My name is Randy and I am from Columbus, Ohio. I just turned 18 in September. Right now I weight 300 lbs. and I am 5'8.

When i was 17 I joined the NewU program at Children's hospital for overweight teens/kids. I have sever hemophilia which is a rare blood disease. (my blood doesn't clout without a shot) Because of my hemophilia and excessive weight I have very bad problems with my ankles and knees. I have sleep apnea and borderline high blood pressure. So once I turned 18 they decided to enroll me into the bariatrics program so that I can get lap band.

I had the info session with the surgeon yesterday evening and I must admit that I am a bit more scared now. lol. Because of my bleeding disorder we are looking more towards lap band and not gastric bypass.

So I wanted to introduce myself and if anyone has any tips, ideas, thoughts id love to talk.

Well the most concern is the bruising on around my stomach after surgery. I think that is what they are concerned about pre-op. Post-op there is really nothing that is at concern with me being a hemophiliac. Pretty much as I lose weight my bleeds in my ankles and knees will slowly get better and better.

Hello: I saw your post and as a fellow Hemophiliac, wanted to give you a quick reply. Not sure if you have ever had any other surgeries/procedures done, but I hope that you have consulted with your HTC prior to even considering such a drastic procedure. As you know there are many risks involved when we go under the knife, heck, even to the dentist! Your HTC doc, as well as the physician that is going to do this procedure, which by the way I am TOTALLY against seeing anybody get done, need to be in communication with each other to ensure that while you are in surgery and after, you have plenty of factor. If the procedure is not being done at a hospital that is familiar with, or rather used to dealing with Hemophiliac patients, then you really need to consider speaking directly with the pharmacy heads to make sure they and their staff know the proper way to mix/store and deliver your factor. My last surgery, a knee replacement, the pharmacy did NOT know about the factor and was mixing it 3-4 hours before it was being administered...not a good idea!

Hope everyone is having a good day! Hey Vegasflyer I had a question if you dont mind, in your post above you said you were against anyone having Lap Band done? Wasnt sure if I understood you correctly and if so can I ask why? I mean I understand the whole hemophilia aspect of it and the risks but...well was just curious is all. Thanks

my hemophilia doctor is actually the one who recommended that I get lap band. He is behind it 100% percent. Mostly because he knows that if I dont lose the weight soon, I will have permanent damage on my ankles. And I am having it done at Nationwide Children's Hospital which is where I have been going since I was born. They have a whole hematology unit. But yes, all of the doctors and therapists that are working on this with me are carefully planing everything. And I believe I read that you are against anyone getting this surgery? My I ask why?

Hey Randy...I sent you an email...did you get it?

Hi Randy,

I wanted to welcome you to the boards. I think you are a very courageous young man and admire you for what you are doing. If there is anyway we can help you along the way, please do not hesitate to ask.

actually Susan i think it went to my spam folder and was deleted, can you send it again?

Randy I just retyped and sent it again. Check your spam box ok

Randy - Welcome! Be sure to check under this web site under the USA Local Group Support for Ohio and you'll see several different postings for Columbus and the different lap band surgery centers in our area. I'm interested to hear if you'll have your surgery done at Children's Hospital or are you working through one of the other hospitals - Mt. Carmel, Riverside, OSU, Barix, other?