Hi there - in desperation i have googled this forum...that says it all!

I would like some advise as to whether i qualify or not for this procedure.

I am 45 years old, 1.64 cm tall, weigh 80 kg with a bmi of 29,7. The factor that has made me look at this option is the way in which my 20 or so kg 's is affecting my life and has affected it for the past 20 years. I am severely affected in the form of depression, mood swings, lack of self worth - all leading to me not wanting to socialise or go out.

I have tried everything on the market, have success but then revert to my emotional eating as soon as I am stressed. The times i have reached goal (twice) , I can say are the happiest times of my life. I dont have an unrealistic idea of my goal weight, but the 20 excess kg i carry have a huge effect on my life!!

I am affecting my children, my husband - who has been nothing but supportive in all my endeavours, but they are also getting tired of my yo yo dieting. I can lose 10 kg in 9 months and put it on in 6 months. I would like to 'start living" i feel as though Im constantly in limbo saying - I will do this or that when Im thin... i feel as though my life is passing me by and I am not happy.

Is this the solution or is it a bit drastic - do people who have this destructive type of dieting life style qualify/ opt for this procedure?

I would welcome any advise. Thank you Sharon

I am of a similar BMI and I have a consult tomorrow. I will let you know what I find out. Right now I feel I could talk my self out of this. I am so tired of constantly thinking about my weight and feeling bad about it. This has been an issue for 15 years. I know this seems drastic to some at our "low" BMI but why wait till I am at a bmi of 35 or 40 to make the same decision ??

I am 29, turning 30 in August. I have struggled my entire life with my weight. When I look back at pictures from when I was in highschool and I thought I was fat then...... if only I knew what I would end up looking like today. I would have appreciated it so much more. I have always been around 15 - 20 lbs heavier than I should be. My whole family struggles with being overweight. We love food, and are all emotional eaters. In college I was prescribed Xenical but did NOT like it. Now I have a 6 year old and weighing in at 257 lbs on a 5'3" frame. BMI of 45. I am tired of feeling restricted in all areas of my life. As a mom, as a wife, as a friend, a sister....I'm tired of aching feet, aching backs, tired of feeling tired all the time and out of breath. Tired of pulling my shirt out of my rolls and busting out of my jeans. And I'm tired of trying all the marketed diets. I've TRIED eating right and exercising. I still do. But I slip often. I have tried several diets/pills. I have had the most success on Atkins losing 75 lbs. Only to gain it back and then some after having my daughter in 2004. I can't remember the last time the scale read below 200. Or that I could wear a size 14. I called my insurance company today to make sure LapBand was covered...and it is!! Then I called my doctor and made an appointment for Monday to discuss it. Wish me luck!! I'm scared.

Most people who have bariatric surgery have poor dieting history (meaning yo-yo'ing). Typically a BMI of 35 or more qualifies with a comorbidity, and 40 or more without (ALTHOUGH MY INSURANCE was picky). I think weather or not you're a good candidate will be between you and your surgeon.