Greetings, First of all, I would like to thank my PHV for telling me about this site. (She knows who she is.) I live in Baconton, Ga. I have been large for most of my life. I have made some poor choices in diet and fitness. I had a physical in October of last year and weighed 459.5 lbs. I was diagnosed as a hypertensive and prediabetic. It was then that I had an epiphany. I have to get my life back in order. I chose to use the lapband as a tool as I didn't think I had the willpower to do this by myself. So with insurance in hand I went to Dr. Bagnato at the recommendation of my PCP. I had surgery on Dec 14th of last year and I am on my way to a healthier self.