Lap Band and "noise in your head" - need advice!

Hi I know I haven't had a lap band but I just wanted to say that weight loss doesn't cure everything. In fact when I started out I was very depressed and thought that if I was thin all my problems would be gone even the ones that had nothing to do with weight. You hear everyone say that they lost the weight and how happy and confident they are so I thought it would be the same for me.

As I've lost weight ive found that a lot of the problems and feelings I was covering by eating came out more the more I lost and that ive actually found them very difficult to deal with. It's taken me a long time to get to this point where I can face my demons but they are still there and I still have bad days. I also still have pretty bad confidence issues which over time I have come to realise have always been there even before the weight.

Sorry for rambling on and good luck with your surgery if you decide to go with it. I just wanted you to know it probably won't solve everything. One thing I have found to be a massive help with the depression is exercise I just started off going for walks and it made such a difference.

Take care c

I know I am a little late replying here. I agree that you need to talk to your doctor. I have the band and it is absolutely the best thing I have ever done. I tried continuously to get the weight off to no avail. I exercised, watched calories, watched carbs...nothing worked. Please don't take the advice of people who "know someone, who know someone" who had complications. I have not had any issues with eating at all. When people talk about getting stuck it is because A: they did not chew their food well B: they ate too fast C: their band is too tight. The band is adjustable therefore if you are too tight, you simply have to go get some fluid removed. The band is a tool only and will not solve all your problems. Yes, there are some people who do gain back the weight but that is because they didn't deal with their eating issues, it is not the bands fault. I will say it again, it's only a TOOL!! Someone commented that the band is a "dangerous" surgery. I disagree. If anything, it is the least risky of all weight loss surgery's as your internal organs are not being re-routed or changed. The band is completely removable. Feel free to send me a private message if you need to talk.

I'm probably about twice your age and have lost weight several times, never more than 30 lbs all by myself but as much as 127, 75, 50, with the help of a medical weight loss clinic. The director of the program, the educators, my personal physician, not to mention my husband, have been through this with me multiple times. I am no longer willing to wait and see if I can do it myself. I am hoping to gain at least 20 productive years by doing this compared to what I would otherwise have. That is worth it. I'm not going to go back and tell my doctors that after all the visits, all the education, all the tests the insurance company has paid for, that I'm ready to give it a go by myself because I am suddenly capable.

I am not trying to talk you out of the surgery in any way. If you feel you need it, go for it. You have lost weight multiple times in the past, and evidently gained it back multiple times. If the re-gain was due to a psychological issue in the past, what will be different this time? Have you taken care of those issues? Sometimes it is an issue of medication adjustment, sometimes not. If you honestly feel that medication and surgery will solve your problem, then do what you feel is right. If you can honestly look yourself in the eye and even think that MAYBE medication and surgery ISN'T the COMPLETE answer.... I would suggest that you delay the surgery until you at least get started on handling the psychological issues. Further discussion with your doctors is encouraged.