Is Surgery worth it? (long & only my opinion)

Okay....so I got back from vacation Monday night (great time with friends in HH, family at baptism in KY).  The scale Tuesday morning said I had gained 4lb....not surprised, on plan the first 5 days and pretty much ate whatever I wanted the second 5.  Weighed in at WW this morning and have lost 3 of the 4...not gonna bother changing my ticker for one lousy lb.  Next week will change it to reflect a loss. Had my informational seminar for WLS on Thursday that I've been scheduled for since January.  Have been considering the Lap Band (bypass is just to drastic for me....don't want anyone messing with my plumbing and malabsorption isn't something I want to deal with).  I listened carefully ....can expect to lose 45-55% of your EXTRA weight within 2-3 years.  Okay, at present I have about 100lb to lose according to the weight charts (265 and I'm 5'7").  That means within 2-3 years I could reasonably expect to lose 45-55lb.....and that's with being restricted to the amount of food (and type) that my new smaller stomach/pouch will accomodate, PLUS the fact that I will need to include an exercise program to accomplish this.  (Let me put a disclaimer here, noting that lots of lapbanders lose much greater amounts than that in a shorter period of time, but just using the MD's "reasonable" expectations as a guideline). If I have to eat smaller amounts of food and exercise to lose this weight with the Lap Band, why bother putting myself through the risk of a surgical procedure and it's possible complications (blood clots, heart arrythmias)?  I realize the LB is a "tool" and helps by restricting the amount of food you can eat, thereby forcing you into eating smaller amounts.  I'm just not sure (for me) that the benefits outweigh the risks. (All of this is just my opinion, for my body) I have been doing WW for the last year (with a 3 month lapse and a 15lb gain) and have managed to take off 35lb (without the benefit of exercise, sad to say).  Since this whole process in my area takes several months prior to being booked for surgery, I have decided to put in the initial paperwork with my primary, attend the nutritional and psych evals, attend the monthly support meetings to hear positive and negative feedback from those who have actually had the procedure AND in the meantime continue with my WW and ADD the exercise portion of this equation.  My local Y has a weekend at the end of May when you can join without the $50 joining fee....need the water aerobics and upper body strengthening that I can do there.  For this next month gonna try to get out some of the work out tapes I have and do what's possible with my knees. My goal at the end of all of this is: 1)  hopefully with the weight loss, being able to avoid total knee replacement surgery (my MD won't do it at my present weight anyway) 2)  getting below 200 (shooting for 190) and staying there 3)   come off my BP and cholesterol medications 4)  avoid diabetes....teetering on the edge now with an A1C of 6.1 5)  adding a few quality years to my life to enjoy with my SO and seeing these precious grandchildren grow up I plan on doing this by making healthy food choices.....whole grains (limited to once/day).....lower carb choices (carbs are my downfall).....lower glycemic index fruits and veggie choices.....fish twice/week.......no white flour, sugar, potatoes.....allowing an occasional bite/taste of the "forbidden" stuff rather than denying myself and ending in a binge......lots of water. (Also adding here a biggie for me....if I DO deviate from plan (and I'm only human so I know this will happen), hop right back onboard with the next meal (without guilt or a sense of "failure"). I will continue with my WW meetings as I have a very motivational group leader and need the accountability of getting on that scale in front of someone each week.  I learn a lot from the meetings and basically am following their plan anyway.  Will continue to use the Daily Plate to keep myself in the 1500-1800 calorie range and shoot for 30 minutes of exercise 5 days/week. Didn't really start off meaning to lay out my plan of action in this post, but will share it with you all as it helps me formulate a plan and I think helps my accountability.  I'm shooting for 5lb/month....very conservative and doable goal and one that will bring me to 220 by year's end and only 30lb from goal.  I know for some of you, this may seem like not much of a challenge, but believe me.....for this 61 year old (who has a L O N G history of yo yo dieting), it is a very realistic one. Thanks for letting me ramble!!

