For me the answer is NO! This is no easy way out. When you look at the significant life changes that are required in order to have this procedure done and then to be succussful; you will see that it's not easy. If you truly believe that you can do it without this tool, that's great! But just keep in mind that the weight lost with the band is weight that will not come back. If you are like me, you have probably lost the same 50 - 75 pounds time and time again. The difference now is that the pounds I'm losing will not come back as long as I adhere to guidelines. And to be honest with you...they're not that hard. I wish you only the best with you decision and life journey. Remember the decision is yours...you do this for YOU and only YOU!

Cheers!

i have to say no too! It is not the "easy way out"! you still have to work out and make good food choices. You still have to do the work. Yes the band does help you to get full faster but that is all. you will have to burn the calories you choose to eat. remember ice cream and starbucks ect will go right through your band! you still have to put in the effort. So dont let anyone tell you its going to be "easy"! I kill myself at the gym and earn my 1 to 2 lbs a week i lose. In saying that i also earn the 2lbs i gained this weekend eating ice cream and potato chips while at the beach! Good luck!

thanks for the advise... i know its a hard process, i mean all these skinny h03's will think that its the easy way out....

I know that getting this done is not taking the easy way out. There is absolutely nothing easy about having this surgery and you have a change your life and the way you eat to make it work for you. You have to move and make exercise a way of life! Thinking about never having a Coke Zero again is the worst for me. However, to be happy and healthy and be the best me possible I have a date with the surgeon on June 29th.

MellBell, when is your surgery? Good luck with it! The best thing about this for me is that yoyo thing. I was down to 190 2 years ago and in a size 12. Now I am up again. I never want to do this yoyo thing again. Best of luck to you....it is a life changing choice.

There really is nothing easy about it. And it is so much more than just learning new habits. Any weight loss program requires that we learn new habits in order to be successful.

You have to learn the new lifestyle, you have to learn to listen to your band. No one can tell you exactly how it will work for you because it is different for everyone. You have to learn to watch things like PMS & water retention because maybe your band will be tighter that week than usual. You have to learn that if you get hiccoups, that might mean STOP NOW. You have to learn to be "OK" when your band says your stomach has had enough but your tastebuds want just one more taste or your brain wasn't done enjoying the meal. You learn what to eat when you go out.... the things that will re-heat well because you wont be eating all of it there! I could go on and on and on. The point is..... it is NOT easy, you will not be sitting back eating bon-bons while the weight just melts away. I too spend hours in the gym every week.

You now what you have tried, what works and what doesn't. If you want to try this, it can be a great alternative, so go ahead and give it alot of thought. In the end, the only person you owe answers to is yourself.

This really is NOT easy!! Trust me! One thing I will say is that the process is widely misunderstood. I read about "banders" that wished they had NOT told a bunch of people what they were doing. I didn’t tell anyone other than my husband. I am glad I didn’t! It is not a "quick easy instant miracle cure". The band doesn’t even start to "work" until maybe 3-5 adjustments in / 3-5 months. In the beginning, it’s just determination and willpower honestly. Like you, I thought I could just follow the diet restrictions etc too, and skip the surgery. I tried.... but w/o the threat of doing harm to my band (requiring more surgery!), if I went off my restrictions, I just ate whatever... I was just banded April 27. I've only had my 1st adjustment. I haven’t even weighed in yet. I don’t think I've lost more than anyone would w/regular dieting... but I do think once I get my proper adjustment (sweet spot) I will be on the road to size 6! (Or at least a 8! smile) When is your surgery??

i go on sat. for my free consult... the only people that know im getting this done is my sister and my bf... plus all you guys... i dont want my family to know bc they will judge & talk sh*t if they dont see a drastic change... so i will keep it to myself(+2)....

I WANT TO GET THIS SO BAD... $$$ is an issue bc i have to pay for it out of pocket & its an expense that i dont need right now but i really want it....

the other issue im having is i have a hiatal hernia & most people have problems with it... so idk lets see what happens sat...

thanks for all the comments i really appreciate it

I had a hiatal hernia too! didnt even know it until i woke up from my banding surgey. turns out the doc fixed it while he was "in there" and i didnt even know the difference!!! he called it a "bonus" :-)