Decision made, Appointment made BUT will I fail?

[SkinnyMiniMe 63]

So after 16 years of struggling, up and down, weight watchers, south beach, low carb, cleanses, 3 hour gym days and the list goes on and on...I have finally decided to get the lap band. I told myself last year that if I could not successfully lose it on my own with diet and excerise that I would get the surgery. I realized that after all these years, I am just tired of the struggle and I need a hand. I realized 40 is around the corner and I need to put an end to this struggle. So my decision is made and my consult appointment too. My husband and I are both going to go through this journey. He started his journey in 2008 and never went through with it. He successfully lost the weight but of course after all that hard work he has gained it back. We both are 100% on board with getting the lapband and he is considering the sleeve. My only fear is , will it fail? I don't even want to tell many people because if I don't succeed I don't want to embarass myself. Of course I realize that all the years of failing at diets I have no confidence that this will work. I have heard stories that many have gained it back or that the process is really slow. I am willing to put the work in and workout etc., I just want to succeed. Anyone else going through this or has gone through this that could give me some words of encouragement?

[xavier 153]

I felt EXACTLY the same way. I lost weight many times over 20 years but always gained it back plus a few! Why would I succeed with the band (paid for out of pocket, no less!) when I had failed so many times before?

Well, thats impossible to answer but here I am not only at a normal BMI and wearing a size 6 but, absolutely 100% sure I will never gain it back. I have never gained more than two pounds through this whole journey...I LOVE this band!!!

[SkinnyMiniMe 63]

Xavier-- That is what I needed to hear. My husband and I have done it so many times and always gain it back. A couple of weeks ago as I was starting weight watchers again I just started crying. I was crying because I knew the hard work ahead of me. The hours at the gym and the food sacrifices that it takes to lose weight. The worse part was knowing that after all that there would be a strong chance that it would all come back. A week later I remembered the promise that I made to myself last year. Another waste of a year...this year lapband! I am eager and hoping that this pre surgery process goes smoothly and fast because I am too afraid to change my mind. I am eager to get in the gym with the band and really start seeing my new self int he mirror!!!! THANKS!!!!!!

[lulu2you 14]

I so understand your post. Add 20 years or so to your age and that's how many more years and whacky diets I've been on. I have been successful on couple of them. The gaining it back so many times is what prompted me to make the decision to do this.

As I type this, I am getting packed and ready for my surgery on Monday morning. I refuse to use the F word this time (F meaning Fail). It is not an option.

I have F-ed so many times before that I am conflicted regarding a goal weight. I hesitate to set one. It is a curse to me. In the past I have gotten close to my goal, spent a couple of weeks there and slowly I would revert back to old habits. I have blamed spouse and kids and other circumstances for F-ing.

They are gone. My nest is empty. I have spent the last year looking in the mirror with my therapist and can place blame exactly where it always belonged - with me. I have also developed an arsenal of alternative ways of dealing with emotions and situations that, in the past. lead me to unhealthy love/hate relationship with food.

The next phase of my life began when I began the process of aquiring this tool a year ago. However, I also know that without looking at my relationship with food, I would not be ready to make this committment. I have heard all the naysayers and all the negative sensational press regarding the alleged dangers and flaws with this procedure. If I am not living but retreated into my life as I knew it before, I see that as a greater danger.

Welcome and good luck.

[xavier 153]

If you go to my profile and click on the posts I have made you'll see that this has been relatively easy for me and I feel have almost no will power. My band is very tight and yes, I do struggle with heartburn but I have never dieted or exercised. I have just eaten ALOT less because my band gives me the bitchslap I need if I overeat! I truly have a weird feeling sometimes like I dont have gravity pulling me down anymore...I would do this all over again in a heartbeat...even the self pay!!

[SkinnyMiniMe 63]

LULU --- GOOD LUCK!!!

Let us know how you do.

[jollymon 0]

I am so sick of being over wt. I don't know what to do. I tried everything under the sun and it always ends up the same way. I sit here every night and read all the great story's and pray to God for some kind of help. Life is to short to be in this body. I can't do a lot of things I want to do and it is sad. Everybody tells me I am a great guy but still I feel how there talking about me. I am not as big as most on here but I am 237 lbs. Maybe I need someone to hold my hand. I have tried evything and I must have lost 1,000 lbs., just to gain it back. I wish all my new friends the best of luck.

[Megand 0]

I received my pre-appointment paperwprk today and have been asking myself the same questions. I am so petrified to do this and petrified not to. I can lose up to 60 lbs with a lot of hard work but each time gain almost 80 back so whats the point? The point is I want to lie a long healthy life and if I don't do this now I never will. I am hoping since i have quite a lot of co-morbities that my insurance will pay because right now I can not do self pay:( Good luck and keep us posted.

[MyPersonalJourney 0]

Hi Megan

I also felt EXACTLY the same as you are. I was 'banded' on 20th Sept - not quite 2 weeks ago, and although I had some drama's initially (the original band was put in on 15th August but slipped major due to a stomach bug I got and was vomitting on Day 4), so even though I have been through all of that, I have lost 17.9kg SO FAR and have NO REGRETS....that is more weight than I have lost in I dont know how long!!!!

I hope you and your hubby stick together, how exciting going through this journey together.....I wish you both the best of luck.....and hope that you also feel this is the best decision you both ever made.

Cheers,

Deb.

[SageTracey 608]

You will still have to work with the band in terms of eating choices and exercises, but getting the band has been a major change in mindset for me. This time I know it's for real and I am making longer term plans that require me to keep off the 99lbs I have already lost plus lose some more. In the next 13 months I will - complete the Lions Ride for Sight (400km in 3.5 days), complete the Great Victorian Bike Ride (10 days, lots of kms) and I will look awesome in photos at my son's wedding in April. But best of all, I will simply feel great about myself.

[xisabelle 0]

after i ready your post i was thinking: huh? did i write this????

thats how i feel too and it is so frustrating. i am trying to get somewhere with kaiser. i still dont have all my infos together, but i am working on it.

how close are you from getting the band? are you 100% sure?

i was never fat and i never understood how *fat* people felt, how hard it is. now i know and i also know, that this is not the way i want to live .

[SkinnyMiniMe 63]

I am 100% sure! I am not turning back this time. In 2004 that was the last time I was able to buy clothes in a regular store. It took so much hard work. I was going to the gym 5 days a week and working out 2 hours a day and doing south beach. I made it down to about 167 but then after kid # 2 I gained it back. I did manage to lose 40lbs last year but gained 50 this year! I have had enough! Weight only became an issue for me when I turned 19-20 years old. At 36, I feel this addiction to food has to come to an end so I can live again without obessing about my weight. I want to free myself!