Well, I wanted the surgery this past summer (I'm a teacher) but my insurance wasn't going to come through in time...so we scheduled it for December 19 (Merry Christmas, right???). Since the summer I've been almost talking myself out of this whole thing. I got insurance approval in the mail today! Has anyone else gone back and forth with this? One day I feel like I want it and then the next I'm sure I can handle this 'disease' on my own. Please tell me others are as wishy-washy as I am!!! And how do I come to a final decision???

Yes, I did the same thing up until surgery day. I had to remind myself that I didn't do it on my own. When you go thru the process and loss some weight and follow a diet you think you can do it. I reminded myself that I could probably lose the weight if I tried - which I had done in the past over and over - but I had to redo it over and over. I would always regain - now I have a built in maintenance plan. The surgery itself isn't bad, so don't worry yourself about that. It isn't the easiet thing to do but it is so much easier than before. I rarely feel hungry and when I eat, I am satisfied. I am only 4 weeks out and without a fill so I am impressed so far with the band and my ability to follow the strict diet. Good luck! I think we all been there. Stay focus on the goal and the reason you initially decided to do it in the first place.

I go back and forth and my surgery is in a week. I wonder if I can really do this and achieve what I have seen others do. But I KNOW that I can and I know this is right for me because I look at all of my attempts in the past that have been unsuccessful and I just can't face that anymore. Besides the statistic about 98% or something like that that try to lose the weight on their own end up gaining it back in the long term. I need something that's going to keep me accountable to myself for life. Good luck with your decision!

I had surgery 10/29 and it has been very easy. I have lost 19 lbs so far. Am in the second stage of liquids with no hunger problems. Tried a little soft food and was stuffed. I have six incisions that are healing with no problems. The cravings were first very strong but in the last day or so have gone away. The protein shakes have helped with this. I guess the only problem I am having is my pants and shirts are starting to look a little funny. I was in the position of either having it done or taking the chance of dieing young as both of parents did. This was a decision I made after many months of worrying about the what ifs. I am excited about my new future. If anyone has any questions send them my way. :clap2:

Hi,

I just wanted to say that you posted what I have been thinking to a Tee. I am even more complicated by the fact, I have lost 110 lbs before & kept it off for 5 years to have it come back on...So, I have really been struggling with needing a surgical option to help me.

I am really feeling as though, I am a great weight loser! I just can't keep it off. This is that tool, I have been looking for my whole life...

This is right for us. It is safe & there are tons of people on these boards that are a living testament to its success...

Hang in there! I set my surgery date tomorrow so the countdown is on!

Tiffany

I was pretty much gung ho from the start. The what if's started after I was banded, the first day. OMG, What have I done. Sit back, relax, and think about all the diets you have tried, yeah they worked, but what happened afterwards. You gained it all back plus more. It is such a relief to know that you never have to go on a diet again. This time it is an eating plan for life, no diet. Think of all the money spent on this pill and that pill and this gadget and that. No more. This gives me such peace of mind. I know eventually I will be able to eat anything I want. The portions will be 1/10th but I will be satisfied after eating that...WOW..that is quite a motivator for me. I am one week post op, and if I feel a little hunger pang, just drinking one ounce of juice gets rid of it...OMG ONE OUNCE. Real food still repulses me at this point, and I am enjoying that feeling. You will be surprised at how much better you feel when you don't have to worry about what your next meal will be. Not thinking about food this week has been very refreshing, like nothing I have ever experienced before. Stop asking yourself if you can do it, Keep all your instructions in front of you and read them daily, this is what will be consumed today...no thinking about it. Your mind is then free to focus on other things, things you used to enjoy. It's really very powerful if you think of it like this, so look forward to it, don't dread it.