Hi all, My name is Kara ad I am trying to find out as much as I can before really considering the procedure. I am 34 and have been obese for 22yrs. I have tried many different diets but I don't know if I am ready for surgery just yet. I have about a year to decide according to the insurance company. I have to jump through there hoops for Pre- Determination before even being considered. I guess that is how most ins companies work. My husband wants the surgery now. I on the other hand am scared. Scared of the procedure, loosing weight too quick, Having to have cosmetic surgery later on, and of possible side effects and pain after surgery. If anyone has any information that might be beneficial to me I would be very accepting of this info.:w00t::embaressed_smile:

I will be going to my first seminar on the 28th I can let you know what I find out

Hi Kara. My name is Becky. I have been battling my weight for many years now (39) and not doing very well in the war. I began researching the band online and learned a lot. I live in Albuquerque New Mexico and no one does the procedure here. I am flying to Houston Texas to have it done. I am paying for the surgery myself and feel very blessed that I can do that - with the help of my loving family. I knew I needed to do something about my weight and I knew that I did not want to go the gastric bypass route. Just didn't seem right for me. After all of my research, I knew that I wanted to have lapband surgery. I flew down to Houston on August 13th for my initial consultation and my surgery is scheduled for Spetember 12th. I am so excited. You are certainly at the right place to learn all about the lapband. This site has answered soooo many of my questions, addressed the concerns that I have, and the people here are SOOOOOOOO nice and supportive!! It is nice to talk to people who know EXACTLY what I mean. The procedure lasts about an hour, if even that. People who have gastric bypass lose weight very quickly... and usually lots of it. From what I have read, the lapband is different. Most people lose it slower - which I think is better. I'm sure there are many factors involved in whether people have to have cosmetic surgery after they are at goal - age, amount lost, your body... etc., but I know I've read a lot of posts from people who have lots large amounts that have not needed it. I have also read that MOST people do not experience much pain afterwards. Side effects or complications for this surgery are the same as any other surgery - of course things can happen. But when I weighed the risks I am taking getting banded with the risks of continuing carrying this weight around - and probably more, I did not have to think about it for very long. The people on here who have had complications say that if they had it to do over again, they would still have the surgery. I'm sorry this is so long and I certainly don't want to seem like I think I'm an expert - I am FAR from it. Keep visiting Lap Band Talk and I'm sure you will see the same questions and concerns you have on here. Good luck to you and your husband. If you have any easy :w00t: questions that I can answer, feel free to ask.

Thank you for your response. I don't really know what questions to ask. I have a long time to make up my mind but I meet with my family dr fri and I am going to talk with him about it. Please let me know how ur surgery goes when you get home. I would like to learn from you through ur procedure if you don't mind.

that would be great. What have you had to do so far and what is the seminar about?