A few days ago, along with my DH, I made the decision to get a lap band. My BMI is over 50, and I've got a lot of joint pain, but no other, more serious complications (yet). I've had my consult, and have a surgery date booked for April 20th.

But now, I'm freaking out a little bit. I feel like I've failed myself by needing to have surgery, when lots of my friends from weight watchers have lost their weight with diet and exercise alone. I know that this is foolish though, since I've been doing weight watchers on and off for 5 years, and I've never been able to keep the weight off (or lose more than 30 pounds).

The more I google (and read the forums), the more cases I see of people not getting much out of their bands, and I wonder if I'm just doomed to be fat forever, no matter what I do.

My Mom died when she was 50, from an obesity-related side effect, and I've worried since then, that I'm heading there. Then I thought that maybe the lap band would be the tool that I need to get things moving in the right direction. I don't know what I'm saying here, other than I'm scared. I want to make the right decision. If I work at it, and journal food, and follow the surgeon's recommendation, I will lose, right?

Thank you for your support.

Running scared....you need to change your name! Just do it! What have you got to lose??? looks like 131 more pounds! You already know what you need to do, you wrote it yourself! Work at it, journal and follow the dr's recommendations! Best of luck to you!

The name is sort of a joke. I only run when something is chasing me, but at some point, I'd like to learn to run for exercise, and actually enjoy it, as some of my friends do.

I'm all PMSy at the moment, and I'm craving junk food. I've overeaten at every meal for the last two days, and I just can't seem to get myself back in line, which makes me wonder how I'm going to cope, once I do have the band. I paid my surgery deposit, and it is non-refundable, so being as stubborn and cheap as I am, I'm not going to let that money go to waste

Also, I have this irrational fear that when I go for my EKG next month, that they are going to find something seriously wrong with me, and that I'm not going to be able to have surgery, and all my family will know (and talk about) how sad it is, that I gave myself some sort of heart problem.

I know it sounds so irrational, but that's what is worrying me at the moment too. I guess I just feel like if I'm really unwell, that I'd rather not know.

Anyone else concerned about that?

Try to be more positive.....i know its hard and we were all scared to do this but its really a great help to losing weight. i could have never lost the 45 lbs in 6 months and able to keep it off so far. it really helps you stay within the calorie limits...because for me i cannot overeat or i will suffer the consequences. i must eat slowly and chew carefully and i do get full alot faster than i did before. That is why I chose to do this. you must come to your own comfort zone with this. Believe me i hesitated for a long time before i actually decided to do this.....but it was the right decision for me. i'm sure all your tests will come out fine.....good luck whatever you decide.

Actually, worry is a good thing. It means you are thinking about this and asking questions. You have come to the right place to get answers about the lapband...so ask away! Your BMI is 50, your health is in jeopardy and you have a family history of obesity related death...so you need to something about your weight. I wish I could say there is a diet out there that works and keeps working (I can't, tried most of them, lost weight and gained it all back) or a pill that kills your appetite (those are illegal) or anything else that would work without having to go the surgical route. The lapband does work, and I think a lot of the complaints you see are about slow weight loss (which is normal) or no weight loss (not normal, but likely due to not following doctors and dieticians advice). All I can say is that if you are prepared to make the lifestyle changes required then the lapband will work for you. Surgery has it's risks and you need to understand what they are and work with your doctor to minimize the risks. After surgery, living with the lapband is not that difficult. I eat pretty much everything I did before surgery, just much smaller amounts of food and I eat more slowly (I am the last to leave the table now). I have been banded for almost 4 months now, and other than the first week after surgery, I have not regretted my decision. Good luck and keep asking questions!

Honk,

I was where you are a year ago. My surgery was 04/04/11 and I am so happy I did it. My bmi was 49 and now is 27! I have lost 131 pounds and am now maintaining. I worked hard to get here. Lots of water, exercise, and healthy eating. Don't let anyone tell you it is the easy way out, it is and always be a lot of work. Good luck and this is the best decision you can make about your weight and health.