I'm only 17 [18 in May] and i started thinking about the surgery after my dad actually sat down and talk to me about my weight. My uncle, aunt, cousin, dad and recently my mom found out she have diabetes and my doctor started worrying about me getting it. My uncle died from it. I was always chubby and i had astma when i was little. I missed so much because of my weight. I'm scared to do things. I don't feel pretty anymore & i'm tired of missing out on everything. I've basically missed out my whole teen years. I've been doing research on this & it might be my only choice. I've tried execising & dieting...it got to the point where i slept all day so i won't eat anything.... Do you think i should consider it?

I think before making any kind of decision of such drastic measure you should seriously do your homework on it. There is a TON of information on this board, but I don't mean just read a handfull of posts. Dig in and go back a ways. I suggest first. - Read the FAQs/Basics section. pre and post ops the complications forum too. Cause you will need to know the bad and the good of the band.

Ask questions etc. You will find a great bunch of people here that will gladly help you obtain the information needed to make your choices.

I know I chose the band for me. As it seems to be the best choice for me. I prefer the fact that they do the least amount of cutting putting in the bad and that should something come up in the future that I need to increase eating (no pregnancy for me though lol) the band can be unfilled to allow that.

I just haven't gotten the whole Insurance mess worked out to actually get the surgery yet. But I'm working on it :huh2: So I mostly lurk allot and soak up everyone elses info. lol

Lalida, you've asked a question to which everyone has their own personal answer. I decided on surgery after 40 years of obesity that I couldn't get any control over otherwise. You're very young and there are a lot of things out there that might work for you if you explore them.

Good luck--and ask LOTS of questions!

Just a few things to consider. While lap band is a very useful tool to consider....it is only that, a tool. It has helped me to lose about 50 lbs in 10 months (which is considerable less then what others have lost). Unfortunately I had some complications since my first band surgery in Aug. 07, while I have lost some weight I have also had to have an emergency surgery March 08 to fix a band slip. Since my first operation to place the band in Aug, I have only had the band filled for one month out of 10, complications keep me from having it filled....at this point, I am not sure when it will be considered again.

So why am I telling you all of this? I do not want to discourage you, but I just want to let you know, the band does not work for everyone. There can be many complications.

Also the band takes true dedication on the banders behave....one has to have portion control, which is something many deal with. Your need to eat when bored, sad, mad, upset, etc... that will not go away. It is also up to the bander to make good choices about WHAT they eat. Favorite foods will not disappear, you have to make the choice not to eat the foods you should probably not be eating even before having the band surgery.

Just remember....the band is only a TOOL. It is still up to the bander to make good food choices, exercise, and make sound healthy choices. Without the exercise the band will not just take the weight off.

So essentially what I am saying is just make sure you understand the band takes dedication to a LIFESTYLE change....one that can be achieved prior to lap band surgery, and is crucial afterward in order to obtain the desired outcome. The band will only make you feel fuller with less food, but will not eliminate cravings, desires, or eating just because there is nothing better to do. In the end, even after surgery, the band may not work in your favor...there are many complication that can be predicted. Sorry to be so long....but after 10 months, 2 surgeries, and only 50 lbs lost. I only wish someone would have been really REAL with me...it's not for everyone and it's not easy. It's easy to read about others success and wish to one day be there. It's easy to see the before/after pictures and see what could be....but it really takes hard work and dedication to get there.

So 10 months later and I have lost only 50 lbs....funny thing is that I have only had a fill for one month back in October. So the 50 lbs lost, was with only 1 month of help from the band....the rest was by deciding to change my lifestyle with good ole exercise and eating right. I could have done all that without the banding surgery (both of them!). :huh2: Good luck in your decision.....please fill free to contact me if you have any more questions or concerns....just wanted to give you my honest opinion about banding. But keep in mind that there are many, many, many out there that have had better experiences then mine.....but unfortunately there are some out there that have had the same complications. Just some things to think about.

I don't think i'll do it right away or anything. I'll try execising first. Like get an actual trainer or something. It's just hard because i am an active person, i play sports at school, i tried dieting, i'm working out, and it's still not working. My dad think diet pills are waste of money & i know he'd support me on this because we talked about it as an option. He was really obese. i think he was almost 400 lbs....but he went on a diet because his daibetes was getting bad and he was having other conditions too. now he's around 250. So he knows what i go through.