hi anyone.. i only just stumbled across this site.. i wasn't sure if i would be able to find anyone who could relate to me or would want to talk to me.. im 21, ive been morbidly obese for the majority of my child and teenhood. i suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Disease which is said to of caused the majority of my weight gain, Severe depression.. i say due to my weight as i have been fat since i was 4 and have seen a dietician since i was 9.. i feel so alone, my family some of whom are large but don't seem to go through the same thing i do, and i don't have many friends or a best friend that i can talk to. My parter of 14months is the closest thing i have and he just wants the best for me. after trying nearly every diet known to man, lapband is now the last resort. i am seeing a lapband specialist in two weeks after all other specialists for my back problems, polycystic and sleep specialists have reccommended. i am so scared as i have seen the negative side of the surgery in my moms ex best friend but also the positives in my partners mom. i am scared that i will not lose much weight by doing this and that is my greatest fear. i need to lose nearly 50kgs.. nearly half my body weight to be at what my dietician deems my optimum weight. i just wish i had someone to talk to so i didn't feel so alone despite the fact i know there are thousands apon thousands of people suffering aswell i just don't seem to be able to find any to talk to.. i would really love to hear stories from others and anyone interested in talking to me and guiding through the process..

I hope everyone is having a beautiful day and that things go great for you all!

Kind regards,

Sammy

p.s. my email is missdillon@live.com.au and my msn is xox1misled_angelxox1@hotmail.com

I understand a lot of your concerns, I have been overweight my adult life, I have PCOS and severe anxiety problems. I was just banded on 5/18 and am currently awaiting my first fill on 6/15. You have to have faith that you can do this. It is not an easy process, nor an overnight process. I had to do a 2-week pre-op diet and am 3 weeks post op and still have only lost 14 lbs all of which I lost from the pre-op diet. It is definately a long process that takes a lot of patience but there are many people to support you and answer your questions. Good Luck.

Like you I am also and have been overweight/obese for most of my life. I too feel like this is my last hope; for being so young I've already tried anything I can think of to loose the weight. I haven't been banded yet but am in the process and I have been using this forum for several months now. It has been a great tool and resource for me to get questions answered and to find support. And as for worrying about the band not working...you just have to believe in it. Start off with a positive attitude, follow the surgeons directions, and keep working towards your goal and you'll get there:smile:

thanks heaps guys.. MKS im happy to find someone who has similar problems to me (horrible that you have to go through it).. do you believe your PCOS has been a great faulting in your weight loss? Did you find the banding procedure painful?

I think a combination of the PCOS and an anti-depressant that I was put on for anxiety caused me to gain around 30-40 lbs in a short period of time. As far as the pain from the banding the first week was rough but you get through it and just focus on your long term goals. A lot of people think it is this easy way out and its not it takes dedication and hard work but there is a lot of support out there.

The band isn't going to loose the weight for you. You will have to work hard and follow the rules of the band. The weight doesn't come off very fast. The rule of thumb is 1-2 pounds/week. I lost 24 pounds the first month after banding but I exercise a lot because I wanted to loose 50 pounds before summer. I am still 11 pounds away from my first goal. It is important to set small goals along the way so as not to become discouraged. I am so very happy that I had the lap band surgery. I feel great and have so much energy. The band will help you to eat less without being hungry period. The rest is up to you.

Good luck to you.

Banded 4/17/09

First fill 5/30/09 1.6 cc

Hi Sammy-Jo

I too have always been overweight & my Doctor "thinks" I have PCOS, I have all the symptoms but we have yet to do any tests. I have some other issues too like sleep apnea, blah blah blah...

Anyway, I haven't been banded yet and, like you, was very nervous about this but I met a GREAT bunch of girls - did I say they are GREAT! - who have been banded and offer a lot of support - we are all on the thread "kaiser richmond pre op" although, like I said, most of them have been banded already. Come join us!

Hi Sammy

You and I have a lot of similarities.

I am also Australian, I am 27, I have had weight issues my entire life, I suffer from PCOS, I was first taken to see a doctor about my weight at age 6, first taken to a dietician at 8, first taken to a weight loss clinic at 10.

My family AREN'T large, which makes it hard, and I have found it hard in the past to discuss my weight with people... although I am getting much braver in the lead up to surgery when people say "why???" when I tell them I am being operated on.

Psychologically, it has been a hard road... feeling like an outcast, lacking the confidence to do some things I've really wanted to do in life, lacking the confidence to apply for promotions because I knew my competition was thinner, feeling like I was a disappointment to my size 8 mother and an embarassment to my oh-so-popular brother, believing that no one would ever love me the way I am, and the list goes on...

I am being banded on 18th August, so I can't really guide you through the process as I haven't done it... but if you decide to go through with it, we can do this together.

