what am I doing?

[susi1662]

I've been reading a lot about the lapband lately, and have been reading the posts here. I have an immense curiosity about the whole procedure, but in a way it's scaring me a lot too. My family thinks that I am trying to "psych myself out" so I don't go thru with it. Is this normal? I mean, I am not even close to getting anything done!
I am tired of being way overweight. I know the lap band will be hard but it will be the right tool fo me. Is it normal for me to feel like this?

[503-250]

before I had my surgery I tried a bunch of diets (specifically for the purpose of not having the surgery) and basically I made sure I found the loophole in each one...and they all have one. So then finally I decided if I was going to do this, the easiest way to see if it will work is to eat like a bandster....I lasted 3 days.

I don't know if the surgery is right for you, or if it's right for everyone...but I can tell you it was right for me.
As for scary...I would do it again right this second. I would literally get up, walk inside and let them go through the whole thing again without a second thought (I know...easy to say 235lbs later), the pain, the discomfort whatever you want to call it...I didn't have much. In the long run...the only thing I remember is the catheter...and how much I hated it...and how little I thought about the balloon on the end that keeps it in when I told them they were taking it out or I was (I had wrapped those hose around my hand and was ready to pull).

I say it's up to you, but I also suggest finding people who had problems and people who had none and ask them.

For me..it's taking forever, I had no restriction for months, lost slowly, lose in chunks and then lose nothing. I would still do it again.

best of luck!

[fish]

I have not been banded yet but working on the pre op testing and the other stuff. I know from reading the post on this wonderful site that the Lap band is not a cure for being overweight it is a good tool to help you loose weight and keep it off. From what I have been told and read here if you don't work hard at loosing weight you will not loose weight and most important keep it off. From what I have been told there will be many unpleasent times and you have to change the the way you eat and think about food. I know from life experences that food is more addictive then drugs because you have to be around food all the time. Myself Sugar is my big problem in life I guess it is my drug of choice. I am an emotional eater and sugar is my confort food. Well no more I pray.
I wish you all the luck in the world and I hope you make the decision that is best for you because You only get one life make the best of it.
Fish

[SweetCori]

I agree with Bear. You are wise to listen to him! He is a man of much needed advice and butt kickings when we need it! :-)

I do not believe the band is for everyone. Too many people think it is the easy way out and they can do it another way, even after many failed attempts at dieting or changing their lifestyles. With that mindset, they will never be able to accept they need this tool to help them achieve what will make them feel better.

The band was the right decision for me. I have Cerebral Palsy so getting around is slightly more difficult for me than the average person and I had allowed myself to get so bad, I could barely get around without losing breath and having to stop every 10 feet. I have been stuck in a plateau for quite a bit and fluctuate between a few pounds, but I am happier and healthier than I have been in well over a decade. No ER visits every other month. Swelling in my legs is down. I smile more. Guys are noticing me and my assets (~giggles~ sorry had to throw that in there!). I have more energy. I'm not ashamed of my body. I still have about 70 pounds more to go, but am happy right now with what I have accomplished and not fretting too hard. I know it will happen again. I just have to get myself in gear! I know I made the right decision and would do it all over again. Heck, I am an advocate for the band! I have a few friends who have made the decision to get the band since I have because they have seen how it works. And trust me, I am honest with them about everything. The good, the bad and the ugly. (ex: great self-esteem, getting stuck, and loose skin *yuck!*. I'm not shy!) Anyway! That is my 2 cents on the issue!

Good luck to you and know you have an entire community of support here for you anytime you need it!

[LL83706]

I do not know if what your feeling is normal, but I know I felt exactly the same way. I had a few monts of anxiously waiting, then after the surgery date was set and it got closer I started doubting myself. I am so glad I didn't change my mind! I think my doubt was just fear of the unknown. I'm with Bear - I'd do it all again in a minute! I think you are wise to read the board and research others' experiences, but the one opinion that counts the most is yours. Good luck no matter what you decide.

[susi1662]

Thanks for your support! I have decided that this definitely the way to go for me, and at least my daughter is supporting me here at home. My SO agrees that I should get the band, but I just found out that he thinks it's just a weight loss solution, not a tool that I have to work with to acheive my goal of losing weight. He, my DD and are going to a seminar tomorrow night, and I hope it'll educate him a bit more as to what to expect.
I have an appointment with the facilty that is giving the seminar on the 6th of April, and I just can't wait. I know that they are going to go over my insurance, and I am hoping that they will tell what to do next. I am anxious to get this ball rolling!

[fairikinz]

I don’t think that the band is for everyone either, it’s nothing like any of the other WLS, you have to do the work. I think that too many have thought that it was what they wanted, but when it really came down to it they ended up resenting the band and not doing what is necessary to make it work. It’s really simple when you think about it....follow the rules and it works.

When I went to my seminar I was already decided on the lap band, but then I thought about it and had other people tell me that the RNY was better, and I would lose so much faster so I was convinced to go ahead with an RNY so here I was preparing to have the RNY, but at the last minute I changed my mind, I wanted the band because I wanted to be in control and participate in my weight loss and honestly it was the cutting of the intestines that scared the holy crap out of me I knew I needed intervening but I thought that the RNY was a little too drastic for me at time.

Keep talking to others who have had surgery, keep asking questions, whatever you decide it will be the right one for you.....I know mine was the right one for me.

Good luck,

Fairikinz