mbumblebee

Hello, I have not had WLS yet, but I am considering the band. I have a BMI of 41 and am 33 yrs old. For my entire life I have been overweight - but I periodically go on diets and can lose weight -- I just can't maintain. It always seems to creep back up there. Last year I lost over 50 lbs on weight watchers, but once I got tired of calculating points at every meal I slowly gained everything back. After all this, I feel like even if I do start a weight loss program like WW again I know the weight will just come right back sooner or later. So, I am considering WLS. The lap band seems least drastic (though I recently let my DH know that I was thinking about it and you would have thought I had told him I was considering removing my right leg). Can WLS can help me? I love food. Portion-control is not my forte, and I also love to snack throughout the day. Sweets & carbs especially!! I know better - but I feel like I just can't help it! When I snack, I am not necessarily very hungry - just feel like I could eat. Does the lap-band help people like me? Will I feel full so I actually am averse to eating? I realize the lap-band is not cooking my meals for me -- I just wonder how it feels to have the band as opposed to just dieting. Thanks for listening!! mbumblebee

Thanks Jacqui & Marcy - you really helped me make up my mind on this. A year and a half would really go far in helping me change my bad habits of overeating. That would be much different than dieting. Usually when I lose weight I stop after a few months, and it's easy to go right back after such a short time. I also agree about not being super-strict. But I never could really do "moderation". I have the mindset of either being on a diet or not. I think the band could help me in that area. And I suppose the feeling of discomfort would assist with controlling my carbs. When I diet, and slip up and eat a donut - it's easy to eat 3 or 4 (and then feel guilty). From what everyone says it would be physically impossible to eat that many with the band!! Thanks for all of the good info!! Mbumblebee

Thanks so much Marcy! That's just the type of info I was looking for!! Seems like I should check into the food restrictions. I do love soda (all kinds) but I'd be willing to give it up if nec. I think I'd be ok with the occasional "pb" (I read about that on this board) -- but the "dumping syndrome" with a bypass sounds scary... heart palpitations etc. Also, I am registering for the info seminar at the hospital here that has a special program for bariatric surgery - Central Dupage Hospital (Winfield, IL) -- some other posters have had good experiences there. Can't hurt to go over the types of surgeries again. Thanks again!! mbumblebee