Hi everyone. I just found this site while researching the procedure. My name is John. I'm 34, married, one child, live near St. Louis, MO. I am currently in the process of testing/document gathering in order to get my procedure approved by the insurance. I am using Depaul Hospital in St. Louis.

My mom died last year at age 59 from heart disease but she had a lot of health problems. She just couldn't survive two heart surgeries within three months. She was badly overweight for most of her adult life. I am a mirror image of her, 6 foot 285 lbs. and I can see myself going down the same road that she did that lead to her death. I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO STOP THIS. I am scared of surgery and have an irrational fear of needles. However, I have a bigger fear of leaving my wife and four year daughter alone.

Remember the Back to the Future movies? A majority of the plots of those movies involved going back to the past to change something that radically affects the future. I feel like that's where I come to minus the time travel aspect. This surgery is the one things that will radically affect my future. The effect will be a weight loss and a chance to see my daughter's future rather than spending my years fighting a losing battle against heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and whatever other horrible diseases await me.

Thanks for the Introduction section and all the great information on this site. I'm sure it will be a major help as I continue on this journey.

John

Hi John and welcome to LBT!

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. Sometimes it is something like that which makes us realize we need to do something ourselves or we will likely follow that same path.

Much like you, I had a history of heart disease and diabetes in my family. What finally woke me up to the fact that I needed to do something was when I went in for my annual physical and learned I was borderline diabetic. Thanks to my band, that is no longer the case.

Please keep us posted as to how your journey is progressing. We look forward to getting to know you.

Hi John, I also am sorry about your Mother. I

too have a family history of diabetes and other comorbidities and i see myself going down the same road as my family members. I started my lapband process about a month ago. i'm waiting for my nutritionist appointment now at the end of the month. i wish you the best on your process and along healthy future with your family.