I have been on the fence about bariatric surgery. I am 19 years old. I never thought I would be thinking about getting banded. My family is mostly against it. They want me to lose weight fast, but not with surgery. I went to a surgeon, who also has a weight management program, to get all the information. I realized while talking to the doctor that the main thing keeping me from getting the band was other people's opinions. I was very concerned about not being loved or being judged. I did not want people to think I was weak. After weeks of stressing and fighting with my family, I realized; I am fighting with them? Why is that? Because I know what is right for me. I had one family member push me into the mentality that only I know what is best for me, and as long as I am doing what I feel is right, then I should have no regrets. I have been able to lose weight just on the diet, however I have fallen into the same "diet traps" that I know i wont be able to do with the lap band. I am the kind of person who if I cannot do it and know i do not have the option, I will not do it. That is my personality. right now, i know there is nothing technically keeping me from cheating on the diet, so i allow myself to do it. With all the factors kept in mind, I have decided I want to go ahead with getting the lap band. I went to the nutritionist and she is confident I can maintain what I need to before and after surgery, even while I am away at school. Every professional I have talked to has said they are confident I can be overly successful, but they are not sure I can do it all on my own. I know I can lose weight with the lap band as a tool. I am ready to just move on with my life. I am at an age where I should be experiencing life, and I don;t want to waste any more time. I can continue to tell myself I can lose weight on my own, but thats irresponsible. I know myself well enough to know I am kidding myself.

So. A lot of people are against me and I know that I will may be alone on this journey, BUT I know what I have to do. This is my decisions to make. No one else has to deal with the consequences of my weight so they should not try to make the decision for me. I know I am ready for this, I know I am making the right decision, for the right reasons. I am excited to start living my life.