Hi i'm Donna i'm 24 years old i'm from North Yorkshire and I weigh 25st,11bl im 5ft,9 and am a size 30-32 in clothes.

This is my first visit to any sort of forum and i am looking around for any sort of advice.

Iv been thinking about Lap/Gastric bands for a long time now but friends, family and doctors always try to put me off. I have had a quick look through some of your conversations and thought this would be the best place to help me along with my desition.

But if doctors wont listen to me how do i start the ball rolling?

Hi donna,

My family were against the op, my mum was in tears saying please dont go through with it and they are all big also so I thought they would understand!!! It is funny how they have changed their minds now I have had it done, my Dad is book for his own op in the next few months, and my mum thinks it was the best thing I have done.

I decided enough was enough when I couldnt fall pregrant, I was told I would need IVF but couldn't have it on the NHS as my Husband has a daughter with someone else, so I though I would go private, the problem I had was noone would do IVF in less I was 13 max, and I was over 22 stone so I had loads to lose, and I knew I woulnd't do it my self, not even for wanted a baby, if anything it just made my over eating worse.

So last yr I paid private to have the op done. I had my 1st fill in September and today I have lost 6stone so far, I didnt even try the doctor, to be honest I knew they would be interested, I have no medical problems from being over weight only that I cant have a baby, so they would never have put me forward for this op.

I was scared, I am the bigest wimp, and I have a fear of hospitals, cant even touch the doors, sit on beds, too many germs but I doneit and I would go back there tomo and have it done again.

you should try and find a local meeting, and have a chat with a few people, maybe take your mum or dad with you.

Hi Donna,

Im 28 years old and weigh nearly 26st. Im having my band put in on the 7 May. Im so excited I cant tell you. I never went through any doctors either, just contacted the surgeon straight away and that was that. I've not felt nervous or anxious cause this is the last desperate measure - Fortunately my family have been very supportive. In the long run, you need to do what is best for you!!!

Hi Donna,

I'm Gill and live in Cheltenham, I'm 27 and have just had the band put in on friday 11th April. I was sooo excited about getting the band that that feeling is still there. I'm only in a little discomfort with a bit of gas (wanting to burp but can't) and am not feeling hungry at all (I'm having to force myself to eat teeny amounts) I've stopped taking my painkillers so am seeing if I can last a day without but it's fine at the moment.

This for me is the best thing I've done so far. In the past 3 years I've lost weight and gained more, so I paid £6400 private but was quoted £7270 but had to have it done in a different hospital due to the dates I wanted the surgery. I'm a teacher so needed it done in the Spring holidays.

Do it whilst you're young! Do it Do it Do it!

Don't tell anyone you're doing it as you'll quickly learn that many people are against it (even closest friends and family- as you've already encountered!) You need to remember one thing- YOU DO NOT NEED TO JUSTIFY YOUR CHOICES TO ANYONE ELSE AS YOU ARE DOING THIS FOR YOU- AND ONLY YOU.

I can't stress this enough. Tell your very closed family that you are doing this anyway no matter what they say and ASK for their support. Explain to them that they are not helping you by giving their 'advice'. My mum was shocked to start with but after a tearful phonecall to her explaining how very unhappy I was with my weight she was on my side. I went to a different doctor than my normal one encase he was going to be unsupportive but these days, they are alot more open minded to 'cosmetic procedures'.

Then after your family and Doctor, Don't tell a soul! I told my best friends 4 days before I was due to go in to have the op so they couldn't talk me out of it.

You must stay strong while the rest of the world will try to sabotage things for you.

You're welcome to have my direct email address if you'd like to talk more.

Read this forum and let the other ladies be your inspiration.

I'll keep you posted as to how I'm getting on :-)

Gill x x x