I'm at least 3-4 months from surgery. I've gotten back into exercising and eating properly over the last few months, consequently the weight is falling off at a great rate (395 to 366 since September). I feel like I'm eating healthily rather than "dieting" and I'm really enjoying my exercise program at a small gym in town. I'm still going through with all the lap-band appointments for now, but I feel like I will be very conflicted about having the surgery if I'm still doing this well after another few months.

Has anyone else had this experience? Thoughts? Questions I should be asking myself to resolve decision one way or another? Past threads that might shed some light?

I see the same type of post here a lot. Only you can decide whether you need to go forward. I have been successful at losing weight more than once in my adult life but could never keep it off. That is why I decided to be banded. I knew from experience that I couldn't do it on my own. If you think that you can maintain the weight without the band then by all means you should not be banded...but like I said only you can decide that.

I too have seen this question alot.

I have lost 50-70lb a ton of times in my life... and most recently was losing 60 2 years ago. I managed to pack that on at an alarming rate of less than a year once I got to a goal I had. For me dieting doesn't work. I always revert to old habits here and there.

You will have to decide if you're going to have to struggle with this for a lifetime or if the answer for you really is dieting. I am sorry but for the most part statistics are against you but your future really is up to you.

I wish you the best in whatever your decision may be.

You must do what you feel is right for you.

FOR ME...... No more diets!!!!! This WILL be the last time at losing. It is an end to the constant dieting, feeling of failure. Sure I could lose the weight, but keeping it off was my problem. My health is the most important, and right now is the time to take care of this issue. FOR GOOD !!!!!!

Best of Luck with your decision.

Lois

I think most people feel that way during the 6 month diet. But I agree with others about it being hard to keep off. I have lost it lots of times, but I am not able to keep it off on my own. That is why I got the band.

You have to do what you think is best for you but I have to agree with the others ...<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

I've been able to lose good chunks of weight in the past (40-70lbs) but that weight always comes back, plus extra!!<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

I think the band has helped me because I've never been able to lose this amount of weight before but I have no food limitations and feel no restriction with my band like others talk about. I've only had one small fill of 2cc's. I like knowing the band is there for me, my safety net. If I start to slip, I can just get it filled but for the mean time, I enjoy not having to worry about some of the complications that come with restriction.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Good luck on what ever you decide. You are off to a great start!<o:p></o:p>

I lost 54# on my 6 mo diet pre-op. I think the reason I was successful in losing was because I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I knew the band was going to help me for the rest of my life. I could take weight off but could never keep it off because of constantly being hungry. All that is under control with the band and I am loving the fact that I can be a normal weight and not have the HUNGER ALL THE TIME.

I used to be hungry all the time too. No amount of food would satisfy me. I felt like I had no control over my life. The band has given me that control and I wouldn't go back for anything.