Hello,

I'm Kori and I'm 21 years old. I have been considering the Lap Band surgery for a while. I am much too scared to go the gastric bypass route. I FINALLY got my fiance to approve it. (Not that I needed his approval mind you, but it helps since I'm going on his insurance in November). I'm big framed so I've always been a little bigger. But I gained a ton of weight in high school mostly due to depression. I am up to 260 now with my highest being 275. Even after high school I just kept gaining and gaining and gaining. It's so frustrating! Especially since I have tried dieting and now I have some medical problems!

I've had IBS since I was 4 years old so my weight can't be a cause of that but I'm sure it doesn't help. I have a thyroid issue and some insulin issues (not quite diabetes but like pre-diabetes). I'm not sure whether I have PCOS or not. I haven't gotten a normal period since I was 14 years old. I need to take birth control pills or I don't get one. o.o I have to buy new work pants all the time because I just can't stop gaining weight it seems. It's expensive!

So I guess I have a few questions. Anybody have Independent Health insurance? experience or advice? Any other advice on financing? Currently, I am infertile, will losing weight bring that back? And am I allowed to get pregnant (not for a few years though :rolleyes) with the Lap-Band? My fiance is the most worried about erosion of the band. How often does that happen? :huytsao

Thank you so much in advance for answers!

--Kori Lyn

Hi Kori :wave: welcome the forum

I'm sure several others will chime in with similar situations. I soooo wish I could have gotten the band at 21! It would have been difficult emotionally to deal with the band, for me, that young...but the benefits would have SO outweighed the difficulties!

I'll try to answer you questions....

Anybody have Independent Health insurance? I don't but you may find information on this in the Insurance section of the forum. I'm sure we have others that have IHI

Any other advice on financing? If your health insurance doesn't cover it, there is a variety of financing optinions. There are loans, going to Mexico where it's usually much less expensive, borrow from family or friends, take a second job... It's kind of a "Where there's a will, there's a way" situation.

Currently, I am infertile, will losing weight bring that back? Quite possibly!!! As you lose weight, the fat releases estrogen, this increasing fertility!

And am I allowed to get pregnant (not for a few years though ) with the Lap-Band? Sure...lots of ladies on this very forum have had babies after the band. The doc will completely unfill your band while pregnant...then you can get fills again after the baby is born.

My fiance is the most worried about erosion of the band. How often does that happen? It's a rare complication. According to my surgeon, this happens mostly when the band is over filled for too long OR filled too aggressivly.

I hope that helps a little...keep reading the boards and do your research. I'm sure you'll make the best decision for you

I get my operation on February 6th 2009. I lost 35 pounds since. My firs fill is tomorrow March 26th. Since a week now, I'm not able to keep food. I regurgitated most of the time.

Do you know if this is normal? I take my time to eat and I chew food. Do you know if the stress could be a reason of this kind of problem?

Thank you in advance

Marlie

P.S: sorry for the mistake. English is not my first language