First off I highly doubt you gained real weight of 4#...about half is sheer bloat!  But I can totally relate! WLS is not off the table for me, either.  I , like you, am very tired, scared about how little food my body seems to need. How else can we realistically eat that little and keep it up. in your case, with diabetes looming, I don't blame you one bit for seriously taking a look here. the peeps in my 3D life who have had wls are doing fantastic. I am not a hater!

I think the forced "restriction" would be good for me, but I'm a real chicken **** when it comes to surgery!!  (As a nurse, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing) Also....it really galls me that I don't have enough motivation to do this on my own (or at least haven't been able to the past 50 years.....who knows what the next 50 might bring)   LOL!!

I just have to say I was glad to read your post. I had surgery 9 yrs ago a vertial banded gastroplasty. I wont bore you with the details let just say it didn't work for me. Anyway I felt the same way about someone moving around my insides so I am totally on board with that feeling. ( I am not against surgery because realize that  it can be the only option for some people.) I have been a yo-yo dieter all of my life I made it clear to 425lbs at one point. Today I no longer diet it has become a 4 leter word to me but I am trying to lose weight again on my own.  I have taken an inventory of all the attepts that I have made to lose weight and came to the conclusion at least for me diets do not work. I had to make life style changes and learn an entire new way of eating inorder to accomplish my goal. I am following the same route u are except without weigh****chers just cannot afford anything like that at this point (maybe in the future). I realize that I am a total food addict and that scared the heck out of me but I have to make these changes now or I will have to quality of life in the future. What changed you may ask. Well all the kids have moved out and I am here alone with my wonderful Hubby and I finally had some peace quite in my life and I stated to think about me instead of everyone else. Kinda funny how that happens. I also have grandchildren two of them infact Jayda (6) and Calvin (5) They are a great source of joy in my life. I am only 46 and I want to be around for a long long time not only for them but for me. They say Great Minds think alike and what you wrote is basicly what I have been doing for the past yr. I changed my diet, stopped eating "White" things that I binge on and stopped beating myself up everytime I make a mistake. It has been working so far I have lost 36.5 lbs in a yr 14.5 of it since I started to exercise reguarly. So I am here if ya need a buddy. I could use the support too.  I curretly weigh 334.5 I hope to lose 2 lbs a week my first goal is to get below 300 by July 1 then I will set my next goal. Thank you for your post it has inspired me. Tedi

Thanks for the kind words, Tedi....glad to see you're being successful in this struggle too. I think one of my biggest problems is going on a prescribed "diet".  If I have mapped out exactly what I can and cannot eat, then when I deviate from that I get these tremendous feelings of guilt and being a failure once again and that throws me into depression and ultimately a binge.  For me, right now, I think the best bet is to have no real "forbidden" stuff, but on a daily basis just try to make wise choices and increase my activity.....less calories, more exercise.....the old standby! Have been here before, highly motivated, and yet have NEVER made it to a goal in all these years.  I have lost 60, 70, pounds on occasion and lots of times 20-30 with WW and other programs, but never once stuck with it to make it to goal.  This time I've been working on it for a year now and have made some lifestyle and behavioral changes that I see sticking.  That's encouraging.  I'm determined this time to get below 200 and stay there.....haven't seen that number since I was first married in 1968....God, 40 years ago!  I started WW the first time at 208 and have "dieted", as you say my way up to 303 at my highest.  I'm gonna make it this time....have been graphing my ups and downs for the last year (I'm a visual learner) on a weekly basis, and that really helps too. Can't have too many buddies on this journey.....glad to have you aboard!!

