I don't know if you could call it desperation really. To a certain degree, maybe. I was 24 when I had it done. I had tried 'everything', from my point of view. Diets, pills, shakes, you name it, I'd done it. Nothing worked. Simply because I didn't have an ounce of willpower. So changing all my habits and eating healthy, exercising and so on just seemed completely out of my league.

Somebody told me about the gastric band. I did 'some' research, but unfortunately based that on the information from the clinic where I had it done in the end. Which, of course, was somewhat biased, and incomplete, to put it nicely. It just sounded too good to be true - now I know why people say 'If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is'. I should have known better, even back then. But I was going through a very rough patch in my life at that time, and for some reason I was convinced that if I only managed to lose that weight, everything would be okay.

Those people in that clinic dangled a carrot in front of my nose, and I fell for it hook, line and sinker. I'm not saying that it was all their fault - I made the decision in the end, and I should have known better. But they made it very easy for me to fall for it.

great tips. I enjoyed reading this

I had the VBG WLS 11 years ago. I have been suffering the consequences of that for over 7 years, I cannot find a doctor that will remove the band, it is eating through my stomach and esophogus(sp). I am in constant pain, even though I have lost 80 pounds doing it the correct way, lifestyle change and exercise. I have lost more weight doing it the right way than I did as a result of the surgery. I do take a supplement made for weight loss, but, thats it. I still have to diet and exercise. I REFUSE to see myself go through the same thing my mom and sister went through because of Diabetes, I seen them both die at young ages because of their weight. Weight loss surgery is NOT the answer, finding out why you eat is. There are underlying reasons why we eat and gain weight, that is old news. If you feel that WLS is for you, do your research and do it for the right reasons. It is NOT a quick fix, you WILL gain the weight back, I did and 50 pound more. I know there are new and "safer" procedures, but, you can do it by just dieting and exercise, just believe in yourself. With that anything is possible! Just my 2 cents worth. Good Luck to all in your weight loss journey.

I am due a surgical gastric by pass in November i have to be honest i weigh about 480 lbs i can hardly walk my personal hygiene suffers and my wife has to assist me.I feel completly dehumanized by my life experiences and my whole personality and being has been shaped by this.Ido not seek sympathy and acknowledge it is felt to be something of a weak personality or makeup that causes me to be fat.That is a myth humang beings are multilayered individuals that are far more complex than just lazy or no will power that are openly judged because of their size.To encapsulate my point it is nearly time for my surgary yes im scared but complications or even dying is a price i feel i have to pay if necassary.My life now is unbearable and can only detiorate if i do not go through with this.I salute the people who accept the need for surgary and the bravery of their decision sitting here writing this beleive you me im scared but im having it.

well good luck with your surgery. I'm sure it was a hard choice for you to make. I hope you stick around and let us know how everything goes for you.