Hi I'm 50 years old and have a Bmi of 52. I am struggling with the decision whether to have surgery. I have lost 100+ lbs a few times in the past. When I am losing, I am pretty disciplined and do well with weight loss. Then something switches and it all goes to crap and I end up gaining all the weight back and then some. I am so fearful that I will do well with the surgery but something will switch in my brain, and the weight will all come back on. Is there any reason that the surgery will change this pattern? i really want the surgery, but the fear of regain is holding me back. I guess I am an all or nothing person. Anybody relate or any advice? The mental part of this is frightening.

I am an all or nothing person too. I can give you 2 reasons why the Sleeve worked for me and how it's different from any diet, pill or weight loss program I've ever tried and failed to keep the weight off.

1) My stomach is about 20% of the size it used to be. It will not stretch, and it hurts like hell when I try to eat too much. Kind of a deterrent to overeating. :-P

2) With the removal of 80% of my stomach, the production of Ghrelin (the hunger hormone) has been almost eliminated. My head hunger and uncontrollable food cravings have almost completely stopped. I eat by choice now, not by having my willpower wore down by the little nagging voice that was telling me to eat when I was not hungry.

But I have to add, YOU have to be ready to give up every food you love. I had to be at that point in my life. You will be able to eat EVERY food you love at some point post-op (for me it was after 1 year), it will be up to you to make the right choices after about the first 6 months (known as the honeymoon period) post-op.

Because my insurance requires a $5000 co pay for bariatric surgery, which I have not yet had, I will be paying a lot of money for it. For me, that fact alone motivates me to follow the rules exactly. Also, when that time comes, I will be asking myself, which is more important to me, my kids and future grandkids, or this bite of ice cream??????? Keep your motivation in front of you.

I have been in the same situation but I am looking at the surgery as a lifetime commitment.

Each time you think of falling down just think of the surgery