Sherrie if I did't know any better I would think I wrote that! I heard an old saying once What DIET means to me... D---Did I--- I E--- Eat T---That LOL every time I diet and FORBID myself things that is exactly what I want to eat and as you said I want it even more! I to have dieted my way up and down the scale but never truly set any real goals. Last night there was a challange on this forum to set a goal to reach by July 1, 2008 I set my goal to get below 300 by that date. Even if I get to 299.9 that will be below 300 and I figure I got to start somewhere. I also have increased my activity. I joined a gym at my local hospital it is called Fit For Life. They used to have a Bariatric Program but has since discontinued it. I walk around the gym 13 times, walk on the tredmill for 15 min at 2.5 mph, use the arm peddle thing (i have no idea what it is called LOL) at a tention of 4 for 10 min, ride the Satationary bike for 10 min or 2 miles which ever comes first then 13 more laps around the gym for a total of 1 mile. On M-W-F I also do weight bearing exercises. I have a sedintary job so this is the most exercise I have ever gotten. I track my food and exercise on www.fitday.com it is a free online food and activity journal. It makes me accountable for the things I put in my mouth. I too am a visual learner. We hace a lot in common. I am sure if I keep coming to OH and as long as I can stop my own "stinking thinking" I will suceed with or without WLS revision. Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. If you like check out my Profile my blog is public.  Have a fantastic day! Tedi

LOL...did I eat that!  ha ha thanks for the laugh of the day

I hope you don't mind me posting - I don't usually post here but I'm wandering around today cos I'm recovering at home and quite bored! I had to make the decision twice to have surgery - I got it wrong for me first time round. It isn't easy, but I think its worth it. I have about 130lbs to lose, but it wasn't just losing it I was average at, it was keeping it off. I could be quite determined on diets for up to a year or so, then I got bored and thought 'What the hell' and ate what I liked. All the weight plus more would come back on in a scarily short time.  Having had the DS, I know in a very real sense how teeny the amounts of food are that my body needs to lose weight - no way could I do that on my own. There's less guilt about this way, and strangely I'm not as bothered by food as I was - a lot of things taste too sweet, plus I don't feel hungry. I can't take any credit for this, after being obsessed with food all my life. I'm also off all my diabetic meds, and it was worth it for that!

DID I EAT THAT!!! What a hoot!!! Oh girl, how I hear what you are saying. I have recently thought about the band. Went to seminars, talked with other surgery folks, etc. and decided against it. Like you, I also told myself, that I should be able to do what the band can do for me on my own. I am totally happy for those that have made that their decision and done phenomenally with it. Every one has to decide what is right for them and work it! I also have started WW again (2nd time around, lost almost 40 lbs before got prego with my son). I find it terribly hard this time, just because of the constant counting. I have a one year old, and too many other things to do. Excuses, excuses I know. I think I am just going for the weigh in more than anything. I have just decided to eat less (healthier too) and move a little more. My little man is walking now and he gives me something to  chase. LOL I am so proud/motivated by hearing your game plan. GOOD FOR YOU! I am inspired to set a goal also. Not just the "lose weight" generic version either. I also have around 100 lbs or so to lose. I'm 26yrs, 5'5, and 262.  As a hopefully encouragement to you, I have a very dear friend that I got started on WW my first time around that is like an adopted mother to me. She is older (not exactly sure of the precise # but somewhere between 55 and 65) has yo yoed her entire life and reached her goal weight with the WW program. She is diabetic and just always struggled with her weight. She didn't think she could really finally lose all of the weight because of the lifetime of losing and gaining. SHE DID IT THOUGH!!! So, you go girl! Think realistically, and quit hating on yourself (one of my major downfalls). Would you be so hard on let's say, your mother or best friend? NO. Love yourself and what the good Lord gave you. Continue to work it and if you fall off the wagon and scrape your knee, let us help you up and give you a band aid:) Keep us posted on your progress and sending you lots of love and support. ~Joni~

Thanks for the encouraging words....good luck to you too!  My daughter (with 3 little ones) is also doing WW and although it's coming off slowly, she is seeing a difference.  We know it works...IF YOU WORK IT!!!!