Is there anyone out there who keeps changing their minds? I was approved very quickly by my insurance but I keep delaying setting up a surgery date. I know I have to loose weight but I'm not sure it's worth giving up food that I love for the rest of my life. My husband and I love going to nice restaurants and on cruises (where there's always lots of good food). It seems like most people are so excited about it all. I don't know if I really want to give up this great pleasure in life so I won't schedule my surgery date. Anyone else felt like this?

Angelface,

I and my hubby also like to travel and cruise. But the last time I was on a cruise I couldn't do some of the things I wanted to. I was too heavy to parasail. I wasn't strong enough to snorkel in the beautiful Mexican water or do much hiking or even sightseeing. I LOVE food but for me it's getting to the point where I feel like I'd rather get to the end of my life and be able to think back on all the things I did instead of all of the forgotton crap (scuz' me) that I ate. I can't wait until my surgery and I have a feeling I'll never look back! And, I understand that you don't stop eating good food, just have to control your portions like crazy.

Anyway, these are just my thoughts and feelings. Good luck in whatever you decide.

I think you have to reach the point that it is definitely worth giving up your love of overeating to attain a healthier and happier body. It probably isn't a popular stance around here, but I have no intention of trying to persuade you that it is all worth the hassle of surgery. I thought it was for me, and I'm very happy with my decision. but you have to reach that point yourself. If you aren't mentally and emotionally ready to give up your addiction, then surgery isn't going to change that; it is just going to make you miserable.

All I can say is that this Lap Banding surgery is very serious and is for persons who have determined that their lives need to change. If you are hedging because of your love for food, then I suggest you wait until you have had enough: enough of the co-morbidities, enough of the ridicule, enough of the guilt after.

Please don't have the surgery just because you were approved by your insurance company. This has to be for you, when you are ready and prepared for it.

I was tired of having food control me instead of me controlling the food. Why can't you go on a cruise or to a nice restaurant after banding? After a couple months of healing and post op diets, you can go out to eat, you just won't eat as much and your food choices (if you want to lose weight) will have to be healthy choices.

If you feel you still want to eat as much food as you do now, then maybe you are just not ready for weight loss surgery.

Food as a "great pleasure" as you describe it, no longer felt that way to me. Food became my enemy, not my friend and was destroying my body, but without the band, I felt helpless against it's control over me.

I was totally ready for surgery. I was mentally prepared for recovery, for liquid diets and the whole journey.

I wish I was in a program that would approve me so quickly. I started this journey in December. I have lost 20 lbs so far on my own and I'm just waiting for them to tell me it is time to schedule me. Don't do anything until you are ready. You can still eat on a cruise but simply small amounts and enjoy all the other things the cruise has to offer.

Thanks for your replies. My insurance approved me within one month of walking into the doctors office for the first time that I really hav'nt had time to think about the after effects of the surgery. I keep reading about people who are disappointed with their lap band but I am now going to focus on the majority who are happy with thier lap band.

I was tired of having food control me instead of me controlling the food..

YES, YES, YES!!

That is completely it! I have been pretty successful in my life, but this was the ONE aspect of it that I could not succeed at.....I want to be IN CONTROL and have to tools to keep that control!

As for cruising.....reframe it....are you going for the food or the atmosphere....I've been on two cruises and I remember the food being good...but what I really remember is standing underneath the palm trees, looking out at the sapphire blue Water in Nassau.....THAT'S what I want to do again.....except maybe this time in a swimming suit!