Hi everyone,

I have been reading this site for about 2 weeks and found it really helpful. I am at this point just getting started and trying to decide if I really want to get banded. My Dr. has given me a referal to the bariatric surgeon, I have insurance that will cover the surgery if they approve me. I am still wavering between wanting to do this and thinking I am crazy for considering it. What made some of you finally decide to go through with the surgery? I have sleep apnea, on again off again blood pressure issues, a family history of Diabetes and Heart Disease and a BMI of 46....you'd think that would be enough to convince me. Anyway it' is nice to be in contact with everyone!

I could see myself getting less and less mobile and I was afraid my future would be as someone who had to use one of those scooters to move around. That scared me, so I knew I had to do something about my weight. But I knew I couldn't diet again and I knew that if I dieted, the weight would just come back on.

So I bit the bullet and did it. Best decision of my life. My life has totally turned around since my surgery.

I have to admit to becoming less mobile and that is something that seems very strange to me. Guess I just assume that my body should be able to do all the things I want it to. Right now I hate having to tie my tennis shoes.

I wonder what it would feel like to not wake up every morning thinking about how I need to beat the fat today and going to sleep knowing that I failed. I think to myself if you do this it will be a new way of life. Food and I will have a different relationship and it seems a little scary. I guess I just need to have the courage and the faith in myself to do it.

I think for alot of folks including myself the surgery is a way of saying " I give up." Makes you think I couldn't do this on my own. I am weak minded and can't loose weight myself. I completely understand your fears. I spent 9 monthes debating and reading etc... I think what finally changed my mind or basically had me leaning more towards it was wanting to live. I wanted to have children and watch them grow. I wanted to be a parent that would be in the yard playing with them instead of in the house to lazy and tired to get out.

I think what you have to find is that getting the band is not in essence giving up but more or less realizing you can use some help. It may not be the best thing out there but its the best for now. You can think about it till the cows come home and try every diet under the sun but when it all comes down to it, Do you want to live life and have fun. Or do you want to be trapped inside your fat self like a prison and slowly or quickly (depending on size/age) die. I chose to live and I hope you do the same.