Hello. My name is Mike and I'm kinda glad to find two people who are right around my age who have just been banded. Today I had a checkup appt with my primary care doc and said outloud, "I'm thinking of getting a lap band." In late 2007 I ruptured 2 discs in my back and 2008 was spent in a recliner and having 2 back surgeries. I had lost around 35 lbs or so during that whole debacle, but I knew I'd been gaining weight since September. Today I weighed in at a whopping 295 lbs...my BMI is about 42, I have high BP, sleep apnea, and still significant back pain. I've got to do something. Obesity runs in my family...I would like to set a good example for my 5 year old (who thank god got skinny genes from somewhere). How did you come to the decision to have the band done? How long before you felt good again? I JUST had surgery in May and September of 2008...I'm not really looking forward to spending anytime in the hospital. I've also just gone back to school and don't want to miss classes (fortunately am only going two days a week right now). Any real world advice/suggestions/questions to ask the surgeon would be much appreciated. Thanks so much for your time.
-Mike
