Hey everyone, my name is Brittany and I'm 21. With a current weight of 340 and a BMI of 53.3, I have recently made the official decision to have weight loss surgery. I'm just starting the process, so it may take a long time, but I'm hoping to find help here about how to get started.

Right now I am getting back on my insurance which I failed to renew a few months ago. After that, I am going to make my first appointment to confirm that I'm a candidate and see where to go from there. From the research I've done, I'm hoping to be eligible for the Lapband rather than Gastric Bypass but I'll have to see what my doctor says.

I've seen that some people go to a seminar before their first consultation. Any advice on how to find out where/when I can go to one of these? What can I expect if I go to one?

Thanks everyone :redface:

hi and welcome to the site. I hope you can find everything you need.

Make sure your insurance covers WLS....weight loss surgery...some insurances don't cover....go to a seminar..if you find a surgeon they probably offer the seminar..you BMI is high enough for gastric bypass and lap band....you are so young....go with the band...it is slower weight loss but it isn't so drastic....to your system.

Hey hun, Welcome!!!

I'm pretty new to the site too.Congrats on beginning the proccess of surgery. I haven't had my surgery yet , I'm just waiting on a date.

Depending on what city you live in your best idea would be to call a surgeons office that deals with bariatric surgery. Most of the time they have the info where the seminars are. After the seminar the doctor's office will call you and make the appointment for your first visit. From there you will need to see a psychologist, nutritionist, and a support group.

I hope that helped a little!!!

Good luck hun:thumbup:

Hey, congrats! Somepeople go to seminars some don't it just depends, some insurances also might require you to go to a seminar before they approve your surgery. Personally I didn't have to go for a seminar, mainly because I dont have to deal with insurance and I was told I was getting the band before I even decided I wanted it - confusing I know lol. If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask as everyone on here is really nice and helpful when you've got a question or anything - as stupid as you may think the question is they're usually happy to answer it!

wow so many of the young ones on your post. I feel so old just looking at you guys. This is a great place to ask any question that you might have. Read the post and visit the chat room once in a while and you will get more information that you could ever search for over the web. I went to a seminar this morning and foudn out that most of what they said was already here on this site. I ended up giving this site to a few of the ladies that were there looking for more information. Good luck on your quest

Welcome!! This is a great resource and support group. We are here to help you :ohmy:

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. I know I'm probably younger than most on here but I'm hoping once I make this change, I'll actually feel like a 20something instead of a huge old lady who hates to move around just because it's too much work!

I also have a young daughter so this process will benefit her as well--I'm looking forward to being able to swing with her on a swing set and not have bruises on my thighs the next day!

Compaired to most on here your like normal age, lately I've come across heaps of 20 year olds - thought I was the only one lol but now I see heaps of them which is definetly great because at least theres others here the same age, same situation same everything you know?