Hello,

This is my first post. I just made the decision last week, that I needed to make a big change, and that some sort of weight loss surgery was what I wanted to do. I've done a lot of the diets out there, but I'm not able to lose more than about 20 pounds.

DH and I want to start trying to have kids next year, and I really don't want to be pregnant at 300+ pounds. I am also self employed, and I'm finding it harder to work at this weight.

DH and I discussed it, and I did a boatload of research, and decided on the Allergan lap band. Yesterday, I contacted the surgical centre, and they had a consultation opening with the surgeon in the evening. I was on the phone with him for over an hour, and he answered all of my questions. Due to my work schedule, I don't have the time off until April, so we settled on a date of April 20th. I will have 2.5 weeks off after, and then we are off to Hawaii for 9 days.

I will be travelling for surgery (about a 1 hour flight), so we're also going to make a mini vacation out of it, by going a few days earlier.

I am planning on staying on nutrisystem until I have to do my pre-op diet at 2.5 weeks beforehand. My DH is wonderfully supportive, but I am unsure about telling other members of my family. I have learned that everyone is watching, when you tell them that you are on a diet, and I really don't want any more pressure on myself.

I need a little positive reassurance, that I'm not wasting my hard-earned money. My Mom died at the age of 50. She was probably more than 350 pounds, and died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism. I have always assumed that I was doomed to the same fate. I think it will take a long time for it to settle in, that I might not have to live the same way. However, my pessimistic side is telling me not to expect much, and then I can't be disappointed if it fails, like everything else.

running_scared

Congratulations!

I'll be straight with you: the band doesn't work for everyone, but when it does work, it's wonderful. I love mine - it's the best decision I ever made for my health & well-being.

Succeeding with the band (or really, with any WLS procedure) is a lot of work, but you sound highly motivated, and the fact that your husband is supportive is a big plus.

I know exactly what you mean about wanting to avoid disappointment. The problem with that is that it tends to lock a lot of good stuff out of your awareness. If you're always expecting disappointment, that's what you'll find. If you open your heart and mind to the possibility of success, your chances of succeeding are much greater.

Good luck,

Jean

Thanks for the encouragement Jean. I am looking forward to a time when I can exercise without pain again. My knees and ankles have really gone downhill in the last 2 years. I'm hoping that once I've lost 20 or more pounds, exercising will be more comfortable. I know that around 270, I had no joint pain. I hope that when I get back there, I will be able to take to exercise is a serious way again.

Thanks for the encouragement Jean. I am looking forward to a time when I can exercise without pain again. My knees and ankles have really gone downhill in the last 2 years. I'm hoping that once I've lost 20 or more pounds, exercising will be more comfortable. I know that around 270, I had no joint pain. I hope that when I get back there, I will be able to take to exercise is a serious way again.

I know soooo many people whose joint pain (especially knees) has improved with weight loss, so I hope it's the same for you and that your joints haven't been permanently damaged.

Hi there! Congrats on your decision to change your life! I have told only a few family members I don't feel judged by. I will not allow myself or my weight loss to be the topic of anyone's gossip! I want people to notice im losing slowly, not wonder why I'm not losing fast enough! There have been times I have been excited about the process I wanted to share with someone else, but I stopped myself and am glad I did. You will be thrilled with this forum, lots of wonderful people here who have great tips, and many who have went over and above Drs expectationss for weight loss. Don't be discouraged when you learn that lap band patients "only lose 40-60% of their excess weight" because there is plenty of evidence here that shows otherwise!

I'd be happy with 50% of my excess weight gone. I wouldn't be super-obese anymore, and my joints would feel much better.

Hi there! Congrats on your decision to change your life! I have told only a few family members I don't feel judged by. I will not allow myself or my weight loss to be the topic of anyone's gossip! I want people to notice im losing slowly, not wonder why I'm not losing fast enough! There have been times I have been excited about the process I wanted to share with someone else, but I stopped myself and am glad I did. You will be thrilled with this forum, lots of wonderful people here who have great tips, and many who have went over and above Drs expectationss for weight loss. Don't be discouraged when you learn that lap band patients "only lose 40-60% of their excess weight" because there is plenty of evidence here that shows otherwise!

Don't be discouraged when you learn that lap band patients "only lose 40-60% of their excess weight" because there is plenty of evidence here that shows otherwise!

According to my surgeon, that "only lose 40-60%" business has been widely misunderstood. What docs mean when they quote the 40-60% is that if the patient loses "only" 40-60% of their excess weight, their WLS is considered successful. It doesn't mean that the most you'll lose is 40-60%.

Anyway, I lost 100% of my excess weight.