your appetite does decrease after a month or so, but only because you are teaching yourself to need less, just as you would if you just cut calories back on your own. I seem to have more questions than answers! But at least I know I have a backup plan.

When I restricted my own calories, I was hungry for several weeks but then I adjusted and felt fine. I lost weight, went off blood pressure meds (still off them), and exercised daily. I feel pretty confident I would have gotten to my own personal goal weight if I hadn't become pregnant - I actually lost my last 20 pounds the month before I found out I was pregnant and had to stop losing

Wow..I'm pretty surprised that your doctor said that. There are many WLS surgery patients who are great dieters, but who always gain it back. When I was your age, I lost 140 lbs. I exercised regularly. Then I got pregnant, too. Over the next 20 years, I kept losing and gaining the weight back. I'd lose 70 lbs here and gain 100 back.I did it at least 5 or 6 times. By the time my son was 10, I was over 300 again. The band is great for people like me (us?) because it gives the help we need to stick with it over the long haul. The success you've had dieting will only help you with this process.

All that said, I truly believe that you shouldn't go down the surgery path unless you're sure. But I have to say, that I think you would do great.

Cindy

Did you get weighed at the appointment for your starting weight? Not sure what your BMI is or if you have comorbidities but if you are still considering the surgery then you will want to start the paperwork while you're still over the threshold that your insurance requires. I know I would hate to lose some weight on my own then decide I wanted the surgery and the insurance wouldn't pay because I wasn't heavy enough!

They weighed me, did vitals, started my paperwork and that appointment counted as my first visit with the nutritionist

Wow..I'm pretty surprised that your doctor said that. There are many WLS surgery patients who are great dieters, but who always gain it back.

I'm not sure what the statistics are or anything, but I think losing 100+ pounds is pretty incredible for most people.

(In less than a year at that - took me about 10 months. Not cumulative after years of dieting - losing/gaining the same 20 lbs, etc...)

140 pounds is amazing! I'm hoping to have success without the band, but I know the option is there if I should need it.

Oops! Ignore this because I have no idea how to delete it. Sorry!