I get my band on November 11th of this year. I am so nervous. I am 264 lbs. and I know I dont look it. I had a lady today in the waiting room ask me if I had already had the surgery, I responded "no". She was very much heavier than me. She looked me up and down and that was the end of the conversation. Now I wonder if this is the right choice, 2 plus years of thinking this threw. Any positive thoughts for me?

I'm sorry that lady was rude to you!! Do what you feel is right...It's your life and you're the one who decides your happiness and your future. Look at your past and reflect on how far you have come in this process. People are judgmental no matter what you do. You're too heavy, you're to skinny, you don't look good in this or that and the list goes on forever. Unfortunately we live in a society that condones people to act this way =/ Clearly you are here because things have not worked in your favor in the past for losing weight. This is your life and you decide what to do!!!!! What ever you choose good luck with all you do!!!!!

I think everyone felt the same way before banding. If you can get to a Center of Excellence, you are likely to have a wonderful experience. I'm ten days out

and had absolutely no problems. Whatever you decide, Best of luck and let us know how it goes and don't pay any attention

to rude people!

I am also getting banding in November 14th. So we are three days apart. I am also nervous but in a good way. I am nervous for the surgery part but excited about the results!!!

People are so rude. Don't worry about them you will probably and hopefully never have deal with that lady again!!!

I got banded November 2010. I was at 40 BMI, which is just over the cusp of qualifying for insurance purposes. Many people in my life said "oh you're not heavy enough to get surgery, you don't need that, you're just chubby." But I have always been "chubby" and being 250 lbs (even if you don't look it) is not healthy by any measure at 5"5".

Now I am almost one year out, down 55 lbs (I weigh about 194 at home) and trust me I feel so much better and am more active. I look great. And for the first time in my life I am confident I will keep losing and not gain it all back. I lost 55 friggin pounds so far without being hungry. Without trying all that hard. Imagine that?

The surgery in the scheme of things was a 6 week inconvenience for a lifetime of a better life. You do the math. Totally worth it. Plus, the surgery went off without a hitch and I only lost 4 days from work. Best decision I have made in a long time. You won't regret it. Good luck.

hello all... i got banded 11/18/11. i was on preop liquid diet for 2wks and to this date i have lost 17lbs. i started off at 253lbs. i had staples put in my incisions and that didnt go to well. i developed an infection to nickel and red patches formed around the incisions. of course i was confused thinking it was an infection because the skin had yellow discharge and was red. staples were removed and steristrips were put on and i still see drainage smearing on strips. i aint happy with that result. i will continue monitoring incisional sites becauae i have a gut feeling its gonna be an infection. has anyone else experienced this?