Hi. My surgery date is set for Aug. 13 but I am having second thoughts about it does anyone have encouraging words.

About 3 years or so ago I went down the path of getting the band, and a week before my surgery I backed out. A big part of the reason was that my insurance wouldn't cover it and I was terrified that I might have complications as a self-pay patient that could end up being very costly financially. But, looking back, I don't really think I was ready then. I had to get to a place where I was ready emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally. I wanted to lose weight, but I still felt like I could do it on my own without the tool. This time has been very different for me. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I needed the tool. I've spent the time getting ready for it from an emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental standpoint.

So, I tell you all of this so that you can ask yourself if you are ready emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally. Do you believe you need the tool to help you be successful? If you answered yes to all of that, why not have the surgery? If you answered no, I would argue that you might not be ready yet.

Good luck in your decision!

I had my lapband surgery last month and so far, I've lost 23 lbs and I'm off of my blood pressure meds....Best decision ever!

Thank you for your comment it has really opened my eyes to this situation. I think financially I am not ready because the fills can be costly and is not covered by my insurance and because of this one reason mentally I am just confused if I should get it or not and if I would have enough money to get a fill when I need one. Has the band been a financial burden on you?

It hasn't been a financial burden for me, but my insurance covered it this time around. I would ask yourself this: do you want it badly enough to deal with a financial burden. This second time around (before I knew if my insurance would cover it), I was willing to find a way to pay for it if they wouldn't cover it and had already prepared myself for that possibility. I was willing to make financial sacrifices in order to get it b/c I wanted it that badly. Doubts are normal...don't let the fact that you have doubts and questions make the decision for you.