Hi everyone! My name is Lauren and I am getting banded on Feb 15th, 2013. I haven't told many people because I'm afraid of being judged, and it doesn't help that the few people I have told reacted quite negatively, even my aunt went as far as saying she was going to do whatever she needed to make sure I didn't get this done. I'm 22 years old and I have been overweight my entire life, and both of my parents had to have weight loss surgery (my mom had gastric bypass in 2005 and has lost 110 pounds and my dad had lap band in 2010, but has only lost 40 pounds because he still has poor eating habits). I am very hurt that my friends and family have reacted so negatively towards what I see as the biggest blessing in my life. My family thinks that I should be older to have the surgery (so I can suffer with my weight longer like they have had to) and my friends don't think I'm overweight enough (even though my bmi is 36 and I have a lot of breathing problems- insurance is covering the surgery). My parents are starting to support me more than in the beginning, and that's all that really matters to me, but it would nice to have support from more people. I'm so glad I found this forum! My surgeon recommended it to me Any advice would be truly appreciated, I look forward to getting to know some fellow banders!

Congrats on deciding to change your life. I was banded at 22. I've lost over 140lbs and am living a healthy lifestyle. It isn't easy but I have no regrets whatsoever.

I did have some of the same fears you do. It's funny - I was judged my whole life for being a fat person, I was judged for getting WLS, and now I am judged for being "too skinny". Everyone always has an opinion. My boss tried to convince me not to have the surgery. One of the bariatric doctors told me I would fail because I was "too young" and would not take it seriously. Post weight loss, I have had supposed friends say I am now competition for them, that I only lost weight to get a man, that I eat weird, and looked better heavier.

So basically, you cannot please everyone. Going through this process has empowered me in a way I've never experienced before. I am ok if people don't agree with every decision, because I love this healthy body of mine. Remember - YOU are the one who has to live in your body! If you let friends or family dissuade you from making the needed changes, you are the one who has to live with your decisions, not them.

If you ever need support, we are all here for you.

Sorry I went on a tangent. I am very passionate about this topic. lol

Congrats on deciding to change your life. I was banded at 22. I've lost over 140lbs and am living a healthy lifestyle. It isn't easy but I have no regrets whatsoever.

I did have some of the same fears you do. It's funny - I was judged my whole life for being a fat person' date=' I was judged for getting WLS, and now I am judged for being "too skinny". Everyone always has an opinion. My boss tried to convince me not to have the surgery. One of the bariatric doctors told me I would fail because I was "too young" and would not take it seriously. Post weight loss, I have had supposed friends say I am now competition for them, that I only lost weight to get a man, that I eat weird, and looked better heavier.

So basically, you cannot please everyone. Going through this process has empowered me in a way I've never experienced before. I am ok if people don't agree with every decision, because I love this healthy body of mine. Remember - YOU are the one who has to live in your body! If you let friends or family dissuade you from making the needed changes, you are the one who has to live with your decisions, not them.

If you ever need support, we are all here for you.

Sorry I went on a tangent. I am very passionate about this topic. lol[/quote']

Don't be sorry!! That's was the greatest bundle of truth It's so true- I've been judged for being fat and getting wls and I wouldn't be surprised once I'm thinner if I get judged for that also. All of my thin friends say I'm not "that fat" which I guess they think is a compliment but I'm convinced they don't want to lose their fat friend (Moesha anyone?). Maybe it's because for the longest time I judged myself that I couldn't do it on my own. But I'm not anymore. I'm proud of myself for committing to this difficult yet necessary change. I just wonder why everyone thinks their opinion of a topic they know nothing about is going to decide what I should do with my life and health.

I said this in another post but it surely applies here: Opinions are like butt cracks, everyone has one....you do what your heart tells you to do....this chance may never come around again if people get in the way.