Hi everyone, my name is Cindy and Im from Glen Burnie, Maryland. I have been thinking about doing the lap band. My insurance will pay for most of it. I have quite a few questions.

1) I have several health problems. I have had two open heart surgeries and I have pacemaker. My cardiologists and I have discussed this and he believes this surgery would be best (less invasive) and would help me considerably. I am always out of breath and tired out. He believes alot of it has to do with my weight. He believes this would help that situation and my heart as well. I have also been diagnosed with some slight apnea (which is caused from the weight).

2) I am wondering if any knows if the above would be considered a good reason for the surgery and if I would have to do that 6 mo diet thing before the surgery.

3) I did Weight Watchers for 1 1/2 years and lost 25 lbs and gained it all plus some back while still on WW. I just recently stop going... Should I go back or wait until I go for a consult with the surgeon. (Dr. Averbach is who I am thinking about going to).

4) How long were you out of work? I have read anywhere from 4 days to several weeks. Unfortunately I cant afford more than 1 week.

5) What do you go through after the surgery? Was it alot of pain?

6) I have figured my bmi to be roughly around 39.4... I am 5'5" weigh 238 lbs.

Well, that is all I can think of for now. I really want to do this and I am scared to death. I am afraid I will fail at another attempt. I am hoping enough weight comes off in the beginning that my energy changes and I can get into exercising.

I will be back after I go to the seminar which should be next month.

Thanks in advance for all the answers to my questions, and keep up the good work for all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some of your questions just depend on your insurance. About going back to WW, some surgeons want you to lose a certain amount of weight and they base it based on your weight at the time you have your consult. So you probably don't want to lose weight before then because you want every pound to count towards your pre-op requirement.