Esther54

I have been slender all my life except for some post-pregnancy weight and periodic weight loss of 20 or 30 lbs at most, but since breast cancer surgery and treatment in 2003 my weight started increasing at the rate of nearly 10 lbs a year.  The extra weight has been causing fungal rashes, severe plantar fasciitis, worsening hip bursitis, and worsening asthma and sleep apnea. My surgeon says that on average people lose only about half of their excess weight, which in my case would be 35 lbs, of which this prospect doesn't please me, but I am willing to do what it takes to lose slowly but surely.  I am also concerned about the complication rate of 25% which my surgeon states, but I've attended several support groups already and hear nothing but success stories and people mostly following a new eating lifestyle. Nothing seems to go wrong when you follow instructions perfectly.  I feel like I'm carrying triplets and it's affected my energy and self-esteem. Can't even bend at the waist or exercise without difficulty because my huge belly's in the way. I'm ready to make a big change. I healed very slowly from my hysterectomy in Dec 2010, really hoping that recovery from lap band surgery won't be extended.  I'd love to hear from people who reached their goal weight or close to it.