I need advice! I just turned 21 and I have always been a Big Girl. But its getting bout of hand. I have tried just about everything with no improvement. I was talking to my aunt who has had the lap band surgery and it has really changed her life. So my question is am I Too Young for this surgery to help me lose this weight? And how do I go about starting the process?

My humble advice is to make sure you have tried everything else and given it as much effort as you possibly can before considering surgery. You are still so young and I know it must be hard for you to be big. But to me surgery is a last resort, not a first one. Regardless I think the first step is to talk to your family doctor about it and go from there. Or maybe you could find a lapband surgeon in your area and attend one of his seminars.

I think you should attend a lap band seminar and speak with a Doctor about pros and cons. It is solely up to you to make the choice of getting the lapband or not. Like stated above, if you've tried everything and nothing has worked then it's possible the lapband will benefit you. I am 25 years old and have decided to get the lapband due to the fact that I have tried EVERYTHING! Fab diets, weight watchers, phentermine, the list goes on and on. I've lost weight with these programs, but it never stays off. The lapband is something I've thought about for 2 years, I am just now starting my journey. Good luck!

I agree with the others. First, attend a seminar and find out all the facts about the Lap Band. Be sure to really research it, too. Learn what to expect from the band and what you'll be expected to do to be successful with it. Learn the risks, too.

With that said, I have been big my whole life. When I was your age, I was about your size too. Honestly, I wish the band existed back then. It would've saved me from an adulthood of obesity and eventually ballooning up to over 400 pounds.

Best wishes to you.

I agree do the research. I had a lot of complications so make sure you are informed and have a good support system if you decide to have it.

I'm 20 years old and it is the best decision I've made ! I'm only one month out but I feel so great all ready and happy that I made this decision now rather than later before I really became sick. good luck on deciding for yourself

Thank you all! This really was a Big help.! I'll keep you guys up dated!

Thank you all! This really was a Big help.! I'll keep you guys up dated!

I am 26 and got banded in November .. I am very happy with my decision .. I lost weight on the.atkins diet but it all came back.. I decided i am not getting any younger and with my family history i wanted to make a change now. I.didn't want to.wait till all the health issues came. i.knew i would never get motivated and stay motivated .. Weight has always been a issue.. Making my decision was easy because my mom got banded 5 yrs ago and i know several ppl who have .. Its very successful .. Good luck with your decision .. Best thing i ever did..

No, you're not too young. Teenagers get the Lap Band. However, like everyone else has posted, make sure its the right journey for you. Do your research, talk to doctors, psychologists ect. Really get a feel for if you're ready for a huge commitment. I've had many major surgeries, so for me, its just going under the knife again, but its the struggles before and after that made me think about it for two years. Most of us on here have tried EVERYTHING, and I mean, everything first. Please be wise. And I'm glad that you are taking control now. I've heard so many people on this forum say how they wish they'd done this sooner. You're never to young to want to be healthy.

I'm 23 and had my surgery back in mid November. I think your a great age to do it, as long as your ready to completely change your life and behaviors. I had been extremely over weight for the past 3 years and really wish I hadn't wasted all that time hating my body, but so glad I'm correcting it now!

Deffinately do your research and attend a seminar or get to know other people, maybe in your age group who have had the bad and get to hear there experiences.

I personally am so in love with the band, it's the best decision I've ever made. But I've also been extremely fortunate to have an empty band (no fills) and very rarely feel hungry, have any reflux or heart burn.. Any side effects, this far in my journey. I'm very blessed that way.

What ever you decide to do, you must keep in mind that diet and excersise are VERY important, and the band isn't a miracle cure, you have to put much effort into it!

Best wishes!

I'm 26 and am in the process of getting banded, and I wish I had known about it at the age of 21. I say start researching and go with what you feel.