Hi. My name is Pat and I will be attending my first information meeting Thursday. I have been researching the lap band proceedure for the last year and am very interested in learning everything I can about it. So far, I think this is the one for me. I have a friend who is very pro gastric bypass and not really a proponent of lap band indicating the statistics prove lap band to be unsuccessful. My research does not confirm that at all and so I am still going forward with the lap band. I have had a weight problem all my life, have lost and gained back way too many pounds to count. I will be 65 in November and am looking forward to a better quality of life with this tool. I want to be more active but the pain I experience now prohibits a lot of exercise. I also have high blood pressure and suffer from depression. Want to get off all of those meds.

Hi Pat! I am also in the pre- op phase as I have just received approval from my insurance company after 6 months of a supervised diet requirement. Like you I also have a friend who had gastric bypass and has "put down" the band on several occassions whicj initally made me reconsider the band but through my own research and joining this forum I am set on the band i wish you all the best in your band jouney!

Thanks. I spent the day researching gastric bypass but I still think the lapband is for me. Best of luck to you as well. When will you be having your surgery?