Hi all, my name is Lindsey and I'm 31 years old...I currently have a 2year old at home and am actually 35 weeks pregnant with #2, due in a few weeks.

Probably an odd time to start investigating lap band, but I've wanted to do it for a while and figured I would start with getting some information on it first.

I live in the Tacoma/Seattle area of Washington State. My husband is Air Force, which means we have Tricare for insurance. I know of one other AF wife that had this procedure and insurance paid it all for her.

I was wondering if anyone had this procedure done by any docs in this area?

I am currently 304lbs...however pre pregnancy was anywhere from 250-270.

I have been on most every diet out there and whle I had some success at times, it ALWAYS came back!! I don't know if this is a common problem, but for me I am ALWAYS hungry. It is rare that I'm full....when I am full, I'm hungry like 2 hours later or less. I've had all the typical tests like thyroid and stuff...and there isn't anything wrong with me other than I'm fat...and currently have high blood pressure (even more induced with pregnancy).

I am SICK SICK SICK of being this fat. I don't want to be some skinny minny or anything...heck a size 12 would be wonderful!!!

I have never until now, told anyone my weight other than at the doc...even my husband is left in the dark on that one. I'm so embarrased that I weigh more than him. I have NO sex drive, because I feel sooooo unattractive. I just want to feel normal. I'm not looking to be a model...just feel comfortable, be able to go on rides, do things with my kids...swim without feeling like a whale. Sitting somewhere without fear that I'll break something (like swings).

My husband and I want to move to Florida, which is where I grew up, but I really want to look better before I am faced with all those people in bathing suites and tank tops and shorts. I don't think I've worn shorts since I was 18, and even then I wasn't extatic about it.

My ultimate goal is to get healthy....and then I really really want to get a tummy tuck after the weight comes off....I have a sagging belly (part hereditary, part from being giving birth)...and it's to the point you can see it in my pants, and you can't see my vagina when I stand up and look at myself in the mirror.....oh and mirror's, I dread those things like the plague.

I know this isn't the "easy way out" and I'm not looking for that...I want something that will help me the rest of my life, not have to deal with this weight issue anymore

I'm scared to have surgery because now that I have kids...I need to be there for them....but if I can't get this weight in order, I won't be there for them!!

So any tips, advice, opinions, ect....I'd love to hear them!!!!

Sounds to me like you want this for all the right reasons. Perhaps you could start talking to your doc about weight - that would give you a head start on the "doctor supervised weight program" even while you are still pregnant.

Most of all, for now, just worry about having that baby! You are close... Good luck!

thanks!!! Not sure if tricare makes me do the doctor supervised weight thing or not. The girl I know that had it done who had tricare got hers scheduled pretty fast it seems...but I don't know all the details.

So after surgery, I don't know much about what happens...how food is tolerated, I really know nothing at all about the procedure.

I know you have a port or something that more saline can be put into?? Is that weird to feel that??

I've briefly read that you can't drink with meals?? That would be a huge issue for me, but I'd do what I have to.

I'm not banded yet. But I'm sure that someone will come along that has the answers to your questions. This site is a wonderful resource - lots of people who have already gone through the process.