Considering the Lapband..

[dl28494 5]

I've strugged with my weight ever since I was a teenager (I'm 28 now), and I'm tired of struggling and not seeing consistent results. Every attempt, I've always just gained the weight back plus more. I've thought about having the lap band in the past, and even went to an information session at the hospital, but I was nervous about the procedure not working so I never took it any further.

Now, I'm at my highest weight, 265, and if I don't do something, I know I will keep gaining more. I understand that the lapband is not a quick fix, and that's fine. At this point, I don't want a quick fix, I want something that will help me change my lifestyle. I need to do something serious to help me change these habits, however, I'm nervous ... I have these doubts... am i going to be able to stick to the pre-op and post-op diet? am i going to be able to change my habits so that the lapband will work for me? i know i'm going to have to give up diet soda and carbonated drinks (I'm addicted to diet coke and diet dr pepper), I question that i'm that strong to be able to make all these changes.

was anyone else scared that they weren't going to be able to change their habits?

[SandyM 1,956]

Probably everyone of us have felt what you are feeling. I thought I would grieve the loss of sodas and sweets, and I did a little but not that much. It's really moved pretty fast and I'm 19 lbs from goal. I'm healthier than I've been in a long time. I've learned to enjoy Water, which I use to hate. But what I enjoy most is smaller clothes and my increased energy level. I have a box of chocolates in the freezer and no desire for them.

[FruitLoop 86]

I agree , I bet all of us have had our doubts, it's a big lifestyle change for any "foodie".but it is do-able if you really want the change. I knew I had to make the change, the day my doctor told me I was a heartbeat away from a heart attack and every trip to the doctor seemed like I had a new script for my obese self! Yup I knew I had to change my life if I was going to be able to have a life! Yes, it was mind boggling to have to give up Mountain Dew, i had already cut myself down to just one , but completely going without , ugh! but it doesnt even bother me anymore, satisfied with my water! The 10 day pre-op wasn't all that bad, mostly when you see the weight already starting to fall off, then the post -op was fine too , really had no desire to eat anyway,! At least that is how it was for me, everyone is different ! I am 5 weeks post op now, have had my first fill and have lost a total of 26# and oodles of inches! Feeling awesome ! You can do this if you have the desire, and you have your age on your side too! Do it now so you can enjoy your life, I fought my weight all my life and waiting till now at 59 years old I ask my self why did I wait so long! Good Luck and remember if you do you will have so much support and help from here, a great bunch of people from all stages of the journey!

[The Icy One 518]

Yes, you give up a lot but you gain so much more! And what's a fizzy drink in the face of improved health, pretty clothes and dumping medications and Co morbidities? Besides, some bandsters do drink bubbly stuff... Everyone is different. Personally, I content myself with Water and yummy flat beverages but if bubbles are where it's at for you, after you have had your band for a while, you can try working them back into your life.

[Lady VS 1,147]

I believe we have all had those feelings but you need to decide if you wanna live or die from obesity and it's side effects. Hope you can finally make a good decision. Best wishes

[BandedBrunette481 310]

I'm towards the end of my pre-op stage right now, hoping to get my LapBand surgery in late February. I think it's hard for everyone because, to some degree, we all have a co-dependency on food. It's an unhealthy relationship that has to be dealt with though and I think a LapBand is going to be a great tool to help with that! I'm looking forward to actually feeling full and satisfied for once, among all the other health benefits

I had many of the same doubts that you did but what really helped me was reading stories about people who have been successful long term. Seeing that they were once just like me and were able to turn their lives around gave me so much hope! Here's the links to their blogs if you want to check them out. Wishing you the best of luck in your journey!!

