New, and would like to get some advice.

We are the same!  I'm trying on my own for a while to see what happens.  I'm making an appointment with the doctor, just to talk to him and see what he has to say...and see if I like him!  Good for you on your weight loss!  Ya know, I was thinking the same thing yesterday.  I was going to put a ticker on here with total weight loss.  Then I started thinking about that I should put one just for the ten percent.  Short time goals are so much easier to reach.  And there is nothing more gratification to see you reach it and able to make another one!

I have short term goals too.  My first was to have a BMI of 49.9 or less (to not be SMO)..  I reached that one.  My next is to be under 300 lbs...  and I'm on my way!

Hey Holly My name is Janina and I'm the Lap-bandster on this board.  There's only two of us who've had surgery that still play on this forum.  The other had an RNY (That's Shari) and I'm sure she'll respond to you too.  I read what everyone else said, and I agree 100% with what everyone told you, so there's no point in me repeating everyone's wise words of wisdom.  If you do decide that surgery should be your road to recovery, I suggest you do some heavy research in the kinds of procedures there are out there.  Give yourself some time to work the weight off by your own efforts and see how you do (Diva's method).  If you are doing well, and feel you can handle the weight on your own, then by all means, we'll be here to support you every step of the way.  If you feel it's just too much to handle, then chances are, you're surgeon is going to make you lose weight pre-op to shrink your liver, so you'll need this board pre-op anyway.   Here's a link to a great website I found that compares all the WLS methods.  Weight your pros and cons and figure out what you want to do.  http://www.lapband.obeseinfo.com/bariatric-surgery-chart.htm Best of luck and we're here if you need us!!! ((((BIG HUGS))))

Thanks for the website!  I have seen so much on rny, but not too many on lap band.  One website I have been lurking on is just a total downer.  It makes me start to wonder.  I hope it's just the website because the lap band seems like it would be good for a lot of people.

What about me?  I know I haven't been around much, but I still count!

My advice is run and get the approval process started. Meanwhile, fix any eating issues that you may have. WLS will not fix your head. After the first year after wls, it is all back to basics...so you better have learned about your head. Or you will gain again.

I very much agree with your GYN...at this age, time is a-wastin'. There things worse than death in my book, and being wheelchair bound is right up there. I know people live in them just fine, but not for me, not when there is a viable choice out there to consider. How did I decide? In my case, my bmi was never that high...i was at 37 when i researched lapband. I knew in my heart how hard i worked at losing and in fact, my DH was the one who said I should pursue it based on how hard he saw me work.  I researched for about 6 months - hard. I got every book i could find on both lapband (not many) and RnY.  I will mail you a book if you PM me...it is the worst case RnY story i have heard.  If you can read that book and still think you can do it, I say go for it. I got turned down for WLS, because my bmi was not that high.  I could no longer do it alone, went and got help from a bariatric doctor. I have lost 40#, between WW and help from the bariatric doc. I actually credit my research into WLS for changing my attitude about my weight and keeping it down. I say research it, try for apporval and see how it goes. At the very least, you may gain insight on why you overeat and cannot stay on a reasonable plan to lose even 100#.  Stick around and read profiles, too! Welcome.

I whole heartedly agree with everything you just said.  I feel like I'm living my research right now.  I'm not doing anything but research.  I have already gone to nutritionist, dieticians, and even a bariatric doctor twice.  I have came to terms that I know how to lose the weight.  I know good nutrition, I just have to live it!  I'm just coming into terms with myself on that one.  Like you said..maybe I'll gain some kind of insight on why I over eat.   I think that's what it all boils down too.  Right now I am actually following the diet the bariatric doctor gave me...with a twist..hehe Thanks for the warm welcome.. I love this board so far!

Welcome Holly!  Congrats on your loss so far! At age 31, I agonized for almost a year whether or not to have surgery before joining WW (yep, another Weigh****cher on board!).  I attended an info session and held on to the packet until my BMI fell below 30 (almost two years, LOL). I played tricks with myself.  I gave myself six months -- then another six -- and then another 1.5 years.  So far I've lost 162 lbs.  When I found myself weighing 320 lbs in the summer of 2004, I never dreamed I'd be where I am now. I listed some success habits in my website (in my profile).  I hope some are helpful for you. I wish you the very best on your weight loss journey.

Wow, you are a success story!  I bet you are extremely proud of yourself.  I'll go check out your website after I get the kids off to school. Thanks!

Like most everyone else that's been overweight most of their lives, I've struggled with losing/gaining.  I have lost and kept it off for a few years but that's about as far as I got.  The last couple of years have been very trying on my family and myself and I packed on more weight.  A few months ago the aches and pains felt more serious to me and I haven't had health insurance due to job losses between my husband and I and I really started getting scared.  When I started worrying that I was going to wake up in the morning I knew I needed to do something. I had looked in to weight loss surgery a few years ago, but my insurance wouldn't cover it.  I lost a little bit on my own and then right after we got married we both lost our jobs and, of course it started to creep back up.  Desperation set in and when my husband got his new job I started researching weight loss again.  His new insurance also had an exclusion policy and I looked into financing it.  I decided to give it another shot at weight loss but I knew that I needed some structure.  WW is great for maintenance for me, but it was just too much freedom and I didn't have the energy and time to do it on my own so I decided to get some outside help.  I already had several years of therapy and knew I needed a clean break from eating regular food so I chose a commercial plan with prepared meals to get started.  It's really about finding something that will work for you-#1 #2 is realizing that, no matter how you lose the weight, the changes we make need to be lifelong changes.  It's that way no matter how you lose it.  I've known too many people who have struggled with weight loss surgery after they've lost the weight.  It's a constant struggle to keep it off for many and I know a few *****sent the restriction now.  I know a few that have also had some problems with it (complications)  These were the reasons I decided to try once more on my own.  I would never tell someone not to have surgery.  It's a personal decision and is right for many many people, just not for me right now. I'm 36 (37 in January) and I've been following a healthier lifestyle for a little over 8 weeks now.  My "official" tally is 24 pounds lost and 22.25" lost in 8 weeks.  BTW, I'm 5'8" and started at about 323.  I feel so much better, can reach places that I couldn't reach on myself (LOL), can fit in places I couldn't, am falling out of some of my clothes.  I'm sleeping better and have less aches and pains and just recently noticed how much my flexibility has improved.  I do exercise almost every day also which helps tremendously. You should do what is right for you but I think it is great that you are researching and trying to lose already.  So many people think of weight loss surgery as a starting point, but the quicker you start working on it, the more success you will have and stronger you will be for surgery if that is what you choose. 6 pounds is great.  I know it doesn't feel like a lot to you, but it will add up.  My first week I lost a few pounds, then a few more, etc.  Now, I'm almost at 25 pounds.  I find this time was hard to start but is getting easier.  I've accepted that it is a lifelong journey and I don't restrict myself 100%.  When I want something special to eat, I plan for it.  I go out to eat once a week and have what I want for that meal and I spend a lot more time getting in things like fruits and veggies.  I probably eat more than I did before-it's that the quality of the food has improved.  When I fall off the wagon I get back on as soon as I can. Just take time and keep an open mind.  You'll find what is right for you. I wish you much success and lots of lost pounds!