Hi I am a newbie....and seriously interested in doing the procedure at the Cleveland Clinic with Dr Schauer.

I went to two seminars and I have a one on one with the Dr on Feb 13th.

I have been suffering from sleep apnea and it's related sx's for about 5 yrs now with an upsized fibromyalgia and cronic fatigue. My husband is a professional and extremely driven along with 5 kids (3 in college and equally high achievers)....I am entering such poor self esteem as I can't seem to get enough things done and take the steps needed to take care of myself. I have served my family tirelessly for 23yrs at the cost of my own health. Now I want to to the steps needed to regain ME. My hubby is strongly against the banding proceedure....as he says "you just need to close your mouth"....well I have been yo-yo-ing for yrs and suffered a nasty spiral fracture that cause a 9 month non wieght bearing situation with crutches only....so that really helped my wieght soar....now at 229 my highest ever at 5'7'' (45yrs old)......

My entire family uses FAT jokes around me on a minute to minute basis in the hopes of curing my situation....NOT....I just feel like a failure amongst such talented....active people. I spend an awful lot of emphasis on feeding them and having great meals always available....which no one wants to give up....they MUST have Mom's cooking! But that makes it very challanging for me always constantly preparing meals. Hubby is dominating and wants the traditional wife type....so I am not expecting anything to change...I have to work around my environment. My older boys are all into sports and really eat a lot...but are in great shape. Alas, I am here....hoping for some support or inspiration.....or just anything.

On my own....and getting fatter....

I was always thin and was at a terrific shape when married with a model like figure at 22yrs young....(I love chocolate and chocolate loves me back!) what the heck happened to me?????

diane from Ohio

"Don't let your husband or children do this to you. It not only affects you, but even more it sets a stage for how your sons will treat their wives. Stop this abuse now for your future daughter-in-laws sake if not your own."

Some things are worth reading a second time. Or third, or fourth...

thanks for dropping in! And believe me....I hear all that you say.....I am slowly working on them LOL.

(and.....JQPublic.....great name!..LOL!)

I told my 19yr old son after a few recent jokes....that "hey....it really is disrespectful to say such things to your mother"......he immediately responded in a softer tone...."yes, mom....you are absolutely right.....but you have to admit they were funny jokes"

Well....it's a good start....at least he knew it was disrespectful!!!!!

hey....I went to my surgical consult appointment today!....the doc was encouraging. I just barely make the criteria as a BMI 35...but I did make it!....he thinks with my strong documented apnea...that I could get the Insurance to approve...(we hope) and he feels the band would be a good tool for me to get to a better place with my weight and my apnea.

Now, if I can only get hubby on board with this....hmmmm.....that's going to take some creativity! He was grumpy to hear I went to this appointment. He thinks I am going to harm myself with my stubborness to pursue this course and place a foreign object into my body. Well, I have tried and failed in many other venues....this apnea is turning my life upside down....and needs real serious attention. And I hate the cpap....I am not very compliant. My headaches are constant 24/7 from the apnea.

I had a nasty spiral fracture on my right leg three years ago....and 3 months later they rebroke it and did surgery and put in plate and pins.....so I was nine months NON weight bearing.....hence....more wieght and floppy muscle tone. I am just now feeling that my walking is getting back to normal....although I still feel the plate with every step.

now I need to go down the list of appointments to fullfil the requirements....ie: jump through all the hoops....and then we still don't know if I will get approved ....but hopeful.

Wish me luck...and thanks for your suppport! :0

Warm wishes to all......diane : )

Yay Diane! Keep pressing forward. Baby Steps! With your surgery approval, with your husband's hopeful blessing, with your family.

You go, girl!!!!

I appreciate your support.....and I will stay stubborn in my Quest......the biggest bump in the road will be in trying to get my insurance to step up to the plate....but I hope they see how much they already paid for me with....my previous health issues and might realize it is in THEIR interest to support me with the surgery!!!!!

thanks for being there! and a slow loser is better than a NO loser any day! ..... hugs...diane

Hi Daine, thanks for the update!

Im sure there are many people that your husband comes in contact with that has had WLS. Its a shame he cant get a converstation going with one of them. It may change his outlook. :phanvan

And good for you for getting the families fat jokes stopped! You are right - its a move inthe right direction.

About exercising with the leg injury...

have you thought about Water aerobics? This exercise would take the pressure off your joints - and help build muscle, without harming anything.

Good luck.

Im so happy for you :clap2:

He is a specialized Pediatric doc....so unfortunately he doesn't really have any patients that had WLS....(even those chubby newborns) LOL

And the Fat jokes....hmmmm....they certainly haven't and I highly doubt will be stopping anytime soon.....but at least I will stand up each time and tell them this is disrespectful and in bad taste. (so they will have to feel guilty if they want some quick humor)....it should start to curb the frequency of the jokes!

Thanks for the Water therapy suggestion....it sounds so wonderful..and would probably be great...but alas, with 5 kids....who has the time?

I did buy an elliptical which is less stress on my knees and a smoother machanics overall than the other machines out there. I just need to be more serious and set a firm time and stick with it.

I am soooo apreciative of all the support that is pouring in....you guys are really great.....I have been so support deprived for so long....I didn't know how nice it felt to be overwhelmed with support! I think I will be addicted to this place quickly. LOL

hugs....and warm wishes to all ... diane : )