Getting Banded

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone,

While I have been a member of this group off and on for awhile now, I

have never participated in any of the discussions or posted any comments

until now. Being overweight has caused me to be incredibly shy (even

online).

My name is Carmen and I am scheduled to get " Banded " on August

23rd. Here's a little about me… I am 25 years old, and I have been

battling my weight issues since high school. A few months ago, I made a

deal with myself give the old fashioned diet and exercise a chance and

if it doesn't work plan on having surgery. I started a diet program

through my doctor, opened a gym membership and hired a trainer. In the

beginning, I was doing really well but after spending an easy 2 hours in

the gym 3-4 days a week and not seeing any results. My confidence in my

regime faltered, and 4 months later I gave up. While I still make time

to go to the gym a few days out of the week for about an hour each time,

keeping to my doctors' diet plan was incredible difficult for me.

I'm one of those people that constantly feels hungry. Hence, why I

think the Lap Band would be great for me.

I have been reading several emails from different members stating that

the lap band isn't really worth getting which I find a little

frustrating. I know several people that have had the lap band surgery

with success and a few people that have been unsuccessful. I have notice

that those that are successful tend to push themselves a little harder

(watching what they eat, working out, and getting fills), and those that

are unsuccessful thought the surgery would be a quick fix to their

weight issues. I've also seen a few people that have had the bypass

put all of the weight they lost back on plus some additional weight.

Personally, I consider having any type of weight loss surgery and losing

only 35 pounds within a year to be unsuccessful. How their physiologist

deemed them mentally fit for the surgery baffles me. I like to do my

research, so I never go into anything without having considered every

possibility and outcome. I'm not going into this thinking I'm going

to end up being stick thin (nor would I want to be). With that being

said, I just want to have my confidence back, and be able to walk into

any " normal " store to shop. (By normal, I mean stores that carry

sizes bigger than a size 5).  

In any case, I am fearful I'll end up like this and be unsuccessful.

I've read on here how several people have had to have their lap band

revised into the sleep or bypass, and that scares the crap out of me. If

it wasn't for my parents, I wouldn't be able to afford this surgery

let alone a revision. While I know I should be excited about getting

" Banded " , but the thought of not being successful under my terms

is gnawing at me. I'm not sure if it's my nerves getting to me or

maybe I have a valid reason to be worried. I'm trying to go into this

with nothing but positivity and optimism, but I'm naturally an over

analytical thinker and worrier.  

Sorry this is so long, but I just wanted to get some of this out there

to see if anyone has some input or can provide a different point of

view.

Thanks a bundle~

Carmen