Hello! First, let me say that I am SO GLAD I found this site! I am 33, 5'3" and 230 lbs and I have been considering the whole lap band thing for about a year now. I'm still not sure if it is the right thing to do - my husband (Mr. Army, who has to work hard to GAIN weight for crying out loud!) seems to think that a treadmill and eating less will fix everything. Lets be honest, if that were the case, I wouldn't be here.

But I do wonder if he has a point, am I giving up? I realize that a lap band isn't the easy way out (that would be taking up permanent residence on the couch), but it is a little embarrassing, scary, intimidating... Plus, I haven't been "thin" since before puberty and don't even know what that looks like or feels like. And what if I go through all this, and don't see any difference? Logically I realize that losing 100 pounds WILL make you look different, but what does that really mean?

Sorry for the stream of consciousness post, these are the things I am wondering about (basically, is it the right thing to do?) and I really hope that y'all will be able to walk me through some of this.

Thanks so much!

Leesa

Just do it!

Losing 100 lbs means better joints, better self esteem, better eating habits and your hubby will like it too.

Diets are temp, lap band works and I am so glad I did it.:wub:

Your stats are very similar to mine (less the age...I'm 46). It is easy for someone to say to just exercise more and eat less. It's a little more complicated for those of us in the situation!!

I just found out that I have diabetes and sleep apnea. I say don't wait until these things hit you before you take action.

I am awaiting insurance approval... I should hear this week!! I am very excited and nervous at the same time.

If you decide to go ahead, make sure you choose a bariatric doctor who is part of a "Center of Excellence" group. Some insurance companies won't cover doctors who don't have this credential from the Society of Bariatrics. There are some out of pocket expenses that you will have to pay for, so you should call your doctor and see what they require.

My doctor wouldn't even see me until I went through all of their requirements which included a psych evaluation, nutritionist appt., cardiologist, endocrinologist, pulmonologist.

Good luck!!

Hi Fireatak:

Just wondering how everything went for you. I am still waiting for insurance approval (Anthem). How was the procedure, recovery?

How long did insurance approval take?