Hi Heather, First let me say that I'm very sorry about the loss of your Dad. I think you are doing great and are on the right track. I too am still in the beginning stages, researching and talking with Doctors. However, I can share with you that I am 41 and my DH and I just adopted a toddler boy and the extra weight I am carrying is making it difficult to play with him (bad knees) and do alot of things that I would like to do with him. That is only one of my motivators but I mention it because I thought that I could handle being heavier and lose weight when I "had the time" Well alot of years have gone by and it's just so hard to lose now with my metabolism slower than when I was in my 20s and 30s. I think you would do great with the LapBand and I wish you all the best in your journey ahead.