I am 34 years old and 285 Ibs. This is the largest I've been. In the past I've always been able to manage my weight with diet and exercise. This time last year I lost 20 Ibs with diet and exercise and thought I was on the right track again, but I gained the weight back plus some. I hate the way I feel when I'm heavy and I hate the way I look in my cloths.

Recently, my mother and I went to a lap band seminar because I've just been so sick and tired of the way I look and feel. A close family friend had the lap band and has shown positive results in the last three years.

My question is: I have been GRAPPLING with the idea to do the surgery or not to do the surgery. I feel like "Well, I lost 20 Ibs before with diet and exercise, and if I had just kept it up I would have lost all my weight! So get motivated and get off the couch and get moving!"

But then the other side of me is "Well, you did lose weight with diet and exercise before, but you put the weight back on and maybe you need more "reinforcement?"

Has anyone gone through this discussion with yourself before? What were some of your conclusions? I realize I have to make this decision on my own, but this has been the biggest hold up for me and I think at this point I just need some other perspectives on their own decision processes.

Thank you

I think you know you won't control this on your own long term. Of the people who loose significant weight, 100 pounds, only 5 % will maintain their weight loss. That's not great odds. Three times in my life I lost significant weight (12 yes 12, 18, 30); and the weight came back. I have to be sooooo strick to loose weight (yes and exercise) that after a year or so I am so mentally exhausted I start to let things slide and I eventually I am back to where I started.

I've been weighing my options for over a year, after 35 years of failed dieting. I think it is safe to say like many others that I am an expert dieter, but just can't maintain. I need this additional tool to help me make a permanent change. I've just started the process and these forums are awesome. I'm sure you will make the right choice for you!