Hey guys,

Found this forum a short while ago and finally decided to register.

As I'm sure many of you have, I've tried just about everything--diet pills (Phentermine), pre-portioned meals (Nutrisystem), low carb, carefully ratioed diets, et cetera... the last eight years of my life looks like the self help section at Barnes and Noble... always with some success, but nothing to write home about.

Basically, I went from a chubby but healthy 230lbs (6'3" and wide like a door frame) to in the 370s at my highest. I eat less, eat healthier, and drink less every year, all while trying to make my daily life more active, but I just can't seem to overcome years of stagnation, terrible overeating and pointless calories from partying.

I've never been a fan of gastric bypass simply because I don't like the idea of replumbing my body--even if it is a sound idea, but I've always kept the lap band at the back of my mind. I've always wanted to wait and try new approaches to the situation, but at this point I'm 26, I've just ridden a diet rollercoast that took me down over 50lbs and then back up 30, and I'm starting to feel old physically.

In June, I torqued my knee going down a flight of stairs. I turned it pretty hard and for anyone this would have been unpleasant, but it nearly incapacitated me and I was in pain for days. If I was even just a more sane level of overweight, I don't think this would have been more than a boo-boo.

Anyway, thanks for all of your posts guys. They're encouraging, and I think they've helped me finally take a stand and realize that I'm not healthy, I can be helped surgically, and that banding is in no way some kind of magical short cut cheat for people without the will power to lose weight.

Welcome! this is a GREAT place to learn so much! I hear ya about dropping weight just to re-gain it plus some! The Lap Band has been a great tool for me! Best thing I ever did!