I am considering having surgery done... I have alot of questions and I dont want to jump into this without knowing what I am doing to myself first. I have seen people lose weight without doing something as drastic as having surgery. I feel like I am just being lazy and not wanting to deal with the willpower it takes to stay on a diet. My weight gain began 2 yrs ago when I quit smoking. I was able to control my hunger when I smoked now I cant seem to get eating under control like I got rid of one bad habit and changed it for another. Then I read about people on here who have had the surgery and think it sounds ok. But then I read about the gas and the pre op diet. Now i am perplexed about the pre op diet some had to do it some didnt some for longer some for shorter. Why? I have alot of questions that need to be answered before I do this. I am going to a seminar in Feb. Thanks for listening to my rant

i am only a "new bandster"--but i can already see that it FORCES me to eat less than i previously could. i LIKE that. THAT is what i couldn't do on my own before. i look forward to getting my first band fill--because i NEED more restriction. right now--i can still eat just about anything--i am not having any kinds of problems--no gas, no PB's, no slime, no nothing. then again, i am not FORCING the issue by eating things that are said to cause problems. so i am doing my "bit" to help my band help me.

as for the pre-op diet--this is to shrink your liver, which must be lifted during the surgery--the fats in the liver enlarge it. some surgeons require it (mine did)--and it's doable. is it pleasant? of course not. but if you're making the life changes required by this surgery--then you can manage a 2 wk pre=op diet--and post-op diet instructions, as required by the surgeon.

you will get a lot of information in the seminar--good luck on your decision-making process!

Its good that you are being honest about being lazy and you have concerns. The band is just a tool. I have only lost 37 lbs in 8 months. I do not exercise and I drink alcohol. If you want to truly lose weight you have to follow the band rules, exercise included. Best of luck to you.

mhemmway,

I quit smoking cold turkey about 15 years ago. 2 1/2 packs a day. Methol to boot. I have always beat myself up for not being able to quit eating or control my eating. I keep telling myself if I can do something as difficult as quitting smoking, why in the world can't I quit eating so much.

food is the only thing in my life I cannot get a grip on. Other than being overweight I have a great life. So, I decided to stop beating myself up and accept that there are options out there to help me. Sometimes I think the hardest thing for me to do is to ask for help.

I have been researching the LapBand for nearly a year and I finally decided to take the plunge. I'm being banded 2/15 and can't wait.

Good luck making a decision that's right for you.

Sharon