iM 23 years old and am 247lbs. Dieting and excersise just has not worked for, in my recent doctors visits my cholestoerol has been a bit elevated and i am boarderline to have diabetes, ive been considering the lapband but need some advice on how to go about it, or is it even a goood idea?

Most of us will say it is a great Idea!!

I have to agree with Joyce! VIsit around this forum, I think you'll get a good idea( no pun intended) of what people think of thier bands.

I personally love my band! I love the adjustibility and the control that I have. I love that I know that the weight that I have lost will never come back again. it's gone permanently.

I believe you have to do a lot of research to figure out if its the right thing for you. If your clinic offers informational sessions, go. If you can get to talk to some bandsters, do it. You'll know if its right for you after you do some research.

Good luch on your journey.

I think it may be the right thing for me...can i just go to any doctor and see if i qualify or is there a certain type of doctor that i need to go to?

Do a search on the internet for Bariatric doctors in your area. Or type in lapband doctors. You will get a lot of hits. Make sure you do your research, there are good doctors out there, and then there are great doctors out there. Make sure you know all that is involved with the process, before and after the band placement. It is exciting. Good luck.

You may even want to start by talking to your primary care doctor about, see what he/she thinks, and perhaps they could even recommend a good surgeon in your area.

My insurance process was easier with a "center of excellence". Its a process the hospital has to go through. It means that they cater to large people. They will tell you if they are a center or not. You'll most likely have to talk to your pcp anyway, so you might talk to him/her first.

There is no time like the present. It would be a good idea to start now,eather than wait for it to be urgent to your survival to live. Good luck on your decision; you have already taken the 1st step! Karen

If you are using insurance, you should check if the insurance covers bariatric procedures. If they do, sometimes there are stipulations on types of centers you can go to. My insurance will only pay if I go to a center of excellence. Some insurance companies require a letter of medical necessity from your primary care Dr. Regardless, it is a good idea to talk to your primary care and see what they say. Mine was supportive, but also wanted to run other tests to make sure I did not have any other medical problems affecting weight loss. I am also 23 and approx 40 BMI.