NH_Dawn

Hey Ashley!!!
It took me awhile also to come to the decision to have this done, but I knew that I could not continue on the unhealthy path I was taking. It is time for a new chapter in my life book.
My aunt had the bypass, my sis-inlaw and good friend had the lap band. I chose the lap band because it was the least invasive and could be taken out god forbid there was an issue.
The first step I took in my journey was researching bariatric surgeons. The Dr. I chose has a fantastic aftercare support system with monthly support group meetings and that was important to me. After choosing my Dr. I went to his educational seminar, which covered the lap band, the sleeve, and the bypass. The seminar helped me solidify my decision in getting the lap band.
From there I contacted my insurance company to see what I needed to be qualified for an insurance approved band. After that it was a bunch of Dr visits, but well worth it.
Good luck with your decision Hope this helped a little.

Hey my name is Ashley and I'm new here like a good amount of others in this thread. I want to get lap band surgery but I am just at a loss where to even start. I attended a meeting for people who would like the know more about the surgery with my mother (who had gastric bipass about 10 years ago with huge success) but I just feel at a complete loss on how to go about getting this going in the right direction.
I'm 23 and weigh 400 pounds. It is taking a toll on me and I finally have come to accept that all the pains I am feeling now are because of my weight, and they'll only get worse in time if I don't act now!
I wasn't always overweight. I was a very energetic, athletic child growing up until my father left. It wasn't due to depression on my behalf of his leaving, it was my mothers. She wouldn't cook anymore, so she would just bring us home fast food each day. My body was used to it, and craved it, and I kept those bad eating habits into my adult life. I've tried dieting time and time again with little results and I feel getting a lap band is the right direction for me to go in my life to get the kick I need to live healthy. With the results I saw from my mothers gastric bipass, I originally wanted to take that route, but I have not heard the best of things about it in the long run. So here I am, looking for help in finding the path I need to take on getting my life back. I'm only 23, there is so much more in this world I should be enjoying. Not being in pain each day, not out of breath walking the few stairs to my house.
Hopefully that wasn't too terribly jumbled of a mess. I look forward to meeting the lot of you and hopefully getting some good information as well. Thanks!