Hi all, I'm planning on having the surgery. I just sent in my paperwork. I haven't even had my first dr appt yet. I need this so bad I'm 6 ft and 371lbs. Ive had both of my knees replaced and have stenosis and a crushed disc in my back. I still have problems walking tho at least I can do it now. Before knee surgery I really couldn't. I have uncontrolled blood pressure (4 meds a day and still has a mind of its own sometimes as high as 200/100) I finally made the decision a few months ago when my brother died. He was only 62. He was my hero since I was a kid. He didn't die from obesity per se but being heavy I'm sure didn't help. I decided that I want to live way longer than that and I'm hoping it's not too late(I'm 50) I'm also trying to get my husband to get it done because he had diabetes and is very heavy. I tend to cook very well and enough for an army and it's just 3 of us. My mother and aunts were from the "eat this, you'll feel better" or the "eat this to celebrate" mode of thinking so I've always been a big girl. I was heavy when I had my son but was good and only gained 16lbs for my pregnancy. He was 9lbs 7ozs of it. My mother passed the day before I was going to have my son so that just wrecked me and the six weeks of maternity leave and the depression(both post partum and the loss of my mother) I followed the "eat this you feel better" ALOT. So here I am at this weight. I've been up and down but could never stay down. Ready for a change, scared to death, but ready. I've read so much on this board already. I just hope I can get the ball rolling quickly. I don't wanna chicken out. Sorry to be so long winded but holding this inside and waiting had never been my strong point. I look forward to getting to know you all.

I am excited for the change you're about to experience in your life. It is so unbelievably painful when you lose your loved ones, you definitely reassess everything you're doing, especially if you have a little one depending on you. It is NEVER too late for you to decide you want to better your life. And we're here to support you with words, information and inspiration. Congratulations on this revelation! You're on the cusp of your new life!! Keep us posted on your decisions and progress!! This community ROCKS!!

Thanks tho my "little one " is 20 yrs old and 6ft5 lol

there are a lot of veteran bandsters on here.. your decision to have a lapband is one of the best you will ever make. I had diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. my knees and feet hurt every day. I could hardly make it around the grocery store. Forget going to a mall. today after lapband I have no diabetes, no cholesterol, no high blood pressure and I can walk rings around anyone in the stores. I lost 60 lbs and I have about 10 more to go. at 5'0 200 lbs I was obese. There are many here who have lost 100 lbs or more. Best of Luck to you and keep us posted on your progress.

Thank you

Hi kyrickchick64. I too am ready for a change. my surgery date is 8/4 and I can hardly wait. I've been overweight my entire adult life and feel it's time for me to have a good life. I deserve it. I'm 56 and don't feel like it's too late. it's only too late if you never do it! good luck!!

Hi I am a newbie too:). Just got word that my surgery is the 22nd!! A week from tomorrow. I have been anxiously waiting to hear and now that I have I have so many feelings rushing through me! I have been reading the comments on this forum for a few months now. I have learned much and look forward to this journey as I am sure all the other newbies are!! Woot-woot!!

Congrats to those here who have made the decision to better your lives. I started this process over 5 years ago now, and was banded in Sept 2009.

I was like most everyone else...nervous, will it work for me, what if I fail, etc, etc.....

I would encourage you to go into this thinking longterm lifestyle changes....not everyone will have the drastic/rapid weightloss some of my friends on here have. We're all different and will have different experiences. But this thing works! It's just now normal for me....and I love it!

Best wishes to you all.

David

Thank you to everyone. Im not sure if Cigna will cover this without alot of cage rattling but I intend to jump thru whatever hoops they want me to. I may not be having my surgery for 6 months(tho that would break my heart) but I'll be on my way by this time next year. My knee replacements are already bothering me so I hope my ortho can get this process speeded along. I will do a lot of research on here and other sites. My life depends on it.

Let me tell you...I had to do 6 months supervised weight loss appointments, psyche eval, and go to a dietitian. I thought my surgery would never come. I jumped through all the hoops. My surgery was June 26th..the time went by so fast because I prepared my house, stuff I needed, and my mind for what was to come. Trust me..it will happen before you know it! Congratulations on your decision and congrats to all the newbies!