LilAngel

4 miles!! You are a goddess! Are you going to check out another doc? I am not banded, but just from what I have read, that sounds pretty messed up to me. Good luck.

Still trying to make my decision, but that is certinaly a thought I have had a lot. Man, I wish I could get all my Weight Watcher's money back from over the years. Oh and the pills... That would be a nice down payment on this procedure.

I certainly wish you all the best. I still have not made my decision as of yet. It seems my boyfriend and I are discussing this constantly trying to see it from all angles. We talked today about being honest with each other and discussing what biases we may have hidden about the decision. We want to consider where our motivations are coming from while discussing this option. It may be months before I finally come to a solid conclusion. In the meantime…well, I suppose I don’t know about the meantime. I will do what I can in my water aerobics, take my pain meds like a good girl to get through it (I am really bad about the “No, I am fine” bit and neglecting this –hate the pills), and try to eat as healthily as I can. One day at a time…Tomorrow is another day…all that crap. I hope it’s not just another day wasted. Positive attitude, huh? J I’m working on that. THX -Angel

That is great. Good luck tomorrow. I already eat as slow as a snail moves, so I guess htat isn't the issue with me. How many times does one need to chew his/her food with the band anyway? Is it a number...maybe a consistency?

I have the exact same questions and fears right now. I think sometimes the band won't help me because I think emotionally the food is something to me I haven't been able to fix. Food and weight is an obsession for me. I know just what you meant when you responded to my post earlier about just wanting to eat when you are PHYSICALLY hungry, be full and then not think about food until you are hungry again. I have said to my boyfriend a thousand times "Hunger has never been the issue." I literally dream about sweets. What a wacko! Just night before last I was literally dreaming about a fantastic soft chocolate chip cookie. Now if a band could get rid of that, I might have a fighting chance. Of course, in reality that is not going to happen and I don't know how to fix whatever is wrong with me. And I don't know if I have the strength it takes to be successful at the band lifestyle. I don't want to go through this just to mess it all up on down the road. I am like you, I want to just kick myself in the pants (AGAIN) and see what I am made of. I want to try and do this on my own. I made up my mind (AGAIN) this morning to give losing weight all I have. Maybe I should try counseling too (AGAIN). I don’t know where this journey is going to take me. I think I know just where you are right now, though, and I feel your agony. I am back into my vicious circle of thought of the fifty ways to lose a pound. A normal day in Angel’s life. Please keep us updated on your journey. I want to know how this all turns out for you.

I am new to this, but have been researching for a while. Emotionally, though, I know I still have a lot of learning to do, I just want to make sure my head is ready for the change that my body so desperately needs. I haven’t been thin since I was about ten and I think that is a big part of why my body hurts so badly. Knees, ankles, feet, back, hips-you name it. Just the thought of relieving these rickety joints of some of this excess weight just delights me. I don’t think it will be a cure all, but maybe it’s a start. Maybe with less pain, exercise won’t be so horrible. I am in Water aerobics now. I try and do things at my own pace, but even that comes with a price. Ouch. But without exercise and with this pathetic thyroid of mine (hypothyroidism-does this affect lap-band eligibility/effectiveness?), how will I ever lose the weight? Okay, it’s not like I don’t have myself to blame for bad food choices too. I know I need to make better choices, band or not. I guess I am just hoping that this time the sacrifice pays off and I don’t just end up fighting the same uphill battle for the gazillionth time again after gaining all the weight back and more. I am about 205-210 at 5’7-8?. I can’t stop asking myself if I really know what I am getting myself into. Am I really ready for this life changing event? Is this extreme measures for someone my size (BMI 31-32)? Will I always be trapped in this body though if I don’t do it? Always in pain? Always a size 20? I have tried EVERYTHING!! If I had a dollar for every pound lost and found… I don’t mean to go on and on, I just guess I needed to vent. I am betting some of you asked yourselves some of these same questions before your banding, huh? Can anyone share knowledge/experience/thoughts? Thank you. Angel

Yes, I guess it would be Mexico if I do it. Thanks for your support. And I know 205-210 doesn't seem like a lot to some folks, and I understand that. I appreciate my battle is not a great as many others on these boards. I certainly have the greatest respect and best wishes for them on their journey. However, I just wish that made me feel better about myself, and I could just be happy at this weight, but as hard as I try to tell myself things are fine, I never really believe it. I guess these are the issues we all have to work through at any weight-Loving ourselves. I do hope you do great, though. Best of luck.