I have been obese since I was 10 years old. I weighed in at 145 pounds in the 3rd grade. Been through Hell in school, constantly picked on and degraded up until High School. I was the funny girl, the class clown-who made everyone laugh so I didn't have to decipher if they were laughing with me or at me, though most of the time it was with... That was long ago but remembering it takes me back to those feelings of worthlessness.

I am going to be 29 soon, am recently Married and completely bummed out by my unhealthy body and my mindset.

One of my past attempts to lose weight took me to a forum board (which led me to think there was one for the lap band) where I was one of many taking the appetite suppressant "*hentermine". Now I believe this implant could help me and be the end to my unhealthy life and the beginning to the rest of my healthy life...

This is what troubles me.

I have tried all the "magic pills" shown on TV, the celebrity endorsed weight loss programs, read the books, followed the eating plans; even payed to see a nutritionist who ended up giving me drugs that ended my hunger essentially making me Anorexic... I LOST WEIGHT and GAINED IT BACK PLUS SOME. I don't want the Lap Band to be another notch on my belt. I would like to work with it and achieve my goals. Or at least would like the opportunity for it to...per the qualifications I don't believe I qualify for the surgery, according to the BMI numbers.

With my Marriage benefits, brought me Medical Insurance. The first coverage I will have that has not been provided by the state in 10 years. I have an appointment with my new PCP on Tuesday and am looking forward to getting a Compete Physical and to learn the state of my health. I have been feeling strange and apprehensive about talking with her about the lap band.. Why? I guess I should put those feelings to the side until I know if I have a co-morbidity or not.

So here I am. I believe that everything happens for a reason and I that I was supposed to open up to whoever will receive what I have said. THANK YOU for reading and for those that hear me and have any response, I welcome it.

I'm glad that you are seeking help to lead a healthier lifestyle. I'm a "veteran" I guess at this point, but not really since I have only had my band for around 18 months, but it was the best decision I ever made.

If you would like to read about my journey, please see the link below which is for my Lap Band blog "Dreams of Skinny High Heels" which I started the month before my surgery. It is an honest, candid detail of my journey from 272 to 146 lbs.

Good luck to you!!

Stephanie

welcome.

are you seeing your primary or going to see a lapband surgeon? i just went directly to the surgeon, totally bypassed my regular doctor. my regular doctor knows about me getting the lapband, but i did not go get his permission. he has been totally supportive and thinks it is great, so does my obgyn. i have recieved a ton of positive responses, no one has been negative or told me that i took the easy way out. they all want to know more about the lapband. i have had mine for over 4 months now and do not regret it one bit. yes i have only lost 35 lbs, but i have lost 3 dress sizes and my back no longer hurts, i feel so much better, have way more energy, eating healthier, and so is my family. i can't do a complete workout without feeling like i am going to keel over and die

i was skinny when i got married 8 yrs ago, and i want to be that girl again. i had 2 kids back to back and could never get the pregnancy weight off. i am now 20lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight and i am so excited.

my advice is talk to people, read the good and the bad, make a list of the pros and cons of having the band or just staying fat, do the research, talk to a surgeon, go to a WLS seminar and get the info. it took me over a year to decide this is what i needed to do for ME!!!!

wishing you luck on your journey and know that what ever decision you make, it is the best one for YOU!!!

Don't give up! I have great health insurance but was denied and told to gain more weight! I did and then I found my doc in Mexico! I wish I had known what I know now! Crazy to gain weight to have weight loss surgery!

Thank You all for your responses!!!

I met with my Doctor yesterday and she gave me the number to a surgeon who "doesn't believe" in lap band surgery. He preforms Gastric Bypass which does not interest me and My Husband and I like the idea of the lap band over the gastric.

Diabetes and High Blood Pressure run in my family. I will know in a week if I am pre diabetic or have type 2. As far as high blood pressure it took 5 times for them to get a reading because of how thick my arms are... and when they finally got it, it was 110/40 I think it was? So as far as co morbidities I am not sure I have any that count towards my favor with the insurance. BUT I am 10 lbs away from a BMI of 40.

So I called the Surgeon she mentioned and made an appointment for a consult. Have yet to hear from them so maybe that is for the best as gastric seems too extreme. My husband likes the fact that I could get adjusted with the lap band for when I am pregnant, whatever gives him more peace of mind gives me more peace of mind. Oh and I found out that the appetite suppressant I was on has recently been recalled do to unwanted affects to the heart! That is just great thanks to the Doc who gave it to me!!!

I have a seminar scheduled the 21st of this month so I am looking forward to that. Thank you again for taking the time to respond, it seems people are more observers than repliers here which is fine. To each there own. But I was really looking for some guidance. Thanks again and I hope to keep in touch through this process and my road to recovery

I have been obese since I was 10 years old. I weighed in at 145 pounds in the 3rd grade. Been through Hell in school, constantly picked on and degraded up until High School. I was the funny girl, the class clown-who made everyone laugh so I didn't have to decipher if they were laughing with me or at me, though most of the time it was with... That was long ago but remembering it takes me back to those feelings of worthlessness.

I am going to be 29 soon, am recently Married and completely bummed out by my unhealthy body and my mindset.

One of my past attempts to lose weight took me to a forum board (which led me to think there was one for the lap band) where I was one of many taking the appetite suppressant "*hentermine". Now I believe this implant could help me and be the end to my unhealthy life and the beginning to the rest of my healthy life...

This is what troubles me.

I have tried all the "magic pills" shown on TV, the celebrity endorsed weight loss programs, read the books, followed the eating plans; even payed to see a nutritionist who ended up giving me drugs that ended my hunger essentially making me Anorexic... I LOST WEIGHT and GAINED IT BACK PLUS SOME. I don't want the Lap Band to be another notch on my belt. I would like to work with it and achieve my goals. Or at least would like the opportunity for it to...per the qualifications I don't believe I qualify for the surgery, according to the BMI numbers.

With my Marriage benefits, brought me Medical Insurance. The first coverage I will have that has not been provided by the state in 10 years. I have an appointment with my new PCP on Tuesday and am looking forward to getting a Compete Physical and to learn the state of my health. I have been feeling strange and apprehensive about talking with her about the lap band.. Why? I guess I should put those feelings to the side until I know if I have a co-morbidity or not.

So here I am. I believe that everything happens for a reason and I that I was supposed to open up to whoever will receive what I have said. THANK YOU for reading and for those that hear me and have any response, I welcome it.

I was banded two days ago with wonderful results, If there was any advice I could give you, it would be to find a ACS Center Of Excellence and go through their

program. Look around and find other CoE patients and see their results. I don't think you will ever regret it. What ever you decide, the very best of luck.