LapBand Gal: http://lapbandgalsjourney.blogspot.com/

Amy: http://cheeseandsunkist.blogspot.com/

BandedWendy (video blog): http://www.youtube.com/user/bandedwendy

ChicagoRose: http://mybandemonium.blogspot.com/

My blog is linked in my signature if you want to check that out as well. But i'm still pre-op so I don't know if I'll be as inspirational haha

[PuraVida37 715]

DL, I could have written your post. I was a sugar addict who tried diet after diet for 20 years and only ended up bigger after each attempt. I stopped even attempting Weight Watchers because I knew I would lose those 20 lbs only to gain 30 each time.

For me, the change of the lap band has been physical: the sugar addiction cycle has been broken (and my lab work and no more cravings prove it), and mental: I am truly accountable for the first time ever--if I don't follow the rules I could be in pain or die (getting stuck or slipped). Therefore I must follow the rules. And now that I am losing, I WANT to follow the rules. The rules free me, not hinder me. I don't miss the disgusting feelings I got physically and mentally after eating something "bad". I don't miss soda, I don't miss carby sugary foods, and yes, i miss chocolate a little, but I can get a chocolate Protein bar or drink. You will start to crave Water with lemon or tea. You only crave soda because it's what you're used to. You will get used to new things, and it won't be that hard!!!! I promise!

I know I'm fairly new to the band, only 4 months, but it has been a very worthy endeavor so far.

So, just like the famous quote from Shawshank: "Get busy living, or get busy dying." I choose to get busy living!!

[dpryce81 0]

how long after the banding can u do bikram (or any type of) yoga?

yoga helps my sciatica so its important to be able to continue

[PuraVida37 715]

how long after the banding can u do bikram (or any type of) yoga?

yoga helps my sciatica so its important to be able to continue

You'll have to ask your doctor that.

[dl28494 5]

Thanks everyone for responding.. it really is a comfort knowing that others have felt the way I do. And PuraVida... thank you for including a little bit of your story..

I have tried every diet as well. The only one I have had any success will is weight watchers... and still, that was not long term success. I am a huge sugar addict as well. There have been times where I feel like pure crap, so much so that I have felt that it would not be much longer before I would end up having a heart attack. Getting the lap band would pretty much be a last ditch effort to get my life back on track.

[MandaMom23 684]

Yup, I'm pretty sure we've all had these exact feelings and doubts. I was so nervous, and while I really really wanted this to work, in all honestly, I never truly had the faith that I could REALLY make this happen.

Here I am, almost a year later the smallest I've been since middle school. The pre op and post op diets aren't exactly 'easy', but if you keep the mindset that it's only temporary...really just a blink of time in our lives. It's over before you know it. Other than soda...and holy buckets, I LOVED my Diet Coke!!!!! I missed it at first, now I don't even want it...I haven't had to totally give up any of my favorite foods.

It's a big learning experience, for sure, but it's so so worth it to get your life back!! You and only you can make it happen...and I KNOW you can do it!

[dawalsh 919]

It took me 3 years to convince myself to go with the bsnd. When I went to my first info meeting, I was very doubtful. Then, I found out that the insurance I had did not cover WLS. Then I considered saving my money and I would go to Mexico (I live in FL). Well, I had changed my insurance and I went to another informational meeting. That's when I found out my new insurance would cover lapband. All I would owe was $800 between co-pays, psychological counseling and my pre-op diet. It was amazing that the relief of the fact that my insurance would cover it took my fear away. I was now ready for my lapband and 80 lbs lost since 12/28/12 convinces me I made the right decision with the lapband. I still have 60 lbs to go and it's slow coming off now but at least I'm losing!

[garfield461 25]

I definitely know what you are going through. I went to three seminars, did a lot of research online, tried and failed so many times I lost count and finally buckled down and had it down. Afterwards I feared I spent the money and had the surgery and would not lose any weight or at least just a little then gain in back like every other time I tried. It has now been 6 years, I lost 90 pounds and have kept it off. I am no longer diabetic, I can exercise without pain and have never regretted it one day. Everyone is different of course, but if you really want a permanent solution and a tool that will get you the results you want, I would definitely recommend it.