Just wanted to introdice myself to everyone. My name is Gerrit and I am from Eastern Idaho. I am a weather photographer as well as nature, fireworks and landscapes. I am currently 35 years old and I am 5'10" and 430 pounds. I wasn't always obese, after I developed anxiety and panic disorder I gained all of my weight over a several year period. Now that I have quite a bit of issues including sleep Apnea, Insulin Resistance and knee pains, back pains, losing my breath by just walking a few feet I have decided it is time for some help. i have been watching a ton of videos online of success stories with the lap band as well as do's and dont's of the lap band and am excited and nervous.

I figured I would setup an account here to ask future questions and also to build some support for myself as well as myself offering support. I am thankful there are websites like this one. The number of posts and replies for each subforum definitely shows this is the place to be.

I look forward to chatting with you all.

Thanks.

-Gerrit

Hi Gerrit and welcome!!

This is definitely a very good supportive atmosphere here. Feel free to jump right in wherever you choose!

Do you have a surgery date yet? I think it's great you're researching this so much prior to having surgery. That knowledge will really help you a lot.

Granted I'm a woman and considerably shorter than you, but my starting weight was very close to yours. I also had a host of obesity related problems as well. Even though I still have considerable weight to lose, I can't begin to tell you how much my life has improved from the weight I've lost so far with the band. A good example: I just came home from taking a couple mile walk with my son. 7 months ago, I could barely make it from the parking lot into the front of a store. The improvement in my life has been nothing less than amazing.

Best wishes to you!!

Welcome and congrats!!!! It's a great forum ! I'm 4 days post op and had tons of questions answered pre and post op. And when I needed encouragement I received it here! You came to the right place. Have you started your journey with a surgeon yet or still deciding to have the lapband?

I did the same thing you did... found this site and used it as a great tool to learn more and ask my questions! I am 9 days after surgery and doing well... I am on here often to check and get info from others who have been there! The Dr's are wonderful but to really know a "how does this feel" question you need to ask people who have been there!

Good luck on your journey and I wish you all the best success in the world!

Sup dude! Welcome

Welcome you have come to the right site. I decided when I got on here I owed the folks who ask question an honest answer, I do not sugar coat things . I am almost 4 years out have lost all my weight and kept it off and I feel wonderful no health problems .I stopped all meds 6 months after surgery. I to got breathless walking and it made me panicky to not be able to breathe....

The best of Luck to you and we are here for you we will answer your questions and we will hold your hand and encorage you when you need it and I will give you a wake up call if you need one along the way. It is a journey well worth taking and you can do this and if you do what they tell you to do you will be a new man in many ways next year.

Welcome Gerrit! The people on here are great and this website has a wealth of information. I had surgery 09JUL2012 and am on here all of the time for support and information. Good luck!

Hey!! Im Stacie!! Im 3 months out and down 60 pounds!! Half way to my goal weight!! Welcome to your weight loss journey!

Hi Everyone, thanks for the warm welcome. I meet with the Surgeon this thursday and should know more by then. I'm at the process after the seminar where I go to turn in paperwork. Not sure what happens next.

-Gerrit

Good Luck, Gerrit!

Keep us informed how it goes Gerrit! We are all here for you!