Hi, I just found this site - I'm "Thinkin'boutit" :-)

I just don't know, I'm scared - especially of my dr. saying no. I just know that I can't keep doing what I've been doing as it doesn't work.

Any of you from Fargo? Are there qualified dr.'s in ND? I have an appt. in a few weeks to talk to my personal dr. about it. but now that I made my appt my mind is spinning with questions & thoughts.

Will I qualify? I don't know, I hope so

My best suggestion is to read as many threads on LapBandTalk as you have time for. This site was a GREAT help to me while I was considering this surgery and provides the most amazing support.

Do yourself a favor and don't spend TOO much time on the "Complications" forum. It's a good idea to know what kinds of things CAN happen but if you spend too much time looking on that forum you'll be scared witless - at least I was. The thing to remember is that the percentage of complications is very, very low compared to the percentage of successes.

BTW, welcome to LapBandTalk and good luck on your journey, wherever it takes you.

Yeah- I started reading the "bad" first- kinda scared the heck out of me -

My BMI is 36 and I have high chol. - do you think I'd be a candidate? I know it's really vague - but I figure you've seen way more than I have in my short time here :-)

I'm mostly scared they'll say no - I don't know what else to do - this is kinda the final straw - nothing else has worked for GOOD -

Hi there,

welcome to LBT.

THere is a great Surgeon in Bismarck. his name is Dr. Michael Schmit, and he is at the Mid-Dakota Clinic. If you need more info on him just let me know. There are several of us on here who have his for a Dr. I personally just love him. He is very kind and understanding. Hope this helps.

Well, I have an appt. with my regular doc. tomorrow afternoon - in Fargo. I'm going to talk to her about this and other options for me. I'm not sure what she's going to say - but I've been seeing her for about 3 yrs and every time I see her I bring up my weight etc. Last time I saw her I was about 15 lbs lighter and loosing (almost 1yr ago) but now I've gained all that and more back - so I don't know what she'll say.

I'm just wondering if this will even be an option for me. My BMI is 36-37 (according to the CDC website calculator), I'm 5"6 235 lbs (or so) and have been battling my weight for about 9 years - steadily gaining for that time. I have high cholesterol, but my dr. is hesitant to put me on meds just yet. I have a family history of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. I happen to take after that part of my family (dad's side) in every way it seems (looks, health etc)

Then I keep talking myself out of this option. I'm 26yrs old (27 this year) and this will be a life changing thing - do I need to be this drastic now?

But then I tell myself YES- in order to make a real difference in my life I need something like this- I don't expect miracles - but a tool, something to make me change.

Like right now - I eat because I can - there's no punishment except a few more lbs. But if I do something this drastic - there will be - I could get very sick and hurt myself.

I don't know. Maybe I'm being unrealistic? I don't expect a band to magically change me - but I think it will give me what I need to do this for good- a TRUE lifestyle change.

Is there anything else to try before this? Medications on the market?

I am working on getting the lap band. Our insurance will be covering the procedure in July. I saw the doctor last week, need to lose 30 pounds before the operation. Seems like that will take me a long time. Anyone else have this problem?