I decided to post on this forum finally since I have been browsing it for a few weeks following my procedure. I guess it is my way of showing appreciation for everything shared on this forum, it is quite helpful. Just a quick background on me:

I am a 35 year old former athlete. I used to play ice hockey religiously as well as soccer. However marriage, laziness and quitting smoking, along with chronic over eating got the best of me. Last spring (2007) I weighed 330 lbs. I am 6 feet tall and those pounds were very uncomfortable to say the least. Aside from that I was seeing early signs of much more severe problems on the horizon. I had depression, looked like total crap, felt like crap, sleep apnea and swelling in the ankles. So....I followed through. I had met with Dr. Gellman a year ago and had the information I needed to prepare for the lapband. On August 17th I did the surgery.

Last April I Was 330, on the day of the surgery I was 317. Today (October 2) I weigh 274.6. I have not felt this good in well over a decade. My doctor has yet to close or tighten the band. He put in the "big boy" band and is very pleased with how I am doing on sheer will and motivation.

Thanks again to you all for sharing, it helped me a lot. If I can be any help, just contact me.

Jack

Welcome Jack,

I have only been here a little while myself and it has been very pleasing to see all the B&A pics, and to be able to share stories with all the people here since they can understand where I come from.

You sound alot like me, as in HS I was very athletic playing Volleyball and Softball and was always able to stay nice & trim. Well, after meeting the love of my life I guess I got comfortable, and the sit-down desk jockey type job didn't help either. I simply eat too much! I became more mobile after learning of my HBP, and since I didn't want any more co-morbidities I started working on getting banded.

Congrats to you on your decision and your weight loss. Here's to you and your new life!! Hope to see you post more!

Good luck!

Which insurance do you have and how long did it take to be approved?

Jelbel

I have oxford and it wasnt a problem actually. As far as blood pressure and blood sugar those were all normal but i was well over 100lbs overweight and combined with the doctor's administrative efficiency it took no time at all. i actually completed my last exam a week before my actual surgical date.