Hey,

I am 26 year old female and ima so tired of being overweight. It has been a constant battle with trying to lose weight and as every attempt fails my confidence gets worse. I want so bad to be able to have a personal life and be excited about putting on clothes and going out. I am very Unhealthy and that is a struggle to since diabetes runs in my family and I have PCOS (Poly cystic ovary Syndrome). My issue is that I dont want to feel like a failure by accepting to do this surgery, but I also dont want my pride to get in the way of doing something that can be potentially life changing in a positive way.

It seems that the risks are few and benefits are high, but I was wondering how people come to the decision to finally do it.

Helen Golod

Hello and welcome.

This isn't an easy decison to make, this is life altering so be sure to do your research and talk to as many banded people as possible, this journey is different for all of us.

I came to my final decision for a number of reasons, but having PCOS (like you), that was a big factor for me. The struggles of PCOS are enough to make anyone crazy, espcially the weight gain end of it.

For me it basically came down to either...

A. continuing to yo-yo diet for the rest of my life like I had been for the last 15 years and end up just getting bigger and more unhealthy.

Or

B. swallowing my pride and admitting to myself that I couldn't do it on my own and that I needed help.

So on Dec 13th 2010, I was banded. I know that was a chance and I may fail at this, but I really felt there was no other choice for me. I had dieted and worked out, and dieted and worked out, over and over since I was 15yrs old, and frankly I was tired. I was ready to give up myself. Until my boyfriend, knowing I had been thinking about surgery for years, encouraged me to go to a seminar.

So anyway, to me it was taking a 50/50 shot on succeeding with this surgery or 100% shot at failing on my own again. So far it's been worth the shot. I've lost 39lbs and I'm feeling so much better and my clothes are starting to fall off me. I'm not embarrased to be out in public anymore, and not embarrased to go to a bar with my girlfriends and just enjoy myself. I am starting to find 'happy' again.

It's not easy and my band isn't doing all the work, but it sure is helping me do things I never thought possible. I know this story is different for everyone, and I'm still just starting out but as of today I wouldn't change a thing about my decision.

Good luck to you!