I'm Thinking About Lap Band.

I have not had it done but I have an oppinion that is based on a limited amount of medical knowledge. I have heard a lot of people say that they have had success with this surgery, however, it is not a cure all. The surgery can basically help you get started but changing your eating habits and life style like you would with any successful diet is still necessary. In my experience, mostly with friends, weight problems tend to be mental as well as physical. You have obviously had success with diets, you just have not been able to keep the weight off. You need to explore the reasons why you eat and what things you do or have happened to you that have made you put the weight back on when you have been so successful at loosing it. Permenant weight lose requires a change of attitude and lifestyle as well as change in eating patterns. If you don't change things mentally, then no matter what surgery you have, the "weight problem" will still be there. The surgery might work in the beginning but ultamately, it will just end up like the rest of the yo yo diets and you will still be confused and frustrated. I recently read a wonderful book called "Running with Angels" by Pamela Hansen that really helped open my eyes about habits in general but especially eating habits and where they come from. Check it out before you make a decision about having surgery.

My husband had this surgery a few years ago and he still is struggling to be at the weight he wants to be. He's had trouble with GERD since the surgery and has just had to have the fluid taken out and will be going back tomorrow to have it refilled. He has gotten over his diabetes since the surgery and is working at getting rid of some of his other health problems. I'd still choose this method over any other, since its totally reversible. His brother and sister both had the surgery too and they've had excellent results with it, his brother had been big his entire life and now is almost thin, he's having lots of fun going to parks and checking out the rides he could never go on before.
This is a method that can work well or you can fool it by eating things that you shouldn't all day long. You are supposed to give up carbonated drinks, which then gives you several high sugar alternatives. My husband drinks lots of high sugar juices, snacks on potato chips and chocolate almost all day long and he has lost lots of weight, but can do lot's better if he would pay attention to what he eats.
Lots of insurances pay for this surgery now, ours didn't. Most will require you to show that you have spent a year dieting and that they didn't work. I hope this helps, I personally won't do it, it's too much money when there is so much chance of me not being satisfied.

suzi, you go girl. i have read a lot of your stuff on here and i have to say in a lot of ways i look up to you. it sounds like we weigh about the same at this moment, and i am 5' 4". so i had this discussion briefly with my dr. the other day, because i'm quite frustrated also, i have an active job, work out a few times a week, AND run after my two year old on a daily basis...i don't think it's fair at all. i don't even eat that bad, compared to all these skinny minnies i see! be that as it may - i am "borderline" also, and he commented that as healthy as i am (bmi, blood pressure, cholesterol, etc), it might be hard to classify it as a medical necessity at this point (and i'm not fat enough for "biggest loser" either, i had this conversation with my SIL the other day- not fair! lol), but forgive me, i'm rambling. i say talk to your dr. if you can somehow manage to get your insurance to pay for it (i have a $5,000 deductible so it's pretty useless to me), i would go for it in a heartbeat. the thing is, unless you're just completely irrational and self-destructive (it sounds like you're not), it really FORCES you to eat healthier, and in smaller quantities. it's not a decision to be entered into lightly, you have to do your part. GOOD LUCK!!!!! and let us know how it goes.

I had Gastric Bypass surgery almost 5 years ago. I have been very happy with it. I went from 300 lbs to 150 lbs. in 18 months. I am currently at 175 lbs, I have had 2 babies since then and the last one was 4 months ago. I can't eat too much at a time. You eat protein mostly and lots of water. I can't tolerate sugars very well but that is because of the type of surgery I had. I don't know how the lap band deals with sugars. I would do it again in a heart beat. My life is so much better after losing my weight. I am more active (with 2 little ones!) and more confident with myself.
Hope this helps.

My husbands family is all obese and I have watched his mother in particular struggle with her weight for the past several years. She is also considering lap band surgery. I have seen their lifestyle habits though and I am not convinced a quick fix is the answer. It may make you lose weight initially but there are so many health complications that may result. She makes terrible food choices and does not get enough exercise. In order to be your ideal weight AND be HEALTHY you must be willing to make lifestyle changes. Diets fail so you must be willing to exercise and eat well for the rest of your life for success. I lost 30 pounds 2.5 years ago and have managed to keep it off, even after a pregnancy. I am still working on getting to my ideal size. I feel like I'm being a good example to my son when he sees me being active and making good food choices. I can only hope he never has to deal with being overweight like I have. I also hope he never has to deal with all the medical issues my in-laws have. They are killing themselves and have a host of medical issues that could be prevented with better habits. I wish you the best.