Waffling about having the surgery

I am undecided, especially after reading these boards. You all seem happy you did it, but I am wondering if I should give just the liquid diet another try. I did it once a long time ago and lost 50 lbs. This was in the 1990's and I am just now back to 240. I read the post-op dietary rules to my husband and daughter and they said, if you can do all that, you would lose weight, even without the surgery. My other concerns, and the reason I am thinking about cancelling, is because I can't stand the thought of never being able to eat some of my favorite foods again. I am talking about things like steak, lobster, shrimp, biscuits, and especially corn on the cob. I have already planted sweet corn in my garden - will I even be able to eat it? My insurance had no requirement for proof of previous weight loss programs, my doctor took my word for it that I had tried, but I must admit that I haven't tried to do anything lately. I look at various diets and give up before I start. Some days I resolve to stop eating things that are bad for me, but by evening I am hitting the candy or the salty stuff. Does the lap band stop these cravings? I think I could keep to the Medifast type diet for a few months. I did it before. It was kind of like quitting smoking, which I did cold turkey. And at least I don't have to give up my favorites completely, forever. I read your posts about having to go back to mushies or liquids and I wonder if I am ready for that much of change for the rest of my life. If I knew it would be for a limited time, I could deal with it, but forever???? I am 66 years old and retired and I want to enjoy the rest of my time here on earth. Do I constantly want to be playing with getting fills and taking fluid out of the band and trying to get it adjusted correctly. Seems like this is an ongoing problem. Does the surgery take away your hunger? Of course, as another of my daughters pointed out, my problem is not so much that I eat because I am hungry - I eat because the stuff tastes so darn good. I wish there was something that would decrease my sense of taste and smell! Or at least something that would make me very uncomfortable if I were to eat sugar. The reasons I want to lose weight are generally health related. I am on BP meds, Celebrex for arthritis, and a med for high cholesterol. My last cholesterol was 246. And while I don't care much about improving my looks (I am past that) I don't want to have lots of baggy skin to deal with. I already have some degree of panniculus, but doubt a surgeon would do anything as long as I don't try to lose weight, even if I could afford it on our fixed income. Your input will be appreciated. Thanks!

! am 66 and consiering both surgerys, I would think amount of weight to lose would affect the choice one makes. I want to lose 100 lbs so am going by way of lapband

Hi Sandra, I am also just needing to lose about 100 lbs, and chose the Lap-Band because I wanted the least invasive surgery and the one least likely to have complications. I am (or was) an RN, and have had other laparoscopic procedures in the past for gall bladder, bladder suspension, even a tubal ligation way back. And no difficulties with any of them. Has your surgery been scheduled yet? Mine is supposed to be May 14 if they can get the approval in time, otherwise maybe May 21. I have a Humana insurance that replaces Medicare. We seem to have a lot in common. Can I add you as a friend? Thanks, Sue

Hey there... it seems like you have everyone trying to convince you not to get surgery.... that in itself is tough. You should know from what your Dr. told you and the program taught you that with lap-band you can eat anything you want. It does not cause dumping syndrome. It causes you to not eat as much. It does take away your hunger because you get full after a very little amount of food. I'm more concerned that your going into this not informed enough. The surgery that makes you feel uncomfortable from sugar is gastric bypass. None of these surgeries cause you to eat mushies for the rest of your life. I think you need to do alot more research before you even consider WLS.

Sue, Are you really ready for this surgery? To me it sounds as if you are not committed to this life style change. I personally would postpone the surgery until you are ready. You might want to post this on the "over 50" forum. There are a lot of very wise women there. I think you could use that sort of support right now. Jayne (excited about my RNY on May 14th)