Becoming a Personal Trainer

Hello All, I'm hoping to get your opinions on a subject that has become near and dear to my heart. 
I had lap-band surgery in Feb. of 2010 and have lost 105 pounds and have become a total exercise junkie.  It's great.  :) 
Anyway, I am starting school in May to become a personal trainer.  I'm hoping to specialize in helping people who have gone through bariatric surgery or are planning on going through bariatric surgery. 
If having the option to hire a personal trainer who knew about bariatric surgery, would anyone out there have taken it? 
I'm trying to work on my business plan and was hoping for some input to help me out.
Thanks all.

Just wondering........since u said u became an "exercise junkie"...........what % of weight do you think u lost b/c of the band and what % b/c of exercise???

This is a wonderful idea, hope it works out for you. I've tried gyms a few times and the biggest problem was  they cater to the "jocks" and there is no way a fat old lady like myself can do that stuff. Even in water classes they kept push, push, pushing go faster, lift higher. I have a lung disease so I can only go so fast but that made no difference to them. So if you can get a class going that has different options like sitting, standing and options for certain disabilities that would be awesome. Tho you may have trouble finding a gym that would put that kind of progrm to use. If you are going to be a personal trainer that goes to folks homes, remember we aren't all made of money. It seems like to work at getting healthy you have to already be healthy and have enough money to pay for it. Those of us who need to lose weight probably don't have much money either. But good for you in wanting to help, I hope it works out for you!

When I first joined my gym a few years ago, I did 12 sessions with a personal trainer.  Although very nice, he wasn't what I needed.  It seemed like he was working from a "cookie-cutter" plan, after I explained I had bad knees, bad back, etc.

Even though he wasn't the right trainer for me, I would like to have a trainer again.  It would be ideal to have someone who is sensitive to a person's physical issues and a bonus to have someone specializing in training for band-ers, et al.

I think it's a great idea and it's too bad you don't live closer to me.  I would sign up!!! 
~ Barbara

I'm certified in the area of health and fitness.

The ACSM had a great cert program.

Business end i'm not too familiar with.

Great idea and very inspiring!

 Denvermom,  How great. I am just finishing up 12 sessions with a personal trainer. I am starting to run, and have been pushed to the max with cardio, strength and flexibility. While this was a wonderful beginning to me committing to intense work-outs on a level I never experienced before, as always I am left to figure out the lap band components on my own. Mainly I have worked hard to eat those 6 small meals a day, but the band is a fickle friend. Luckily my body parts are all healthy. I do have a problem with getting short of breath and lightheaded from certain types of exercise. I believe it is from a sedentary lifestyle, but I think a trainer specializing in obesity would have been wonderful. I also think the market is huge, as these surgeries are here to stay. Good luck.

Thanks for all of the replies everyone!  You've confirmed what I've been thinking, that a more specialized trainer would be a welcome component to the bariatric program.

Maria, in answer to your question, I think although exercise has been a HUGE help to my losing weight, it's been the band that helped give me the discipline to lose weight.  Exercise has made me happier and I can keep up with my kids now.

I was actually thinking about taking my business plan to the bariatric surgeons around Denver to see if they would be interested in adding a personal trainer to their consultants. 

Working with local bariatric practices is an AWESOME idea!  Larger practices have nutritionists on staff to advise patients on their eating, so why not a personal trainer to design an exercise program for the patients?  And who better to do it, than someone who was formerly obese, *****ally understands!  I think this is a wonderful idea.  Good luck!  You'll be great!