hey everyone...my name is paul

im about 300 pounds...22 year old college student...i met someone a few months ago who had this surgery and she said it turned her lfie around

since then, ive been playing around with the idea, ive looked on a few forums and gotten so far as calling my insurance company, but then wind up chickening out...especially when i read about some of the risks

i have severe anxiety and depression issues, but im tired of being some fat pos that everyone makes fun of

i love eating, i dont exercise at all, im a computer person so my time is spent mostly sittin here

i want to change all that without losing who i am...but im just like terrified of the whole process

i have no idea if my insurance will cover this, every time i walk into the damn building (harvard vanguard medical center) i come out with a 250 dollar bill that im told is a deductible i really dont have the money to go and make all these appointments and talk to doctors

im sorta a wuss...i mean i guess everyone is to some degree, but after the surgery how much did everything hurt?

i uh...read somewhere some guy had to get a catheter like you know, shoved up his commander, so to speak, is that like...a common thing? as much as i hate being fat, thats something along the line of a deal breaker

how long after the surgery on average would a person be out of commission?

what are some of the changes you have to make post op - lifestyle and diet? i love sweets and soda and fried foods, do you have to give those up?

whats this liquid diet ive been hearing about?

are the risks really bad? im not talking about like death but like, ive read about the possibility of the band slipping, or crazy infections?

whats it like post op? do you not feel hungry anymore? can you like feel your insides as being different?

im sorry i know im asking a lot of questions all in one post and this might not even be the right section for it but uh if someone could help...it would be so appreciated...

I eat spicy foods all the time, but I have heard others can't. I told everyone and everyone, even if they didn't totally agree have been really supportive...but remember I am 55 and have had about 40 years of obesity.

You really encouraged me! I get banded on Aug 12th and I have been hearing discouraging things about the slow weight loss. Like everything it is a progress and I am happy you shared your progress with us. Keep up the great work!

I have always been a spicy food kinda gal. In fact, when I preggers with my youngest, I couldn't get enough. I would eat jalapenos right from the jar. Since my surgery anything hot about kills me! Just the thought of it hurts!

Hi Paul! I have not had surgery yet, still going through all of my insurance requirements... anyhow, I wanted to mention that many doctors and hospitals have informational seminars and they are FREE! You will get a lot of good info and have your questions answered. Make sure you go to a reputible physician, and not a 1-800 'clinic' with billboards on the side of every freeway exit (or at least check with the BBB). Your primary care physician may be able to refer you to a bariatric doctor Also, (not to preach or anything) if you go through with surgery, want to do it for yourself! F' what everyone else thinks of you! You will do it for your health Good luck on your journey!