libguy2753

That's a tough decision! I've also been struggling with the financial aspect of the surgery. Being that I'm a college student with no insurance, I've had to put a lot of thought into whether this is worth it, etc. For me, I've come to the conclusion that it's an investment in myself that I need to make. Though, I do have much more weight to lose than you do. Like someone said, could you possibly go somewhere cheaper? There are places in the US, like the one I'm planning on going to in Detroit, where the cost is down to between $10-11k.

I think the worst part about finding this site is that it's making me too eager to get going and get my own band! lol But it's been really helpful so far.

I heard somewhere that guys lose a little faster. Is that true? Anyone know? I'll be happy to lose at any speed, just curious. :biggrin:

I've been looking at what the best and worst things will be in deciding to get the band, and I think the thing I'm going to miss most is drinking pop! I don't care what anyone says, I love drinking it. Of course, it's possible that I'm now diabetic and that's making me thirstier. lol The best thing will of course be losing the weight and taking control of my life. And that overrules any other negatives I can think of.

I've felt the same way as you for years. I want and need to lose the weight so bad, and it frustrates me so much that I haven't been successful. I'm only 21, I should be able to do this. I want to have a life! In the past couple weeks, now that getting the band has become a very real possibility for me, it's given me hope. I feel like I'm finally going to be able to do so many things once I get it. It's the boost I need to help me lose the weight.

Wow, incredible story! Good luck with the band. It sounds like you'll be very successful with it. :thumbup: I'm a bit smaller guy, around the 400 mark (1st time I've ever been referred to as smaller lol). Hoping to get the band within the next couple months. I'm glad I found this place. It's an inspiration to read all of these stories. I've got a lot to lose, but I can do it. I've got to do it.

Why can't pop (or soda as some call it) be drunk? Does this include both those with aspartame and those with splenda (Diet Rite)? Obviously it's totally worth it to quit if I need to, just curious. I'll miss my pop!

The place I'm going to get banded at has you stay overnight, whether you're self pay or insurance. I'm actually happy about that. I live 1 hour and 45 minutes away so I feel better knowing I'll be there to make sure everything's alright.

Ah that's what I'm afraid of. But you mentioned age, so does that mean that the younger you are, the better chance you have of having less loose skin? And I'm a guy, so I know I carry weight different than women. I don't know, guess I'll just have to find out!

I can really relate to this one. There was a time a few months ago when I went out to a local restaurant with some family, and it was really busy at the time. So we had to wait to be seated, and they seated us at a booth. I can't even describe how I felt having to go back from the booth to the front to wait for a table to open because I couldn't fit in the booth. Other things I won't miss: * Trying to squeeze onto my seat at a concert so that I don't take too much of the person next to me's, though I do anyway * Only being able to shop at Casual Male for clothes * Having to spend $50 for jeans or $30 for shirts at Casual Male * Having those $50 jeans rip within a couple months * Not being able to find a partner when breaking into groups in a class. Apparently no one wants to work with the fat guy. * Not having a romantic life * Trying to put the car seat belt under my gut a bit so that I'll be able to hook it I think making this list is confirming that yes, I absolutely need to get banded.

Wow, I'm also really glad I found this place. You're all incredibly inspiring! I'm hoping to get banded in the next few months, and I think I have about the same amount as Cass to lose. To be honest, I haven't weighed myself this year(little scared!) so I'm estimating. It's good to know what's actually possible. Ideally, I'd like to lose a sizable portion of weight in time for going off to live in the dorm at college in Fall 09.

Yep, that's the biggest "con" on my list. I want to have this done, I'm ready for it. I'm just afraid of being one of the couple percent of people who do have problems arise. I can't afford to have to go to the emergency room.

Hey all. I'm a 21 year old gay guy in Michigan. I'm hoping to get banded in the next few months if things work out. Unfortunately I have no insurance so I'll be going through financing. That'll be fun... But completely worth it. I can't even begin to list all the reasons why I want to have this done. I love going to concerts, traveling, etc and the weight makes it tough to do those things! Anyway, this seems like a great forum. Should be helpful in the future! :eek:

Just be glad you have insurance! I'd gladly go through a 6 month pre-op diet if it meant I wouldn't have to get the financing and pay it off myself. It would make things much easier.

Thanks for your reply. It's encouraging to hear from people who have actually had this done! I know it'll be tough changing my life and eating habits, but I've just gotta remember that it'll be totally worth it. I do kinda have this fear that I'm gonna go in and not wake up. I know that's ridiculous because the risks are so low, but it's still tough. I think my mom probably fears that even more than I do. Although I know she's relieved I'm not talking about going to Mexico to have it done anymore. :embaressed_smile:

I've had so many "straw" moments. Those moments have always led me to go "okay, now I'm going to do this. I'm going to lose the weight." But no matter how hard I try, it doesn't happen. That's basically what led me to the lap band. I'm considering it right now, and I've found the place I want to do it. If I had to pick one reason as the final straw, it's just that I'm tired of feeling like I'm missing out on my life. I'm still a young guy, in my early 20s, but I've been really big for my entire life. And I feel like that's kept me from really doing so many things. Aside from the health reasons, I just want to be able to do normal things. I wanna be able to buy regular clothes, go to concerts without overlapping into the chairs on both sides of me, visit Europe, etc. So yeah, I am definitely ready for the lap band.