Hey All,

I'm very new to this and never thought I would think of having weight loss surgery but for the past few months that's exactly what I have been thinking. I'm not sure how my friends and relatives will view me and I feel weak for the fact I can't lose and keep it off myself so I think how will this be different. Did/Does anyone else feel this way?

At first I felt weightloss surgery was "the easy way out", but I was so big I felt there was no way I could lose the weight by myself.....so I struggled a little with self disgust in the beginning. I first started to realize that maybe there was more to weightloss surgery than I had thought after I went to a seminar. Then I got hooked up with lapbandtalk and started lurking about, reading posts and generally making an ass out of myself. It was only after I was banded that I fully realized that there is A LOT of work involved with being banded. I'm at the point now that I'm proud of the fact that having a band is alot of work (sure, I still have quite a bit of weight left to lose.....but I'm getting there). I would suggest that you do research on all the weightloss surgeries and pick the best fit for you. Good luck!

Hey Plain, Thanks for replying. I guess I'm just confused right now. I'm looking at all my options. I just know where I'm heading if I don't do something now. I've saw it time and time again with my mom. I understand this is going to be hard from reading all the posts. The issue with me is that yes I can lose the weight but I can't keep it off like many of the other people I gain it back and then some.

I think so far I have some good advocates on my side but how did you all tell the ones that you didn't think would be supportive or did you just hide it?

I know exactly how you are feeling. Why can I not do this myself. Why am I . . .

This is the start of something positive and for you and for me. We are doing this for the correct reasons. Health--no more sore knees, no more whatever.

As for friends and relatives. I think they would rather have you here on the planet than have a serious health issue or not be here at all.

Good luck

Hey Plain, Thanks for replying. I guess I'm just confused right now. I'm looking at all my options. I just know where I'm heading if I don't do something now. I've saw it time and time again with my mom. I understand this is going to be hard from reading all the posts. The issue with me is that yes I can lose the weight but I can't keep it off like many of the other people I gain it back and then some.

I think so far I have some good advocates on my side but how did you all tell the ones that you didn't think would be supportive or did you just hide it?

That's where I fall. I can lose weight. I can white knuckle and keep it off but I simply cannot happily live my life white knuckling through every event that has food involved. I am not telling people about the band. I dont want the criticism right now. I need my head to be quiet and my corner to filled w/only those I know will be good cheerleaders. My mom and my husband are it for now and perhaps later I'll add others to the list but I dont want the food police and I dont want the discussion that I feel like will inevitably happen behind my back.

I dont consider it "hiding" I think it's making a plan for me to be successful. Somebody here said in another post (dont remember where or who sorry) that we've basically become a society where if you keep things private you are considered a liar. That really resounded with me, I dont need to share everything about my self for the sake of honesty. Honestly some things simply are not anybody elses business. :0) I have to remind myself of that sometimes.

Good luck with your decisions!

yes i totally feel the way you do i just hope i really keep it off this time.....

Thanks for your words of encouragement. You are right that some things need to be your own and not everyone needs to know. I just sent in my information today for the approval process. I guess I keep thinking what will be my next step if I'm denied?

Once I had the surgery I kept it just within my very close knit family... But then as I began to lose the weight I started my blog and posting online and when people ask how I lost it ... I say portion control and exercise... with the help of the Lapband. I haven't had one negative comment yet.... Which has suprised me.

Good luck!

Hey Brandy, I checked out your pics and blog and you are doing so great. Congratulations!

Hey Brandy, I checked out your pics and blog and you are doing so great. Congratulations!

Thanks! I feel like a totally different person.