Thinkinghard

Thanks to all of you who have replied to my questions and concerns. It's comforting to know that if I do go through with this (and I'm pretty sure I will) that there is a really great support system a mouse click away.

Hi Nicole, I am in Northern Ontario. WPG is my closest city. I notice you have had a lot of adjustments/fills/whatever. Is that normal? I imagine there's a place you're getting that done in Calgary and not flying back to Mexico every time? What are you paying each time for that?

Thanks for the advice/answers. Another thing I worry a little about is whether there is a stigma attached to people that get the band. Shit like: he had to cheat to get healthy, or he didn't have enough willpower to do it himself. Has that happened to anyone? Did you share the fact you were getting this done with people beforehand or keep it a secret until the results came back? As I write this I realize that the judgement would be any worse than how you're judged for being a fatty but I would be interested in your experiences on this as well. Thanks again.

Hi guys, I'm hoping to get a little direction/advice from those of you who have probably been where I am right now. Just when I think I have finally made the decision to band (I have already made one appointment with OCC and postponed it), I read some posts about what a complete life change it is and hesitate. First a little about me: I am a 40 year old male, 6-2 and currently at about 340 lbs. I was a scrawny kid up until about high school and then started really putting on the weight after my parents bought a pizza restaurant and I became a cook. I used to be active, playing baseball and hockey and golf. My weight now is to the point I am lethargic and don't want to take the time to even play with my kids. I know I need to do something but everything seems like too much of an effort..especially exercise. I have tried Nutrisystem, weight watchers, the pills that make you shit your pants when you eat too much fat and back in the day phen phen (no heart valve damage...yay!) and would lose weight with them all only to watch it all come back when I inevitably quit. I think I have gotten past the apprehension of travelling from Canada to Mexico for surgery. My worry is how drastic the change in behavior would be after the band and if I have the ability to do it. I enjoy a good steak and love BBQ's burgers. I drink a ton of diet soda and always have a drink (not alcohol) with my meal. I love a cold glass of milk, a nice slice of toast and when I snack I always vassilate between salty things like chips and sweet things like jujubes. I know the quantities of the things I shove down my gullet will change after the band but how much of these things will I have to give up completely? I don't imagine the cravings for sweet and salty just magically go away after the band do they? My wife says I am nuts to go through with this...that there are no easy fixes in life...that if I want to get this done I should try and go for a walk everyday, cut back on the pop (sorry us Canadians call soda pop eh?) and then see what I feel like in six months. My problem is I know that I am now at a point where I feel I have so far to go that doing things like exercise seems like a waste of time. I think that getting banded would allow me to drop some of the weight which would in turn make exercising a little easier. I also know that I've tried plenty of other things, had success and then slowly watched it all go away every time I stepped on the scale. I don't think I'm an emotional eater but I do often eat out of boredom. Anyway, I'm rambling. I hope you see some of what I'm asking here, can relate and offer some answers and advice. I sure would appreciate it. And by the way, what the hell is PBing anyway?! Thanks!