I have been considering surgery seriously for a year now as I feel myself getting unhealthier. I met with a great doctor yesterday and was excited but there's this feeling in pit of my stomach that is scared that this is too drastic. We discussed lap band vs sleeve. She said At my age I would lose 80 pounds with sleeve. Today I'm wondering if I could just make a real effort with diet and exercise to achieve that without cutting out my stomach or putting something foreign inside my body. Did anyone else have doubts?

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Everyone has--or should have doubts before having WLS. Those doubts usually come with a dose of fear if not all out panic.

You aren't ready--in my opinion.

Your research is incomplete. Read everything you can get your hands on. Talk to as many WLS folks you can (those who will share their experience with you). Go to WLS support group meetings. Those meetings are deep deep wells of information. Ask questions--write them down before you go so you don't forget any. Talk to people who have had a negative experience as well as the fortunate ones who have had great success.

Keep posting and reading on this site. There are always opinions! --as well as useful information.

Discuss WLS with your spouse/S.O. to get their feelings about the procedure. This is a big one! WLS is soooo much more difficult without support.

After you have done all of the above (and a little praying couldn't hurt), your mind and heart will know.

Then you will be ready.

I wish you "happy information hunting".

Prayers going up for you.

Thank you. Your insight and advice hit home. I think I agree I'm not ready. I think I should commit to diet and exercise. I have follow up visits with the doctor for the insurance process, I think I will keep them and see where I'm at in 3 months. In the meantime, more research and more soul searching.

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It took me 10 years to come to the decision of having surgery. I would waffle between "Am I ready?" and "I'm never having surgery because I can do this myself!" Personally, it took me multiple times of real hardcore effort of losing, only to find myself regaining, to finally accept that I cannot do this on my own. It is not something to be rushed into, so take your time, do your research, give it a real honest to goodness go on your own and go from there. If you do decide to have surgery, you will know when it is time.

Thank you. Your insight and advice hit home. I think I agree I'm not ready. I think I should commit to diet and exercise. I have follow up visits with the doctor for the insurance process, I think I will keep them and see where I'm at in 3 months. In the meantime, more research and more soul searching.

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I tried and tried and Everytime I tried the latest diet I lost then regained ...The lapband was a nightmare as well...my friends who had the sleeve or bypass years ago are all doing well.

I have all the best diet books...tried them all...now that I have the bypass I can give them away.Its a tool that helps me stick to eating healthy....

I have been on a diet since 1978 and gained an extra 50 pounds beyond my pregnancy weight. A stroke is what convinced me to give up and get some surgical help.

Here are some common processes than many of our bariatric programs have in common. It will give you a head start and may be all you need to be successful.

Don't eat anything made in a factory.

Eat lean Protein first, and plenty of it.

Drink Water until your eyeballs float.

Don't become part of the sofa.

Here is a link to my favorite thread in this forum. It will give you 1, 319 reasons why the rest of us got our surgeries.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/219831-what-was-your-final-straw-that-broke-the-camels-back/?hl=%20final%20%20straw

Its hard work and WLS isn't easy and you have to work hard to get the weight off.People think that WLS is performed and weight drops off magically....it's a commitment...and constant management.....patience...

Thank you to everyone. I think I changed my mind six times between last night and today. I'm going to keep educating myself and exploring this forum.

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You could be on your way to losing weight and getting in control....