Another newbie... I scheduled my sx yesterday for 2/1. I have casually considered the lap band for over a year, did not consider seriously due to insurance will not cover but finally decided I am going to take the financial hit and know when I hit my goal it will have been worth every penny. I have struggled with my weight my entire life but am now at a high point, 25lbs heavier than what I weighed the day I delivered my son! I have been through a divorce with in the past 2 years and of course most women lose weight I gained about 50lbs. I am at the point where I am embarrased of myself, my weight consumes everything I do and holds me back from so much.

I am trying to keep focused on the positive that will result from the sx. But I worry about struggling to accept that I can no longer enjoy /turn to food. I also have been debating about telling people. I have talked to my mom, sister and bf but not sure about sharing it with others. I know it will come out because I am a terrible liar and when people ask how I have done it I will just end up telling them. I dont think that people who have struggled with their weight this way will understand.

So much going thru my mind, I just want 2/1 to get here!

I am a mother of 2 boys! I was never heavy but aways worked hard to maintain my weight. After having 2 boys in 3 years I was very overweight and struggled for many years to get the weight off...I did pay for my lap-band myself also..it s a nice tax deduction ...I will be honest with you, I think by reading your post you are probably like me and an emotional eater. The band does not help with that. You, like me, will figure out a way to eat around the band. Work this next few weeks before the band at really being honest with yourself. Write down all our thoughts and feelings about food, when you eat, and how you feel! I was losing my best friend, food! It gave me comfort, security, and was always there when people weren't! Never disappointed me like people can! Now I was suppose to comfort myself!!!! HOW? Learn to love you on the inside, and gradually it will show on the outside! Don't get the band thinking the only objective is weight loss! Use it as a tool to get your body healthy again! Know that the things we avoided in the past we are going to have to commit to. Eating the right foods, drinking our water, and exercise! I'm so frustrated that some people on is site think fitting into a certain size jeans is a success story! A true success story is when you have achieved a HEALTHY mind and body! Yes, just like everyone I have a goal weight, however, I will not achieve it at the cost of my health. I have been banded since '06 and know it can work using healthy choices and unhealthy choices! Don't choose to die thin, choose to live healthy! I'm rambling, sorry! About telling other people, I would tell close family, but just like having any other procedure done, does anyone really need to know? When they see you exercising, and eating right, they won't even question why you are losing weight! If you need someone to talk to, even just to vent, I would love to help you as much as I can!

There is nothing wrong with getting help for a problem. People do it all the time for one ailment or another.

When I decided to get banded I was at the point of needing and looking for help. Much like I had done many times before but for every successful diet over my lifetime there was a failure of regaining the weight. I wanted off the roller coaster... So I decided to get help in the form of the band. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Who cares how you lose weight as long as you lose it and keep it off.

While i believe you have to be pretty strict with yourself during the losing stage, once you reach your goal the band will help you keep the weight off if you listen to it, And I personally think never having to diet again sure beats the alternative.

This is a common fear that was shared by many of us. I found this quote on another forum and I think it fits many of us:

"In my case, the most fearful thing I had to do in order to succeed with my band wasn't switching to skim milk, surviving a liquid diet, or giving up bread. The most fearful thing was giving up my emotional attachment to food. In the nearly 5 years since I was banded, I've made a lot of progress with that, but the attachment is still there. It forms one of the innermost layers of my turtle shell. Working on that layer will probably be a lifetime job for me. At times I'm not even sure I truly want to get rid of it altogether. At times I'm afraid that if I shed my shell completely, I won't be able to survive. On the other hand, I seem to be doing fine without that thick old b***h layer. So I'm going to pay attention to my dreams rather than my fears and pray for a miracle. And why not? It can't hurt to try!"

Another reminder came from another forum member, PinkDahlia. She said: "I'm so stinkin' thrilled with my weight loss i dont even care about what i cant eat!"

tmf

Another newbie... I scheduled my sx yesterday for 2/1. I have casually considered the lap band for over a year' date=' did not consider seriously due to insurance will not cover but finally decided I am going to take the financial hit and know when I hit my goal it will have been worth every penny. I have struggled with my weight my entire life but am now at a high point, 25lbs heavier than what I weighed the day I delivered my son! I have been through a divorce with in the past 2 years and of course most women lose weight I gained about 50lbs. I am at the point where I am embarrased of myself, my weight consumes everything I do and holds me back from so much.

I am trying to keep focused on the positive that will result from the sx. But I worry about struggling to accept that I can no longer enjoy /turn to food. I also have been debating about telling people. I have talked to my mom, sister and bf but not sure about sharing it with others. I know it will come out because I am a terrible liar and when people ask how I have done it I will just end up telling them. I dont think that people who have struggled with their weight this way will understand.

So much going thru my mind, I just want 2/1 to get here![/quote']

I totally share your concerns, not yet as far along as you but seriously considering the band

You are also very normal for having these feelings. As for who you tell about surgery, that is totally your choice.

I'm being banded on 1/7. I've been going though those same feelings. The pass through weeks I've had to surrender to the process. I was lucky my insurace covered it and covers a psychologist to deal with the eating and food issues. Telling people is one thing I kept private and only family and a couple of close friends and even one of my daughters had a fit and was telling me all these horror stories she heard. But, I was glad my other daughter at the same time had a friend who had the band and lost over 200 lbs was standning write behind me and told me it was the best thing she ever did for herself. God Bless you thorugh your journey. The last few days are a lot easier because of this forum and all the questions it answers.

Thank you all for the support. I know I will rely on this site for information and support.

one of my questions is around drinking, how do you drink so much Water all day and not throw it up? And is it true you can not drink 30 min before and after a meal?

Sapcat - Good luck with your sx Monday. I will be looking forward to hearing how you are doing.

Tricia

You will love your band if you follow the rules, embrace a pace that works for you, be patient, get support:) good luck you will be a success!

Thank you all for the support. I know I will rely on this site for information and support.

one of my questions is around drinking, how do you drink so much Water all day and not throw it up? And is it true you can not drink 30 min before and after a meal?

Tricia

In the beginning and for a while you will just want to sip sip sip.... If you do that you won't throw up. Most drs recommend not drinking for. 30 minutes before and after you eat. Drinking effects everyone differently. If I drink right after I eat it tends to push the food back up my throat and so I try to avoid it. Others say it feels like the liquid pushed the food through the band more quickly preventing the satisfied feeling you should have for 4/5 hours. You may be different but I would check with your dr.

You all have such wonderful advice. I'm so happy I found this as an app on my phone by chance. The older ones, and by "older" I mean the ones who have had the LB the longest and have achieved success, I look for your imput on things! I am soaking it all in!! I may not post a whole lot but I guarantee each time I leave more informed, and I have more ammunition so to speak, if I need to research things.