Estella

It's not the easy way, it's the only way for 95% of the population. You mentioned statistics, so here it is: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070404162428.htm According to this research 95% of diets fail. Just to compare 70% of VSGs succeed. Simple as that.

I know of someone who had a similar problem, she couldn't even keep Water down and vomited everything. Turned out she was suffering from dehydration, because she didn't drink enough post-op, and she's better now. I'm no doctor and I suppose your friends' doc ruled out this option already though. Did he?

From what I read, not all doctors perform band-to-sleeve surgery, and those who do don't remove the lap band. They leave it there and drain all the fluids from it, to make it inactive, and perform the sleeve. I'm glad I don't live in The States, we have universal health care (Israel). Problem is my country really tries to be American and our governments have been draining the budgets from the national health plans. A lot of people who choose to go through bariatric surgeries pay for them with private health insurance. I have to wait in long wait lists because all the privately-insured people are using the same surgeons as everyone and pay extra for faster queues.

I did the exact same thing! I went to H&M a few days ago and they had this amazing sailor jacket. While the store usually has a separate section for plus size clothes, where I usually purchase my stuff (I'm EU size 48, UK size 20 and US size 16 - you only learn that when you're overweight and forced to order clothes online from abroad like I usually do). This jacket's highest size was 44 (UK size 16, US size 12). The sleeves were way too tight to wear, but I figured that after the operation it'll be usable. I don't even have a date for the operation yet, but it gives me hope somehow.

Thank you for the replies. For years I tried to get used to being overweight with no success, I'm glad I finally had the guts to do something about it. The three of you were very reassuring. I'm 100% sure I want to go through the surgery, I was and I still am. Unlike others, I have no other options but my healthcare provider, so it takes a lot of patience. I noticed yours tickers, and all of you had higher BMIs than my current number when you went under the knife - if you could do it I think I can too.