Hello All-

I am Artemis. Scheduling a doctors appointment tomorrow after much research on WLS, having decided that the band is the option that most appeals to me. I am 30 years old and mother of 2, and at my highest weight, which I truly deep down know will only continue to climb in the long run if I don't do something.

Since I am going to schedule my appointment, I am also "coming out of the closet" on here after doing a great deal of unregistered reading for some time now.

I am both excited and terrified by my decision, and look forward to seeing what my doctor thinks. I really believe he will be supportive of me. He has been my primary care physician for years, and he knows how badly I struggle with my weight.

I look forward to discussing many issues with you all. A couple which spring to mind are:

-The small long term life changes people don't think about: (is the amount of food you eat really so scant people "notice" if you are dining out, is it frustrating to not be able to eat a typical portion in a single sitting, do you really have to crush pills and Vitamins and cannot swallow them?

-Cure versus cause for reflux. I do have some mild stomach issues I am hoping won't end up being the reason I CANT get a band.

-Permanent Placement vs. removal- when you reach your goal, do you leave it in? Anyone know how long the longest uninterrupted band placement has been?

Really looking forward to talking to everyone. You all have been very inspiring and informative to read for a while now :thumbup:

I'll try to answer your questions from the 2 yr out perspective about this point.

1. Nobody bothers me about how much I eat - restaurants usually give you such large portions these days that lots of people take half their meal home. Just plan on doing that.

2. I take all my Vitamins whole without a problem. I do try to take them in the morning with a warm drink and or with a pretty good amount of Water.

3. The lapband and port are in there permanently unless there would be some medical reason it has to come out. Not counting on it ever coming out. I committed to a lifetime thing even though I knew it was reversible medically if needed.

4. I think there are many band placements outside the U.S. in the U.K and Austrailia that easily go back to 2003-2005.

Hope that helps.