Hi,

I'm looking at lap band surgery right now and trying to make the most informed decision I can by reading the support group forums. I find this to be the best place to find real answers. I have been overweight since I was 30 (I'm 58 now) and am now considered morbidly obese. I don't understand why I eat so much and need help to cut down my portion sizes. I realize that LB surgery is just a tool and not a cure-all, but I'm most interested in finding out if this surgery helps a compulsive overeater or if I would just be wasting my money. I need some help desperately because I have every illness being obese can bring: Heart disease, diabetes, knee problems, you name it, I've got it! So this is a last ditch effort to save myself! I've had a consultation and am now getting all the information needed by my insurance co. But I have not really made up my mind yet. Any comments as to compulsive overeating and LB surgery?

What do you mean by compulsive overeater? Are you a person who is a junk food addict (empty carbs) or are you a volume overeater? My surgeon told me that people who are volume overeaters do better with lapbanding that junk food overeaters.

Carbohydrates begin to be digested in the mouth while fats and proteins begin to be digested in the stomach. It's very easy to get chocolate, cookies, cake, donuts, chips, dips, etc. "past" the band. Because I was basicially a "healthy" food eater who ate waaaaaaaaaay to much, lapband surgery was considered a good choice for me. However, if I were a junk food eater, my surgeon was pushing more for gastric bypass (RNY) surgery.

Talk with your surgeon and be honest so you get ALL the options available and learn as much as possible before making a decision.

I think I'm a volume overeater. I've ALWAYS had a very big appetite, but didn't really have a weight problem until I was about 30. Also, I didn't drive until then, so I walked and biked most places. I think my exercise level went way down, but my eating was still way up there. I also have a big appetite for sweets ever since I was diagnosed with diabetes (like the forbidden fruit). But I really do want to live longer, so I'll just have to live with no sweets. My surgeon thought lap band would be best since I have more health risks than his average patient. I guess this will still be somewhat of a struggle, but if this helps to reduce my appetite, it's a good choice. Thank you for your response!!