I was watching Oprah this afternoon and I could not believe all the wonderful non surgeical success stories. What caught my eye were two people (a woman who lost over 500lbs-she started out at 720lbs and a man who was well over 400lbs and is now normal size) who were able to deal with their "food" demons and overcame them enough to start eating right and moving enough to lose the weight.

As inspiring as the stories were, I was a bit sad because I wondered what was wrong with me and why I opted to have surgery when there are people out there who are able to do this the "normal" and hardest and disciplined way.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Solaa--I saw the program too. My daughter called me and told me to tune in. Here's the thing: I lost over 100 pounds 15 years ago and gained it all back plus some. I wonder how many of the people who were on the show today will keep the weight off for the rest of their lives? I chose the lap band because I don't every want to do that again. The band gives me hope that if I do start regaining, I can get the band refilled and maintain a healthy weight this time.

I lost 75 ppunds on my own 7 years ago and gained it all back......I have yo yo dieted for many many years. I agree with Linda.....how many of these people will be right back up there in a few years.

The sad part is alot of them will.........It is very hard to maintain the weightloss....that has been proven by statistics.

I chose the band to help me always be able to eat within limits.......I wanted to feel satisfied with little food.

So far no hunger and nearly 3 weeks out from surgery.

Solaa--I saw the program too. My daughter called me and told me to tune in. Here's the thing: I lost over 100 pounds 15 years ago and gained it all back plus some. I wonder how many of the people who were on the show today will keep the weight off for the rest of their lives? I chose the lap band because I don't every want to do that again. The band gives me hope that if I do start regaining, I can get the band refilled and maintain a healthy weight this time.

BINGO!!! What's more important to me: the method I chose to lose the weight, or how long it'll be gone?? Honestly - I have dieted a lot and done different exercise programs. Yes - I was always excited when I saw pounds come off, but I had this niggling little thought somewhere in my sub-conscious that would ask, "Yeah, but I wonder how long THAT'S going to last." I have NEVER felt how I feel now - when I see pounds come off on the scale, every SINGLE one is a victory because I know it is GONE. You want to know what pushed me into surgery rather than just taking on yet ANOTHER diet? I heard the statistic that 98% of people that lose weight like that (sometimes referred to as "white-knuckling") gain it back within 5 years. Yes, there will be some success stories. SOME people that are able to do it on their own AND keep it off. But why torture yourself like that? Lap Band is such a powerful tool to assist us to LOSE weight and keep it OFF! :whoo: That's worth it to me!

I do want to add...who says that having Lap Band takes no discipline. Are you kidding? I have to watch every single thing that passes my lips. I have to take small bites and chew to mush. Later on down the road, there's a possibility that there may be foods that I can never eat again because my body will expel it (bread for some, chicken for others, as examples).

I've never been a big Water drinker. I now make it a point to get 64 oz of fluids everyday. I take a multi-vitamin everyday. I watch my Protein and make sure I'm getting my doctor-recommended 60-80 per day. I take a Calcium supplement everyday. I make sure to move my rear-end a little bit more everyday.

You know what? In the past, I have always found some excuse to slack off and/or beat myself up for missing a day and giving it up altogether. But I know my band will not give up on me - so I will keep fighting for it. This band MOTIVATES me to keep up the good work because even though I still have the same thoughts about dieting cross my mind ("I'm having a crappy day - I want to go eat junk food," or "I forgot to take my vitamin/drink enough water/exercise...I might as well give up, I'm a failure"), I remember that I have this powerful tool inside of me that keeps me strong. I couldn't do this without the band. I tried. And for the past 13 or 14 years I have gotten on and off the bandwagon. But I have NEVER felt as strongly as I do today. I basically have a daily reminder that I get to take care of myself. The band in my body is priceless to me. Knowing what I know now, if the band cost 5x what it cost me, I would have kept saving until I could afford it!

I do want to add...who says that having Lap Band takes no discipline. Are you kidding? I have to watch every single thing that passes my lips. I have to take small bites and chew to mush. Later on down the road, there's a possibility that there may be foods that I can never eat again because my body will expel it (bread for some, chicken for others, as examples).

I've never been a big Water drinker. I now make it a point to get 64 oz of fluids everyday. I take a multi-vitamin everyday. I watch my Protein and make sure I'm getting my doctor-recommended 60-80 per day. I take a calcium supplement everyday. I make sure to move my rear-end a little bit more everyday.

You know what? In the past, I have always found some excuse to slack off and/or beat myself up for missing a day and giving it up altogether. But I know my band will not give up on me - so I will keep fighting for it. This band MOTIVATES me to keep up the good work because even though I still have the same thoughts about dieting cross my mind ("I'm having a crappy day - I want to go eat junk food," or "I forgot to take my vitamin/drink enough water/exercise...I might as well give up, I'm a failure"), I remember that I have this powerful tool inside of me that keeps me strong. I couldn't do this without the band. I tried. And for the past 13 or 14 years I have gotten on and off the bandwagon. But I have NEVER felt as strongly as I do today. I basically have a daily reminder that I get to take care of myself. The band in my body is priceless to me. Knowing what I know now, if the band cost 5x what it cost me, I would have kept saving until I could afford it!

Amen!!!!!!!!!! Well said.

That is exactly right. We have all tried several times, only to gain it back.

And we are doing it on our own, with the help of the band.

Okay I'm going to try this again. I have tried to write this three times and the grimlins are taking my post.

I joined WW 5 years ago this coming Feb. I lost 100 lbs. The problem was that I immediately began gaining it back. I have never stopped attending meetings. I knew if I did I would gain it all back. When I hit plus 60 I knew I had to do something more permenant. I KNOW I can lose weight. My problem is that I can't keep it off.

My surgeon says, "When you reach goal, if you gain a few pounds, you watch what you eat. If you gain 15 lbs you come back for a fill.

I know that I will always have to battle my weight. This time I'm ready for the fight. I've got my band watching my back. I will win this battle. Just call me Wendy the Bravehearted. LOL

Totally agree with everyone. For me getting on a program and losing weight has not been the problem, it's when I get to the point where somehow the motivation wanes and I slowly but surely start going in reverse. At first I tell myself that I'll be fine, I can easily lose those 2kgs again, then it turns to 4kgs... again telling myself that's not so bad... 6kgs and moving fast towards the unhappy & fat woman I thought I left behind. 14kgs back on and I sit wondering what went wrong... I chose this surgery because I never want to feel that helpless again.