lindsabeth

I have recently started the process to get the lap-band. I'm not sure if insurance will cover it yet, but according to my surgeon if you have a positive sleep study my insurance company will cover the surgery 99% of the time. Well, I just found out my sleep study was positive. I have to go back for a CPAP mask next week. I also have high blood pressure and hypothyroidism. I'm 5'6" and 235 pounds. I've been on countless diets of my own before as well as diets such as Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, and Special K. I feel like the lap-band is my only choice and the last resort. But I'm unsure about whether I should get it or not. I know that this is only a decision that I can make, but I feel really lost. Does anyone have any advice? One the one hand, I feel like I haven't tried hard enough in my diets. On the other hand, if future diets fail I may end up even heavier and more unhealthy. I'm so conflicted.

Thanks for the book rec!

Thank you everyone for your advice! I do know that the band is a tool to help with weight loss and that it is not the magical solution. I am already working on making a lifestyle change and working on eating healthier. I am not afraid of having surgery. I had major surgery on my bladder when I was only 8 years old. I know I can't know about the surgery until I actually get it, but it does not seem that bad. I am not really concerned about what friends think, but I will need my family's support throughout this. If they are not on board, it will be a difficult process don't you think? I'd never do this for anyone but myself. I am very concerned about my health and want to better my quality of life. I feel that this may be the tool to help me to do that. In regards to my hypothyroidism...my nutritionist said this would help me lose weight with that more than anything. Hypothyroidism makes it almost impossible to lose weight. I guess that is something I will have to ask about/look into. Thanks again everyone for your advice!!

Hello everyone, I'm looking for some advice. I'm a female, 21 years old with a BMI of 37.1 (5'6", 230 pounds). I also have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and hypothyroidism. I've recently started to consider having LAP-BAND surgery after my grandma brought it up to me. I briefly discussed it with my nutritionist the other day and she gave me resources to look at. I've been doing a lot of research on the procedure and I know that it is a major decision and not something to take lightly. I'm attending an info session on December 6th about the surgery at one of the hospitals in my city. With all of this being said...all of the people I have brought this up to (family and a few close friends), everyone has been horrified at the thought of it and has strongly advised against it. Everyone keeps telling me that this procedure fails a lot and that many people end up re-gaining all of their weight after a while. Someone told me that LAP-BAND just tries to "sell" the fact that this is a successful procedure. Someone else told me that 75% of the contestants on the Biggest Loser have had this procedure, so it has obviously failed. I was wondering if anyone knew if this was true? It's very discouraging and makes me want to bag the whole idea. Any advice is much appreciated! -Lindsey