I'm thinking about getting a lap band but I'm having a difficult time figuring out the answer to this question:

To lose weight "normally" (non-surgically) you need to make life changes, i.e., reducing portions/changing the types of food you eat and exercising almost daily.

If you get the lap band, you have to do much of the same: reduce the amount of food you eat and exercise almost daily.

Do you see what I'm getting at? Losing weight normally or getting a lap band are both hard work! Either way, to lose weight you must undergo drastic life changes for the rest of your life to keep the weight off. So what's the point of getting a lap band?

Please help me out with this. I'm 20 years old, weigh 245 pounds (I'm 5'8'') and have been overweight my entire life. My brother has juvenile diabetes, and my grandfathers on both sides of my family have diabetes. I also have high blood pressure in the family and other health problems. Healthwise, I'm heading towards an early doom at this rate. But more importantly, I can no longer stand the emotional turmoil that comes with being fat--I have been miserable for far too long. I want to look good in clothes like all my friends, and I want to be able to go to the beach or pool without feeling ashamed. I don't know if I'm going to get the band or not, but something needs to be done.

Fantastic post SanDiegoPhotog!!!

Very well spoken!

I am in Pueblo, CO. Who did your surgery? I have a consultation on 4-27 with James Smith here in Pueblo. Looking for common friends

Alot of wonderful advice and great success stories here to help you. We've all been where you are at right now. You have to decide if you're ready to make the changes with yes...another different kind of tool for weight loss. No matter how we decided to lose the weight, we always use a tool of some kind....but bottom line, if you're not ready to make these changes, then you will fail! I'm almost 1yr post-op and yes you can lose at first while eating junk/fast food. But eventually, with the band, it will catch up and cause weight gain.

You're doing great research and have the right questions...now...are you ready to ACCEPT the changes and challenges? Are your current weight and feelings worth it?

Here's my honesty. I was DETERMINED to make it work when I decided to have the band placed. Yes I was concerned of failing and gaining it back (still am), but, I NEVER once complained about what all it will take to make it happen. And doubting yourself does not help.

I'm not "bashing" you personally. I just hear from others "whine, whine, whine because of not weight loss here..." so I don't want you to get into that frame of mind at the start. Find the peace you need before if you do get the band. You need that peace to go to when things get tough/challenging! I wish you best and like I told my neighbor the other day, MAKE this happen...don't waste time pondering or you'll never get there!

Thank you Brenda, my name is Brenda too! I appreciate the honesty and advice. I also am determined. I need the tool. I have a long history of bulimia and so the throwig up part does not scare me, in fact, I am more afraid of that becoming a means. I am praying and focusing and planning to have my attitude and determination in check before I even go to the consultation 4/27. Thanks again

Losing weight is hard...Period. If it was easy everyone would be thin.

Brilliant! You answered all these questions and concerns in one statment. Love it.

Could you eat fast foods as your primary diet and lose weight with the band?

Maybe. It depends on your choices.

Will you exercise to counter some of those choices?

Many fast foods are sliders, like milk shakes, that will go right through a band, so you can drink them without ever feeling full. You can consume thousands of calories in milkshakes--the band will not do anything to help with those.

Other fast foods are notorious for getting stuck. Many bandsters can't eat french fries. I have trouble with hamburger and the chicken used in chicken sandwiches.

If the speed of the fast food places is the issue, then there are healthier choices than burgers, fries, and milkshakes.

So, I guess it depends on your definition of "fast food."

For me, I am a junk food junky. I have to work daily on making healthy selections, I don't always succeed. But, the band has helped me to take care of the physical hunger--that helps me battle the head hunger for the junk.

For me, the point of the band was simple: it removed the physical hunger that impeded long-term loss and maintenance of that loss.

My body needs ridiculously few calories--and while it was possible for me to stick to an 800-1000 calorie diet before banding, it was tremendously difficult to maintain that level long term.

It's the level I require in order to lose. The upper end of the range is what I require to maintain. That's with a fair amount of daily exercise.

Hunger was a real impediment to my success. I spent years fighting a battle that just wasn't winnable.

The band has taken that out of the equation. Now that I've got pretty good restriction, I can stick within the calorie range I need fairly effortlessly.

Easy way out? You bet. I am grateful EVERY day for the opportunity to get and use this tool.