Well for several days...well weeks..I have been reasearching my options. I found out about the lap band and it really impressed me. I been reading everything i can get my hands on about it. But I guess i still have a few questions if anyone would be willing to answer them.

First when do ya finally give up and get the lap band done. Before today i had heart set on getting this done. Was looking into doctors ect. Been bouncing the idea off my mom. Well today i told her i was gonna get it done. She is agianst it. She thinks i should give the atkins diet yet another try. Or maybe some other diet. So when do ya finally give up on all the diets?

As i said i was all excited before talking to my mother about it. I guess she is scared it is a drastic measure. How can i hel her understand ? She has been overweight her life aswell she is on the adkins diet atm and it is working for her real well.

Any other advice or info about the surgery especially the bad sutff would be greatly appriciated. I realize almost all of you are happy ya got it done ect. BUt i would like to know all the downside of this aswell

Thanks in advance to any that help me and Congrats on the new life to all of you

Hello,

I am certainly no expert, yet, I can tell you that getting the band was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The decision to do this was mine and mine alone. I read everything I could get my hands on, I listened to the negative things my mother had to say and I prayed alot. Personally, I was fed up with fad diets and the more I dieted, the more I gained. My husband was suportive yet never pressured me one way or the other. He was 100% against the bypass.

I just made up my mind and went full speed ahead. I really wanted to lose weight. I have lost 75 pounds since October 1, 2003 and I am so excited about that. I wish every overweight person would just do it.

I used all of those words to say simply, when you are ready, just do it and don't look back. I'll bet you'll be glad you did.

Good luck!

Jackie

Hello..

I am no expert either but I can tell

you the same thing. The band is the best decision I have ever made for myself. I have tried ever diet ever invented and been overwieght most of my life. This is the first time I feel like I have control. It has been 11 weeks since surgery and I have lost 29 pounds and I could'nt be happier. I researched the band for months before making my decision and I did not care what anyone had to say good or bad, this was what I wanted to do and I was going to do it. I even was a self pay, I sold my most prized possession to have this surgery that is how bad I wanted it and I have not one single regret. The diet we bandsters follow is very similiar to the Atkins, the doctor tells you to eat Protein first then veggies, fruit and then carbs if you have room. This is your body and your life..Can't worry about what other people say and think, if I did that I would of never had this done. I love my band!

So when do ya finally give up on all the diets?

RIGHT now. TODAY.

"Diets" in the traditional sense DO NOT WORK. "Diets" in the traditional sense create feelings of deprivation, which lead to bingeing, guilt, and low self-esteem.

"Diets" in the traditional sense are temporary fixes for a permanent problem.

You need a permanent solution.

You either need to find a way to make better choices so you can consume the volume you need to feel full, or you need to eat less of the less nutritious choices and go hungry.

Being banded allows you to feel full on a smaller amount of food, so it is easier to eat less. At first, that is probably all you need to do - eat less. As you lose weight, and get closer to your goal, you will have to start making more nutritious choices to keep losing weight. The band helps with that too, as certain less nutritious foods are usually more difficult to eat with good restriction, like breads, rice, potatoes and Pasta.

Banded or not, you will have to change your eating behaviours to lose weight. Banding makes it much easier, once that constant hunger is under control.

Best of luck with your decision.

Michelle, Jackie, Donali: I couldn't have said it better myself.

LilMiss: You just have to listen to what your own body is telling you. If you are asking when is it time then I agree with Donali IT IS TIME TO STOP.

I did not tell my mother about this procedure till after I was home and recuperated. She told me that was the smartest thing I had ever done. She said she would have tried to talk me out of it but now she knows it was the best decision I have made. I have to agree with her. My sweetie had his concerns about this procedure and wanted to make sure I was making an informed decision. I assured him I was. I too read everything I could get my hands on regarding banding. It is a life changing event for the better.

There are down sides to this procedure but you have to ask yourself are they worse than if you continue on the road you are currently on? The after care and the emotional support you receive will be instrumental in your success. We are all here for you when and if you make that choice to be banded. And it is YOUR choice.

I was banded the same day that Michelle was and to date I have lost 38.5 lbs and 20 inches. It was the best money (also self pay) I have ever spent. I would do it again in a heartbeat. No question.

I thank you all for your replies and your support.

I will have to think about yet agian... It is a big chnage.

I also am termially afraid of having a surgery since i have never had one. And I am scared of pain. BUt i am also scared of dying from how I am and i want to be a active mom with my kids for once aswell....

Instead of just watching the fun happen...

I guess in my heart i am commited to change one way or another. Just scared as hell..

I will pray on it and thanks all of you

LiL Miss..

There is not much pain involved in the actual surgery. My Dr. did not even give me pain meds once I was done, just liquid tylenol.

For me the pain was my bad knee and my aching legs and my lower back pain prior to my surgery. I had pain everyday of my life for the last year from my weight. since surgery and 29 pounds lighter I have had none of the above. I know it is a tough and scary decision, only one that you can make, we can't make it for you all we can do is support your decision. Once you are banded the word "Diet" doesnt even come into play. Good luck with your decision