Hello, my name is Angie and i am 26 years old. I have a bmi of 41.7 and i weigh 278 pounds. I go in this thursday to meet with my doctor at the bariatric clinic for a consultation. I have not exactly told him which procedure that I wanted -RNY or lapband but after reading what i have read so far, lap band sounds the best option for me. I am sure my story is very similar to everyone else's otherwise I wouldn't be here and you wouldn't be here. I am looking to know as much as I can about this procedure before I make my decision. I don't know what my insurance will cover but i hope they will cover some. I have a future ahead of me, I graduate from college this coming april 2009 and I want to be prepared for the kind of life that I have chosen, which is interpreting. It means being able to wake up in the middle of the night for an appointment and being able to look good when people are watching me. I can't be out of breath walking down the hall and trying to interpret as someone gives a tour. Plus I want my health back. I have PCOS, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, fibromyalgia and the doctors still can't figure out the last issue I have, they just say lose some weight and it will never manifest itself. I hope they're telling the truth, cuz i read that it could be ms. eeek. so, I want to know everything from people who have already had the surgery. What did yiou have to do before, during and after. I know my doctor will tell me everything but I want to come with as many questions as I can have. What do you remember that you wish your doctor had told you before or what you do think was the most important advice that someone gave you. This is a life changing procedure and I need to make sure that I am able to handle it all. This is why I want to know everything. Thanks!