I am very interested in WLS, I actually went down this road last year but had to put it off because of my age. I have minor sleep apnea and a BMI of 42. I weigh about 219 and am 5'1' tall. I worry that because of my age and lack of what my doctor calls more serious comorbities I wont be covered by my insurance or find a surgeon. I am going to an info session on wednesday with dr. lui. I have obesity on both sides of my family and the average lifespan of my mothers side is about 52 years of age :-(. I have been on WW twice and lost 30+ pounds both times but it always comes back with a vengence and atleast 10 or 15 extra. I also lost about 30 pounds on alli but that also came back :thumbup: I think the reason that I have been able to lose weight is because while i was heavy I could still exersize but lately I have been having pain in my knees that is making it more difficult. I want to stop the cycle before I end up to sick to change things. Any advice?

You are certainly within the common guideline requirements to qualify for surgery, you are an adult and with your prior expereince with weight loss, it sounds to me like the Lap Band could be the answer for you.

A BMI above 40 usually does not require comorbities and why does your doctor want to wait until you develop comorbities???...nip this in the bud now while you are still young and healthy. If he does not get on board, I would try to find someone who will. Good luck!!!

I think you should go for it. Im barely 5 feet tall and about 200. I was covered by insurance. You wont know till you try :cursing:

My doctor wanted me to consider the surgery when i was 18, and that was 6 years ago when the surgery wasn't nearly as common as it is today, especially for young people. At that age I was shocked he even suggested it because I was so young. I was totally against that idea for many years. Now that im almost 24 and havent lost the weight on my own i feel it's time i take this step. The surgery center im going to has perfomred the surgery on a lot of people your age and even younger. It's much more common now and you should just look for another doctor who will support you more through this.

...if only it were available to me when I was 18, *sigh*

Dont be discouraged because you never know what your insurance company will do! All you can do is try to make them believe that this is really what you need to take control of your life.

My surgery was completely covered, all I had was a few copay's at all of my doctors visits and one small deductible of 150.00. I am 6'0 tall and weighed 294 when I began my 6mo Weigh Loss diet with my PcP, my bmi was 43. I have no co-morbidities besides the fact that obesity runs in my family, but they really dont consider that.

When I began my 6mo weight loss my PCP told me that I probably would not be covered, but I tried anyways. I went every month, and I also went to a weekly weigh watchers meeting just for support. At first I didnt really try to lose any weight...2lbs per month maybe 5. Then I decided to get serious and started working out with a personal trainer along with watching what I ate (I also got out of a 3 year relationship, so I probably was motivated by that) By the end of my 6mos I lost about 25 pounds. I had all of my tests and sent over documentation from my doctors, my weight watcher meetings, and my personal training facility. I tried to give them no reason to deny me...and they didnt! I was approved on my first try and I never thought I would see that date because I was told that I wasn't "over weight enough".

Moral of the story...dont be discouraged and dont stop trying! If its meant to happen it will!

The best of luck,

Roxy

I wont get discourage, thanks! I am going to do the 6th month diet and if they say no then I will do my best to cashpay...

I was in the same boat with you. I was 60lbs overweight and wanted to nip it in the bud before it got out of hand. I'm very glad I had surgery, it is helping me to make life changes early that will be usefull to me for the rest of my life. I think it is a good idea to take care of a weight problem before it gets out of control, it's easier that way.

Im gutted that I didnt "man up" and go for it 10 years ago - god if only! It would have changed my twenties like you wouldnt believe! Now I am feeling anxious that I will probably be 31 before I am looking thin and hot!!

Do some more research but dont be scared!