Hello Everyone! This has truly been a life changing journey for me. I am a 30 year old mother of 2 who is very excited about newly found health and energy. My journey began summer 2007 when I was fed up with my weight! I had tried any and everything to loose. I was unsuccessful and felt like I was doomed to be overweight. I longed to be healthy!! I began searching for new tools for weight loss, and discovered the lap-band. I was EXTREMELY skeptical and thought that this was pretty extreme for me. After long discussions with my husband, tons of research, talking to my primary provider, prayer, and "talking myself into it"...I finally decided to "go for it". During the next 4 months I made and missed 4-5 appt's at Puget Sound SUrgical Center. I had begun telling my friends and was talked out of my initial decision. I was so angry at myself...it's very easy for me to get "talked out of something" when I am already skeptical. Then, I finally went to the appt. I must have asked 10,000+ questions. My Dr. and staff were great! I was able to calm down and trust the procedure. Then the insurance nightmare began! :thumbup: I was denied twice by United Healthcare. I had the right BMI but no additional weight related health issues. UHC staff were rude and ridiculous. I hated calling them but stayed persistent. I must have called them everyday until the approved me. This took 4-5 months. Then the real FEAR hit me! Was I really about to get cut open? and have a foreign body placed in my body? was it really worth it? I wonder if I will fail at this? I was mess and a half! Then I weighed myself...274lbs! 29 years old and on my way to diabetes, heart disease, and early death....I had to go for it!! My surgery was on 10/8/08 at Steven's Hospital in Edmonds, Wa. I CREID like a toddler from the moment I arrived. I was finally put to sleep and 3 hours later I was done! I felt okay...just a tad groggy and sore in the stomach. I HATE hospitals and was ready to leave ASAP. I had my pain med prescriptions filled 3 days before so 4 hours later, they let me go! I was ready to start this new life with my newly placed band.....