:help:

I'm trying to decide if I want to go through lapband surgery. I rarely use message boards/forums, but I'm confused.

I've been reading a number of threads on this site and it all seems so scary and a lot of doom and gloom. Maybe I'm just not reading the right threads.

I've been through a consulation session. I'm 37 years old, 5'3" and 263 lbs. I'm about 80% sure I want to do this, but it's a big decision. However, I don't like my physical self very much at all.

I'll need too do a 3 month diet/exercise program with the surgeon before my insurance will even consider it. Out of pocket, I'll need to spend $175 a month. However, that is a lot less than food for a month from Nutrisystem.

I feel like a failure because I haven't been able to lose weight and keep it off. I've tried diet and exercise alone over the past 18 years. I've had some great success, but could never keep it off. Most recently, I worked with a personal trainer for 18months, lost almost 40 lbs, but pretty much gained it all back since I stopped working out with him.

I know I'm an emotional eater and if I do the WLS it's not a cure, but a tool. I also understand that I will have to change and find a way to break the emotional eating habit.

I keep thinking:

• What if I have so many problems with the lapband that I just give up?
  
• Can I live with eating so little for the rest of my life?
  
• This is voluntary surgery, is it really the right thing to do?
  
• What if I don't get the surgery, will I be around long enough to see my daughter have a full life?

I am an emotional eater, as well. The only reason I say that in the present tense is because that is the first thing I want to do when I'm feeling stressed out. My social worker at the surgeon's office recommended that I find new coping mechanisms ahead of time so that when those moments come up I can so something constructive. I came up with a list of things I can do instead and it has helped me. The one time that the urge was too strong to resist, I just found some low calorie Snacks to eat instead. I measured it out and that's all I ate and that was that.

It's not the easiest thing I've ever done, but has it been worth it? Boy, has it ever. I'm down 33 lbs and physically feel so incredibly much better than I did before. Each day I find a new reason to love this band. New NSVs (non-scale victories) everyday. I LOVE it. And with each lb that comes off, I am overjoyed because I know it's gone for good.

It takes work because I don't have good restriction, yet. I've only had one fill and I am RAVENOUS a lot of the time because I'm restricting my calories on my own. But I just find other things to occupy my time. This forum helps out a lot. Since I'm obsessing about getting down to a healthier size, it helps to be around like-minded people. LOL

Did you look at the before and after pics? That alone should help you decide.

I struggled with the decision myself for over a Year. I watched a friend who had bypass. She is healther, happier, and has so much more energy. The Lord kept on putting this option in "my face". I felt it was the thing to do. I've Dieted since I was Mid 20's and have always gained the weight back and more. My health was an issue now. Diabetic, arthritic, and hypertensive.

Regardless of how much I loose, I know I already feel better!

:help:

I've been reading a number of threads on this site and it all seems so scary and a lot of doom and gloom. Maybe I'm just not reading the right threads.

One thing to keep in mind is that since this is a support board, a lot of the people posting are dealing with issues. Those who are doing great and are happy aren't posting a lot of thread saying so, so you can get a skewed impression from that. If that makes sense.

:help:

I keep thinking:

• What if I have so many problems with the lapband that I just give up?
  
• Can I live with eating so little for the rest of my life?
  
• This is voluntary surgery, is it really the right thing to do?
  
• What if I don't get the surgery, will I be around long enough to see my daughter have a full life?

1. If you follow the lapband rules you should not have major problems.

2. You will be able to eat pretty much everything you could eat before...you just won't be eating 2 hamburgers and an order of fries at a sitting. You'll get to where you get pretty picky about what you eat. Actually, you get used to it pretty quick. I went out to eat with a girlfriend the other week (who has since gotten the band herself) and we both got stuffed baked potatoes as a meal. Whereas she dug right into hers....I marveled and laughed when I saw mine and said "No way on this PLANET am I going to be able to finish that baby!" and sure enough I couldn't....

3. Best decision I ever made.

4. At the rate you are (and most of the rest of us were...) going....probably not.

Thank you to all who responded, I really appreciate it. I have personally spoken with a couple of people who have the band (one has had it since 2002, the other since Oct). As of today, I plan on calling the surgeon tomorrow and starting the 3 month diet & exercise with him.

Thanks again!