erickajm

Thank you for all of your thoughts! Congratulations to each of you for your successes! I'll have to weigh the pro's and cons. It isn't something I want to take lightly. I am not sure that the gastric isn't too drastic for me. I have 60-70lbs to lose to get to a "normal" or comfortable weight. I think I would fear how much weight I would lose with the gastric. I have a friend who had it done and to be honest.. she looks sickly. I have the thyroid problem, fibromyalgia, arthritis along with the diabetes.. I am not looking to add to my load, if you know what I mean. I already fear what the side effects could bring. I tend to develop the rare effects.. just makes me nervous. I'll wait to see how the appointment goes.

Hello all! I am new to the forum and am trying to get as much information as possible. I am considering having the lap band surgery. I am right on the edge of being approved. My BMI is 35.1. Being diabetic puts me in the position of being a candidate for the surgery. To give you a little history, I'll tell you my "story". Almost 6 years ago I was prescribed a medication that destroyed my thyroid. At the time I was very healthy, working out 5-6 days a week. I gained 67lbs in less than 6 months. In the end, I topped out at 210. I am 5'2". Over the past 5.5 years I have tried just about everything possible to lose this weight. P90X, Zija... went to 2 dieticians. I managed to lose a little weight and am currently sitting at 195lb. I never before understood everything that goes along with an obese life. It took me about 3 years to become comfortable (or somewhat) in my new body. My main reasoning for looking into the LapBand surgery is for what everyone is saying about what it does for diabetes. I have had a hell of a time trying to keep my sugars in check. I am sure I could do better but my fasting sugars are what are high. My next step would be insulin.. something I really don't want to go to. I just spent a month out in Texas taking care of my dying father. He was on dialysis and I can't get the image of that place out of my mind. Knowing diabetes is a silent killer, I know that is my future. I don't want to be on insulin nor do I want to end up on dialysis. I have been diagnosed diabetic about 3-4 years now. I, of course won't know what kind of damage has already occurred until it is too late or later on down the road. My hang up is this. The lap band surgery will all but "cure" my diabetes. I understand there are exceptions. The bonus would be my losing the added weight that all of this has brought on. I have what I think is a guilty feeling that I am using this as a copout because I could hire (if I could afford) a personal trainer and lose all the weight with diet/exercise and though I would still have diabetes it would most likely be under complete control. I go back and forth feeling like I haven't done enough to be considering this kind of procedure. Did any of you have the guilt? I am just thinking, is this too drastic? I think I could answer yes it is for the weight loss. I know I am not morbidly obese and could eventually get this weight off with a strict diet/exercise plan. I answer no for the diabetes end of it. I would appreciate any thoughts you may have. My first appointment is on Wednesday. My insurance does require the 6 month diet. The lady did tell me I could not lose any weight within the 6 months or I would eliminate myself. That had my mind spinning. Any thoughts?