I've had my initial appointment, I qualify. Oct 1 I meet with the Psychologist, Oct 8 the Nutritionist and Exercise person. I will meet with them three times before I can schedule my surgery. I am thinking it may be Feb or March.

I am very nervous, I hear great success stories and of course everyone has a horror story.

I just want to feel better. I am 56, 5'4" and currently weigh 230. I have aching knees, sleep apnea, high BP and cholesterol. I am hoping that with this surgery and exercise, I will feel alot better.

Thoughts?

My thoughts are you are going to feel so good in a yr from now...It takes work...the band is just a tool that we have control of...but I works !!!

There will be so many small and large non scale victories (NSV) along the way...rejoice in all of them !!! Good luck hun....Im excited for you !

_{Thank you Dee! I really think I'm ready for this!! I want to feel good again!! Just scary, heard some more horror stories yesterday!!}

Deb,

The best thing I have ever done for myself has been to get the band. Everyone's experience is different. There are things that can go wrong and there are things that can go right. In the end I think it's all in the way you deal with the experience, that makes it a horror or not.

I can't say you won't have any issues, but I have always thought that if you go looking for trouble you will find it or it will find you.

Nothing in life is 100% without risk, living every day comes with it's own risks. I was ready to jump into the center ring and be banded. I didn't want to change my anatomy forever, but I needed assistance in losing the weight and getting back to a healthy place.

My advice is to take everything you hear, see and read under advisement, make a list of pro's and con's and then make that decision for yourself. Don't base your experience on anyone else.

There are factors that we all share in being banded, having a band, having surgery to get the band, getting filled/unfilled etc. but we all have a different experience in each area.

That's what makes this board so great, you can read about others and share your experiences as well.

Best of luck to you on your journey!

Hey Deb57... let's be buddies.... i am just beginning my journey too and it will be feb/march when i get banded.. where are you from?....

First and foremost just remember.... each journey is different for everyone.... if you stay on track and do what is asked of you by your surgeon then your journey will be one of the most exciting times for your new beginning.... I live in Baytown, Tx and i started my journey on 8/29 with my first visit....each day i get more excited...and can't wait to start my new life free from my captive "weight" ....

I don't read any negative things or horror stories about the banding... i refuse to let the enemy "doubt" come against what i know is right!!!!....

Best wishes to both of you and we'll look forward to welcoming you to our banding world!!

Hi Deb, I'm in my fifties, too -- BP issues, arthritis and sleep apnea. I stumbled on this forum over the summer and have learned so much over the last couple of months. There is a lot of knowledge here and people are very compassionate and happy to offer up support. I've learned more here than through the hospital program where I hope to be banded in the next month or two. Now I can really sense what some of the issues are -- sometimes people aren't quite ready to do the head work to deal with the reasons behind all the overeating that got us where we are. For those who are ready, the band is a tool which turns the appetite down so all the hard work of consuming small meals and increasing exercise results in real weight loss. I know it's not going to be easy but it's not easy now. I want to have a happy, healthy next few decades and be in excellent shape. Can't wait to get my band!