Ok, My Sunday Morning Rant.....

First let me start with this...My brother died at the age of 60. My sister at 64. Both confined to a Nursing Home at a early age.

So, there I was, 58, sitting in my Dr's office. Diabetes, cholesterol, triglycerides all off the chart. Already had one Heart Attack resulting in Cardiac Surgery. My Dr. looked me right in the eye and said the Dominoes have already started to fall, and unless I loose 50-70 lbs I will surely die soon.

When I had my first consult for lap band surgery, it was looked upon as a "Aggressive, radical, last resort option" So when I was informed it would force me to give up foods I like, make me sick/vomit if I don't follow the rules, etc..what choice did I have??

I informed all 3 of my Dr.s, PCP, cardiologist and Surgeon, that I was not going to be a "namby pampy" and I wanted to be as aggressive as I could be. No backing down!

BTW, it is these same Dr.'s that either want to put me on display and/or write me up in their journals, all of which I declined.

I have noticed since then that this surgery has become more acceptable, almost fashionable. People's motives are not so much life or death, but how they will look in that new summer dress. Which is fine, the more eye-candy the better. There are many roads people take, with many different viewpoints. I will NEVER tell anyone they're wrong, so as to deter their motivation.

But there are still some out there, like me, who feel they have one foot in the grave and are thinking about funeral expenses. It is for THESE people that I still hang around these websites. I want THESE people to know that I am here...I took this thing as far and hard as I could, and I am standing out here on the edge....successful in 13 months. And it can save your life. I want THESE people to know that IF you choose the same road as I did, I will be there.

I WILL dance at my Daughters wedding this October, and God Willing, I WILL spoil my grand kids to no end!

I exercise like a person possessed. When I first started, I use to look at the young 21 y/o staff member and think to myself "I sure hope she knows CPR!" But I feel I'm now past that. If it was going to happen, it would have then. I always say I'm running FOR something when in effect, perhaps I'm running FROM something always keeping a few steps ahead.

OK that's it. So much for ranting, wanted to get it off my chest. Sorry If I offended anyone, that was not my intention.

So Adios, have a good day, springtime is just around the corner.

Agreed!!!

I'm doing this because after 42 years of dieting, I've finally given up trying to do it on my own. I don't give up easily( obviously) but I cannot do it or I would have in 42 years. Oh, I can lose it ! But just like everyone who is on this journey I cannot keep it off. I am shooting for a September surgery date and I really have researched and studied the lap band and I feel like this could really finally be it for me. I am so ready to get started. Everyone here has been so supportive and informative , it's really been a huge help to me. I appreciate all of you sharing your stories.

Love your rant!

I am 27 yrs old, I was 26 when I got my band. No I didn't have any major health concerns but had been over weight since I was 11. I had tried every diet in the book with no success so I decided to have the band to AVOID any health issues in he future. I think it is such a wonderful thing that people who can try and try to lose weight with little or no success can now have the opportunity to have the band and get the help they need to improve their health. My only regret is that I didn't do it years ago...

Congrats to you, but I do think that that many do this becuase they want to prevent themselves from getting so unhealthy that they end up where you are. I do not think that one should have to wait until they have one foot in the grave to make this decision. It's all about wanting to live healthier at any stage. Glad to have you as an example of someone that has been sucessful.

Thanks and congrats on your successes. I haven't been banded yet- still working through my insurance hoops. I've been heavy all my life and chose to get banded because I'm not even thirty and I have high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, nerve damage in leg, knees starting to give out, fatty deposits on my liver, acid reflux... the list goes on and on. I've always wanted to lose weight for vanity's sake-- I feel very embarrassed and invisible because of my weight but the thing that pushed me over the edge of decision is health. I recently thought, this is no joke, I am going to die if I keep living like this. I was scared. Am scared. All of my doctors are very supportive of my decision. I hope to be another happy health success story. I may even throw on a summer dress just for fun.