I'm Confused, scared and fascinated

[jaymee 0]

I am hoping that readers might be able to relate to my post. I have been thinking about pursuing the lap band for some time now. I have recently scheduled my seminar date to find out more about the lap band from the doctor.

I am five foot four, 223 pounds, with a bmi of 38. I have sleep apnea and have been seeing a reproductive endocrinologist for several years due to difficulties with getting my period. There has always been suspicion that I have troubles with sugars.

I am a pretty good candidate for the lap band and I think my health insurance would most likely approve it.

The problem is that I keep getting down on myself for wanting to pursue this. Asking myself why I can't control my binge eating and why I can't just get on the treadmill every day and get the weight off myself. I feel like I haven't really tried to diet. I have tried to diet and it usually lasts just a few days and then I go back to overeating. I am an emotional eater.

I'm just looking to vent about how I feel and wondering if anyone has any ideas or has felt this way?

PS. I have always been overweight since childhood.

[wer54him 0]

I hear you girlfriend. I had my band done 8 days ago and up until the day of surgery i wondered why I couldn't do it myself. But I'm happy I did it and I believe it is going to be a wonderful tool to help me loose the weight and keep it off. For whatever reasons some of us just can't do it by ourselves.

Go to the seminar like you have planned. Research and make your decision. It's not for everyone, but it sure is the thing that works for a lot of people. Good luck.

[kpdgal 0]

I would first, go to the seminar, and see if you like that you hear. My first seminar (By-pass) I went to years ago scared me away and I decided not to go through anymore of the process. (That was before lapband was popular). I went on Atkins to give it one more try to see if I could do it on my own. I was successful for awhile but went back to my old ways. But I was glad I gave myself one more time to try. I don't think you will find many people on here that aren't thankful for their bands. I wish I would have known about the band sooner. As far as emotional eating, I think everyone is an emotional eater to one degree or another. It's just something you learn to work with when you have the band. Do your research here on the site and keep asking questions. You will be fine!

Edited August 19, 2009 by kpdgal
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[gnortenjones 0]

I felt the same way when I was considering surgery (scheduled on Friday). I felt that this was a sign of weakness, and felt like I was giving up, and a failure.

The more I thought about it though, I realized that results count more than intentions, and I have about 20 years worth of failed weight loss attempts, and if I'm serious about a life change, I needed something more drastic.

All I could think about was that nicotine patch commercial, where the dad is telling his grown daughter that if she was serious about quitting smoking, she wouldn't need the patch. She replies that when she got serious about quitting smoking was when she realized she DID need it.

Sappy and corny? Yes. But it really described my thought process on deciding to do this.

[FailureIsntAnOption 0]

The band will not cure your emotional eating. It would be best to seek some therapy to figure out why you eat and what you can do to change it. The band will help you as far as not eating as much and controlling real hunger.

I wish you luck and much success with your weight loss efforts.

[Bobbie155 0]

Just do it!!!!

[trystelle 3]

If you needed a pace maker to regulate your heart and preserve your health would you have the same feelings? Being overweight is a medical condition not a personality trait. Only you can determine if a band is right for you but the treatment is there for those who need and want it. Thank goodness!

[Grandma26 1]

Stop being down on yourself, go to the seminar, and read all you can, then make yoour decision! Try to keep a positive outlook, it may make it a little easier for you.

We all feel at some point before surgery that we should be able to do this on our own! Well....I realized I can't do it alone, and doing nothing was making it worse because I kept getting bigger and bigger.

Most people I know, including myself are soooo happy we did this and would do it again! I am re-learning to eat only when I am hungry and I love it.

[Sarah Youngs Riley 0]

Have you been tested for PCOS? I was only having 2-3 periods per year, losing hair (similar to male pattern baldness), had insulin resistance (got dizzy and shaky if I missed meals), had to do fertility treatments to conceive than miscarried in my 2nd trimester, etc. and thought it was my weight. As it would turn out I had PCOS which not only was causing these troubles, but it was/is a huge factor in being overweight to begin with. Ask your Dr. to test you if you haven't already and Google it if you want to see if it is a fit.

Next start by researching all of the weight loss surgery methods. If there is something about anyone of them that is something you know will make you miserable, try finding the positives. Figure out what you can and can not live without. For me, the up sides of lap-band are far more than the down. I have no regrets. I spent over a year trying to get a referral so I had plenty of time to research RNY, Gastric Sleeve, and Lap-Band.

Try not to blame yourself too much. Sure there are things you can do to be healthier, but genetics play a huge role. Lapband is a tool to help keep you on track with the healthier diet, and once you gain some of your energy and self esteem back it is far easier to become active. I heard Dr. Oz say something yesterday that I completely agree with. He said being obese for several years takes a toll on your body very similar to cancer. You would operate on cancer so why not get an operation for weight loss if you can not lose the weight any other way. Best of Luck!