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I honestly don't know why I'm overweight. Was it my rape at 18? Or the sexual abuse I suffered as a child? Or none of those things? And what does it matter? This is an aid that has helped many to lose weight and keep it off despite the reasons they couldn't lose the weight in the first place.
I'm just saying that it is an option when you've run out of options. How many obese people will live out the rest of their days heavy and unhealthy simply because they keep getting told that if only they exercised more, and ate less, they wouldn't be fat. Many feel like failures for not being strong enough to take control of their weight.
For me, I feel I am plenty strong enough. Strong enough to survive an abusive relationship, strong enough to TTC for four years and then undergo IVF. Strong enough to work and go to uni and raise a family. Strong enough to cope with a drug addicted daughter. Strong enough to continue to advocate for the things I believe in.
So why have I never been 'strong' enough to lose weight? I don't know. I have tried to, over and over. It has never stayed off. My brother, who has been a personal trainer for over 15 years, was the one who convinced me that it was not about a weakness on my part, and finding a solution took strength. He convinced me that it's because I am strong, that I should take control of my weight by whatever means works for me.
Those who see the lapband as their last option when they're out of options should have access to the surgery, whether they have private health insurance or not. I paid for my own surgery, yet I feel for someone who is worse off than me, but who needs this more than me, but who can't access it because they don't earn as much as me. I think if they pass their screening, they shouldn't have to wait 10 years to get the surgery.
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You are right and I can see were I have contradicted myself through a miss interpretation of the point you are trying make and for that I'm sorry for getting so heated. I can get carried away on sensitive issues some times.
I do agree with you that while the band can help with weight loss it will not necessarily address the underlying mental thought patterns that might be the reason behind why a person becomes obese. I do know that the services of a psychologist are often used in the procedure assessment phase and that in some situations a consultation and recommendation of a psychologist are needed in order to be approved for the surgery. But yes the band it's self is only a tool for weight loss and should never be seen as anything more.
