Greetings From WV

[Guest Ber]

Hi, I am new here. My name is Amber but you can call me Ber if you'd like, most people do. I am not very good at these Forum things but I feel I should make an attempt at introducing myself and explain why I'm here. I hope this won't get too long.

I have been overweight my entire life minus the one year I met my husband, at 16, and that year I was blessed to weigh only 125lb. It didn't last long, maybe 8 or 9 months, and I quickly gained the weight back and then some. I got comfortable as time went on and went back into my old eating habits. Fast forward to now. I am 30 years old and married, for 12 years, to a wonderful man. We don't have any children but we do have 2 Chihuahua's - Banjo & Angel and 1 Budgie - Tweet.

About my health: I am 5'1 and 265lb, 287lb being the most I've ever weighed. I've been diagnosed as morbid obese. That word is so ugly. I have had PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) since I can remember starting my first menses and it has brought about a lot of physical, mental, and emotional problems for me, including infertility and hirsutism. If anyone can relate to that alone they will understand what it's like to feel less feminine. I am Insulin Resistant. My hair is brittle and skin is dry. I have high Blood Pressure, a fatty Liver, Hypothyroidism, high Triglycerides and fat in my blood, and high Prolactin (a Pituitary gland hormone).

I recently had a doctor appointment with my PCP and she has mentioned, for the 2nd time, Lap-Band. She said with all these health problems progressing as fast as they are and with my weight as high as it is and me being only 30y.o. that I am on the verge of a heart attack or stroke and that this surgery could possibly reverse all of this. I haven't told her yet but I am thinking about getting it done.

I am here reading and learning about it. I won't lie I am scared. I never have had surgery before let alone a foreign object implanted inside of me to help me lose weight. I know the Lap-Band itself won't magically make me healthy, happy, and thin. I realize this is a life long journey that requires of me to exercise, eat right, and take the proper amount of Vitamins and minerals. But I am tired of being overweight. I am ready for a change. I am ready to be the woman I know I can be.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I know I will learn a lot from you all and I respect your input, advice, and knowledge.

Blessings, Ber

[Debora Anne 3]

Hi there - based on your Medical issues you stated above I would definitley consider the Lap Band - I am older than you (50..ouch I still hate writing that nimber : ) 5'2" and my weight is a tad just a tad lower than yours - I am not an expert and only 3 1/2 weeks post op but already feel so much better - I am happier, i am not as tired as I was it has just been great. I was (am) Type 2 diabetic on oral and insulin meds ...I discontinued my meds when I went on the Protein diet pre surgery and watched my sugar numbers caefully - i was concerned about taking my meds with no food ..however I have not taken any Diabetic meds since - i have tested every day - before and after meals and my sugar numbers are right at NORMAL EVERY TIME~~~ And this has only been 5 weeks that I stopped taking my meds WOW~ I am impressed ..my next goal is to get off High Blood pressure meds ...

My point being that I have proven to myself that with weight loss- eating properly and some excercise (even if it is a walk around the block)

my health WILL IMPROVE~ Now I have like all of us done the above without the Lap Band been successful and then gained it back - the great thing about the LAP BAND IS I WILL KEEP IT OFF -- I LOVE MY BAND and reccomend it to anyone

Utilize this FORUM and several people have BLOGS that are so helpful - Good luck to you and keep us posted. If you would like to email me with questions concerns or just to vent send me an email deboramo@att.net

[Guest Ber]

Wow! Congratulations on your success. You are doing great!!

I feel the same way with this. It is not like a diet pill that runs out or a 'meal in a can' that goes empty. It is here for life.

You mentioned a Protein diet pre-op. What if you don't like eating meat? Is there another way?