I am new and am just now considering lap band surgery. I have contacted a hospital here in Oklahoma that has a program and have received a packet full of great information. My problem is that I am feeling some anxiety over feeling like this is the last ditch effort, and saying to myself that I really do not have any control over my eating habits and now am considering surgically altering my body to stop my addiction to food! Did any one else have these feelings initially? Please help. I am attending a class next month and am not even sure I will qualify as I am 95 lbs overweight and have been for the last 20 years. I have chronic asthma, GERD, and joint problems from all the excess pounds. I need some encouragement!

Hi Suzyj

This is indeed a drastic step to consider. It took my DH a couple of years to finally decide to have the Band, and it took me a couple of years after he was banded to realize that this is what I needed to do.

I can understand your anxiety, at the first support group I went to with my DH, I had a full blown panic attack. All these women where about my size asuming that I was there because I was banded or considering the band. I was freaked out because I didn't consider myself large enough to need something that drastic. I was happy with my size, or at least resigned to it.

But I gained another 20 pounds, and I wasn't so happy anymore. I started having real problems with my asthma. Like collapsed lungs, needing oxygen therapy at home, and crap like that. The pulminologist said the cause was because I was fat. Another pulminologist said the same thing. Man, you think I wasn't pissed off?

Long story short (too late!), I've been banded for almost 9 weeks. My asthma is completely controlled to the point where I have used my rescue puffer one day in 7 weeks. When you consider that 5 days prior to my banding I was in an ambulance headed to the ER because my asthma was so severe my friends couldn't drive me the 2 miles to the ER.

There are lots of options open for you. There are also some very good support sites on the net for folks considering WLS. The band is absolutely the right tool for many of us, but really only you can make that final determination. You will find a wealth of information here on LBT to help you with your journey.

Cheers, and welcome.

Suzy - I think we all go through all those feelings. Take some time and browse through all the new and older posts and you will see what most people go through. There is a lot of information on this board, and a lot of support too.

It actually took me about a year before I gave in, I actually thought I could do it with diet too. I could lose weight, I just couldn't keep off the weight I lost, and I would always gain more weight back than I lost.

Good luck, and please keep us posted on what you decide to do.

Susyj:

I'm not scheduled for banding until the end of June. I know what you are feeling. I feel like a failure. I've tried everything and I always only stay on a program for about 4 weeks. I really consider this my last chance, and I also fear not being able to make this work. But I have two friends who have been banded and they are both doing great, so in addition to the great people on the site, I've seen the results with my own eyes.

Actually I met these people back in December. One was banded April 04 the other Dec 28. Although I was impressed I thought, "I'll show you--I can do this on my own" I went to Weight Watchers again for the (I don't now how many times I've started) time and guess what --- I didn't stick with it. If I'd moved forwarded on getting banded back in January I wouldn't be spending another summer looking like I do.

So yes, I feel like I'm selling out, but I'll live with that and look forward to next summer and being able to golf again!!!

I Think All That You Are Feeling Is Normal, At Least I Had It And Many Many Banders On The Board Have Too. Good Luck To You..

Suzy...We are both in OK....OOOOOOKLHOMA where the wind comes sweeping down the plains.....Don't stress. Part of doing this is admitting that you need some help. Let's all be honest...if dieting had not failed us, we would all be a size 5!

Aileena

To be banded 05/26

Suzy

You have to do the research on this. I wish I could tell you that it is the right thing for you, but honestly only you can decide this one. Try talking to people who have had the surgery. I researched this for two years, then I met two people who actually had the surgery and once I saw that they survived, I knew it was the right thing for me. It has been six weeks, and although I still struggle to stay on track, I know that it was the right thing to do.

Good luck with your decision!

Eileen

I had not doubt this was meant for me, I'd do it again in a heartbeat and $16,750.00, LOL.