I joined this forum two years ago when I was going through my insurance approval process. I eventually decided not to get the surgery about one month before it was scheduled. I started working out really hard and dieting. I lost 80lbs and felt great.....now guess what....just like every other time in my life I gained it all back.

I'm active, I hike, scuba dive, swim etc...I'm not a lazy person but I just can't keep the weight off. I'm so fed up and sad. So here I am starting over and think the band might be the answer. I am concerned about the long term affects of it.

I'm not really posting to get answers but hoping to find people with similar feelings. I meet with Dr. Luttrell in two weeks and Dr. Wellborn after that.

If you can lose it on your own, just think how well you'll do with the band? However, the band is only a tool and if you don't use it, you'll probably have the same results. I would imagine that having the band would give you the tools necessary to not return to where you are now.

tmf

I have had my band almost seven years and the only effects I have had is I lost all of my weight and then some. No problems. It has been a dream come true. You do have to make a committment to follow the rules as best as you can. It sounds like you are well disciplined so you should be very successful. It is so frustrating when you lose a lot of weight and then it comes back and more. I sure have walked in those shoes. I bet most of us on this sight have been there multiple times. Good luck.

I have had my band almost seven years and the only effects I have had is I lost all of my weight and then some. No problems. It has been a dream come true. You do have to make a committment to follow the rules as best as you can. It sounds like you are well disciplined so you should be very successful. It is so frustrating when you lose a lot of weight and then it comes back and more. I sure have walked in those shoes. I bet most of us on this sight have been there multiple times. Good luck.

I like your mental attitude!

I also cancelled my surgery not once but twice. I had 2 sons that were really against me doing the surgery, but, I finally made up my mind that I would do this for myself. Yo yo weight loss was a big problem all my life. I'd lose, gain it back, lose gain back........ At one point I lost over 120 lbs. on my own, but, gained it all back plus 100 lbs more. As yourself I also was active. I exercised regularly via swimming, biking and daily walking, except for a period of time right before the band when I let myself go and tipped the scale at 325. I couldn't work out anymore due to such stress on the joints and the pain was terrible.

I keep a loose band and like it because I know that I'm doing most of the work. The weight is coming off much slower now, but, the band keeps me from over eating. Using the band as a tool really works and you learn fast. You can cheat the band and I'm still stumped why people do this. For me, the band does about 60% of the job and i do the other 40%. I follow the rules and eat as healthy as I can. The mind over food mentality is what I'm striving to overcome and the band sure does help by keeping me in line. I actually jog now which helps not only with the weight but stress in life.

As far as long term affects, I'll cross that bridge when and if I have to cross it. I have zero regrets at this point and I've had several complications that were fixable. I leave tomorrow in God's hands and love life today. Jake

That was my problem . . . I could lose it . . . but not keep it off for very long. I think this would be good for you!

Cheri

I had a long talk with my wife and I'm going to do it. I leave for Hawaii tomorrow morning and found out I couldn't participate in one of the company events bcI weight too much. We were going ziplining and I was really looking foreward to it. I missed the weight limit by 7lbs. Its frustrating and embarrassing!

When I get back ill start my 6 month insurance requirments and then time for a new life. Being overweight sucks.

I had a long talk with my wife and I'm going to do it. I leave for Hawaii tomorrow morning and found out I couldn't participate in one of the company events bcI weight too much. We were going ziplining and I was really looking foreward to it. I missed the weight limit by 7lbs. Its frustrating and embarrassing!

When I get back ill start my 6 month insurance requirments and then time for a new life. Being overweight sucks.

My wife has been extremely supportive and for me this has made all the difference in the world. If your wife is on board with you, you are one blessed man. As I posted earlier 2 of my 3 sons were completely against me getting this done. They have joined forces with my wife and are now all very supportive. When we have get together's they make sure they bring pop crystal lite in lieu of diet sodas. I'm so proud of my sons!

One big change that exists with my sons is that we have to mark our blue jeans on the jean labels because I wear their pant size and sometimes we don't know who's jeans are who's. I think it's awesome, they on the other hand probably not so much. lol

I used dr Luttrell. I really liked him