I'm going to an appt. next week for a consultation visit and and really on the fence about this whole procedure. I am 24 and and have been married for two years, have a good job and just had a baby...I am about 6'2 and weigh 325lbs, I have always been a big guy, and have put on about 60 pounds through out, but about 30 in the last two years since I have been out of college...I am afraid all my friends and even family will think I am crazy for doing this, and thinkI am "copping out" the way I look at it is well im almost 25 and if I mess around and try and do it on my own for the next 20-25 years I will be dang near 50 and even more overweight and not healthy? Any suggestions or tips??

I wish I had done it 4 years ago when I was 24. Seriously, there's no benefit in staying overweight for another year much less another 20 or 25.

I can't say how your friends or your family will react. But I can say that you've got people in your life, like your wife and your new baby, who want you to be around and healthy enough to live a full life with them.

Also, keep in mind that a lot of people don't tell anyone outside of their immediate family. They just eat smaller portions and chew really well.

Look around, learn as much as you can about the band and see if you think you're comfortable with the commitment and lifestyle changes. It isn't magic. You won't have surgery and suddenly be indifferent to food. It will take a while to get to where your tool is working at its best for you.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do and congratulations on your new baby :mad2:

I had the same fears when I was first deciding on getting banded or not. I remember I was in bed with my hubby and wanting to talk to him but not knowing how he would react. I always thought that he was totally against wls. Well I finally got the courage up and talked to him to find out that he was interested too. I had surgery 1/16/09 and he had his 2 weeks later.

I didn't tell ANYONE besides my hubby and my parents until about a week before surgery when I realized that I would need help with my 3 kids. Then I told my best friend who ended up coming to stay and take care of my kids while I recovered. She talked me into telling a few more people about it and now everyone knows. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I have had such a great reaction from everyone. Those who think it's a cop out see me eat and realize that what I'm doing is harder than they thought. A half cup of food isn't a lot for a big girl.

Research the crap out of it and then make the decision. My only regret is not having the surgery sooner.

Good luck on your journey and congrats on your baby! :w00t:

I'm going to an appt. next week for a consultation visit and and really on the fence about this whole procedure. I am 24 and and have been married for two years, have a good job and just had a baby...I am about 6'2 and weigh 325lbs, I have always been a big guy, and have put on about 60 pounds through out, but about 30 in the last two years since I have been out of college...I am afraid all my friends and even family will think I am crazy for doing this, and thinkI am "copping out" the way I look at it is well im almost 25 and if I mess around and try and do it on my own for the next 20-25 years I will be dang near 50 and even more overweight and not healthy? Any suggestions or tips??

I'm 22 and I don't think it's a cop out at all. I see it as something that can help, but there are so many people out there that think it's a miracle cure, and they fail. Do this so that you can live the next 20 years the way you want. By the time your kid is 2-3 and running around, don't you want to be able to run around with him/her and enjoy that time? You won't ever get that back and if you can't enjoy it, you'll regret it. Just take it one step at a time because it really is a big decision. I know for me I've gone back and forth. Should I try without the band? I did lose weight without it but in the end, I saw that this was the best way to do it, and keep it off for life. If they're really your friends, they'll totally understand why you wanna do this. I am all for anyone getting this, just as long as you realize that the band isn't going to put the fork down for you, you have to do it yourself. I'm the same height and for a really long time, i was about 325 and then in the last 2 years I gained almost 60lbs. I knew it was time to do something and to help myself. I say go to the consult and hear what they have to say. The worst that could happen is you decide it isn't for you.

I posted a reply in another thread but I'll repost it here

I thought that people would see what I'm doing as copping out. That's why I didn't tell anyone. A few I have told reacted exactly as I thought they would (they asked why I couldn't do it the old fashioned way) and the ones who were my first choice to tell (Family, close friends) were EXTREMELY supportive. The reason I did it so young is because I don't want to spend my entire life like this. I want to be sprig and spry in my mid to late 20's straight on into my 30's. I don't want to deal with diabetes, HBP and heart disease. It's not copping out. It's getting a tool to help me loose weight. The band is not going to do everything for you. You have to work with it and exercise and eat right. All it does is limit HOW MUCH you can eat. Not what you can eat. Ask anyone here. We can all still eat all the junk food and fast food we want. But we don't. If you are ready to make the changes for the band to work then it's the best decision you'll ever make :thumbup: