I am a 48 mother of 1, living on the East Coast of Canada. I am currently at 341 pounds.

I am having an opportunity of a lifetime thrown my way. My organization recognizes my value, and wants to help me become healthy. They arranged this week for me to see a bariatric specialist, to start a program for me.

I was hoping that some type of surgery would be the key - knowing that I will have to change my eating habits and life regardless. The doctor, who is not a surgeon, looked at the HUGE(his words) hernia I have(belly button from when I was pregnant), and told me not to get my hopes up. Gastric bypass would be out of the question. Lap band possibly.

I'm just wondering if anyone had a similar challenge, and was able to over come this hurdle? Can you give me any hope here? I may have to lose a lot of weight first, which, for the first time in my life, I am prepared to do.

Thanks for any feedback.

I'm having the lapband Aug 22nd. I also have a hernia that was found during my testing. My surgeon just said he would put in a couple of stitches while he was in there and it was no big deal.

Lots of people have hernias repaired during the surgery. I don't think it would be that big of deal.

I wish you lots of luck with your band journey

Thanks for your quick replies and good wishes.

My hernia is majorly huge - I hoped to get it repaired about 10 years ago, but while health care is free in Canada, for surgeries like hernia repair, you can wait years. It has gotten bigger...anyways, I am going to see a top internist and then be referred to Dr Coburn, who is like "the guru" of lapbanding in Canada.

So hopefully I will be able to join you all as a true lapbander in the upcoming months!