Hello Everyone, My Name is Marina and I am 22 years old. I have struggled with my weight since I was a preteen. I was told many times throughout my early childhood that I had an under active thyroid. I was on thyroid medication for a solid 4 years until my mom's passing when I was 15. Being only fifteen, it was difficult when my mom was the one who made sure I was able to make it to all my doctors appointments, picking me up from school for them, checking in and getting my medication and etc. I ate with my emotions for years, but always had an active lifestyle, and asked the question millions of times, "Why am I still fat?". When My mother passed away, I was around 220 pounds, since then despite Weight Watchers, Medifast, NutriSystem and the latest program IdahoFatLoss. I am plumped up to 280 pounds.

The accumulation of sports activities and a result of no weight loss, nor loss in pant sizes puzzled me. I started going to the doctor when I was 17 (When I gained my drivers licence) I told my doctor, not my doctor when I was fifteen, but my main PCM who was present, about my past issues with hypothyroidism. We tested everything, the whole nine yards, and the only thing that came up was some low Vitamin D, and a slight insufficiency with Iron. Since that first visit back I have asked the multiple doctors I have had to help. We started with stress, being put on antidepressants which only made it worse as for weight gain as well as panic and anxiety medication to add to that. It was a double edged sword that i was hit with. The zoloft, wellbutrin and other antidepressants all made me gain weight, and the multiple doctors just wanted to give me more meds to help me with my mood disorders instead of helping me with my weight.

I am dependent upon my father for his military benefits ad he is completely understanding about my decision and would like me to try as hard as I can to get this surgery approved, as he has seen me struggle with my weight for so long. However I am to lose my benefits on my birthday May 9th of 2016. I know it is a great short notice but the only way I can see it as, is "Its now or never." I have an appointment to see my doctor to talk about it on January 29th, but I am terrified that he will tell me no. Does anybody have any pointers or encouragement they could offer? Also if anybody has any experience with TriCare West, could you leave your feedback?

Another question, my boyfriend and I have been together for almost a year and a half. We go to the gym, and we eat the same stuff, not the same amount. What I mean by that is that he is a human garbage disposal. He can eat 24/7, cakes, Cookies, meat, bread, anything! and doesn't gain a pound. I am afraid to talk to him, only because, every diet that I have been on since I have been with him has failed. I just don't want him to see me as a quitter. I think he will be supportive, but I am just scare to bring up the subject. Any advice on bringing up the conversation.?

As I mentioned in another thread, at my support group, I encountered many women who were married to men who could eat anything and everything and not gain weight.

They expressed concern because eating was their husbands #1 source of recreation.

My wife was similar until she turned 55 and then she started gaining weight.

I now have been sleeved for 4 months and I can tell you that I now feel as close as being one of those lucky men.

I would suggest doing a lot of research on the band. I went to one of the top hospitals in the country and they stopped doing the band because of the lack of metabolic support.

I did not want, or have I ever thought about Weight Loss surgery....it was my PCP, who recommended it as a LAST RESORT.....after a life of diets that never worked, I had no other choice...my health was failing.

Now I can say it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself....I am at a normal weight, very low body fat %, more active and athletic I have been since high school....(I'm 64 years old)

For me, I eat what I want when I want, have no fear of regaining any weight, and will never diet again...

For me, the surgery has restricted how much I can eat, and it's up to me to make the best of what I do eat...simple.

Some people struggle, old habits are hard to step away from,...but For me, it is the easiest thing I could have ever done

I was fat because I ate too much, like a machine with no thoughjt....now I am skinny and healthy because I eat about 1/10th of what I used to per day...sometimes less..

Hi there, congratulations on deciding to pursue weight loss surgery. My only regret is that I did not do it sooner. Like you I tried so many diets. I'd lose weight but then gain it back plus a bit more each time. My band has enabled me to get that appetite monster off of my back. I eat when I'm hungry and don't eat when I'm not hungry -- small portions at appropriate intervals. I don't know what that "metabolic support" comment above is about. My opinion is that insurance companies and hospital administrators prefer other surgeries over the band because of all the followup and they would rather have their surgeons in the operating room. In the first year I had 11 visits with my surgeon to be sure I was on track (including pre-op and the surgery itself). This kept me accountable. Be sure to talk about this at your appointment. I'm so happy for you deciding to take hold of your health. Your boyfriend may be reluctant to have you change the way you are but he will come around and understand that you have to take care of yourself so you don't incur long-term damage to your health. My self-esteem is so much higher now that I am not heavy. The people who love me are happy for me.

Let me elaborate on what I mean by "metabolic support" (as described by my surgeon).

I was referring to the concept that only with VSG do they remove the section of the stomach that sends hormones to the brain that make us hungry.

Nothing is removed in band surgery and in gastric bypass, the stomach is left behind and continues to produce the hunger hormone.

That said, bypass patients do great in weight loss because they also have their digestive system "shortened".

My issue with bypass was that I was uncomfortable with all that organ rerouting. Also, my surgeon said no alcohol or NSAID'S for life after bypass.

Here's one link that touches on some of the differences: http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/gastric-sleeve-surgery.html#The_Difference

I do know that lots of people have done great with the band, but I also know a lot if people have failed and then gotten conversion surgery to VSG or one of the others.