is it really worth it???????

[Zoe 6]

Hi Eve -- Someone started an interesting thread here a couple of months ago called "Would you do it again?" Try looking in the archives around Oct. - Nov. 2004. Most of us said "Yes, in a heartbeat!" There were a few dissenters, too. You're doing the right thing by getting more information.

[donali 57]

ABSOLUTELY - without a doubt. I was self-pay, had to have my port repositioned, and eventually my band removed due to erosion, but have not regretted it for one second.

My journey was probably 80% band, 20% mental. Maybe I'm not giving myself enough credit, because I did do a lot of emotional counseling before being banded, but my journey was so easy I felt like the band was doing most of the work.

I wish I could be rebanded. My insurance doesn't cover banding, and the incidence of re-erosion seems to be higher than the initial risk... However, if I ever win the lotto, I just may get rebanded with the AMI band, which seems to have the lowest incidence of erosion to begin with, and see what happens. FYI - the AMI band is NOT an FDA approved band, so Americans are generally urged to be banded with the Inamed LapBand or the Johnson & Johnson band so that they can receive aftercare in the states.

In the meantime... I'm trying to fall back on my therapy for compulsive eating, which hasn't been too effective lately, but to be honest, I'm not really working it, so... I have only myself to blame.

Doing it solo means getting rid of the dieting mentality and making permanent changes to your lifestyle and eating style. Being banded means the same thing, but it's easier to do with the band's help, simply because quantity becomes less of an issue for most people.

[DeniseG 3]

I guess I am a dissenter.

Would I do it again? Probably not, I don't know. If I am honest about it. Mainly because I am a sugar eater. I have a harder time giving up sugar then food. With the lapband, candy bars, skittles, ice cream.........that stuff has no problem going down.

I lost 50 pounds, then gained back 20 after the lapband. Now, I am losing again, but, I am on Nutrisystem as well as have the band. And I am losing because I let out my fill (strange huh?) I didn't think I would need anything but the band.

On the plus size (no pun intended) It has curbed my fast food intake, and restaurant eating. It was almost worth it just for that.

I think I base whether or not I would do it again more on my husband's band problems then the plusses I have encountered with the band.

[BeachBabe(soon) 0]

I'm not banded yet, but as soon as I have the money in my hand, I'm hoping on a plane to Mexico.

At first i thought "no way, I don't need that kind of help", read these message boards and other ones too, and I realized what I've been doing so far hasn't been working.

All these people are working their band, they're the ones succeeding.

I've been over weight for the past 11yrs, my life has been on hold for 11yrs. And the next 11yrs are going to go by just as fast, I asked myself "how do I want to spend the rest of my life"? Yo-Yo dieting and hiding from all the fun life has to offer. I have kids and want make lots of happy memories.

How do you want to spend the rest of your life..................?

Good Luck.

[ekane 0]

well i just want to thank everyone for taking the time to reply.

i know i am extra nervous about this because i have never had any type of surgery before. it scares the hell out of me. but id be willing to do it if it will work. thats where the struggle comes. i have really low self esteem so i feel like there is a good chance i will fail at this too. but hearing what some of you have said, that the band really DOES do a lot of the job, it sure helps.

thanks again

eve

(i am going to go read that thread zoe suggested right now)

[Zoe 6]

Eve, believe me when I say that just about all of us here have failed, if that's even the right word, at just about every diet on the planet. Oh, sure, we lost weight for a while, but then put it back on -- and then some. I think that's why we sought a radical alternative. Take a look at the before and after photos. Behind each of us, there's a history of other weightloss attempts. Some of us (well, me anyway) are not at our goal weight yet, but we're making it, thanks to the band. If you're having serious second thoughts, no problem; the band isn't for everyone. But it is a great tool for a lot of us who never thought we could really lose weight and keep it off. Good luck!

[Belle joufflue une 1]

For many fat people-the "full" feeling is rather illusive. With the band, that "full" feeling is there if you follow the band rules...which I didn't find that hard to follow.

[Norma Jamerson 1]

I can honestly say, "Make sure you have some kind of counceling before hand." I say this because you asked how hard the mental part is. Well, that is the most difficult part of all for me. I got my band on 2/16/05 and cry about every other night. I miss food. I start councelling next week. I realize now how much of a relationship with food I have. For most people it's the hardest problem to overcome. If I could do it again, I wouldn't. I know, I am the only one saying that, but I am 5'1" and 221 pounds. SUre I was 236 day of operation, but I realize now I was not ready mentaly for it. If you can find a workout buddy, go to counceling, eat more salads rather than Pasta for example, you may still be able to do this on your own. Try again with every inch of will power you have. Let this be your last resort because although this is reversable, Insurance agencies wont pay to reverse just because you change you mind. That is where I am at right now. So I'm trying to make the best with what I've got, but I do regret it still at this point. Again, this is only my opinion, and as you can see from everyone else, they have mostly positive things to say. I just wanted to make sure you know that it IS possible to do it on your own and at least that way you can enjoy your favorite foods at moderations. There are too many restrictions with the band.

[Norma Jamerson 1]

P.S. how do I start my own message? What do I click on? I have a lot of questions that may help me out if I get answers.

[Alexandra 55]

Norma, go to any forum section and there will be a button that says New Thread. Click on that and you'll be able to post a new thread in whatever section you're in.

[Norma Jamerson 1]

Thank you so much Alexandra!

[Norma Jamerson 1]

Jack- I am so glad that the band is working for you! It's when the obesity has taken over our lives and our health that I fully agree the lap band is a good idea. Good for you!

[Zoe 6]

Wonderful post, Jack. Thank you.

[slenderella 7]

This is absoulutely the best thing I have done for myself...not only is the weight going but my whole outlook on food has changed...It no longer controls me, I use to go to places for the food, the mall-pretzel, cinnabon, chinese food, the show- popcorn, coke,candy, the grocery store - what ever I could get fast...Now the food is not important, don't get me wrong, I get popcorn at the show, just not the 2 gal tub, no coke..and I survive and am proud of myself. Go for it!!!

Nancy

[babsyintx 0]

Eve,

This was the best decision I made for myself. I had tried dieting and just kept gaining the weight back. If I had to put a calculation on how much is band and how much is mental, for me I would say it is about 50/50. I work hard at the losses, but I know I would not be able to keep it off without the band. Physically, I cannot eat what I ate before. And if you do eat your Protein first, then your veggies, you will be full for long periods of time. The temptation to eat crap food is diminished greatly. You can do this, but the band is just a great tool. You do need to work at it to be successful.

Babs in TX

334/180/170

-154