Hello All!

I feel fortunate to have stumbled upon this forum and I'm hoping to educate myself further on the lap-band surgery, and also get some of your opinions on my situation.

My name is Krista and I'm 35 years old. I've struggled with my weight for the last 17 years and have lost the same 50+ pounds around 3-4 times. I'm 5' 3" and currently weigh around 218. I've noticed in the past year that my body/health has been changing in that I have so many more aches and pains; I'm also dealing with reflux at night where I wake up choking (taking meds for). The last time I visited my Primary Care doc, he mentioned in passing that perhaps the band might me something to consider down the road. When I left, it got me thinking. I realize that the band is a tool, and not the answer, but I feel like perhaps, it would give me that little push that I need. I know getting it would be a life-changing decision. My hubby and I plan to have another child in a year to two years, but I would prefer to get the surgery now, and not wait till we have our second baby.

Tomorrow I am visiting my doctor for a follow-up to another issue and I'm thinking I may talk seriously to him about getting the band. I just wanted to get some of your opinions on my situation. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I look forward to meeting people and hearing what others have to say in this forum.

Krista

First off, Congrats on wanthing this wonderful tool to help you get healthy!

As for your situation, I might not be the best person to help but here is how I see it. I was told in my seminar by the doctor that would be doing my surgery that he prefers you NOT to get pregnant for at least ONE YEAR. So as long as you are sure you are wanting to wait a whole year I say go for it. Get the surgery done so that your body can be used to the lifestyle change and allow you to lose some weight before gaining weight for the pregnancy. This way you wont have as much to lose to get back to being healthy! Make sense?

Good luck!

I was told by my doctor that he would prefer that I want two years before having another child.

Before you get too involved in the appointments and testing, find out what the requirements are for your insurance company. Make you you meet all of those requirements.

Hey and welcome! I've been lurking on this website for about 6 months and it is GREAT. The people are wonderful and kind. So congrats on stumbling into the right place.

I haven't been banded yet but I've read so much I can tell you my educated opinion and you're welcome to toss it out.

I think anyone who is TRULY serious about losing weight, once and for all, is a good candidate for this surgery. Not someone who knows insurance is going to pay for this and ... eh, it may work, it may not... attitude. The Lap Band motto is: It's a tool, not a miracle. If you are serious about changing your eating to fit the lifestyle for the rest of your God given life, you're a good candidate. If you're willing to work out to help along your weight loss, you're a good candidate.

Oh, and you have to have a BMI of 35. :tongue2:

And all surgeon's must be different because mine told me I could get pregnant 6 months after receiving the Lap Band. He said that you only need to master the new eating lifestyle to ensure you're eating enough and correctly so that you have a healthy baby. So check with your surgeon and his requirements for that. I'm sure it also depends on a person's individual progress.

So good luck and read, read, read!

Oh, yeah. And your very first step is calling your insurance. A lot of insurances differ one what they cover and how they cover it. It can be a huuuuge headache!!