Hi everyone! I have been looking at getting banded and have made an appointment for the free informational seminar. I did find out my insurance does cover the services 100%, so I am hoping to be a good candidate and that the requirements are something I can handle.

I live in Phoenix and have actually just gained weight my whole life. In high school, I was a normal, healthy size and quite beautiful actually. Now I am the pretty fat girl and I have absolutely no energy to participate with my three kids. I am really hoping that this surgery could give me my life back and allow me to "participate" in life instead of watching from the sidelines! Thank you to all who post their personal struggles as the truth is what I am looking for on here. I don't just want to get caught up in the before and after photos and think that happened overnight. -Lisa

My only caveat is this...for many people, unless you are of the lucky few who get restriction easily and quickly, unless you diet in the early days post op you won't lose. I didn't really start losing until May of this year and I got my band last August. HOWEVER!!! It took me that long to get decent restriction and many don't require that many fills, or will diet and "white knuckle" it until the restriction happens. Diet = crazy food obsessed Restless Monkey. Dieting got me to 405 pounds, so I don't do it.

So aftercare is vital, it is a tool and you have to maintain it and work it, but if you do that the dividends are almost miraculous, IMHO.

I go literally for 6 hours and don't think of food...that never happened to me before. I love it, but it's not for everyone. You'll figure out if it's right for you. Good luck!

Hi Lisa! I'm in the Phoenix area, too. I attended two seminars--I wasn't comfortable with the doctor at the first seminar I went to. I did find a great facility though, and was banded on June 18. Best of luck to you :redface: