My name is Rachel - I'm 35, 5'1 and 233lbs. After years of going up and down the scale, I've hit my all time high weight. I am heavier now than when I was 9 months pregnant with my 2nd child! I think I've been on every diet there is, minimal success.. only to gain back 3-fold.

I've been researching the lap band for some time, and I feel that this will be a wonderful tool for me, and a step in the right direction.

My PCP scheduled a sleep study for me this Monday (checking for apnea) - along with some Pulmonary Function Tests. I already have High Blood Pressure, Depression and a lot of aches and pains, including arthritic knees... and I'm only 35...

I meet with the nutritionist on Thursday (April 15) to start my 6 month pre-op diet. (as required by my insurance). I am a little scared, but I have to do this. I don't want to enter my 40's in poor health.

So that's my story - I hope to find some support and understanding here. I haven't told any of my friends about this decision because I don't think that they'll really understand.

But anyway - - -

HI!

Welcome, Rachel!! This is a great site- lots of info, lots of advice. I haven't really told any of my friends, either. I have told those I'm close to in my family, and of course my husband and child know.

My husband is doing his 6-month pre-band diet with his doctor right now. He's losing so well I think he's considering just sticking with the diet and not doing the band! :thumbup: But we'll see...

How old are your kids?

Welcome again!!

Hi!

Thanks for the welcome - I hope to gain valuable info from the forums here!

My daughters are 9 & 12.

The only ones that know about my decision to do this is my husband, kids and my mother. For now, it'll stay that way - until I gain confidence (I think that my fear of failing is holding me back from talking about it to anyone).

:thumbup:

Since your husband is doing the 6month diet, and you may have already - whats it like? Is there anything I should know about? (I'm a tad nervous).

I have a 9-year-old, too (mine's a boy, though.) :thumbup:

My husband is doing his through his PCP-- and basically it's just the regular "move more, eat less" sort of thing. She had him move from 1500 calorie Stouffer's lasagna at lunch to a 400 calorie Lean Cuisine- that sort of thing. And she had him start on a walking program. But I'm sure that every doctor/nutritionist has their own program.

My insurance wouldn't cover my surgery since they don't recognize depression as a comorbidity of obesity. So I was self-pay and didn't have to do the official 6 month diet (though of course I've been on a diet since I was about 11 years old of one kind or another.)