I have added you to my MSN contacts in case you want to chat, my ident is kelsha@.

Edited June 5, 200917 yr by MissK

Hi sammie jo....

Your story somewhat mimic's mine... I too was diagnosed with PCOS but not till later in life (late 20's). I have a slew of other medical problems-- Thyroid cancer, Auto immune disorder, Fibromyalgia, HTN ,sleep Apnea.. you name it I feel like I've had it...

NO ONE in my family is obese, large or overweight. I have been obese my whole life and my parents never did anything to help (ie dietician, physician involvement etc) I too have tried numerous diets and on some (mostly liquids) had minimlal success but the weight always came back on and then some...

You have taken the 1st step and are trying to figure what is best for you and your body and your lifestyle- The band is nto for everyone- BUT remeber it is not a cure- it is a tool- YOu still need to moniter your intake and exercise (something I rarely did before the band) I was NEVER as strict on myself as I am now- I am still in the infant stages of band life but have absolutely NO regrets.... I go to curves 3-4 times a week which I could have done before but never had the oomph to get up and go- Now I miss the days I dont go-

It is a hard road to walk- If it were easy EVERYONE would do it.... Just remember that you are NOT alone. If you have any questions- pleae email me or PM me here.... Good luck to you!

PS Just 1 month after surgery I am off meds for blood pressure and amd taking 1/2 of the amount of reflux meds- No pain meds, No anti inflammatories- So there are other benefits aside from the weight loss...

Thankyou so much everyone!! i realise that lapbanding is serious and its a very very big decision for me. i know its hard work, but its the first step to helping me in a positive way as normal diets plus exercise didnt end with me losing weight. Atleast with the band hopefully that plus exercise and correct eating will really help! Hearing your stories really helps me put my decision into perspective! My family arn't reallly a great support through this as my mom has asked me to tell nobody. She is larger that side of my family are all the same way, actually both sides are. Yet so hard on me for my weight! Due to my depression and sickness i have lost most of my close friends so the only person i really have to support me is my partner and sometimes its not enough and he doesn't want to listen. My family don't really believe in surgery they believe natural is better so im fighting an uphill battle and it just makes me feel so alone.

Love and wishes,

Sammy

"Natural" is better? Gee. I guess I wasted money on those eyeglasses, and then the lazer vision correction surgery!

I shoulda let "nature" just be "nature."

Squinting. That's "natural" vision improvement, right?

Sammy, these people are possibly well intentioned, but they really aren't thinking these sound bites through.

Lap band is "natural." As natural as hip replacement, eyeglasses, hearing aides, dentures, pacemakers, by-pass surgery. . . all these things are tools to help us live our lives better.

That's all a lap band is, too. A tool to help us help our body to a lower weight and keep in there.

It's "natural" because the doctors used their "natural" skills and their "natural" knowledge to develop a tool that would do what this one does!

Gotta love science!

Top Tier thankyou very much for your care and concern! I will remember that next time something is said to me about it!!

Hey Sammy Jo,

Your story is similar to a lot of us. I was not overweight my whole life but about the age of 22 till I was banded last year at age 28, I went from 145 to 218 because of PCOS and my insulin resistance. I also had high blood pressure and was completely miserable with who I had became! I was banded 9-18-08, and if you look at my pictures, its a true testament of what the band has done for me and my happiness. The band wont fix your emotional problems, but it will help with self confidence, and you can rest assured that you WILL LOSE WEIGHT!!! That was a huge fear of mine as well, and granted I only had 85 pounds to lose total, I am down 50lbs to date, and so close to my goal...I could'nt have done it without the band! Just know that the band is a tool, not a cure!!! It's there to help you, but there is a lot of hard work involved, and you will never be able to eat the same again! Just do your research, and make sure its right for you! Good luck, and you can msg me anytime!

Shauna

Gotta love science!

Gotta love TopTier and the killer responses she's kickin' out, too! :thumbup:

I have suffered for 10 years with PCOS. I understand it's a roller coaster ride that just won't end. I hate the not knowing when great old aunt flow is coming. What a shock when it actually does. I have also have issues with

conceiving. My husband and I have been married for 7 years with not being able to carry. I had a miscarriage in July 08. The family is pretty healthy for the most part. My mother just passed away of Breast Cancer and she was the strongest healthiest person I know. I finally believe that it's MY time to take care of ME. For the past few years it's been about everyone else from the family to friends. I'm doing this for me and our future children. I know it gets heartbreaking sometimes and I don't understand why some people get a disease and others do not.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

I'm getting banded July 7th. YIPPY!!:thumbup:

Mrs JL i am so so very sorry to hear about your losses of your much loved mother and unborn child that is two of the hardest things anyone could ever experience! i really hope you are doing ok xx