still trying to make the decision

Good Morning!  I am pre band.  I am talking with my pcp on Friday and have an appointment to attend an info session in Feb. 
I have done every diet written on earth and failed.  So my concern is why will WLS work for me when nothing else has. 
Val

The lap band worked for me after many dieting/exercize program failures.  It's still necessary to make huge changes in eating behavior (the band does not make ice cream look any less appealing or any harder to eat), but the feeling of satiety I achieve with less food because of my band has made it possible for me to eat sensibly and lose about 90-95% of my excess body weight (more than 100 lbs).

If you can't make a commitment to major changes in behavior, though, the band doesn't do much good.  Psychotherapy helped me a bunch, but it wasn't enough without the band.

You have done well shrinkingguy!  I am deciding between the sleeve and band.  Reading so many problems people have with the band scares me. 
Thanks for responding
Val

I have had no complications, but I know they happen.

Unfortunately, from what I've read on the regrets board and elsewhere, none of the procedures, including the sleeve, are guaranteed to be complication-free.  People fail on the band and the band fails some people, but I've read about sleeve failures, too.

Nonetheless, if I lost my band because of complications and couldn't get another one, I would probably get the sleeve.

WLS worked for me because it helps me control my portions.  It keeps me honest with myself.  So even if one day I decided to stray from the diet, I won't over do it.  And the days that I'm good, I'm not eatting too much. 

I used to diet all the time, but would eat too much.  That's how it's helped me.

It would be the portion control tha I am looking for. 
Val

Hey Val!
I think the biggest thing I am afraid of is not losing. Ive been reading posts where a year out people have only lost 30-40lbs. Now dont get me wrong...Id LOVE to lose 40 lbs right now but Im tired of the "dieting" and Im sure as heck not paying the $18,000 out of pocket to go to WW. I can lose the weight on my own, ive done it Many times before. I just cant keep it off and each time I gain it back a few couple pounds decide to join in. I want to be able to eat 'regular' food and not have to count calories and carbs. If I could just cut my portions in half or to a quarter, I know I would lose the weight. Now Im not saying Im going to eat pizza, ice cream and cheese puffs all day and still want to lose...but just average healthy meals.

I wish you the very best of luck in your decision!

Hi Mary,

I had to respond ro your post, because I, too, have been saying the very same thing.  I am totally scared that I will have to rely upon my will power only to be successful with the band.  I have to do a 3-month supervised diet with my surgeon, so I am hoping this well help prime for the postband life.  I was just talking with my husband about this last night.  I told him if I am going to have to rely upon my will power only like I have had to do when i went to WW and other diets, then why the heck put myself through the surgery and the money to have it done.  He agreed.  But, I have been doing a whole lot of self-evaluation since deciding to do this.  I have realized I continue to eat at dinner or breakfast or whenever if I still feel hungry or not full.  So, I am thinking that when I have the band and have restriction this will help me immensely.  Now, I will admit to do like sweets, so I am trying hard to transition myself from the sugary foods now and either do the no sugar things or trying to just eat fruit. 

Anyway, I will just be glad to have it done and get on with everything.  :) 
Paulette

I have had the same fears.  I think it is fear of the unknown.  I have asked a ton of questions and read a lot of posts on this board.  I have also written to Dr. Curry on his thread.  From what I can figure, most people who follow the rules do well.  Occasionally there is a problem with the band.  I have also learned that people turn to this board for advise and support when they are having issues, so they can get help.  And, of course, there are some people who have not followed the rules of the band. 

As far as head hunger, I have been struggling with this since I found out about the surgery.  I just found a book, I Can Make You Thin by Paul McKenna, sound goofy right?  However, I saw it came with a hypnosis cd.  So, I thought, try it, I have wasted money on all kinds of things, what if this would help.  It was only 22.95, $13 something with my member card and B&N.  Anyway, I have been using the cd for 1 1/2 weeks and have found myself getting fuller faster.  So, something is going on with me.  And I am feeling excited.

So, I still don't know for sure what I am going to do about surgery yet, but I am not going to give up with my 6 month diet.  When that is over and I see all the rest and search my soul, I will decide.  And I want to give myself a real try (in some ways)....

So, keep asking, search for research, ask your docs lots of questions and go with your gut feeling of what is best for you. 

Cindy

Thank you for your reply. 
Val