Hi everyone. I am new here and wanted to introduce myself and tell my story. I have had such a journey. I feel I could write a book at this point. Basically im an old bandster since Feb. 2003. Banded by Dr. Horgan in Chicago. Anyways I lost 60 pounds then plataued for years then decided to exercise seriously lost another 50. I was still hungry but it did keep me from overeating and eating late at night because i developed reflux all night if i ate past 8pm. Gained some back exercised more again went back down. Anyways I was always dine because i could exercise. Well over a year ago i was diagnosed with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, anemia and low thyroid. So now exercise is pretty much impossible. I feel trapped. Its a bit depressing and im never depressed ever. I started at 315 got down to 190 now im back i think about 280. Im scared to even weigh myself. This weight is making life even harder. So i found a hospital nearby that seems to have a good bariatric program. Im not sure if i will even qualify with lupus and anemia. I will be attending this saturday their seminar. The thought of going through approval for another surgery is exhausting. I had to fight a denial with my band since it was so new at the time. But I feel like I have to try at least. Im not sure which would be best for me. I have a bad sweet habit now that I didnt have before the band. But as all us bandsters know chocolate goes down so easy. If anyone has lupus or is looking to switch from the band I would love to talk. Thanks for listening to my story.

Good luck to you! I can tell you now that insurance approval is way easier than it was in 2003. I'm glad you're going to a seminar and getting started with the process.

Thanks so much. I definitely have to do something to get this weight off my joints. It is scary with the risks but i think it will be worth it. Thanks fir taking the time to reply

@@Dibaby44, hi there! I am glad to hear you are thinking about a different weight loss surgery considering your health. I suffer from psoriatic arthritis and have a lot of damage to my joints, my spine being the worst.

I ended up selecting RNY because I also had terrible reflux, diabetes, high cholesterol and sleep apnea.

I was told that the lap band would not be as successful for me because it does require more exercise than some of the other surgeries.

Since having RNY the above co morbidities are gone.

Most importantly my joints have improved so much that I exercise every other day vigorously. Knee pain and ankle pain is basically gone. Unfortunately there is so much damage to my spine that I am not sure that will ever improve but getting the weight off has to be an improvement for future damage.

Hopefully they have you on a good biological for your rheumatoid arthritis. My mom had it and she simply stopped moving at 55, she passed away at 66. Not moving caused her to gain weight and develop diabetes. Within 5 years she had her leg amputated and was gone a few years after that.

If she could have only got herself moving.

I am 51 and prior to my surgery there were many times when I simply did not want to get out of bed because of the pain. Then I remembered what it would be like for my children if I was gone at such a young age. I promised I would not give up.

It sounds like you are taking the right steps to better health.

I wish you all the best and hope you are able to get your body moving again. It is the best feeling in the world!

Hi there Djmohr!

Im not on a biological yet because my doc says Im not quiet that bad yet and there are so many more side effect possibilities. Im on methotraxate and plaquenil currently and it does make a difference. But i still dont have the energy to work out. I feel so trapped.

It is so nice to hear from someone who understands. Maybe with the weight loss I will get more energy to work out again. Just a year and a half ago I was doing spin class and other work out classes all the time. Then i started "falling apart" and finally figured out what was wrong. You are right about the moving. It is so important. I miss working out.

I do think the rny would be best for me too but with being anemic already Im not sure they will let me do it. I know a girl who had an rny and has to do blood transfusions every few months due to anemia. That scared me.

Well thanks again for the support. Cant wait to get the ball rolling

I went to the seminar yesterday. I am excited to hear I would still be a candidate even though I have anemia. Now i will have to find out about the lupus. It is nice to see an actual program where the after care support will be there. I never had that with the band. Anyways I am going to call Aetna today and see what the say about coverage. I know that every company has different exclusions even though its Aetna.