My name is Carole and I've registered here before (but can't remember my login and my email address has changed so I re-registered).
I am a 36 year-old wife and stay-at-home/homeschooling mom to one amazingly great daughter Bree (9) and wife to Tom for 11 years.
I am quite happy and love my life ... except for one minor problem. I weight 300 pounds. I'm 5'7" and I have a BMI of 47. Okay, so it isn't such a minor problem. I've tried WW and treatment by a bariatric physician that included appetite suppressants and a very caloric restricted diet. I've also done Nutrisystem, SlimFast and over the counter appetite suppresants with ephedra.
All I've ever managed to do is get fatter.
My GYN and my parents have long been asking me to consider weight loss surgery of some sort. My long standing answer has been, "No way!" The idea of surgery scared me silly and I kept thinking I could do it on my own. Not that there was anythign wrong with surgical options but I just wasn't willing to even think about it until it was clear that there was no other way.
I have a wonderful dear friend who recently had the duodenal switch surgery last month. That got me thinking about surgery again. I am ready to admit that I don't think I can do this on my own. I've made some very good changes to my diet (healthier foods, more whole foods less junk foods) and I've lost some weight (about 10 pounds in the last month and a half) but I find that I am still eating too much - even the best foods eaten in excess will cause weight gain.
I'm starting to think that I might need some extra help. I'm starting to think that surgery might be the additional nudge I need.
As I read more about the various types of surgery there is really only one that doesn't scare me stupid and that is the adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band).
My husband and parents also feel most comfortable with the banding procedure.
I'll be making an appointment for a seminar for a local bariatric surgeon (who has had the Lap-Band surgery himself) for next month.
I hope to learn more by reading your posts and getting to know you all.
Nice to meet you,
Carole