I've been looking into lap band for almost 5 years now. Money has always been the holdup. I finally have it saved up and now I'm having second thoughts. Should I try to do Atkins? Go back to weight Watchers? They never worked (long term) for me, so why am i even considering them? Did anyone else experience this when it was finally time to have the procedure scheduled? I'm a self pay so once I call and make my prep appointment, my surgery will be scheduled 2 weeks out. I guess it's so close and I'm just getting nervous.

Encouragement please!!! Lol

I went back and forth on this right up to surgery day right before being wheeled in. But I spoke with my husband and he said if you don't do it, this time tomorrow you will be regretting it. He was so right. I know I am not losing as fast as some but it is the best decision I have made. Good luck with you decision.

I only decided to band after I lost 60 lbs, was eating as recommended and exercising as much as possible, my only to remaining options were weight loss pills or surgery. My doctor and I decided the surgery was a better option since I'm young and healthy whereas if I took diet pills and they only worked for a few years I'd be that much older and a less optimal patient for surgery.

My advice is wait to get the surgery until you're ready to make the long term lifestyle changes. The surgery is just a tool if you're not ready it won't work as well.

My surgery is tommorow but I've been practicing eating slower and not drinking during meals for months now and for years before that I calorie counted my food and paid close attention to my nutritional I formation while getting in as much exercise as I could fit in my schedule.

I think what you're feeling is normal. It's a huge a decision and a lot of money to spend. But, I think you answered your own question when you said "They never worked (long term) for me, so why am i even considering them?"

One of my favorite old sayings is "Insanity is doing the same thing but expecting different results".

Educate yourself fully on the band, including what to expect and not to expect. Also get into a nutritionist to learn how you need to eat afterward. Then, if you still think the band is the right decision for you, I say go for it. You deserve to be healthy and you can't put a price tag on a healthy life.

Best wishes

You asked a question and then answered it yourself. I relate to your own answer. I believe I can speak for nearly everyone here that WLS was our last resort to becoming healthy. I know I tried every diet, and tried them over and over as if I didn't really understand them the first time.

I understand the societal and cultural pressures of "taking the easy way out". And don't you believe that phrase for one minute. If you do this, you will work harder to lose weight than ever before. But, unlike atkins, WW, Jenny Craig, the work will pay off if you follow the rules. No, you don't have to diet. You won't need to diet if you listen to your tool.

Look forward to your progress.

tmf

I was not heavy my whole life, I started having problems after my second son was born. After that I never had a problem losing the weight, however, I had the problem maintaining it! I would lose 40, then gain back 60. Lose that 60, gain back 80. And so on, until I was almost 300 pounds! I was self pay so I had guilt about spending the money. I can tell you for certain that if I didn't get the band when I did I would have broke the 300 pound mark by now! I can also tell you for certain that the money I saved for the procedure wouldn't be sitting in the bank, we would have spent it somewhere else. I was questioning whether I could do it, and do it without the band. It was my husband that explained to me that if there is something out there that can help when you need it, take the help! So I was banded and very happy that I made that choice!

WOW, waiting 5 years to decide. I do things instantly. I went to a meeting and signed up. I once needed knee surgery. Went to the doctor on a Monday to see what was wrong, that Thursday, had the surgery. Just do it. There are pros and cons to everything. I live my life, don't think about it, do it.

Good luck with your choices but the Band is the best thing I have done for ME and my family.