Hey Hun
You might want to grab yourself a cup of tea as my post is going to be quite long lol so I apologise in advance
Personally I thinks the gastric band is the only route to go when you are really desperate and nothing else can help.
I've not been through it myself but I have witnessed the side effects and complications of it through seeing my old manager go through the process.
She had the gastric band fitted but had lots of illness, was constantly sick after eating only a couple of spoonfuls of food and could never go out socially for food because of the fear of throwing up and not being able to eat normally with friends and family.
Although she successfully lost weight she also suffered with extreme sagginess of her skin because of losing weight so rapidly. So she then was miserable and more self conscious because of this and then had to go in a waiting list for a full body tuck.
After so long she then gained weight again, it was like she had out stretched the band (which I've heard is possible as you can actually force yourself to eat more than the band should allow).
Since then she then underwent the more serious operation and had the gastric bypass, we all kept saying dont do it as there's no going back once you have that done but she did and guess what?!? She regrets it big time.
Now she says she can barely eat a whole carrot chopped up, she's miserable because so much food and drink is restricted and she can't go out anymore and enjoy anything. She's suffering with lots of excess skin and is terrified of now having to undergo a full body lift.
I'm not saying I'm against it and I have nothing against people who have had the surgery but Im speaking from experience through seeing my old manager go through it and it wasn't nice.
Check out these links........
Laparoscopic gastric banding: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Introduction to gastric band
Gastric band operation | Bupa UK
Risks of gastric band surgery - Latest News - Best Health
Then compare it to these links.......
http://www.slimmingworld.com/health/swor/benefits-to-nhs.aspx
http://www.slimmingworld.com/useful-features/weight-loss-route.aspx
http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/slimming-world/review-diet.htm
http://www.slimmingworld.com/getting-active/benefits.aspx
You are only 28 Hun, thats very yound and you have your whole life ahead of you, there is still time to lose weight naturally with Slimming World, you can still eat all your favourite meals and eat until your full and satisfied.
All you need is will power and support from your family and friends and that will spur you on to do well.
Like others have said keep something close by to remind you why you want to lose weight. Keep a dummy or a photo of your niece/nephew close by etc to remind you that you are doing this because you want that beautiful bouncing baby
You could even keep one of those money boxes and call it the baby fund, for every lb you lose add £1 to the box to save up for when you fall pregnant
We are all here to support you and I'd love to hear in a few months/1-2 years time that you have successfully lost weight with Slimming World and gear that you are expecting. Imagine that for a Slimming Wold magazine story
Good luck Hun and let us know how you get on.
Love Stacey xxxx