I am a 41 year old mum of 2. I weigh about 196lbs and have a bmi of about 32. I am hypothyroid and take thyroxin. My weight has gone up and down by 28lbs regularly over the last few years. I am only 4lbs under my heaviest weight at the moment.

I know that the lap band procedure is usually only available for those with a BMI of over 35. With a family history of heart disease and female cancers (my mum is in remission from ovarian cancer) I am anxious that my weight does not get any higher. A gastric balloon is temporary and i know i need the long term option.

My mum's diagnosis of ovarian cancer was missed initially cos of her weight.

Being hypothyroid and with a history of female cancers in the family I know that I am a prime candidate to develop heart disease and maybe even a cancer. I want to get myself fit and at a healthy weight to try and give myself the best chance of not being another statistic.

I need to find a surgeon based somewhere that offers finance for this op too.

I live in Yorkshire in the UK. Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

I don't want to get to a BMI of 35 and above and increase my risks before i before eligible. Having to be morbidly obese before anyone will look at me for this makes no sense to me at all.

Thanks x

I don't know what the rules are in the UK. In Aus you can get the procedure if you are obese so BMI 30 or over.

It is doubtful that the NHS would pay for your procedure but as a private patient I am sure there are plenty of Dr's that would be willing to help. You may even want to consider going to Europe -I believe a lot of Brits go to Belgium. I think the Dr they use is Chris De Bruyne. There is a whole thread on him if you look it up.

I got banded with a BMi just under 32 and it is the best thing I ever did.

Thank you.

I have been in touch with Dr De Bruyne. I have been give possible dates for September.

How did you find the op, recovery, eating post op and beyond, weight loss etc?

Sorry for all the questions.

Thanks x

p.s. I lived in Brissy for 2 years. I got homesick when pregnant with my second baby and so came back to Blighty. Looking at the teeming rain at the mo I have to say I do wonder why I bothered!!!!

I found the op to be fine. Not much pain what I did have was handled by the meds. I had some post op nausea but this went when I was allowed to eat soup(homemade). I think my body needed real food rather than the sweet horrible Meal Replacement stuff.

Eating post op has been fine. You have to make sure you follow your Dr's instructions and do not advance the post op food stages before you should. It is amazing how good mushy food tastes after a couple of weeks of liquids.

I haven't had any major problems. I lost weight fairly steadily for the first couple of months, it eventually petered out and has now stopped completely but that's fine as I am at "goal".

If you want to pm me I am more than happy to answer any other questions you may have.

Living just outside Ballarat it's not always that hot either especially now as it's winter and pretty horrible!