Weighing options

[edmontongirl 2]

Ok I'm completely starting to freak out! I'm starting to think I should just bust my butt and work crazy hard to do it on my own. I'm soo worried the lap band will cause more issues and ill feel weak for a long time after surgery.

Is it actually possible to do on our own?

I'm 32 almost 33

I weigh 240 lbs

I gained most of my weight over the last two year after my husband passed away.

I know it's my horrible eating habits and poor exercise schedule. But I can't seem to find the thing that works best for me.

I'm open to any advice as I know this is a decision I need to make on my own but I need some guidance.

Thanks

[Heathermarie0407 67]

Of course you can do it yourself. But there is no shame in getting help either.

You said you gained a lot after your husbands death, just wondering if you have sought advice from a mental health professional? You may have some depression that could benefit from medicine.

If you feel that weight loss surgery something that will help you get healthy then do it! You must do your own research to decide that you can make the lifestyle changes that you have to make with lap band. Are you ok with eating very small portions, possibly not being able to eat certain foods, becoming more active.

When you think about the worst case, can you deal with those also? Some people dont lose very much weight, have complications.

Good luck in whatever you decide! Take care of yourself

[Heathermarie0407 67]

Of course you can do it yourself. But there is no shame in getting help either.

You said you gained a lot after your husbands death, just wondering if you have sought advice from a mental health professional? You may have some depression that could benefit from medicine.

If you feel that weight loss surgery something that will help you get healthy then do it! You must do your own research to decide that you can make the lifestyle changes that you have to make with lap band. Are you ok with eating very small portions, possibly not being able to eat certain foods, becoming more active.

When you think about the worst case, can you deal with those also? Some people dont lose very much weight, have complications.

Good luck in whatever you decide! Take care of yourself

[lisacaron 5,075]

First of all please let me say that I am sorry that you have suffered such a loss. I'm sure that this last year has not been easy, but please don't make things any harder by beating yourself up. All of us here have had our share of good bad and ugly eating habits. We were not always athletic, or even knew where our sneakers could be found! (Ok I'm guilty of that

So you my friend have found yourself in good company here, and there are a lot of people in the group that can give you great insite and information about the lap band and you can find all kinds of sites and information online, but your right the only one who can make the choice is you.

About a 2 years ago, I went to see my Dr. I thought I was ready to do this! I'm tired of being overweight, I'm tired of being tired and feeling sick! I'm going to get the band! Then I got home and started reading about all the tests and Dr.'s I would have to see and then I started thinking… if I could stand on my head to do all that then I could just lose the weight on my own!

Now I know I wasn't ready to commit to all it would take to have the surgery, or all it would take to be succesful after it.

If you're on the fence give yourself some time. Your still healing from all the emotional trauma you have experienced in the last year and you need to be sure that you are 100% committed to this life style change.

While the band is reversible, it's not recommended you view it that way.

So take some time, join Weight Watchers or a similar program on a month to month or week to week basis and see how you feel about it in a few weeks/ months, and revisit the idea again.

For me, it took 2 years to fully commit to having the surgery and committing to all the changes I had to make in my life. It's not easy to face your food demons or the other things that can drive right back to your bad habits and food choices. Once you embark on the WLS path that is exactly what you will have to do every day to be successful with it.

I wish you all the best, and please come back and ask as many questions as you need to. There are a lot of very supportive and helpful bunch of people here.

[GuyMontag 1,264]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

For me there was no 'doing it on my own'. That just wasn't an option. Every time I lost weight I gained more back and there was no end in sight. Plus, you get up to a certain weight and it starts adding on exponentially. I'm soooooo glad I finally got WLS. My only regret is not doing it sooner. Good luck on your journey!

[dawalsh 919]

Yes, you can do it on your own but when I lost my husband (I was in my mid 30's), I gained 70 lbs. it was psychological. I felt like I had to eat because there may be no tomorrow. Of course I'm better as the years went by but I needed the band because nothing else was working for me. So glad I got the band!

[edmontongirl 2]

Thank you all for your condolences. I don't think my weight gain has anything to do with Phycological trouble or things I haven't dealt with. I had a rough first year but now my life is fantastic, I'm back on my feet and loving life again. I think most of my weight was due to not making proper meals and endless snacking cause I didn't have someone there to give me the sideways glance when I go for the huge bowl of ice cream. Or popcorn, coke and bag of candy at the movies. Lol

Even my dog has gained weight cause I now share with her instead of my late hubby.

I really really want the change and currently feel like I'm a young skinny athletic girl trapped in this fat girl body.

I know I hear all the success stores but I just worry with out having someone to be accountable to I will fail myself and the band. I have an amazing surgeon lined up but he's based across the country.

What tricks helped you stay in track and accountable?

I'm also concerned because for the last 12 yrs I've struggled with esophagitis and this causes me to choke on my food and have bad reflex. Is there anyone out there that has dealt with this issue and the band was still successful or the esophagitis got better after the band??

Thanks again!