20 - 30 gms of carbs / day is exactly what the Atkins diet follows... we have a great bunch of ladies here that can help you if you decide to go that route
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/atkins-226/ When I did atkins years ago, I felt soooo good !!!! but it was difficult for me to follow
I remember losing 150 lbs with out surgery and when my body hit around 190 lbs it would not let me lose any more, it pretty much said to me "hey, we are comfy at this weight" The way I broke that plateau was to exercise more (a lot more) and really focus on my calories. I did lose a lot of hair during this time though. I really should have been taking some good vitamins and omega's... I just didn't know (this was in the 80's).
Surgery.... surgery is something that only you can decide for yourself, no one can or should make that decision for you but you...not even your boyfriend. You have already lost so much, I hope you are proud of yourself, I know I am and I don't even know you
I do have a lapband... and yes, you can eat around it, small amounts of high calorie food..no problem. Greasy food goes down real smooth
The lapband is not a cure, its only a tool to help you eat less. I can pretty much eat what ever I want and all day if I wanted. The only time you will toss your cookies is if you do not chew them well lol. There is nothing I can't eat and don't. The blessing I do find with the lapband is I do not go back for a second plate, and if it wasn't for that I would probably be back up to 300 lbs, probably more. I am not at goal but thats my fault.. not the band..its been really good to me so far
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask
Good luck and don't ever give up..you are worth it !!
Leenie