Weight Loss Surgery - What is It Like to Attend a Free Informational Weight Loss Surgery Seminar

Are you considering a lap band or gastric bypass?  Have you seen ads for free informational weight loss surgery seminars, but been intimidated?  Do you wonder what it's like to actually attend one of those seminars?

It seems like ages ago when I attended a free informational weight loss surgery seminar back in 2006.  I was carrying around 90 extra pounds and in search of a solution - one that would end the cycle of yo-yo dieting.  I did find my answer - for me that was lap band surgery.  I have been maintaining my normal, healthy weight since 2007.  I chose a lap band and learned how to use the tool.  For me, attending a free informational seminar was an important part of exploring weight loss surgery

On a hot day in Southern California, I found the nerve to attend a weight loss surgery seminar.  It was a long drive from home.  It was a sweltering day, in the noon sun.  I used to love hot days bu on this day, soaked with sweat, I couldn't help but wonder how different the walk from the parking lot would feel if I weren't carrying along all this extra weight.

 The seminar was held  in a large auditorium.  I felt alone and afraid.  There were probably about 75 – 100 people attending.  I found myself studying everyone in the room.  Who's fatter than me; who's smaller than me?  Many people brought someone with them; I regretted going it alone and not bringing someone - my husband or a close friend with me. 

I'm a student, you know the one who sits in the front row and asks lots of questions.  I listened intently to every word.  I was leaning towards lap band surgery at the time, but still hadn't definitively made up my mind between the lap-band and gastric bypass  Based on the data presented, a few things resonated with me:

• Lap Band and gastric bypass patients lose about the same amount of weight in the long-term (3-5 years out)
• Lap Band patients are happy with their decisions
• Gastric Bypass patients are happy with their decisions
• Many people in the audience have done their homework.  These are smart educated people who ask great questions.  Like me they are amongst the 95% of people with serious weight issues who have failed at diet and exercise alone

After the seminar, there is an opportunity to ask my questions one on one.  This is also an opportunity to get to know this practice and meet the surgeon, the staff and patients.  There was no pressure to sign up for surgery, but there was an someone there to take information for follow-up and schedule a consult.  

Attending a weight loss surgery seminar was as much about building my team as getting the facts.  Attending a seminar was a very important step for me while I was exploring  and preparing for weight loss surgery.

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