Tar Heel Don

My BMI is 43.9 and I have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and severe sleep apnea. I am considering lap-band but everyone keeps telling me to just eat less and exercise more. Am I stupid to spend the money, deal with the pain, and be forced into a life changing situation? I am so confused reading all these posts. Does your physician take care of the insurance red tape? How many different doctors do you have to see before they will clear you for the banding?

I really am afraid I am looking at this to be the easy answer to my food problems. Does the band help make you feel full faster? Can you still over eat? I really don't eat bad stuff, I just eat too much and I never feel full. Since I am diabetic I don't eat sweets and I limit my carbs but I could do better. Why does the band help if you can still over eat?

Thanks Indiogirl55!!! I have done Weight Watchers and Nutri System. I lost weight on both diets, and then gained every bit of it back (plus some more). I have terrible portion control problems and I never feel full unless I eat an absurd amount of food. I REALLY want to do this but I am afraid I am not thinking with my head. My wife tells me all the time I need to lose weight so I can be here for our son. He is 22, about to get his MBA, engaged to a wonderful girl, and hopefully headed to law school next year. My wife is a metastatic breast cancer patient and we don't know what her future holds for her. I want to be sure I am here for her, but I would also like to be here to see our grand children. I WANT THIS TO WORK!!!!!

I am new to this forum. I have been thinking about lap-band for a long time, but I have been afraid to talk with my wife about it. The other day a lap-band commercial was on TV and she asked me if I would ever want to do that. After my jaw bounced off the floor a few times I said YES!!!!! She has agreeded to go to a meeting with me in Raleigh. I am a 315 lb 54 year old white male. I have diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. I really want to do this, BUT I AM SCARED!!!! Do any of you regret being banded? How many of you would do it again knowing what you know now? I don't want to be buried in a piano case. I don't want to have to buy clothes in the Big & Tall section any more. I don't want to worry when I try to fit in a booth at a restaurant. I don't care if I am skinny, I just don't want to be fat any more!!! Sorry, I kind of got off topic!

How much do fills cost? I have seen prices up to $500!!!! How often do you get a fill?