Hi everyone - another newbie here from Ireland. I'm considering a band and have found the threads on this site amazing so far...I've a couple of things I'm grappling with a the moment and I'd love some feedback .. I'm 44, 5 foot 5 and 181 pounds (bmi of 30.4 right now) and I've also got hypothyroidism. I've always been "big" but the thyroid situation has resulted in me piling on more than a few pounds over the last couple of years. I work out 4 days a week (twice with a trainer) and have a reasonably good diet (don't do too much pigging out but when I do it's carbs not chocolate)..I've been dieting since my twenties and I'm so good at it I just can't get enough...but I can't seem to keep the weight off.<br /> <br /> I'm feeling guilty about even considering a band but when I think about the amount of work i'm doing right now to stand still it worries me that I'm only going to gain more without being able to keep up this level of activity..I also feel guilty because I'm not struggling with serious obesity and thinking that maybe this is a self-indulgence. So I wonder what others with a lower bmi think about banding..are you glad you did it? what motivated you to do it? and how have any of you with thyroid conditions found the band?<br /> <br /> Forgive the thinking out loud - this is such a difficult issue to talk to people about. <br /> <br /> Thanks <img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/happy.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" smilieid="60" class="inlineimg" />

Hi Sally, I had the band done in January this year in Dublin and don't regret it for one minute. I had a higher bmi than you but I have heard of people with lower bmi having the band done. It might be wise to talk to your gp about the op before making a decision, as for overweight being a self indulgence, if diets worked we wouldn't be having this conversation. Some people are lucky and can diet and exercise and lose weight and maintain it. But for the rest of us, the band is the last option. Its no easy way to lose weight but in most cases its guarenteed. Between your gp and the surgeon who does the operation you should be able to come to a decision that suits you. Good luck.

PS. If you read the thread "Hi from Ireland" you will meet a lot of people who have had the op in Dublin.

Hi Coco - thanks for the reply. Yes, I'm going to have a chat with my GP next week about this. How did you find your op and the recovery?