Hi i'm new and was just lurking the forum for a few hours trying to make up my mind.. I have a pre op appointment on wednesday.. well i suppose that would be me already with my mind made up right haha.. Umm but I have just heard so many horror stories and whatnot.. Its scary but im still going to go through with it!

ohh and how about a real introduction! Hi i'm Lindsey and from California i'm 28 years old and married with no kids yet.. I hope to meet some good friends to go through stuff with me.. I'm planning on using a camcorder to make a kind of video blog so wish me luck..!

Hi i'm new and was just lurking the forum for a few hours trying to make up my mind.. I have a pre op appointment on wednesday.. well i suppose that would be me already with my mind made up right haha.. Umm but I have just heard so many horror stories and whatnot.. Its scary but im still going to go through with it!

:blushing: ohh and how about a real introduction! Hi i'm Lindsey and from California i'm 28 years old and married with no kids yet.. I hope to meet some good friends to go through stuff with me.. I'm planning on using a camcorder to make a kind of video blog so wish me luck..!

Hi Lindsey. I'm Dawn. Just let me say that there are more success stories about Lapband surgery than there are horror stories. As with any surgery there are risks. But in my opinion, this is a risk worth taking because it has totally changed my life.

I wish you much luck on your journey and I'm looking forward to seeing your video blog. Do keep us posted.

Welcome Moo!!

Read, read, read.... it helps so much to learn as much as you can about this process as you prepare for your journey! There are so many helpful posts on this site and wonderful people happy to help you and answer your questions. Good luck to you!! :blushing:

thanks for the warm welcome im now more excited than scared so ill be able to handle it :blushing:

Hello Lindsey -

Welcome! I agree with the previous posters.....read as much as you possibly can about the band itself, the surgery, and life after the band. It is definitely not a decision that should be made without being totally informed.

Being banded will change your life. You will view and react to food in a totally different way. It has been, and continues to be, a hard transition. Your physical cravings for food will start to fade away as you reach the green zone, but your mental issues with food will remain. Those mental cravings don't go away just because you are banded.

Someone told me that you really have to be at the end of your rope (physically and mentally) to get banded. You are ready for the band if you have tried countless diets and failed, or succeeded only to gain it all back several times. You are ready if you have honestly, really tried but realize that you just can't make the weight stay off without some help. You are ready if you are showing signs of obesity related diseases (high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, etc).

It is a big decision to make. Read, read and read some more. Go to a local support group meeting and speak with others that have had the surgery. This is a great way to get the real life scoop on living with the band.

I have never once regretted getting the band....except immediately after surgery....those left shoulder pains were a killer! Living with my band has inspired my husband to start eating better and exercising with me. We are going to set a better example for our little boys (2 & 5) now that we are living a better lifestyle.

Good luck to you and on making your decision! Take care and let us know how your pre-op appointment goes!

Hi Moo, I was there with you, for two years I thought about it went through the insurance procedure, classes, denied twice, appeal twice and then finally self paid, and I do not regreat a minute of it. Now I am 5 months out and no longer use insuline and or high blood pressure medicine. Even my shoe size is smaller since my feet don't swell up like the used to. I am about half way to my goal weight and just love my band. Read everything you can and talk to your drs. The band is not a quick fix by any means. I still excercise every day and watch what I eat, and chew, chew chew...God Bless. m-