Advice on WLS

Ren · 12-21-2008, 01:30 PM

Getting WLS is something I've just started to consider. I've been overweight since I was around 13 years old. This is despite being EXTREEMLY active as a teenager (as in training for sport twice a week, as well as playing two games) and not eating as much. As an adult, I've gone the mode of "Well people think I eat ****, so I might as well enjoy it" Whenever I've attempted to lose weight, I always lose 15-20 kilos and then it comes back on (despite changing nothing) I go to the gym semi regurally (when I'm good, three times a week, when I'm bad it can be a number of weeks off)

My family have been trying to get me to do this for a number of months. I've always resisted because I feel its cheating. Its not logical, but its how I've felt. However playing sport yesterday really brought home to me how much my weight is ruining my life. I can't wear anything I like, I don't ever feel I look good. I get puffed going up stairs and I can't play my favourite sport to my ability. After the game, my parents and grandparents (who because of living in a different state haven't seen me play in around five years) both made the comment that I played fantasticlly, but 'think how much better you would be if you were thinner'. My coach later made a comment that he thinks I'm good enough to make state, but 'not at your current size'.

I don't think my life will magiclly become perfect if I have WLS. It will make it better though and make parts of it easier.

I've been reading up and I the lap band looks a better option for me. I don't want something permenant done to my stomach. I don't want the risk of dumping or a long time off work. My parents have offered to pay for me to have it done, but its scary as hell.

Any advice?

MikesHAPPYwife · 12-21-2008, 02:34 PM

I too, for a long time though that WLS was the "easy way out". ITS NOT!! You have to make a lot of changes & the weight just does not fall off of you. I just got my lapband on 12/11. The journey is just beginning but I DO NOT REGRET IT AT ALL!!!
Do not be scared at all. The surgery was a piece of cake. There is some discomfort afterwards from the gas but its not bad at all. I felt fine the day of surgery, which was a complete shocker.
Lapband is a small tool. You have to be willing to change your eatting habits, to exercise, & to take control of your mind hunger. Without doing those things your weightloss will be slow or not happening. Yes, the lapband makes you fill full faster but if your eatting crap then you will not loose any weight.
If you have any questions feel free to pm me!
Also, check out the WLS Divas on the diet buddy forum or this webpage www.obesityhelp.com . All were great for me on my journey.

terilynn112 · 12-22-2008, 06:12 PM

I also have the lapband. There are ways you can make it so the tool doesn't help, but if you work the band (as the saying goes) you can do fabulous. I'm kindda at a stand still, because I'm not adjusted just right yet, but it's getting closer. Each adjustment makes it closer to my "sweet spot" and each one brings me a couple pounds closer to my goal. My short term goal was 215 for New Years, and I'm not sure I'm gonna make it, but I have certainly hit a MUCH lower number than I have been in years. Nearly 13 years ago (to the day) I weighed 225 when I conceived my oldest son Brandon. I am currently stuck at 224, down from 270 in April of this year. I have had my band 3 months, and lost nearly 30 pounds pre op.

I love my band. The weight loss is slower and healthier than the bypass. And amazing as it sounds I take NO supplements. I do take a PPI (for reflux) that I had prior to the band. Actually the band helps hold the acid in my stomach, so it's not as bad as it was pre op. I do take a multivitamin, but that's by choice, not dr recommended. I also take a pain medication which is prescribed for my back pain. That's it now.

I love my band. The weight loss is slow, and at times I feel like I'm stuck on the scale. But it works.

teri