benjaminny

Hi I saw your post but didn`t read any other replies so maybe someone else has already said this... I have had my band for less than 1 month (May 22,08) and when I was doing the pre-op diet, I felt the VERY same way: I thought hey, I can do this, why can`t I just work hard and lose the weight? I even worried that I would lose so much I would no longer qualify for the surgery! Ha. What you have to remember is that , like me, you are probably an expert at LOSING weight...the pre-op diet proves that you can stick to seomthing for a short time. What the bad does it HELP YOU KEEP IT OFF for life. Of course, you have to change you eating habits for it to wrk and you have to exercise and be committed to teh band. But it is a TOOL that helps where diets have failed. So, yes you can lose weight without the band but tell yourself that this is the tool that will help you keep it off. Think how powerful that is! I used to join/quit/re-join WW sort of half-heartedly because I just knew the weight would come back. If you stick with it, I am pretty sure the band will be what you need to do it once and for all. That`s what I am telling myself anyway. As I read here before: failure is not an option. Good luck Christine

Thanks for that heading `failing is not an option``. I less than 48 hours away from band surgery and I am excited/nervous. I have followed the pre-op diet as closely as possible and I am committed to giving this all I`ve got. If it fails, it won`t be because of anything in my control...I owe it to myself. Glad to hear you are doing well. Keep it up! Christine

Hi I am halfway through my one week pre-op diet and finding it VERY VERY hard. I agree: if I was good at dieting, I would not need the band. My pre-op is no fat, lots of non-fat dairy (cottage cheese, yogurt) and lots of raw veggies and very lean fish and chicken. I find the portions very small so I am famished. I will stick to it because I want the best result possible and try to limit the post-op pain...But it is hard. I am concerned about teh morning of surgery (in less than 1 week) because I NEED my coffee, otherwise, I get big headaches. If I can have clear liquid the morning of, I will have clear coffee, I guess. Will need to double check. I can`t complain. I can do anything for 1 week and I am so very hopeful that this band is right for me! HANG IN THERE. YOU CAN DO IT. c.

I am scheduled for surgery on May 22. I have the EXACT same misgivings every 15 minutes or so. Just last night, I asked myself the same questions about going back to WW. I have had success int eh past : lose 30 , gain 40, lose 20, gain 25. Yo Yo. My biggest fear is that I will spend all this money (I am paying out of pocket because the wait time for covered band surgery is a minimum of 5 years where I live) and it won`t work, or that I will fail. My husband is alos quick to remind me that it`s a lot of money. he thinks I need to eat less and move more, which is also true. But I NEED HELP. The way I look at it is I am worth giving this my best shot. I have read so many success stories but I am also aware of the work I will need to do to succeed. I read a post by a doctor on one of these boards who said that the various weight loss programs out there are all very good if you have 20 or 30 pounds to lose. When you get into the 100s, you are dealing with a condition and you need help. That`s what I think the band will do, HELP ME. Hang in there. Christine

Your info is very helpful. I am scheduled for banding on May 22. Nervous, excited, scared. I am going to a private clinic (not sure how it works in the States) soi I have to pay out of my own pocket. The only other option is to go on a 5 year waiting list for band surgery by the 1 doctor who does it in my province (I`m in Canada). How have you been doing since your last post? My biggest fear is that I will fail, that this won`t work and I will have spent all this money for nothing (and my husband WON`t be happy...he thinks I should just try harder to lose the 100 plus lbs have to lose). thanks! Christine