guilt anyone?

I am in the research process of the medical end. Would like to here about emotional struggles that anyone has or is going through. I feel guilty because I gained the weight over the years and can't seem to stick to a diet. Every diet that I have been on worked for as long as I stayed on it. Some  (2) led to goal weights. Exercise has never been apart of my life and is harder the heavier I get. I should be able to restrict my calorie intake, I should walk daily, I should make better eating choices. Why am I so weak in this area only? If I do the lap band am I giving up? Should I tell my mother, who I think won't understand and be judgmental. I sound whinny. I sound like a young woman worried about what Mommy will think. I'm 59!!!!!!!! for heavens sake. I mourn the good looking woman I was back in the day when I thought I was over weight at 10# over. Any suggestions on justifying a lap band. Any stories you dealt or dealing with??? Kandy

Hi Kandy,

Don't beat yourself up.  We've all felt the same way.  I've done this surgery thing in 1990 and am about to get a revision and do it again!  This time the RNY.  And, I'm 56...Going in on July 13th to OHSU.  I inquired at Southern Oregon Bariatrics - Dr. David Street, who actually was the surgeon *****moved my gallbladder way back when, and he did not do revision surgeries.  A friend of mine had an RNY through them and she's over 60, and is doing great - lost over 100 lbs. already, so you're not too old for a lap band.  I live in Cave Junction - we're almost neighbors!  Keep in touch. My email is [email protected] Donna

You deserve to be the women you use to be without any guilt about it. Being overweight will  only add to further health problems the older we get.  Lap abnding istn giving up.. it giving up life only as you know it know. Giving up pan cakes and a full cheeseburger. Its giving up the days of eating three pieces of pizza or second. Its a new life style of slow eating, sharing food with those you are out with, filling full on a 1/2 cup of food. Its not a monthly diet or a year commitment   its a life time commitment.  Im almost 3years out from lap band and I've gone from a size 20-22 o a size 8- 10. I wish I would have done it years ago. I feel and look like I've lost 10 years. I wish I would have done it in my 30's I would have enjoyed being a "women" much easier.   Dont be a bound by the chains of diets and over eating guilt. Set your self free and add the little band buddy to your life Gail

Being overweight isn't all your fault.  It's partially genetics and partially the fact that food is now readily available instead of us having to hunt and gather in order to eat!  Add to that the fact that lots of foods these days are processed and contain a lot of unnecessary crap, and you have a recipe for obesity in people who a century ago would have been the hale and hearty survivors!  Don't beat yourself up about your weight.  While you do have some control over what you put in your mouth, you can't totally control how your body processes it. Linda

Dont feel bad, Kandy. I went thru the same feelings you are going thru. I wanted to have the lapband in the beginning, but our insurance wouldnt pay for it, so i went for the RNY and they approved that right away. Now, im not sorry i went with the RNY. It worked better for me than i think the lapband would have. Id do it again if i had to. I had my RNY the 26th of January 2007. Ive lost over 80 pounds now. So, anyway, the point is, I loved food and i had tried everything, every diet known to mankind, it seemed. It depends on the person, whatever works best for you. Good Luck to you. KathyS

Its true, you go thru some emotional struggles over time. But its worth it in the end.KathyS

    You're never to old to feel and look better.  My mother was completely against the lap band, convinced I would die on the operating table.......9 months and 80 pounds later she is thrilled with my choice, can see the difference it's making and is my biggest support system.  The guilt about the money I spent being a self pay is GONE,  it's the best money I've ever spent.