Hello my name is Joyce and I am 39 years old and ready to turn 40 years.I had lost 150+ lbs in almost 2 years but sad to say I gained it all back and then some after my father passed away last year in January in front of me while doing CPR on him.I also suffer from back problems(a buldged disk an two slipped disks,I am COPD which has gotten much worse,I also have messed up knees.I had attended seminars in the past with my sister which had gastric and has done very well.At the time I didnt need any kind of surgery cause I was doing it on my own.I am wanting to get lap band done instead of gastric because I have seen the effects of my sisters surgery and some of the things she has experienced scared the crap right out of me.I know Georgetown does the lap band surgery but I would love more info on it please:crying:

I'm sorry for your loss! The lap band is a great tool but guess what....you do it "on your own" with it, too! Inasmuch as you are in control of what you eat, if you exercise, how much you eat, if you follow the "band rules" etc! It DOES take care of physical hunger, but that emotional or "head" hunger still rears it's ugly head, if you have struggled with it in the past. You CAN eat around the band (unfortunately things like ice cream and milk shakes and chips and candy and nachos go down pretty easily).

Having said that, it IS a great tool. If you can control the head hunger and the snacking then it keeps you full and satisfied for much longer! SO I don't mean to be negative, but straight forward...if you work it, it works. And yes, it does not have the same issues as by pass....nor is it as invasive or "final". It's a great thing, in my opinion! :grouphug:

Attending a seminar or two (each surgeon is a little different etc) will get you started! Good luck!