DebH

I have struggled with weight all of my life, my first attempt at Weight Watchers was at only 9 years old. I have tried many different diets and programs and even have had some very good successes only to gain most of the weight back once I attempt to introduce whole foods again. In the past I have always felt that gastric surgery was the "easy" way out so I would not consider it, however as I started to research it as an option I realized that it is not "easy" at all and a [u]tool[/u], not a way out. I am excitedly waiting for my lap band surgery date which may possibly be at the end of October, 2010 if all goes as planned. With this excitement I am also extremely anxious and apprehensive. Will this be another failure in my attempts to achieve a normal and healthy weight??? I am joining this discussion forum to be in touch with others that have and are going through this procedure to benefit from their experience with the lap band and also for support.

The above entry was placed prior to my lab band surgery which took place 10/25/2010. I still can't say if it was a success or a failure. I have lost only about 30 pounds since getting the lap ban and that was all in the first 3-4 months. Yes, I have literally not lost anything in the past 20 months. I eat next to nothing, exercise at least 4-5 times a week (vigorously) and see my surgeon every 1-2 months. We tried more in the band (UGH terrible heart burn) and less in the band. Nothing is working. He is now suggesting the sleeve.

I am beyond myself with confusion. I was never an overeater before the lap band and was skeptical that it would work but the surgeon assured me it would. Now he is saying that there is a 40% or more failure rate with the band and the sleeve will work. But what do I believe? I have virtually no metabolism, have done everything right as per nutritionist, endocrinologist and surgeon as well as many friends and family witnesses, yet again I feel I have failed at weight loss. Do I attempt yet another invasive procedure that may not work????? I really am not sure that emotionally I would be able to accept the outcome of having the sleeve surgery and not succeeding yet again. So at this point my story is not an optimistic one as I contemplate the physical and emotional issues that are involved in reversing the bad to the sleeve.