Second Thoughts

[lellow 1,713]

Oh yes I had second thoughts. My BMI was 37, EVERYONE told me I wasn't heavy enough. I didn't really even dislike my heavy self- I dressed well and was generally happy. Why do something so drastic? I had been heavy all my life, surely I was MEANT to be big?

Yeah all that was wrong. I was wrong. Losing weight wasn't about vanity, it was about giving me a quality of life I didn't even know I was missing. I now regret the years I sat on the sidelines where I could have been out there in the mix. I regret not taking care of my health as carefully and as preciously as I would have for one of my kids. I regret not accepting that sometimes, people need help to get where they should go.

My doubts meant I waited 18 months to have the surgery. Now, knowing what I know, I feel a little silly for having waited at all.

[leannel90 206]

Oh yes I had second thoughts. My BMI was 37' date=' EVERYONE told me I wasn't heavy enough. I didn't really even dislike my heavy self- I dressed well and was generally happy. Why do something so drastic? I had been heavy all my life, surely I was MEANT to be big?

Yeah all that was wrong. I was wrong. Losing weight wasn't about vanity, it was about giving me a quality of life I didn't even know I was missing. I now regret the years I sat on the sidelines where I could have been out there in the mix. I regret not taking care of my health as carefully and as preciously as I would have for one of my kids. I regret not accepting that sometimes, people need help to get where they should go.

My doubts meant I waited 18 months to have the surgery. Now, knowing what I know, I feel a little silly for having waited at all.[/quote']

That is just what I needed to hear today!! Thanks for this.

[kmbrtn 4]

Here goes...I might be having second thoughts about getting my band. Whereas I once obsessed over the length of time it would take to get the surgery' date=' I now look at it as a blessing because of the different emotions you experience leading up to the big day. I'm probably rewriting many people's story here, but this is my version and I think feedback from some of the Evangelists and Aspiring Evangelists might help me through this phase.

Everyone I tell has the same response - You don't need that, you aren't very overweight.

The truth of the matter is that I'm what my elders would refer to as "solid". I weigh much more than my appearance says I do - most of that has to do with the way I choose or sew my clothing. What's more is that I was recently diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, I snore like a bear and my upper body is out of proportion to my lower body. I've lost weight before, but never enough to get rid of my upper body problems.

I'm starting to think about trying diet and exercise - again, but deep down I know what I need to do. I'm so worried about giving up some of the things I love - right now, it's the occasional coca-cola, fried catfish, fajitas and flour tortillas. I know that I shouldn't ever have these things anyway, but I am worried about the cravings I'll have for them and feel very sad thinking that I can't even splurge on them sometimes.

Any advice is welcomed.[/quote']

I lost about 100 lbs with diet and exercise many many moons ago. I've gained it all back slowly since then. I don't care for many fried foods, my cholesterol is perfect and I rarely drink pop. I still gained the weight back.

I don't think it's necessarily WHAT you eat, but how much. Yes, there MAY be some foods that don't agree with you after you're banded, but it doesn't mean you won't ever be able to have fried catfish again.

There's a guy at work that was banded several years ago. He eats whatever he wants, but in moderation. I've seen him have a pop too. He pours from a bottle to a cup and only has a little bit once in a while. He ate a piece of pizza too. The next day he was back to eating healthy.

Ultimately only you can make the choice. Consider the reasons you decided to go down this road. Are those things still important?

I haven't been banded, my first consultation in next week, so I guess I'm an aspiring evangelist in this respect. :-) I am looking into this option because I don't have many medical issues...YET. No diabetes and my cholesterol is good, but I feel like garbage. I want to feel good again and this is the tool I'm looking into.

Good luck!

[asquill17 72]

I have not had much bread since I got the band' date=' as I usually get stuck on it. Have you noticed that it goes down better if it is well toasted?[/quote']

Yes well toasted and thoroughly chewed, it helps me.

[mrsto 2,925]

Oh yes I had second thoughts. My BMI was 37, EVERYONE told me I wasn't heavy enough. I didn't really even dislike my heavy self- I dressed well and was generally happy. Why do something so drastic? I had been heavy all my life, surely I was MEANT to be big?

Yeah all that was wrong. I was wrong. Losing weight wasn't about vanity, it was about giving me a quality of life I didn't even know I was missing. I now regret the years I sat on the sidelines where I could have been out there in the mix. I regret not taking care of my health as carefully and as preciously as I would have for one of my kids. I regret not accepting that sometimes, people need help to get where they should go.

My doubts meant I waited 18 months to have the surgery. Now, knowing what I know, I feel a little silly for having waited at all.

No need to feel silly. It's a BIG decision; one that you gave yourself time to think through before jumping in. Lets face it......if hindsight were foresight, we'd ALL be thin and rich!