Just curious, if anyone tried anything like Optifast before opting for surgery?If so what was your deal breaker that caused you to go ahead with the surgery instead? I'm on the fence my BMI is 32, I can't find anyone docs in my area that will do the surgery with my BMI, however I'm an insulin dependent diabetic, just was put on an insulin pump, which I fear will cause me more weight gain, I've looked into Optifast, wasn't sure I could do all liquids, but after reading on here, looks like for a time after surgery you are on liquids anyway.

Any input would be appreciated.

I struggled with my decision for 5 years. I was by my ex-husbands side during his bypass, he was older and had gained 100 pounds after our divorce. His brother passed away at age 45 due to complications of obesity. His other brother is also 500 pounds plus. After going through everything with him, seminars, Dr appts, group meetings etc I decided to lose 50 pounds myself, and I did! I watched what I ate and walked-walked-walked! It took 2 years but I did it! Fast forward 2 years later and you guessed it, it came back. In the meantime my sister had the bypass and I don't know how she passed the psych eval, she's 2 years post-op and sucking down Big Macs and pizza and either vomiting it after eating, or going into a deep depression.

My decision came in January when I surrendered that yes, I could lose the weight again, but needed a stronger and better tool to keep the weight off for good. Plus over the years it takes a toll on my body to yo-yo like that. I'm not saying that you will gain the weight back, just sharing my story. Whatever you decide will be the best for you, know one knows you like you know yourself! Good Luck, Onward & Upward!!! My BMI wasn't that high and my Dr LISTENED to me and said I would be a great candidate, I'm out to prove him right!

I've never had any trouble losing weight... but every time I'd lose some, I'd gain it right back, plus more. I decided to get the band to help me maintain my weight loss.

Diets such as opti-fast are temporary. I have done it twice!

Surgery is forever! And not a diet at all.

Surgery is forever! And not a diet at all.

I have to disagree with this, I have been dieting every since I decided to get the band.

Until you have restriction you have to fight every urge you have to eat the things you shouldn't.

Restriction or the green zone can take several months.

I am two months out, have had one fill and I can eat anything I want, which I don't.

The band is not an easy out it is hard work that does pay off in the end.

I have to disagree with this, I have been dieting every since I decided to get the band.

Until you have restriction you have to fight every urge you have to eat the things you shouldn't.

Restriction or the green zone can take several months.

I am two months out, have had one fill and I can eat anything I want, which I don't.

The band is not an easy out it is hard work that does pay off in the end.

Sorry you having to struggle....for me it is the most easiet, successful thing I have ever done.

And I have tried and failed at every diet under the sun over the last 35 years.

Don't give up. Once you get there you will see how wonderful and easy it can be.

It truly is a permanent lifestyle change.

But you have to get through that band adjustment (Bandster hell) phase first. It took me 6 months. After that it is all 2nd nature and I do not even think about it all that much anymore.

Don't give up. Once you get there you will see how wonderful and easy it can be.

I would never give up, I am just saying until you reach restriction, it is a struggle.

I am agreeing with your quote:

It's All About Restriction! _{Otherwise It's Just Another Diet.}

Some folks here have suffered through bander Hell. I started losing weight on the pre op and never had a struggle with food after. I know I am so lucky but at the time I followed word for word what they told me to do and I was never starving hunger. Thank God since in the past I absolutely tried every diet, pill, fad, and support system and I lost only to gain,

Lap band was a huge sacrifice for me even though my insurance paid I had to jump through their hoops for 1 year and watch my asthma get worse my reflux and breathing get worse. And so once I decided to have the band I was damn sure it was a new lease on my life and I was going to have what I never had before success . Over 3 years out. had I not had the band I would be heavier and Lord only knows how much money or diets would have gone down the drain.

What others have shared is also my experience...loosing weight on your own through portion control and exercise is doable. The difficult part is to maintain the weight loss through maintaining a change in lifestyle.

I chose the band because I was running out of time...the diabetes time clock was ticking, and I wanted a long term success with adverting diabetes and reclaiming at least some of the health which my weight was stealing from me. The band is only a tool, you have to comply with the diet to be successful.

That also requires a life long lifestyle change, but having the band does make it easier for me to remain compliant with a healthier lifestyle and portion control.

Good luck as you "weigh" your options!

the band stands a chance of changing the way you eat for life, it will help keep the weight off. Optifast will just help lose the weight , and then nothing, i know my choice, i dont want to put wieght back on once iose it.