HI my name is Kara I am a 34 yr old mother of 2. I currently weigh 225 lbs and have weighed 175 or better since I was 12 yrs old. I have been trying most of the year to make a healthier change in my life for my kids. I quit smoking in May after 17 yrs and I really want to get this weight off. I am trying to figure out if this is what I want to do. I am a little worried about loosing it too fast and having skin hanging off everywhere. I am afraid I will go through depression boughts like I do about my weight. When I say depression I mean, I don't want anything to do with anyone, I am down on myself, I am unhappy, and quiet and I just want to sit around all day. Luckily I have 2 boys so I can't really just sit around. Well I can some. I guess I am afraid it will get worse or that I will needt to go on medication for it. I don't like pills. Other than that I am not really worried right now. I do need someone to help me with finding the right info and answers. I want to be smart going into the possibility of doing this. I am meeting with my Primary care Physician Fri and will be bringing it up with him then. I don't really know what I need to know at this point, I just know I could use some help. By the way I am in Watkinsville, GA:biggrin:

oh i forgot i am 5 ft tall with BMI 42.6

Edited August 27, 200817 yr by mamak

Kara, you are in the same place many of us have been in at one time. I would suggest seeing your primary care as planned and then researching as much as you can about lap band surgery and what is required after surgery. It is a great "tool" for weight loss, but it does require a lot of commitment.

I am similar to you in that my highest weight was 260 and the lowest weight that I can remember since high school is 140. I even went on a strict diet and exercise program, went to school to become a fitness technician, and worked as a personal trainer for 4 years and was still only able to get down to 178. I kept at that weight for a year but then got pregnant with two more kids and ballooned back up to 260. That was when I decided to get the lap band surgery. I had been researching it off and on over the previous year and a half and was afraid to take such a drastic approach but I literally had tried everything else. I had surgery June 9, 2008 and so three months later, I have lost 35 pounds. I have been successful with the lap band so far, but I have tried to follow the Dr's orders as close as possible because that is what I have read and heard makes a huge difference in your success. I am sure if you decide to go ahead with surgery, with the right support, commitment, dedication, and determination, you will be very successful. Good luck!