Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

I'm 17 and will be 18 at the end of the month. I really want Lap Band Surgery and I am so nervous that they are going to say that I am too young and will have to wait. I'm 240 now and think that since my BMI isn't 40 its like 37 that they will also turn me down. I tried to diet and last year i got down to about 211 then I ballooned back up to what I am now. So any words of wisdom will be appreciated! thanks!

The main and most important thing to change is your definition of the word, diet. Diet is NOT something you do, it's what you eat on a daily basis. If you're like most of America, your diet is loaded with carbohydrates and fats. As you've seen, "diets" don't work, but changing your lifestyle for a more active one will benefit your health for your entire life. No surgery needed!

Incorporating daily exercise is the first order of business. At the same time, changing your diet for a more healthy diet is the next key. One word of caution though...don't become obsessed with everything that you put in your mouth. Relax and eat food. Food as in fruits, veggies, and lean cuts of meat. Don't eat fried ANYTHING, eat grilled.

It's not really that difficult, no matter what you read or are led to believe. Realizing that losing weight and becoming healthy are not ends. Being healthy requires a wholesale life change and requires a lifetime of commitment. It's not something you do for 6 months, or a year, or even two years. It's a lifelong pursuit and one that will help you reap benefits the rest of your life.