Hi I am new to this whole thing but need some help

[Andrealee 0]

Hi my name is Andrea, and i am 275lbs and 21 years of age. I have no idea if the lap band is right for me. I am healthy when it comes to blood work and such. But i have asthma and the lbs make it harder to breath then it should be. Please get back to me. :laugh: also do you know if certain health care providers cover this? Thank you and god bless

[blondie13654 0]

Hi Andrealee and Welcome to Lapband talk! I am fairly new also and have not started the process yet. You said you are 275, what is your height? Your BMI is important. Most insurances cover the Lapband but have many requirements that go with it. You say you are healthy, you must not have any thing like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea? They play a big role in getting approved. Read thru the posts here, especially in the Pre-surgery section and you will get a ton of information. Also ask away! Everyone on here is so helpfull and will answer all your questions. The Lapband is just a tool to getting you healthy, we all struggle so much thru the years with trying to lose weight with no results. This tool is a great help in that process. If you find that the Lapband IS a good option for you then you would have to talk to your personal Dr. and get his/her opinoin and then he would refer you to a surgeon. It is a lengthy process but well worth it. Read on, I think you will like what you hear!! Good luck!! :laugh: Kim

[RestlessMonkey 7]

No one here can tell you if you should or should not get the lap band. It can help a person lose weight, it can be "eaten around" if the person cheats by picking the wrong foods, not following up with fills, etc. NO bariatric surgery, however, is 100% fool proof!

Have you tried dieting and exercise? You need to exercise with the band, you know....so you'll need to get your asthma under control.

Call your insurance provider and see if it covers lap band surgery; that would be a good first step. If so, find out which surgeons and then go to a seminar. They are usually very informative and can answer a bunch of questions, and bring to mind a bunch more!

Lap band is a life style change; it's a big step. But, being fat is hard to live with, too! It may be a good option for you; only you will be able to decide once you start finding out more about it! :laugh:

[Andrealee 0]

I am 5.7 height wise i checked i am someone that can have the surgery. I want this really bad but i have to check if my health care will help with some of the cost or all :laugh: I have one doctor that does it in my area. Doctor Fox from Richland WA (tri-citys area) The cost is a lot but my health is more important then any amount of money. And yes i have tried diet. I used to go to the gym a lot, and i could run on the tredmills, and bikes for hours, but no results. I started gaining weight out of high school. I gained about 100lbs since 2006.