newbie needs advise

I've been doing lots of research on the lap band and other wls for some time now and I joined to see what real banders had to say rather than the "testimonies"that surgeons put on their sites, I feel like I am well informed of the risks, benefits of these surgeries and that I qualify for a lap band surgery, I feel like that should be my first option since it is removable and I know the band will not do the work for me but it will help keep me motivated. I'm turning 20 and I've been dealing with periods of depression due to my weight since I was 13 and I honestly blame everything to it I am at my heaviest of almost 200 pounds and I had to shop in the "plus size" it is the worst feeling in the world and i never want to go through that again but I'm tried every diet,exercise,nutriologist everything and the weight keeps coming back I guess what am asking is what should I expect? I have a meeting with a coordinator on Saturday and i want to know what I should ask I need help thankyou for the advise!

At your age and weight (don't know your height) the VSG might be a better option, but only if your issue is portion control.  If you are a grazer, sweet, snacker, a malabsorptive procedure might bebest, like DS.  The band requires a lot of maintenance and the long term outlook is that they often need to be removed due to complications that CAN be permanent and uncomfortable.  Really weigh your options...look at everything, negative as well as positive.

Good luck.

Thanks I'll def. Keep in mind bag. It's not so much portion control or sweets its more of eating late/ fast food always on the go thing I'm a full time college student with a full time job and its way easier to grab food on the go than to actually make it but I'm willing to make adjustments to my lifestyle I don't have any long term medical conditions yet and I don't want them either so I'm desperate to find something to motivate me thanks for the advise!

what to ask...

What is their aftercare? You need easy access to them, a long aftercare package as you could need anything from no fills to 20 fills! And sometimes people need defills. One your package runs out, how much are fills?

If the clinic does all surgery types, ask them to talk through your own eating habits to make sure the band is right for YOU. If it doesn't do all types, research other options. I love my band - it has enabled me to change my life beyond my wildest dreams (see my signature) and I am blessed with a group of friends who are equally fortunate. But it is not right for everyone.

Kate

The Lap-Band will not make good food choices for you, so if fast food is your downfall, you have to face the fact that much of weight loss success depends on YOU making the time to plan healthy meals, shop for healthy foods, and drive past McDonald's or BK or KFC.

Also, you need to be aware that very rarely does the band start working immediately. There's nothing in it that triggers weight loss. The weight loss comes from eating fewer calories than your body burns, and that won't happen unless you exert a lot of self-control and eventually (via band fills) achieve enough restriction to experience the early and prolonged satiety that the band can provide. And even then, you will have to resist junk food, sweets, fast food, stress eating, boredom eating, etc.

 The band will keep you away from fast food meals bc you will will throw up, have pain and you will need to take small bites slowly. If you are short on time, let me warn you, this is a time consuming object in your body. AS a nurse, I have difficulty bc I can't eat a lunch in the time alotted. I have to plan my meals and snacks or I don't feel well. When I have been super hungry and ate too fast, I have had to run to the bathroom to throw up or just endure the pain in private. Do I have any regrets? NO, NO, NO. In you case, I would re read your post. How much weight could you lose if you got healthy selections at McDonalds. Or is there more to it than that. 

Please research the other surgery options fully because I firmly believe the band is only helpful for volume eaters. Also are you aware the band is only supposed to be left in 5-10 years? Altho lots of us don't even make it that long before it slips or erodes. Yes it is removable but it can also leave holes in your stomach that have to be fixed when you revise to another surgery. The band isn't the safe little piece of plastic so many surgeons tout it to be and many surgeons refuse to do them anymore. In fact I just read that one of the Kaiser groups won't do them anymore. Yes there are a few folks who have done great with them but there are also thousands who have had horrid problems with them, to the point of being life threatening. So seriously be aware of all the aspects of the band before you jump in.

How did your appointment go?  Did you get the info you needed?