NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

okay you guys i am SERIOUSLY considering getting the lap band. i am ridiculously obese and i am sick of it and i can't stop eating, it's like i am always hungry i dunno what's wrong with me. whether or not i get the surgery i know i have to change my eating. i think the lap band would be good for me but a small part of me feels like i should try losing the weight on my own again (i lost 38 lbs 3yrs ago). my plan was to try to get approved for the lap band but since that takes a while i would start changing my eating and exercising so and by the time i am finally scheduled for surgery, i can decide if i still want to go through with this or not! hopefully i would be too thin for surgery by then! i am so tired of being always hungry and such a failure, 2006 has to be better. i did not even know there was a non-op forum so at least if i chicken out and dont have the surgery i could still get some encouragement!

Hi Saoirse, I just recently decided not to have surgery of any kind. If you go to the lapband board and talk to some of the women there, I think you'll find that even with the band, its still a struggle. And that struggle has to be owned by you and you alone. You still have to eat right, you still have to fight the head hunger, you still have to exercise. The lab band doesn't help make any of that easier. But it does help make you feel full faster. I was opting for the RNY gastric bypass when I was considering it. The reason I didn't go for the band was because you could still eat all the soft food you wanted and not suffer any ill effects. You could eat all the mushy ice cream in the world and it would slip right through that narrow opening into the larger part of your stomach. It's a very personal decision, but I'd suggest trying it on your own first. But either method you use, you're going to have to get excited about it and have it set in your head that your life is going to change from that moment on. You seem to still be juggling the decision. So take a moment to yourself, really sit down and be honest with yourself. Ask yourself if you've ever really given non-surgical weight loss attempts your ALL and then go from there. I wish you the best in your thought processes. We're here for you no matter what decision you make! Brandy

Hi Saoirse, It can be done without surgery. I had to decide to take care of myself and be faithful to eating healthy and exercise. Best of luck, Lynette

Hi Saoirse, Everyone is right! It can be done. To begin, maybe just start changing a few things. Like, give up soda, or no eating after 7pm. Only one donut instead of two, or a dozen . Keep us posted on your progress! Ann 306/211/130 Non-op

I had the lap band 5 months ago. It was the easiest thing I have ever done. I even drove myself home 30 miles from the hospital the next day. I had absolutely no pain, gas or soreness. I have lost 50 lbs. since surgery. I was diagnosed as diabetic and had HBP and high cholesteral before surgery. My BMI today was 29. I have not had to struggle at all to lose this weight. This has been the answer to my prayers. I have been on a diet since I was 12 years old. Until I turned 50 I was able to control it, and that was damn hard and it ruled my life. Not a day went by when I didn't think about my weight and the challenge I was going to have that day and most of the days I lost that challenge. To each his own, but I am so glad I took this easy way out. I finally feel really in control of my life. My heart goes out to each and everyone of you in your struggle and I only wish you the best in your journey.