Wow those are all certainly inspiring reasons to make a change. I haven't been banded yet but one of the main deciding factors for me was being able to be healthy and safe during pregnancy and childbirth. I had contemplated the lapband and or gastric bypass for years but not having quality insurance or a well paying job it just was not feasible and I always told myself when I got into a secure financial position and a secure relationship I would go for it. Other things attributed to my wanting to become more healthy. Both of my parents are currently obese and struggle with obese related illnesses on a daily basis. My grandmother was also obese until about 2000 when she got breast cancer, she later got uteran cancer and then bone cancer that spread through her blood and organs and i lost her Oct '08 after a long and hard battle. She always reminded me that I needed to do what I could to lose weight so I would be able to see my own grandchildren. I got married in April '09 and am finally in a secure job with good insurance and my husband and I have decided it is time for me to change my life around.