By: Gloria Samuels

The process for deciding if lap band surgery is for you can be a long and winding, confusing journey.  The founders of Banded Living have developed a 7 step process to help you make your decision "with your eyes wide open."  Below is an overview of this process.  Please consider our book: Is Lap Band Surgery for Me?: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Lasting Weight Loss for detailed help in your decision

Step 1: Build Your Team (this step is ongoing; you will add to your team throughout your journey)

The goal of this step is to build the best team, to help you understand your options.  You also need to understand what support you will or won't get from the people closest to you.  Your team includes: your family and loved ones, your primary care physician, the bariatric surgeon you choose, other patients you can learn from, your friends and colleagues.

Step 2: Build Foundation

In this step you get the facts.  Lap Band surgery is not for everyone and you need the facts.  You need to understand if you fit within National Institute of Health (NIH) guidelines and your insurance guidelines. You should learn how a band may or may not help improve your health concerns.  You should also learn about other weight loss options and other weight loss surgeries available.

Step 3: Set Goals

The purpose of this step is to establish realistic goals in terms of weight, health and quality of life

Step 4: Understand Life with a Band

The goal of this step is to be able to understand why the Lap Band option is different than all the diets you've been on.  You should learn how the band works, learn what "restriction" is, learn the"rules of the band", understand the role of aftercare, understand your eating habits and what needs to change with a band.

Step 5: Attend a Seminar

Most surgical practices offer free informational seminars. Once you have the facts and have begun to understand what life is like with a band, you can get the most from these free informational seminars. The seminar is a great way to learn about banding and your prospective surgeon and his or her program including aftercare.  It may also be an opportunity to meet other patients, and staff from the surgeon's practice.

Step 6: Initial Surgical Consult

If you make it this far, you are probably seriously considering getting a Lap Band. This is your opportunity to get your specific questions answered and learn more about the surgeon and his/her practice. People who get bands need to see their doctor often, especially during the first year.  You need to determine if the practice is for you.

Step 7: Put it All Together

Having done all your homework, you are in a position to make an informed decision grounded in facts and realistic expectations.  If you chose to proceed with surgery, you are well-informed and prepared.

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