Well, I went to my seminar today, and I'm pretty certain that I'm going with the Band, as they also covered bypass and gastric sleeve. So after sitting through the two-hour seminar, I was given a packet of information on how to get your first appointments made and other things for insurance purposes, and I decided I'd get the band because it has the shortest recovery time. I'm a college student, so I can't just take sick days. I'd probably end up being driven to classes on the Gator that Disability Services has, as I don't think that most people could walk a mile and a half round-trip 2-3 times a day right after having major surgery.

The changes you have to make are going to be really, really hard, but it has to happen. Doing nothing is not an option anymore. Back in the day, yeah I was obese, but I thought from my own experience that weight was just a number. I did weigh 250, 260, 270 and my weight had never slowed me down. I was still running up the stairs, had pretty good speed for a guy my size, and I fit comfortably in a coach seat when I'd go on vacation.

Then all of a sudden I was 300 and counting, and at last count, I was 316. All this weight is doing is shortening my life, and that's not a pretty way to put it, but that's just how it is. And when I look at myself in the shower, I think, "How did this happen?" To quote Richard Simmons, "If you don't like what you see in the mirror, change it!" And this is how it has to happen.

Hi there, congratulations on deciding to take charge of your health! I started my process in June and was banded last Tuesday. Over the summer I worked with a therapist to identify emotional eating triggers and I also stepped up my exercise to prepare for the surgery and set myself up for success once banded. Yesterday four days post-op I walked four miles throughout the day (one mile at a time). It's working! I chose the band because it is less invasive and, if ever necessary, reversible. Good luck to you as you do all your research and make plans for your healthy future. I have found this forum to be a great place for gathering information. There are some amazing people here with a lot of experience with the band and of course there's that feeling that we are all in this together. Best wishes!

_{I went to my seminar on Saturday, I dropped off my paperwork with the doctors office today, I have my psych appointment on Thursday, I am trying to get ahead of the game, because my insurance does not require the 6 month dr supervised weightloss program, i am hoping the approval process goes fast. I am calling the dr to schedule my appointment tomorrow. I am so nervous, but i know this is the right thing to do for me.}