Hey guys. I just wanted to say that reading your experiences and stuff really helps calm me about this whole thing.

Im 19. Ive been obese from the time I was 6 on. Being the fat kid who is also "alternative" is something i wouldnt wish on my enemy. It gets pretty hard to wake up sometimes. I've battled depression and suicidal thoughts for a long time but when I got to college i started self-discovery. I now know who I am and accepted that I can be me ... no matter what others think.

I have seriously thought about gastric bypass for around 2 years now but was always put off a bit. It's a bit extreme and something about ebing cut open and all that scared the bejesus out of me. So about 6 months ago I heard about banding. Ever since I've been researching my butt off and decided that i really want this. My mom is very supportive of me getting the surgery since she has seen how my weight issues have affected me throughout my life.

One thing that scares me is that i might not get it. I keep thinking im too "skinny" to get the surgery but too fat to lose weight any other way since nothing has worked in the past 13 years. According to every online site i've been to my BMI is 37.5. Im 5' 10'' and weight 268-ish.

My mom is going to take me to OSU to start the process of getting the surgery within the next month. If you guys could give your thoughts and opinions it'd be greatly appriciated. I see the progress others have made and i start crying because i would love to be in that position. I would love to be happy and i know most of my issues come from my weight.

sorry this is so long. ive been a writer since i can remember. though i write alot of fiction i can be very very long winded. i do thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for reading this and hopefully feedback. i would love to congratulate everyone on the success they've made so far and wish them luck. your stories have truely been an inspiration to me! :clap2: can't wait to talk to you guys!

Thanks again,

Anne

Hey Anne Welcome, Dont worry your not long winded on here.

I know of people who have had under 40 BMI's and been approved for the band. It is a tough one and you may have to fight for it, but don't give up.

I felt the same way you do about the RNY surgery. To me it just wasn't worth it.

I am just a few days shy of 14 months with my band. It is the best thing I have ever done in my life. It is no picnic though. The head stuff and why we eat is something that we all have to deal with, I think for life.

Best of luck to you and please keep us posted on how things go.

Hey Anne! We're in the same boat i can tell. I'm only 20 years old yet I've been bigger(not so much fat)as long as i can remember. I chose the Lap-band over everything else due several factors, mainly it being removable and adjustable. I literally get scared when i think of all of the bad things that could happen to me like heart disease, bone and joint problems, etc. I try to think positive and even set some goals. I want to be able to fit into a wet suit to ride a jet ski, i want to ride roller coasters and be able to fit into clothing at regular department stores! The best thing you can do is show a need for a weight lose surgery. I've heard of alot of insurance companies deny people recently due to the popularity of weight lose surgery now. For someone like me that is 5'9", 362 pounds with a BMI of 53.5, should be easy. Just keep faith that you might get it.

*I haven't had the procedure yet, soon i hope.

Do you have any comorbities? Diabetes, sleep apnea, arthritis, joint pain, high blood pressure, any of those? If you have at least 2 I know they will usually do on patients of less than 40.0 BMI. Mine was just under that and my insurance was giving me the run around so I just went to Mexico. Good luck on your upcoming journey.

It depends on your insurance. I just went to my first doctor appointment on Wednesday to start the process. I was told that you needed 2 comorbities and/or some things that make life difficult. Here are some things they look for:

diabetes

sleep apnea - almost everyone that is overweight has this

back pain

high blood pressure

weak bladder - leakage when sneezing, coughing - very common in overweight people as well

High cholesteral - high trycliserides (sp)

There were some others too, but these were the main ones I remember. If you are above a 35 and below a 40, you can get approved if you have some complications. Some might seem minor, but you sometimes do have to appeal the process.

I noticed you said you were going to OSU, is that Ohio, or Oklahoma?

I am only 32 bmi and am self pay. Surgery day Nov. 30 in Texas! Starting to get nervous, but excited too!

I have a horrible back, really weak ankles and joint pains, and the weak bladder *blush* and my blood pressure keeps getting higher and higher (my doctor keeps raising concerns) But i've never gotten medical help for these. Its too embaressing and my family doctor doesnt speak english (my mom took me to him for depression and he gave me homework advice). I'm using the weight they gave me like a year ago and im pretty sure i gained alot. So i really don't know. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what the surgeon says during the preliminary. I just hope all goes my way. The more I see the more I know lap-banding is for me and it can turn my life around.

Thanks guys for all your help!!!

oh! Sunshine2: im going to Ohio State to get banded (if my insurance will allow it *knock on wood with crossed fingers after rubbing buddha's belly*)

Anne,

I started out about the same size as you are now. It all depends on your insurance. I had like a 36 BMI and my insurance would have paid for it had my employer not had an exclusionary clause added to the policy. This means they specifically deleted weight loss surgery from our company's policy. So...... I went to Mexico. I live in Texas and found a location in Mexico that is not far from San Antonio. It is actually right on the other side of Del Rio. I had a wonderful experience and with no regrets.

I wish you the best of luck. Being "a big girl" truly sucks. I hope things work out for you so that you can get the surgery. I sure wish I had done something sooner, but hey, better late than never. lol

Welcome Anne

it is great that you have come to that realisation...Lapband is not a quick fix there is stil work to be done on our part but it is wayyy worth while! It is also great that you have supportive family my mom was very supportive of me too... infact she paid for the uninsured portion of the surgery...I have never regretted it for a moment and i am sure you wont either since you seem to want it so much...keep us posted as to your progress.

Hi Anne, welcome to lapband forum. It sounds like you are in the right place. I think your attitude is great. You have given dieting everythng and that is why the band is so great. I wish you the best of luck on your discovery and your surgery.