I'm Bob and I live in beautiful Keller, Texas.

I started packing on the pounds the minute I got out of the military at 25 years old (1989). I guess I was rebelling against the man for making me exercise every day. Unfortunately I was the man.

I was about to get in the shower in a hotel about 4 years later and it was the first time I had seen my naked body in a full length mirror. I was repulsed. As I gained over 100 pounds, in my head I thought, "so what, I have a beer belly."

When in fact I had a huge keg belly that came out about a foot and hung down just as far.

On top of that, I had just received my ten year high school reunion invitation and was already depressed about getting old. So, I rebelled a little more, ignored reality and just carrying on as I had been.

Many have tried to help but I either got defensive or just ignored them.

At 35 (1999), during one of my mid-life crises I bought a home gym and a bicycle. I worked out for a month or 2; lost a few pound and then realized that the home gym was a great place for hanging clothes.

My mom died in 2001 and I used that as catalyst to try and clean myself up a bit. I started seeing a shrink; quit smoking; quit gambling; joined a gym; worked out and walked every day and started eating right. I went from 352 pounds down to 244 and was feeling great about myself.

I had tons of money from not gambling when my next mid-life crisis hit at 40 and decided it was time to buy a house. Loved the house but unfortunately it was a much longer drive home from work and I stopped going to the gym every day after work and before long I stopped going all together.

The smoking cessation lasted a little longer and the gambling a little more.

Needless to say, I am smoking a pack a day; making my way to the casino every weekend and put all of the weight plus some back on.

I am approaching 45 and my 5 year cycle of having a midlife crisis is kicking in. This time it is weight-loss surgery. I have been reading up on it a lot for years. I was and am a little concerned because I personally know somebody that hemorrhaged and died following gastric bypass.

I am also concerned because I have OCD. I dive right into thing 100% and then just quit 100% just as fast. I'm hoping that the banding is going to keep me from quitting or at least slow me down enough to realize that I am heading back the wrong way in time for me to turn back.

I have zero willpower or patience and give up way to easily on everything.

I moved from cold, nasty Massachusetts to beautiful, sunny Texas 2 years ago. I signed up at LA Fitness soon after and have been giving them $30 a month even though I haven't stepped inside the door.

I am a little lazy and on top of that my weight makes it too stressful to do any exercise. My feet hurt too much to take my dogs for a walk.

I look forward to the day when I can say that I only fly first class because I am better than those in coach and not just because I don't fit in the coach seats. :biggrin:

Alright, enough rambling from me.

If anyone bothered reading this far and is curious, the midlife crises started at 30. I bought a Mustang GT then but it didn't really fit into the story.

Hi Bob.

I know people say this so easily, but I truly feel your pain! I also have other medical issues, one of which is diabetes that resulted in me adding 50kg to an already, let's be nice and say "solid" frame.

Deciding to have the band is a personal choice and I certainly won't try to tell you what to do. For me it was a decision to try and be around a bit longer for my about to be born first child.

What I decided was to give it a go and, like you I do things 100% and then typically fall away 100% quickly. This forum has helped me stick to the diet needed to heal (I had the band put in less than 2 weeks ago) and I am grateful for the support provided here.

For me the process has been amazing. Although I am not fully healed already my medication requirements have dropped very significantly and I've lost almost 10kg (22lb) in the last 3 weeks.

I wish you all the best in your decision. The choice to have the surgery was the best thing for me.

Cheers.