I just signed up for this site after doing quite a bit of research on Lap Band. I'm turning 18 in May, and I've been overweight since I was about 7 or 8 years old. My dad and brother both went through a fatty stage, but both of them lost all the weight when they were around 13. I never managed to lose it, and every time I diet I lose around 20-30 pounds, only to gain it back. I'm a good 150 pounds overweight, and I really want to change my lifestyle. My brother is 24 now, and in great shape. My mother has always been thin, and I hate being the only overweight person in my family. Thankfully, they are very supportive (my mother especially, she's like my best friend). I am currently about to finish my first year of community college, and go back in the fall, so I was hoping to maybe get it done this summer, but if not, hopefully I will be able to during December break. I really believe I'm ready to take this journey, but surgery absolutely terrifies me. The thought of going under, having someone cut me open, and waking up all stitched up gives me so much anxiety. I've never had any major type of surgery, although I did have to go under anesthesia when I was 4 to get tubes put into my ears as a result of numerous ear infections (But that's clearly a completely different experience LOL). I was wondering how the recovery process is, and I was hoping some of you could share your post-op stories. Also, is there intense pain after surgery, or just soreness, and about how long does it take to fully recover?
