So I am new here, hello! I am 23 years old. 343 pounds, 5'10" and a size 22. After months of research and a very tough decision making process I have today took the first step in making a big change in my life.

On Thursday, I go in to have a consultation with a surgeon to discuss the lapband and talk about the process.

Frankly I am scared and excited at the same time. I am excited because FINALLY I will be able to lose weight. After years of diets and such, and being unhappy with the diets, I have accepted myself as always being the big girl. But in accepting and loving myself, I realize that losing weight is crucial to my health (I have diabetes, pcos, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure).

I am scared because after years of being big, my personality has been big also! So I am torn, but I know that this is something that needs to be done!

Good for you! This is a big decision. I don't want to worry you or be negative but I want to make sure you realize that the band is only a tool that will help you to eat less. Everything else is up to you and it does take a lot of work if you are to be successful with the band.

You will have to make healthy food choices and you will have to exercise regularly for the rest of your life. If you can do both, you will have great success with the band. You will not lose weight if you don't exercise.

I wish you great success and truly hope you become a happier, healthier you. You are much too young to have the health ailments you mentioned.

Sincerely,

Donna

What you mentioned, I already Know which is why the lapband is my last resort, because even with the exercise and dieting, i still keep weight on and continue getting sick, so getting the lap band will aid in weight loss, and make me better.

Good, I'm glad you realize the what I was trying to explain. There are many people that think the band is going to loose the weight for them and it doesn't.

Hi retrochic! I'm glad to hear you're doing your research and know that it's still hard work with the band. With that said, I think it's great that you are taking this step. I have battled my weight for most of my adult life and wish this had been available when I was your age.

This site is great and there are also a lot of great blogs that can teach you a lot. My blog link is below and I have links to a lot of other great ones on it.

Good luck with everything!

Hey I go on 9th for my first consultation , my husband has also decided to do this with me as well!! I know exactly how you are feeling and wish you the best of luck with everything!

thanks for the support. i went to the seminar last night, and i was glad that i did. i had my husband and my sister in law (who is now thinking about getting the surgery herself) there to support me, and it helped alot. for some reason, i felt like breaking down and crying, especially when the doctor started talking about how for some, it is not as simple as exercising and dieting to lose weight. i mean most people have this idea that if you want to lose weight, exercise and diet is the trick, they think it is that easy and it's not.

my consultation is on monday :w00t: and i am very excited. when speaking to the doctor at the seminar, he basically said i am a shoe in because of my weight, my bmi, my sicknesses that i have (diabetes, high blood pressure, high choleterol, pcos, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea)

so im real excited for my appt!

thanks for the support. i went to the seminar last night, and i was glad that i did. i had my husband and my sister in law (who is now thinking about getting the surgery herself) there to support me, and it helped alot. for some reason, i felt like breaking down and crying, especially when the doctor started talking about how for some, it is not as simple as exercising and dieting to lose weight. i mean most people have this idea that if you want to lose weight, exercise and diet is the trick, they think it is that easy and it's not.

my consultation is on monday :w00t: and i am very excited. when speaking to the doctor at the seminar, he basically said i am a shoe in because of my weight, my bmi, my sicknesses that i have (diabetes, high blood pressure, high choleterol, pcos, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea)

so im real excited for my appt!

People who don't battle their weight do not understand the emotional aspect of eating in my and don't understand that it takes more food to satisfy a bigger person. Ignore the people that are not educated in obesity issues and do what is best for you.

You may be better off not sharing your decision with just anybody if you don't want to hear the criticism that comes with it. Believe me, everybody has an opinion that they just can't wait to share.