Caterpillarfly

Hello all! This is my first post on this board, but I've been researching the Lap Band procedure for a long time, and have been reading this message board for weeks, so I already feel at home here. I am 25 years old and live in Atlanta, GA where I do marketing and PR for a race team. The Lap Band was introduced to me about 4 years ago by a nutritionist who recommended it to me. At the time I was still in college, and could not afford the surgery. Insurance wouldn't cover it, and my family didn't feel comfortable enough with the procedure to help me pay for it, so I had to push the idea aside. I began considering the procedure again when I saw a commercial for True Results Weight Loss here in Atlanta. I began to research it again, and found a lot more information than I did 4 years ago. Now at a point where I could afford the surgery myself (with financing) I felt like it was the time for me. After a consultation and a meeting with the surgeon, I am now scheduled for May 6th with Dr. Hart. My weight and BMI is lower than the average Lap Band patient, but at the age of 25 I have been overweight for 17 years, and I also have PCOS like many of the women on this board, as well as a node on my thyroid. At 5'3'' and 180 lbs with a BMI of 32, I have been struggling to lose weight for over a decade. I've had a little success with diets, excercise, and diet pills that made me jittery, but I've never been able to get off all of the excess weight, and have found myself putting on more weight every time. I certainly don't take surgery lightly and I look at this as an opportunity to end my obesity before it becomes even more out of control. I decided that it was time to get in control of my mind and my body, and experience everything that life has to offer that I've been missing out on due to my weight and the self-consciousness it has caused. I look forward to a life that is both physically and mentally healthy and I believe that the Lap Band is the tool that can give me that opportunity. I was wondering if there was anyone here who got banded at a lower weight and BMI and what your journey has been like. I was also wondering if anyone here could share their experience with True Results Weight Loss or Dr. Hart. Additionally, I'd be interested in speaking with anyone here in the Atlanta area who is going through this process. I want to thank all of you ahead of time for the courage, honesty, kindness, and strength you have all shown by sharing your journey and helping those of us who are beginning ours. Health and happiness, Jessica