Any advice?

Hello all, my name is Amy and I am on the path to getting the lap-band surgery. I have been dealing with my weight since the age of 12 and since I'm about to turn 30 I am in dire straits with it, more aware of my body ALL the time. I am needing to end the battle once and for ALL! I have already made the consult appt. and am still not sure how I'm going to come up with the money yet, but I WANT this soo much! Some of my family is being really unsupportive and saying that they are worried that it won't work, and that it is easy to "Cheat" your way around it.  For all of you who have had this done already, can I get some words of wisdom? Is this something that gave you your life back? Was it extremely difficult to lose the weight? Did it teach you how to eat properly, without the emotional attachments to food? Would you do it again? Is this worth the money and effort? I need to put my family at ease...I wish I hadn't told them about my wishes, but I felt like I needed some support! Any advice would be SOO appreciated! Thank you so much!!

Well I had a gastric bypass with the military. So I was fortunate and mine was covered by insurance. Gastric bypass is more expensive compared to lap band. Since I didn't have the lap band I cannot answer all of your questions. But what I would like to say is that if this is something you really want to do then you can do it. If you need to save money for years...then that's what you'll do. Lap Band takes about 3 years to lose weight. Lap Band and Gastric Bypass patients CAN gain their weight back. But most don't. These surgeries are a tool that help teach you how to eat smaller portions and better types of foods. But there are ways to still eat things you shouldn't. Most conventional diet plans are not very successful because they take so long to work and it's easy to give in and go back to eating the same ways. A therapist is often helpful for surgical patients in dealing with the head hunger or emotional eating. After my surgery I still wanted to eat a hamburgery and fries even though I wasn't hungry and couldn't hardly eat anything. I had my surgery in March and it has completely changed my life. It's been a hard life style change. But it's been well worth it to me. I feel so much better physically and about myself. I would also stress that for lap band or gastric bypass the surgery is a major life style change. It can't be about looking good...even though that is a great perk. It's got to be about being healthy, physically fit, more energetic, and not so much about vanity. I am very sorry that your family is not being supportive. I don't know your family but alot of people will be scared of something unknown and even more will be jealous that your willing or able to do something that they are not. Some people like having their friend or family member obese...it makes them feel better about themselves and makes them more comfortable because you are not competition. If you really want to do this it has to be for you and no one else. Once you are committed on those lines then it won't matter so much if everyone doesn't get it or support you. Surround yourself with people who care about your health and your wishes. Go to support group meetings and listen to those that have had it done and it will encourage you. Research as many topics about lap band and about significant weight loss before surgery. Good luck with everything.

I had the lap band done on Feb 13 and would do it over in a heart beat.  My husband wasnt for it but once he saw the results he is happy that I did it.  I have lost 88 pounds and feel great.  Yes you do learn a new way of life.  In fact I start my new way of life a couple on months before my surgery, once I found out how my new life was going to be like i acted that way a couple of moths before surgery and feel that it was a wise decision.  Made my life after surgery real easy because i was already drinking and eating like i am now.  Good luck and if you need anything let me know

I would like to offer you words of encouragement and hope.  I am in the same boat and hoping for a miracle for my own weight loss after this surgery. particularly in my chest region which is not attractive on a man.  I will stand with you in encouragement; my sister had this surgery and while her weight loss was not  as drastic as many, it has been steady and cheating just hasn't been an issue.  I think the whole trauma of the surgery is incentive!  Hang in there.  My thoughts are with you.

Hi,  I am getting ready to start appointments for gastric bypass and I have to say that my mom was not 100% supportive to begin with and her opinion is the one that matters most to me.  I am not married and do not have a boyfriend to worry about yet.  The thing is that most people are not knowledgeable about these surgeries and they rely on old info. that is outdated and some are scared and some are jealous or just don't know.  The more my mom and I talk about it and I inform her properly of the processes and the outcomes she is more understanding and accepting.  From what I understand, having these surgeries is not "Cheating" weight loss by far.  IT IS life changing and you are altering your organs.  There are humongous changes to go through both physically, mentally and biologically and there will be many hills.  So it is not the EASY way out.  I would suggest getting some books from the library and read as much as you can so you can learn more about the process.  Then turn around and educate those who are not so supportive so they can be aware of the truth about these surgeries.  Every surgery has risks and may not work but the success rate of these surgeries is outstanding and it shown by all these great people on this website alone.

Hi Amy, After months of thinking about it I decided to have a bypass.  It was done on the 13th of this month.  I am still pretty new at all of this but can already see the pounds falling off.  Best of all, the pain that I have in my back, feet, and knees is much better already.  But in response to your note about your mom, I didn't tell mine until after I did it.  I honestly did not want to hear her worries cuz I had enough of my own.  She was angry with me for a few minutes when i told her I was in the hospital but she is already seeing the difference and is glad.  My dad is especially glad because he sees the results already too.  Believe me, "cheating" around weight loss is a bunch of bull.  I yo-yoed up and down for many years and finally did something permanent.  It is ultimately YOUR life and you have to live with all the side effects of obesity.  Do what you know in your heart is the right thing and don't be influenced by anyone else.  My sisters were worried about me having it done because of previous problems with anesthesia but I came through it with flying colors.  Bypass or a band is one of the best things you could do for yourself.  Go for it girl!  Caryn