I have been contemplating lap band for about 2 years. I'm 275 lbs and my bmi is 42. I never thought i was big enough to have this done but the numbers say otherwise. Diets have worked for me but only for a small amount of time before i was back to old habits. This is about control for me. I can't trust myself to make good decisions with food although i deeply care for myself so i thought lap band could be my tool. My insurance changed so now i kind of feel rushed into my surgery and im still really scared. I never wanted surgery to be the answer and im fighting with myself because i just cant make up my mind. I do not know what to do. Ive wanted a major loss my whole life and now that i have the option im running scared. I couldnt follow a diet before so how could i post op? Im 24. I feel like this is the answer but is it the answer for me?? Im ready for a change physically but i always wanted it to be natural. Do i just have cold feet? Someone please share some advice. Id love to meet some young banders.

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I'm 30 and it took me a LONG LONG LONG time to finally say okay this is what i want.. after doing it i sit here all the time and say what did i fear.. why did it take me so long.. why did i have so many just one more time with this diet and that one.... the lapband BEST thing ever in my life! I am the same way about diets and falling back into old ways.. however with the band .. atleast for me... i havent had the need.. while i do still have my sweet tooth, old food habits.. no i'd rather not.. this is NOT the easy way out.. just a tool to help us achieve a better life to live longer and enjoy life so we can slide into our end with a whew! what a ride... i also have a good relationship with my nutritionist and dr. office to help food wise plus all the suppose and love on this site and a few others in the long run...i feel better, mentally.. and physically... I say pray on it and if you still wake up tomorrow morning and say i want this for me! then go for it!!

I'm not a young bandster, but I'm going to comment, anyway

I am 58 years old, and have struggled with my weight since the age of 6. A doctor put me on Dexedrine when I was 9, and I was on and off diet pills and speed throughout my life. I've lost hundreds of pounds, only to gain the weight back; plus some. All of the diets worked when I worked with them, but eventually, my "need" to eat won the battle. From my lowest to highest, I've had more than 100 pound swing, and I'm only 5'2".

It wasn't until my neighbor told me that she had weight loss surgery (I had NO idea....she looks great), that I started seriously thinking about it. From the time she and I talked, to the time I actually had my surgery, was about a year. During that time I gained a few more pounds, and it became painfully clear that I needed to do something serious. I agonized over the decision, and had all the fears you read about in these forums. I was initially scheduled for the bypass, but decided it was too extreme. I settled on the band with plication, because it's reversible, and wouldn't permanently alter my plumbing or organs. My surgery was 3/25/13, and I'm down 42 pounds. At my age, this would NEVER have happened if it weren't for this surgery. I'm now able to eat small portions, while feeling completely satisfied for long periods. Pre-surgery, there was no way that I would get through even one week, eating like I do now. And I feel GREAT!

Ellexaye, you are doing the right thing by thinking this through completely. It's a life altering decision; one that you have to feel comfortable with. Just know that it's not a cure, and not always easy. You have to work with it; eat as prescribed, listen to the signals, and be willing to put the fork down when you get those signals. The band helps with hunger and satiety, but it does nothing for our heads. If you eat for reasons other than actual hunger (as all of us do), that is where you will have to do most of your work. As they say, the band goes around our stomachs, not our brains - LOL! And lets face it, most all of us who get to this point, have a problem with food. Normal people DO put the fork down when they're done, and they don't go scavengering for more food to numb their feelings.

I'm glad that you posted on this forum. You will hear from many people; most of which have had success with the band. Think it through long and hard, and make the choice you can live with.

I wish you all the best in whatever decision you make.

I am turning 24 in October. If you have any questions on anything particular, feel free to message me or chat. I usually check on here at least once a day.

I am 23 and about to have the surgery on Monday the 26th I'm on my pre op diet now I feel the same way like am I sure this is what I want or need expecially since I'm self paying for the surgery BUT when I look at people's success stories it makes me want this surgery that much more I can't wait for the life changes to come my way (good ones I hope ) good luck and hope u make the best decision

Im 24 and getting banded on sept 10. I feel the same way. Its like im beating myself up for not being "strong" enough to do this on my own and being in my 20s I feel judged like people think I am taking the easy way out. But like you I just cant trust myself to make the right decisions. I have too many ill do it tomorrow moments and im ready for the weight to come off and stay off!

I have been contemplating lap band for about 2 years. I'm 275 lbs and my bmi is 42. I never thought i was big enough to have this done but the numbers say otherwise. Diets have worked for me but only for a small amount of time before i was back to old habits. This is about control for me. I can't trust myself to make good decisions with food although i deeply care for myself so i thought lap band could be my tool. My insurance changed so now i kind of feel rushed into my surgery and im still really scared. I never wanted surgery to be the answer and im fighting with myself because i just cant make up my mind. I do not know what to do. Ive wanted a major loss my whole life and now that i have the option im running scared. I couldnt follow a diet before so how could i post op? Im 24. I feel like this is the answer but is it the answer for me?? Im ready for a change physically but i always wanted it to be natural. Do i just have cold feet? Someone please share some advice. Id love to meet some young banders.

Hi! I'm 24 too! You look good for what you stated as your BMI, haha. Anyway, I've struggled my WHOLE life with weight. Yo yoing, Akins, phentermine, regular diet/exercise/ weight watchers.. you name it. We all know how to diet... that isn't our problem. We're the best dieters anyone could ever know.. we just suck at maintaining (That's what my surgeon said) Try not to be scared. I just finished my 6 month insurance program and during that time I had A LOT of time to think and back out... but this site has really helped me become more motivated and know that this is the right thing to do. Most people are saying they wish they did it sooner. I'm so ready!! Best of luck to you

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I’m not 24, I’m 42, so to give you some advice, I'd like to say DO NOT feel rushed into surgery. If you feel that way take a step back.

For many of us here this was the best choice we have ever made for ourselves, however please take the time to do your research.

Look at all your options, research all the different types of weight loss surgery out there, check with your doctor, research surgeons and facilities in your area to be sure they have a good support system and not just perform surgery and send you out into the world with no follow up. Be sure their practice has a full follow up support system it's very important for success.

When you have taken the time to do all that, then really sit with yourself and make sure that you are ready to commit to this surgery for the rest of your life.

Being banded is like taking marriage vows, you get a ring and its permanent for the rest of your life. Think of it as till death do you part. Yes there is divorce and you can have it removed, but the price is usually pretty high, in that it would mean another surgery, more trauma to your organs and possible re-routing of your anatomy.

For me this was the best thing I could have done, I am very happy that I made the commitment and I am ready to live with it for the rest of my life and work with it. It took me 2 and half years to make the commitment I wasn't sure at first and I needed to be 100% sure before jumping into surgery.

Give yourself that love and respect and make sure, once you are sure you will never regret it.

I wish you all the best in whatever you choose.