Me to a tee.:)

Like Cheryl, I considered lap band surgery, but decided against it for two reasons...insurance wouldn't cover it and it wouldn't stop emotional eating...nor eating all the wrong foods. Also, I didn't think I could give up soda, beer, bread, etc. for a lifetime.

My niece had lap band surgery about a year ago and has lost a considerable amount of weight. She sticks to a fairly strict regimen of eating. By now, she knows what works for her and what doesn't.

I think the surgery can be VERY successful for some people and there's nothing wrong with that as long as they adopt and maintain healthy habits.

I do, however, think that trying to gain 50 lbs in order to qualify for lap band surgery is ridiculous! What if the person is not a candidate (for one reason or another)? Then the person has to lose 50 pounds just to get back to where she is now! Craziness!

I've been doing weight watchers since June....and the weight has taken it's time in coming off....but it is coming off. And I feel great, my cholesterol and everything are fabulous, I enjoy what I'm eating....and I don't feel deprived. Moderation is where it's at. :)

My doctor had suggested several times that I should consider lap band surgery. For many reasons...I would not consider it.

However - for some people, it's a 'tool' that helps them when they are desperate.

But - to gain weight to qualify is backwards thinking. Doesn't sound like a good candidate for the surgery.

The better programs require potential patients to have extensive pre and post psychological and physical requirements and classes. Also - the better ones have a two or three year follow up of committed classes and support. There are way too many doctors and do the surgery without these components - and their patient's are much more likely to not have a good success rate.

I've known a few people with significantly less than 50 lbs to lose who've gotten banded. I wouldn't advocate it, but it wouldn't be difficult to find a doctor willing to do it, or even to get it covered by insurance (no weight gain needed).

When it comes to the lap band (because it's considered safer and less invasive than bypass operations), many doctors are willing to do the surgery on a person with less weight to lose (especially with a comorbid condition suche as diabetes). They're stricter for bypass operations, because the procedures are less reversible.

It makes me suspect that this is "all talk." I've been in a lot of weight loss groups (in person groups and online) and I have heard people TALK/WRITE about gaining weight to meet wls qualifications, but I've never met anyone who actually did it.

I'm sure there have been actual cases, but I doubt that there are many. I think the reality would sink in pretty fast.