I am 23, have been overweight my entire life even when I played Volleyball in Highschool and middle school. Ive tried everything... and Im looking into Lapband..

I have PPO Anthem, and I have scheduled my seminar, but I am very nervous.

I have read that 11 percent of lap band surgeries result in death and I am not ready for that.

My husband and I both have BMIs over 40 and want to get healthy for our son who is 1.

I guess im just really scared and need support. Ive been thinking about this for a very very long time but I dont know anyone who has personally done it.

So I am here.

Can someone reasure me that its not so scary?

Keep in mind, ive had a c-section before and it wasnt so bad, so I think im overreacting...

I had those same feelings, but I came fine and I'm back at work!!!! It's so worth it! I had my LB done last month...u will b fine! I say go 4 it!!! U won't regret!!!

In the same boat as you, have been thinking about it for 2yrs. and those were my concerns, that's why I never did it. But now I have actually decided to go through with it due to this wonderful website. So many people, so many stories and most are encouraging; they tell you the good, the bad and the ugly. In the end, I decided, everything you do in life is a risk...having any surgery, there's always a risk of death; but I figure it's either I live my life unhealthy and unhappy about my health or looks, or take a risk that maybe be more beneficial in the long run as well as a risk of death. We can step out tomorrow on our way to work and get into a car accident or whatever and be gone. In other words, life is a risk, if anything goes wrong, that means it was meant to happen...if not, then we have a chance of improving our health and feeling better about ourselves. Hope that helped a little, good luck!!!

"I have read that 11 percent of lap band surgeries result in death..."

have not heard that before so i cant say if its true or not. i feel the band is very safe but all surgeries and not just WLS have risks. have you read up on this surgery or attended a seminar yet?

here is some great info:

http://www.lapband.us/

You should be nervous, that means you are serious about the next step. I too was nervous, I even cried when the anasthesiologist entered my room, he gave me something for that and it was all better. If you research your surgeon and look at everything they have done, and you feel confident in their ability, then just do it! I looked into it several times before I actually had the surgery and I wish I hadn't been so chicken! I was banded on 11/15/11 and I have lost 84#, I have had a great experience and I would do it again. The recovery from lap band is not that difficult, just take the pain meds religiously for the first 3 to 4 days. Then enjoy your shrinking self! Good Luck!

I just read National % is 3 or less per 10,000.

First of all, welcome!!

Alrighty....so any surgery has potential risks, and one of them for every surgery is death. I haven't heard of the 11%, that seems awfully high. You also need to consider the risks of living your life obese. Feeling scared is completely normal, I would be worried if you weren't a little doubtful.

I went into this journey only knowing one person who has had lap band, and she was had completely failed. She thought the band would be a magical cure for her obesity (she started out at 475 lbs). Had the surgery in Mexico, never had fill, never followed any dietary changes and eventually made her band slip and removed. She didn't lose any weight, but she also didn't change her lifestyle. Seeing someone fail at this was very daunting, but I used it as inspiration. I KNEW I could be a better bandster than she was.

I have been banded almost 4 months now. The surgery itself wasn't bad at all. I recovered quickly and don't remember the pain (which means it must not have been that bad!) It wasn't a walk in the park, but I've been through worse.

I have completely changed my lifestyle. I use food now only as fuel to make it through my day. I look at things like donuts and candy with disugst. I can't believe I used to put that in my body! Exercise has become theraputic. The pre-op process alone was life-changing. The past four months have been the best of my life - - besides that, I've lost almost 55 lbs. That was just a side-effect of all of the healthy changes I made. I've never felt so good.

Living the bandster lifestyle is a huge change and on that is not to be taken lightly. Do your research, take everyone elses opinions with a grain of salt, and weigh your options. I wish you all the success in the world!

Where did you read 11% result in death? I have read many online articles, and studies and the complication rate isn't even that high, let alone the death rate. The death rates I have seen were <3% (which there is a risk of death with any surgery). Personally, my surgeon has never had that happen and has been doing the procedure for many years. Definitely research further and ask that question at the seminar for further clarification. Also, keep in mind, what is the death rate for doing nothing and staying the same weight or gaining (as we all have struggled with here)?

I wish you the best of luck on this very important journey and hope you find the answers you are looking for so you can be comfortable with whatever decision is right for you.

Welcome to LBT.com you will find a lot of knowledge, inspiration & support here. Good luck on your journey!

I will have to find that article, I showed it to my husband so I know i didnt dream it! ahaha

Anyhow, thanks everyone for your support. I had no idea so many people would reply and with such optimism.

Honestly google lap-band and there is ALOT of useful information on WIKI about it. I would be nervouse but for a good cause bc you are goin to change your life. Im nervouse and I still have about 3 months left before i go to surg. Its a lifestyle change and you HAVE to be commited to it. Im still have problems eating right and Im not depending on a miracle surgery to make me change. Dont be scared that yollu die.. as long as you trust your doctor youll be ok. Wiki said the death toll was 1 in 2000 but then if you read the very bottom of the pages theres something about a website reffering paients to doctors that ended in death. So that right there may have made the national average go up.

There is a risk with any surgery, but the risk of a high BMI is also death. I was scared to begin with and my husband and I went to seminar, after that we felt much more comfortable. Not to mention they do a lot of test prior to the surgery in order to make sure you are good for sugery. There is risk with everything from driving a car to walking down your steps, the question is are you willing to take the risk?

Can someone reasure me that its not so scary?

Keep in mind, ive had a c-section before and it wasnt so bad, so I think im overreacting...

I got to the hospital at noon and walked out under my own power at 730 pm... I had no complication and I am way older than you are..... just be comfortable with the surgeon you select.... that is paramount! Good luck!