Hi, this is my first ever blog anywhere so please forgive me if I'm doing it wrong. :ack2:

I have been logging on to Lap Band Talk for the last year or so and at the same time going the process of being referred by my doctor to a consultant at the hospital for weight loss surgery.

It has taken 18 months to finally get an appointment with a surgeon. I am due to go at the end of August. :confused: He will decide if I am a good candidate for surgery and what type of surgery will be best for me. This is also a question I will have to answer for myself.

1. Lap Band

2. Bypass

3. Balloon

After reading all the stories on this website the band seems the most successful whilst being the least intrusive. But I am really scared that I will fail so I am seriously considering the stomach bypass. :success1: I am so scared that they will refuse me altogether and I am also scared of how much this will change my life.

My doctor tells me that 3 major studies have shown that the suicide rate is much higher once you have had weight loss surgery. But everyone on LBT seems so happy.

I also have to lose at least 10kgs before the appointment to show that I am willing to help myself and although I really want the op I am struggling to stick to a diet. Maybe that shows I am not really committed? :rant: I am so confused.

My partner is extremely worried about the surgery but will totally support my decision. I am just fed up with being fat and using food for everything but nutrition.

How does that change once you are banded??

Anyway I would love to hear from people going through the same process. How did you decide on the band???

I think for now that's my biggest question.

All help gratefully accepted.

Bypass was never something I wanted to do. It was very drastic, not reversable and you have things like dumping syndrome to worry about. It is also not adjustable. I've seen bypass patients gain weight after losing and there is no adjusting.

The band is just a tool. You do have to follow the rules to lose the weight. It is the best decision I've ever made for my health! I don't know about the balloon.

The band gave me the help I needed. I knew that if I followed the guidelines it would work. I knew that I wouldn't spend all this money just to fail. I was ready. Once you see the results it helps you keep going!

I never considered bypass. Too many complications. I also have a good friend that did bypass and she has regained most of her weight. None of the surgerys are fool proof and I know I will have to work at it every day but I just felt the lapband was the thing for me at this time. As for the suicide rate, I had not heard that. However, I do think you need to be emotionally ready for the procedure and the lifestyle change. 5 years ago I could not have said that I was. Now I am. I hope whatever decision you make works well fo you.

Hi Julie Ann, Thanks for your comments. I have one question though, if you have to follow the rules to lose weight what is the difference between the band and dieting? After all if I could follow the rules I would be able to stick to a diet. I think that's what worries me the most. That I will get banded and fail.

Thanks Arb, I think I am ready but it really helps to hear how others are doing post banding. It all looks very encouraging.

bubbalouieuk:

That was my biggest fear too! What does my band do for me? I have a perfect entry in my blog about that very thing. You can find it here. It will tell you why changing your diet (nutritional intake) is easier with the band. Take a look through my blog. I have been EXACTLY where you are. 8 months later I am >105 pounds lighter. I went from a BMI of 49.8 to my current BMI of 30.3. I went from a size 24 (or right around there) to a size 12. Honey I KNOW what you are feeling now. I wrote about it here. Oh...Here is an oldy, but a goody too.

Take some time and read through it. It can tell you more than I could in this little space. We are here for you! The support I have found on this board is AMAZING. Even now I am getting goose bumps as I think about it.

Feel the love, learn, and move forward on YOUR journey..where ever that takes you.

Ok my LB is scheduled for next Tuesday and I am getting a little anxious, so what is the biggest challenge with this surgery. I just want to get on the road of being healthy.

With surgery? I guess the shoulder pain that most people have or the diet restrictions right after. What is the biggest challenge after surgery? Everyone is different. Exercise for some, avoiding soft calories for others. It was really hard not to drink with meals. Follow most of the guidelines most of the time and you will do fine!