I'm scheduled to have my lap band in on 7/14/11. My family (two brothers mainly) don't want me to have the surgery. They think I should try working out and eating right for 6 months first then think about the band if that doesn't work. I've tried every diet possible and nothing has worked for the long term yet so why wait another 6 months. Also, I just started getting back on my feet financially and so they don't like the idea of me going in the hole $8500 -- I'm self pay.

Any suggestions or thoughts?

I got the same grief from my brother and co-workers. So, my thought was, you know what, I have tried diets and excerising for years!! Let alone the last 6 months. The lap band is for YOU not anyone else. Who is going to take care of you, but you! If losing weight will make you happy then get the band! Plus, the people that usually said something were already skinny and had no idea of my struggles.

hope this helps!=0)

You have to go with your heart. Just remember- you're still going to have to eat right and work out. That won't change, the band doesn't make you lose weight. Will you be taking out a loan for the surgery? I can understand that concern, but maybe it'll give you an extra incentive to really do this right and rock the weight loss!

Does it matter that I haven't been working out for the last year though? Do you think I should at least be working out before I get the surgery? I just can't get motivated. Of course, with the surgery, I know it will need to be a part of my life.

I got the same grief from my brother and co-workers. So, my thought was, you know what, I have tried diets and excerising for years!! Let alone the last 6 months. The lap band is for YOU not anyone else. Who is going to take care of you, but you! If losing weight will make you happy then get the band! Plus, the people that usually said something were already skinny and had no idea of my struggles.

hope this helps!=0)

I'm using my IRA money for the surgery. Because it's such an investment, I do plan to do it right. Thanks.

You have to go with your heart. Just remember- you're still going to have to eat right and work out. That won't change, the band doesn't make you lose weight. Will you be taking out a loan for the surgery? I can understand that concern, but maybe it'll give you an extra incentive to really do this right and rock the weight loss!

Is it just the money they are worried about? As long as you know that the band is a TOOL not a cure, you should be ok. I have just started this journey, so I do not have a lot of answers. I know for me, the band has been wonderful. I have lost 20 lbs, so far. I have not been able to do that on my own EVER.

Unless you owe your brothers money they shouldn't get a vote. Do what's right for you. They'll change their tunes when the weight starts falling off of you!

I forgot to mention that they would give me $1000 as a reward if I were to lose 20 pounds in 6 months without surgery.

This is YOUR body and YOUR decision. If you feel like you are ready to have surgery and do the work you will need to do in order to be successful then I would just tell them that although you respect their opinion you have done the research and strongly believe that this is the right decision.