So i just got wheeled to my room after surgery..i feel great...my nurse comes in and after telling she didnt think i needed surgery..she says "did you know you will have to come back to this hospital even if you have to have something non lap band related..forever?" This hospital is two hrs away...i have one 15 minutes away from my home. what?! This is the first i have heard this?

Are they the only hospital in your area with experience in bariatric surgery? Maybe that's why she's thinking that. I don't see the logic in that though - if you break your arm, I don't see any reason why you would have to go back to a Bariatric Center. It has nothing to do with your band. They should give you a card stating what type of band you have and it's capacity - keep that on hand, and I think telling whatever hospital you go to would suffice.

I would consider going to a Bariatric Center of Excellence if you have abdominal issues or swallowing issues, but beyond that I think you should be safe going anywhere.

Speak with your physician about this. Sounds like the nurse had a built in prejudice. After my EGD the lady that wheeled me to my car so my husband could pick me up said I didn't need surgery just to pray and take it to God. Well I've prayed and with prayer and hard work I managed to go from 217 to 156 but sadly have gained 40 lbs back. I believe this opportunity to have Lap Band Surgery is a sign from God to get past this and move on to bigger and better things. Weight has consumed the last 20 years of my life and it's time to move on.