The lap band is the best thing I've ever done. There isn't a day that goes by that I'm happy with my decision. I've been overweight all my adult life and am sorry I waited so long to do this. I was banded 12/30/11 and have lost 40 pounds. Good luck with your decision, it's a big one so take your time. I'd do it all over again.

It's great that you are taking this decision so seriously. My tipping point was when my husband said he didn't want me to die or end up in a wheelchair because of my weight. He has been my greatest support on this journey and very much a part of my success. I have lost 60kg (about 135lb) in 12 months.

My advice would be to do as much research on the positive and Negatives as possible-especially the statistics for 3,5 and 10 years out-the band can be great but it's not for everyone and sometimes the people that are singing it's praises at one year are dealing with a totally different sitaution at 2 or three years.

I think its fantastic that your looking into ways to make yourself healthier(and thinner)just remember that lapband is not the be all and end all and as for it being the "least invasive" it also has the highest revision/repair surgeries.

Good luck with whichever way you choose to go i wish you lots of health and happiness :-)

Thank you everyone for your comments. I know I need to probably get the lap band, but in the back of my head I feel somehow that makes me a failure because I couldn't do it on my own. I know that is completely irrational thinking but that is my main hurdle. I am not worried about the surgery itself, but do have concerns about band slippage etc. I meet with the surgeon in a couple of weeks to have these questions answered. Just need to get the being a failure part out of my head.

51lbs later and I am very happy with my decision because of the healthy benefits. Stop beating yourself up.