Hi From England

[StephenSmyth 0]

Hi, I joined here 3 years ago but chickened out of having surgery, so here I am 3 years later and another 60lbs fatter. I need to start to look at surgery again

[FLHgal 68]

No time like the present to make a life changing decision. Good Luck.

[RobinJ 0]

It sure was one of the best decisions I have ever made...learning how to make the band work for you is trial and error, but so worth it. To think I had high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol a few years ago and now I'm healthy as a horse, Not only does it help you lose weight, it also helps you keep it off. Do It!!!

[Cazzy 725]

Hi Stephen, you have to decide if you want to carry on living like you are and just gaining weight each year or take the opportunity to change the rest of your life. I buried my head in the sand for far too long, i avoided mirrors and photographs, avoided going out so i was never really confronted with my weight until i woke up one day and decided i dont want to live like this any more, i chose to claim my life back.

I am sure you will meet the criteria for NHS weight loss surgery, i am not sure they will agree to use the band, i had to pay for mine as they wanted to do a bypass/sleeve and i didnt want that.

Having the band fitted was probably one of the best decisions i had made in my life for many many years, and 10 months on i have absolutely no regrets.

It will take a lot of effort on your part to get rid of the weight that has took so long to accumulate, but coming back on the forum and accepting that you will need help/surgery is the first step towards a better and healthier life for yourself. I came to the conclusion that gaining weight every year and becoming more immobile and useless was far more scary than a short operation.

The more you delay it the longer the road is u will need to travel.

I really wish you well and hope you choose to live instead of just exisiting!

[shrinkAdink_05/10 4]

I agree with Cazzy. Lap Band is the best thing I have ever done for myself in my grown up life. Look at me now, it nuts! No one believes me when I tell them that in 8 months I lost nearly 100lbs. Funny thing now is that I am trying to gain a few pounds back I NEVER thought I would hear those words come out of my mouth! In 1 year I went from a size 18/20 to a ZERO, no joke! The surgery is SO simple and virtually pain free. I hope I am not stepping out of bounds by saying you would be nuts not to do it! Save yourself

I would do it 100 times over again GOOD LUCK!

[StephenSmyth 0]

Thanks for your comments, I understand what you are all saying. I am trying to get my mental state into a good place so I can proceed as I should and do what is best for me.

[Cazzy 725]

It might be a good idea to have a word with your GP and ask for a referral to someone who you could discuss things with like a psychologist etc, also writing your thoughts down often helps , like making a list of all the pro's and con's for surgery. I really do hope you can get the help you need to get your mental state in a better place where u can then concentrate on the physical one