Need help making a decision!

[AmosRacki 0]

Hello everyone. My name is Amy, I am 23 and about 280 lbs. I have no health conditions that I know of except, BMI of 46.1, I am depressed, I get short of breath with very little exercise, and I'm starting to get back pain. I am going for a lap-band nutritional class on July 10th. I have no idea what this consists of but my doctor recomended me for it.

Basically I am looking for feedback on people who have gotten the lap-band surgery, whether it be good or bad. I need help making a decision. My boyfriend doesn't seem to be to happy with the idea but I am just so sick and tired of being overweight and even though he says he's happy with me the way I am I know he would be happier with a smaller me and I know I'd be MUCH happier/healthier.

I have done weight watchers, Atkins, south beach, sparkpeople.com, that Soup diet, the blood diet, vegitarian, and just trying to eat when I'm hungry but my brain denies all of them. I never feel full and I am always hungry. I need to do something before eating kills me.

I have fallon health insurance and I'd also like feedback on costs and what the insurance may cover. If anyone can help me that would be greatly appreciated!!!:confused_smile:

[JohnC 31]

Welcome Amos, All I can tell you is the lapband was definatly the right choice for me. I certainly wished this would have been available when I was 23. I would do all the research I can on the band & attend the nutritional class & ask all the questions you want. If you decide to go with the band then I would call your insurance co. to see if it is covered. Good luck in your journey.

[MyDay2Shine 1]

Hi Amy, it sounds to me like you are ready to take action! You have your Dr.'s recomendation, so thats great. Think about the reasons your boyfriend is not happy about it. Is he worried about you, or is he worried that he won't be able to keep up with you when you lose 100 lbs :tt2: ? I bet you wouldn't date a guy that told you to lose weight, why listen to one who tells you not to lose weight. Girl it is ALL about YOU and what YOU want (and need)!:smile: Sorry if I sound like I am man bashing, he is probably a great guy that will come around when he sees it is still you, only more healthy! Good luck with everything! Keep us posted.

[JenniLeen 0]

totally agree with Smartie. my hubby was totally happy with me too, but he said I needed to do whatever it took to make ME happy! We are here to answer any questions you have! Welcome aboard!

[U_go_gurl68 0]

AmosRacki,

I know exactly how you feel when you talk about being tired of being overweight and the issue with your boyfriend. My fiance and I have been battling this out too. He says he is happy with me no matter what size I am, so if that is true, then he will be happy with me when I am smaller as well.

He is insecure about me having this surgery because he thinks I will want to find another man when I am feeling better about myself. He is very slender and can eat whatever he wants, so he doesn't truly understand how I am feeling and the pain I am experiencing being overweight.

I made up my mind that I have to do this for ME, no matter what. I am not saying that I don't care how he feels, but he will come around when this is over. He has voiced his concerns and I have accepted his feelings and he has accepted mine. He has apologized for not being as supportive as he knows he should. He has also told me if I don't get this done because of his feelings towards the whole thing, then I will blame him all my life for continuing to feel the way I do about myself and for any health issues that arise from me being overweight. And he is correct.

I think you should do your research and attempt to include your boyfriend as much as you can. Perhaps he just needs to be educated, or perhaps he just needs reassurance. Either way, in the end, do what feels right for you. Don't let anyone stop you from living YOUR life. Especially if their fears and insecurities are more important to them than your health. Thats all I have to say about that.

Good luck to you.

[CanHardlyWait 0]

With regard to no health issues, just add the word "yet" to it. I am 32..starting weight was 262 and I am 5'3". I had a high BMI and no other health conditions. You should sit and think about your eating lifestyle. That is how I made my decision. I took my weight and looked at myself in say 10 years and for each year added about 5 lbs. That seemed to be accurate for me. Another 50 lbs. by the time I would be 42 was not something I wanted to see. I was already wearing a size 22! That was out of control for me and I knew I had to make a change cause soon my health conditions were going to change if I gained more weight. I have been banded for a month now and lost 25 lbs...still waiting for my first fill. It has been the best thing in my whole life and now when I look down the road 10 years from now, I am happy, healthy, and know I will see 10 more after that! Best of luck to you! It is a big step--but the best one!

[U_go_gurl68 0]

With regard to no health issues, just add the word "yet" to it. I am 32..starting weight was 262 and I am 5'3". I had a high BMI and no other health conditions. You should sit and think about your eating lifestyle. That is how I made my decision. I took my weight and looked at myself in say 10 years and for each year added about 5 lbs. That seemed to be accurate for me. Another 50 lbs. by the time I would be 42 was not something I wanted to see. I was already wearing a size 22! That was out of control for me and I knew I had to make a change cause soon my health conditions were going to change if I gained more weight. I have been banded for a month now and lost 25 lbs...still waiting for my first fill. It has been the best thing in my whole life and now when I look down the road 10 years from now, I am happy, healthy, and know I will see 10 more after that! Best of luck to you! It is a big step--but the best one!

I agree with you 100%. I will be 40 next month and losing weight has been a very big challenge. Ten years ago, it would have not been so hard, but the older I become, the harder it is getting. That is the main reason I am having my surgery. My mother is 20 yrs older than me and she has so many health issues. I totally saw myself following in her footsteps if I didn't do anything and I knew that is not where I wanted to be in 10 yrs, 20yrs. or even 30 yrs. I am fighting this all the way. I currently weigh 206.6 and every year that has gone by has added a few pounds here and there. It seems as though my set point kept getting higher and higher.

A few years ago, when I would try to lose, I couldn't get under 180 for anything, now it seems like I can't get under 199 for anything. I had to take control of my life and I feel getting banded is the right choice for me.

Good luck to all.

[AmosRacki 0]

Is it hard for you to live with out the certin food's/ beverages you can't eat? Is there anything you extremley miss doing that you could before the lap band?