Would you do it again?

I know this is a topic that has been covered and then covered again. At the risk of boring long-time posters on this forum, I'm going to bring the topic up again.

I saw my younger sister for the first time in years and she awed at me over the 45 lbs that I've lost and kept off over the past 2 years. I know this is not an admirable weight loss for banders over a 2+ year period, but it's the first time I've been able to lose weight and actually keep it off. Anyway, my younger sister asked me if I would have the surgery again. I could see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice that she's considering the possibility of this surgery for herself.

I had to think about my answer. In fact, I'm still thinking about it. Would I have the surgery again?

Some days the answer is yes. Some days the answer is no.

Yes. I've lost 45 lbs and kept it off. This surgery put an end to the steady weight gain I was experiencing. My overall health has improved.

No. Some days I feel defeated that my weight loss did not continue after the first 6 months. I fooled myself into believing that band surgery would make it so that I never had to diet again. This is not true. Let me repeat this .. You will have to diet following band surgery .. for the rest of your life. It is not a magic bullet that fixes poor eating habits and poor lifestyle choices.

So my answer to my sister is yes, I would do it again but I would say that with a caveat. The band stopped my upward spiral of weight gain and my health is better for it. For that, surgery was worth it. The caveat is, if I want to lose weight after the initial weight loss, I still have to diet and exercise. To be successful, Weight Watchers or other diets are still in my future. So why not just diet and exercise without the band?

It's a personal decision. Just be honest with yourself.

Thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences and advice.

The best advice I can give, is to be honest with yourself before committing to surgery. The desperation of wanting help can overshadow reason.

Identify your eating habits before surgery. Be honest about them with yourself, your surgeon, the psychiatrist, and the nutritionist. You may need some help for your behavior in addition to the band. Or maybe you would make a better candidate for another type of surgery.

The 'after glow' of surgery and the hope for total weight loss stayed with me for about 1 year. After that, it became more will power than band power and I've struggled.

Before surgery I saw all the big weight loss numbers on these boards and was completely hopeful. What I didn't see many of were those who stop posting because they felt defeated. Their loses are lower. I am one of those and there are many more of us. We're just less vocal, maybe because we feel like we've failed at yet another attempt to lose weight.

Not to dismiss those of you who have lost a lot of weight and are still going. Awesome for you! But for those of you who are looking into this surgery, know this, there are many who do not lose a great amount of weight. In the long run, it comes back to will power and your ability to stick to yet another diet, with a little help from the band.

ok, now I'll prepare to be clobbered.

Drasan,

I still meet folks who believe gastric surgery is some kind of miracle and it somehow removes all responsibility to eat properly and change the habits that got us here in the first place. The key word is "TOOL"! A tool is only useful if it is implemented and used safely and properly. I wouldn't expect to purchase a hammer and believe that nails would magically be driven into wood. I have to research new tools, understand their capability, understand my responsibilities, and then make the decision to move forth, based on those facts and data. The most important thing we can say to others considering the surgery is for them seriously determine exactly why they are overweight and the obstacles they face in becoming healthy. Unless those issues are understood and addressed, banding, gastric bypass, and other options simply will not work by themselves.

My only regret is I did'nt do it sooner. I may not have had a stroke at 39; or been laid off from a great job. My boss is a bigot towards fat people and I KNOW I was chosed for the lay off because of my weight.

Excellent point! Our society, as a whole, refuses to accept the fact that obese people are absolutely the most targeted group for "legal" prejudice! You can see it in people's eyes when they believe you are 100% responsible for your body type, although genetics, biology, and other factors are key players. Humankind is the only species where we dictate everyone should fall within a certain height and weight category!

Im down 149 lbs over the coursr of 4 years ive had a handful of complications and 60 pounds of my weightloss has been lost and gained three times due to the complications.. But im alive because of it if i still weighed 420 id probably have dropped.dead by now

WOW, I just got my shot of motivation for today! That is wonderful that you have been able to drop 149 lbs and are living a much healthier lifestyle! I am adding you to my friend's list as we speak! Congratulations once again!

Dennis