Why I chose to get Lap-Band?

It’s been a struggle my whole life trying to lose all this weight. I’ve been overweight pretty much my whole life. I don’t have an excuse why I’ve become this way, but I have to blame it mostly on emotional eating & low metabolism. I gotta admit I LOVE food! Who doesn’t!? But- I know I love food more than I should. Food is #1 worst addiction on earth. Because: it’s EVERYWHERE you go. It’s on TV, fast food is everywhere, it’s legal, and of course you have to eat to survive. There’s no way around it. I eat when I’m bored, mad, sad, or stressed. Food is my therapy. I gained ALOT when I started puberty. I didn’t like sports when I grew up; I was more of an artist than an athlete.

I started to diet and exercise around my teen years, I never stuck by it. I would always give up within a month and go back to my bad habits. Then I went back to it again and failed again. I would lose 20 lbs then gain it back. I was yo-yoing with my weight all the time. I would try many different diets, and then I could not maintain at it. I was ALWAYS hungry… I tried and tried. Last year, when I lived with my parents in NH- Mom and I decided to do Weight Watchers together. I did lose 40 lbs and then when we moved back to Texas, I just stopped dieting and exercising and gained it all back! I was devastated. I was angry at myself for doing this to myself.

I always have this issue on my mind, constantly- 24/7. In the back of my head I would be thinking of this and that- no matter how hard I try to stop thinking about it- it’s always in my face. I go to food a lot for comfort. I struggle everyday with this. I bumped into an old friend of mine that I’ve not seen in about 2 years; I could not recognize him at all! He lost about 100+ pounds. He was completely a different person, and I asked him how did you do it!? He said LAP-BAND! I was like, what is that? I had never heard of this procedure before. He explained to me about it and stuff. I asked him a lot of questions, poor him! Ha J

I researched more about this procedure, because I’m a researcher and I love to research on new things. I saw that Lap-Band isn’t invasive like Gastric Bypass, and it’s irreversible. That got me hooked. Then I met another friend that also got hers done last year. I asked her more questions and she referred me to check out a seminar about the Lap-Band at the hospital with an interpreter provided. I called and found a seminar, and went to check it out. I was so intrigued about it, but I was also skeptical because I hate the thought of something foreign inside of my body.

At the seminar, the surgeon gave a presentation and a slideshow all about statistics, facts, & how it works. He also brought a sample of a lap-band itself so we can get the feel of what it really looks like in person. I signed myself up to have the hospital to check if my insurance would cover for it, and etc. I heard back from them within a week, with the news that my insurance will cover 80% of everything.

I gave this a lot of thoughts, talked about it with John (my darling & supportive boyfriend) and I decided it’s my last resort at losing weight and keeping it OFF. I want to be clear that Lap-Band isn’t my magic solution to my issues, but it’s a TOOL to help me feel full fast and control my meal portions. I wouldn’t be hungry all the time. I would still have to watch what I eat and add exercise into this. I don’t want people to think I got this procedure because I’m lazy or want an easy way out of this. It’s the opposite, because I’ve struggled all of my life with diet and exercise. I feel this procedure will definitely help me a lot, because statistics show that those people who go through this have much higher percentage of keeping it OFF than those who do it by themselves or with gastric bypass.

I had to go through 4 nutrition classes, 1 exercise consultation, and 1 psychological evaluation as a requirement for my insurance to approve me for this surgery procedure. I started my 1st class in May, and finally got done with all these requirements!

I am very excited to get my lap-band on Nov 10th! I am also nervous! I really hope I will become successful with this surgery. This is going to be a new chapter in my life and I am really looking forward to the road to healthiness!

I want to thank my family, boyfriend and friends & lapbandtalk.com friends too, for all their support and encouragement throughout this period. Y’all rock!

Congratulations on doing this for you! As you can tell, so many of us on here all have similar stories about why we gained, how we gained, and now...how we are all losing with our bands!

I wish you all the best on this journey!

Yay for you !!!!!!! I am so excited for you. I was just banded on Oct 14th- best decision ever. Keep us posted!!!!!!

I can't tell you how great your blog reads. It's so true that you have to be ready for this. If you are not prepared in the head...it just spells trouble. I too did my research, and when I was ready, proceeded.

I was banded May 21st, 2009. It's now the end of October and I have lost 80 lbs. But it's because I put the work into the band. I workout, I do what I am told and I follow the rules. The rules are so simple that it's not like having any at all.

Now I am hooked on exercise, feel better than I have in years and I am looking forward to reaching my ultimate goals.

My band is a tool, I choose to use it wisely.

Congrats!

We are all in the same boat but this will be the best thing you have ever done for yourself especially if you are totally ready and committed to do this. I love love love my band and I know you will too!

Good luck and all the best wishes

Wow you should take up blogging!! You are GOOD....

LauraKey you are such an inspiration 80 pound, Yayy for you!

imaluckydog and have lost 60+ since June 29. It is a challenge of choices and decisions everyday for me. I do well but I also make poor choices and must suffer. Best wishes and can't wait to hear more. imaluckydog Kathy

Great job and you're certainly going to be successful with all your preparation! Best wishes!-BG

thanks everybody!!!

Ok this is a great Blog.

It has been a while. How are you?

I had my band in Sept 09 and it is going very very slow. I lost most of my 40 lbs in the fisrt 4 months... since then i have lost very little and it seems my body want to stay put.

I have not been !00% good with the new MENU.

I have no restriction. but i got my 5th fill yestesterday and i am hopefull it gets me closer to the "'sweet spot"

I have along wat to go...so i need to take it one day at a time

you are very fortunate you have a family and darling BF supporting you.

Hope all is well