Hi all

Been reading through these forums and found lots of very useful/helpful information.

I first saw my Consultant - Shaw Somers - June 2007, where he said I would be a good candidate for WLS. It has taken a further 6 months for me to decide that I want to go ahead.

I phoned the unit in Chichester on Monday and yesterday they told me I could have the op on 31st Jan - 3 weeks away. They initially said I could have 17th if I wanted, but there is too much for me to sort out for that deadline - plus it seemed too rushed.

Anyway, I have lots of reservations, still, about all this but think it is the right choice when I weigh everything up.

Today, after the initial excitement yesterday, I feel depressed that it has come to this. That I am a failure and rather pathetic that I can't use will power and just stop stuffing my face! I am disgusted that I am electing to have surgery when I am healthy, because I choose to overeat. I see sick and dying people in my job who would give anything to be in my position. Yet here I am, choosing to go through a surgical procedure to "be normal".

Sorry to be such a misery, but I thought I might as well be completely honest from the start.

All comments, negative and positive, are very welcome. Did anyone else feel this way?

I went through so many emotions too and sorry to say it gets worse as surgery day nears. I went through excitement, guilt, worry, fear and back to excitement. The day of surgery I was in my hospital gown with IV inserted and ready to go and I just wanted to hop off that bed and run out of that hospital!

But in the end I have no regrets and I would do it all over again if I had to.

hi marmite & welcome...

my surgery is jan 21st, im too from the UK & ive been through those emotions, im on my pre op diet & the weight is falling off (doesnt help having flu) & im thinking why cant i be like this with my diets?,

I dont think there is anything wrong in asking for help esp when we have tried everything else to lose weight, its a tool thats all & were the ones who are still going to have to put in the effort to make it work correctly for us to achieve what we want it to achieve,

Stay positive, this is just the begining of your journey, after the surgery just think of what better life you can be leading

hi girls i am from uk, hampshire. i was banded last june and i went through all the emotions to andpaying privately is a huge guilt trip when a family needs so many other things all the time!. but looking back it was the right decision as i am happier and healthier, i enjoy my family more etc, so its fine to feel all that stuff and think it through its a big step, but one well worth taking. goodluck.:thumbs_up:

Hello and I am very happy for you and your surgery date.

The lap band or any WLS can be an emotional rollercoaster. I have faith that you're doing the right thing. This will better your health physically and emotionally. I was like you... I couldn't believe I had to have a surgery to make myself stop over eating. Wth was I thinking!? I beat the crap out of myself emotionally but I stood firm that to be here for my kids and to see my grandkids if and when they come was a huge thing for me. I was 271 pounds at 32 with a 16 year old and a 12 year old. I could never run a mile with my dogs, tie my own shoes, cross my legs, run up stairs, go shopping in the mall with my daugther and keep up.

WELL! I can now and I can out shop my daughter, out walk my husband, play catch with my son, run 3 miles. I have hit Onederland on Xmas day and I will never look back.

I have made the right choice for me and it's to get healthy. I have more time for everything else since I am not sitting around obsessing about food and what I will eat next.

Sorry for the long post but I feel very passionate about the positive things that can come of this surgery.

Thank you ladies, I feel a lot better reading your posts. I will go back and re-read them when I am being hard on myself again.

I spoke to a lovely lady from here this morning on the phone. She was banded by Shaw Somers and has put a lot of my doubts to rest. Thank you Wendy :thumbs_up:

Hello to you. I too am from the uk. Scotland to be exact. What you say sounds so familiar . It is only natural that you feel apprehensive. I was banded on the 17 th Sept and have lost 3 st 3 lbs. Feel good now but it has taken me all this time to recover. I find it amazing that I have lost so much but am glad it has slowed down now as quick weight loss has side effects. Do your homework ,this sight is brilliant. Don,t feel a lesser person for using the surgical route.You deserve the best so go for it. All the best Sheena