First off, hi to everyone. I'm new here. I've been lurking a while, but now it's time to post. I'm a 24 year old teacher from Monroe, Louisiana. I am having my surgery Friday in Dallas by Dr. Joseph Cribbins. I am 5'11'' and weigh 315 right now. I am nervous about my surgery for several reasons almost to the point of backing out.

First, I'm paying out of pocket because my insurance didn't cover it. I'm worried that I'll get home and fall down the stairs or something and the band will slip. Where will I be then? Out $11,000. :smile2:

Since I'm young, what will my band be like in 50 years? Eroded and slipped all out of place?

I guess I'm mainly freaking out about it slipping. I'm worried it's going to slip if I sneeze too hard, for example. I really can't afford to fix it if something happens. Plus I would be very depressed about $11,000 going down the drain.

Any helpful advice is appreciated.

Welcome Celialou,

It may be going fast but, let me tell ya, I've been waiting since last summer. I had so many med problems that could have been avoided If I something like this done at your age. The longer it takes the more you worry. Everyone has fears :smile2: and "what ifs". Just take it one day at a time!!! You'll be very sore for

3-4 days post-op and then move on with your NEW Life?:laugh:

Keep us posted,

Carol D'

Hang in there, I had mine the day before yesterday and about the last three days leading up to the surgery I had every what if and nightmare run through my mind too but it will be ok. Remember this band has been around for a long time and alot of people your age have had it before with huge success. I am not much older than you I am 38 and now that Ive gon through the surgey I wish I had done it 15 years ago. Dont let the pre surgery jitters cloud your judgement and keep in mind what youll be posting 6 mos or a year from now and it will all be worth it

Hi Celialou,

I agree with everything that Carol posted above. I am 56 and so wish that I had done this at your age. I had been relatively healthy all my life, just overweight. At 50 I became the stereotype--high blood pressure, pre-diabetic, arthritis...

I had surgery last Thursday, 5/21/2010, and other than some slight discomfort that feels like having done sit-ups after a hiatus, I felt fine. I work from home on the phones and I was able to work the next day. I was given pain meds and used them maybe once a day for a couple of days to make sure I had no discomfort.

I completely freaked out with 'what ifs' the day before and considered cancelling the surgery. I stayed up all night reading this forum and I am so glad I did! I have felt better in just this past 5 days that I have in a long time. I am not hungry (may be the honeymoon period), I don't have cravings, and I was taken off diabetes meds the week before surgery while doing the liquid diet.

My daughter is 21 and is also going to have the surgery. I have been trying to get her to do this for since she was 16 but they wouldn't do surgery until she was 18. Then she went to college and gained another 50 pounds!! She is ready now and I am hopeful she will approach her adulthood not obsessed with food, fat and diets.

Good luck to you and I'll keep you in my thoughts!

You 'll be fine and yes in 6 months you'll look back and say YES I am taking my life back ! There are adjustments to be made but if you are committed to take control for once in your life I promise you it feels like a brand new red dress!

Hi Celialou,

The advantage you have is that you are young, and by getting banded you will avoid any possible problems that might pop up as you get older, not to mention the possibility of more weight gain.

As someone told me when I first joined this site, it's better to have the risks with the band, than the ones you might have without it.

I am not where I'd hoped to be but I have been taken off a couple of blood pressure medications, and have more energy than I have for a long time, not to mention all the things I can do that I couldn't preband.

Please keep us posted. I hope you go through with it, and as others have said, you may look back on this in six months and be as happy as so many of us are.

Good luck!

Debbie