Hi everyone,

I'm so new to this. For years, I wouldn't consider a weight loss surgery due to my mom's horrible accounts of patients who met their demise because of it, but I'm tired of being fat.

I am 25, and have literally been on one diet or another for 15 years. My mother enrolled me in WW at the lovely age of ten because my pediatrician told her I was not on the charts for weight by my age, but failed to tell her that I wasn't for height either...(5'3 at 10....) Anywho...So from WW to Susan Powter to Phentermine to WW...you get the cycle....

In February 2006, I was dx with PCOS. My DH and I had been trying to conceive for almost six months when I went to see someone...It ended up in total being about 17 months before I finally got pregnant with my daughter. 5'11" and 292 when I got pregnant...I was 271 the day I delivered...Yay Pregnancy!

So I had our daughter in Oct. 07, joined the gym in January 08 at 263. Worked out with a trainer three days a week and on my own 2 -3 extra days. End of month one, go for my weigh in with my trainer, and I've gained 37 pounds:crying:..

WTF!?!?!:huh2: 300lbs...I about lost it there in the gym, that was never a number that I wanted to see. So I go to my primary TSH level is at 24.9, so we now have a dx of hypothyroidism. I've been on meds now for almost a year, and have gained between 20 and 30 more pounds:thumbdown:. I am walking daily for about an hour and eating pretty sensibly.

So if you read my book...Will this procedure help me?

Hi acopas. RE: "the book", I actually prefer long posts, as long as they don't wander far afield.....so yours is fine, lol.

Now, do I think the band will help you? I don't know. I'm not an endocrinologist (or any other doctor), so I'm not entirely comfortable with how certain hormonal levels affect weight. I can tell you that the band is helping me by feeling more satisfied with smaller portion sizes.

The band doesn't physically do all the work for you. There is still much blood, sweat and tears that you'll have to invest if you want to be successful with a band. Deep self-inspection is a must. Exercise is a must. Commitment to eating healthy, nutritional foods (just less of them) is a must. I think it would be beneficial for you to talk to doctors about all the weightloss surgeries, and decide which one (if any) fits your lifestyle. Good luck!

Dear Acopas,

I am just finding info out about banding so I cant give a qualified opinion...but...I would definitely say to go to a seminar given by one of the practices who does it. Keep in mind that they want your money but also they know a lot more about it than prob a lot of you other docs do! There is also a ton of bias about it (like dear old Mom's horror stories, prob abut the old version of gastric bypass) even among (usually skinny) medical professionals. Also lurk every part of this web site, it is all so helpful. Put in PCOS and thyroid as search terms and you will prob learn a lot! I see so many posts from young people like you who are so glad they got banded and older people who are also happy but wish they had done it sooner! Good Luck!!! Cali

Your post isn't quite a book since it still left me with questions :thumbup:

I am not a doctor but I personally think the lapband works better for those that are Volume eaters. Since this causes restriction (after fills) Then you will have to learn how to curb the previous behavior or addiction.

I myself was a volume eater so maybe that is why I assume it works.

Alot assume this could be the easy way out.. It is not. Having any WLS is a roller coaster of emotions... You will have to concentrate more on the liquids you take in, eliminating beverages with calories, eating Proteins first, eating much smaller amounts, eating very slowly and taking small bites.

There's still exercise involved.

I think all of this outweighs the health risks involved with obesity. I had my surger at 32... if I could of done it at 25 or would of thought to have done it at 25 I would of. I don't regret a single second of it.