Hey everyone my name is Loubet and I've been banded this past Monday (August 24). I'm still in pain and I'm not yet able to return to school or my normal activities. I've been able to lose 50lbs on my own with just dieting and exercising but I need the lap-band to help me lose all the weight and reach my goal of 120. I'm currently 227 and my highest weight was 277. I still have 107 more pounds to go. :] I just started posting videos on youtube and plan to post them weekly as I lose weight. You can contact me here or there and I'm happy to answer any and all of your questions. http://www.youtube.com/user/LBEM1115 :w00t:

Great Video Loubet! I really applaud you for sharing all that with us.

I think you will do amazing and will get to your goal of 120 in no time. Like you I have been overweight most of my life. I have a goal of 145 and my husband thinks that is to drastic but I plan on reaching it and possible a little more.

Again thank you for sharing with us. I tried vlogging but because of my size I just don't feel comfortable even though I did post one or two of them.

Also on insurance, it is not the insurance carrier, blue cross blue shield, united health care, atena, or any of the others that decide if they will cover the wls or not, it is the company you work for. Or in this case whom your Mom works for. They decide what they want to offer for coverage. Most companies did not cover WLS because of the cost, it would make the premiums so high etc... but now more and more companies are covering it because the realize the benefit of doing so. Also the money savings from people coming off meds, less doctor visits, etc. Just an FYI, I used to work for an insurance carrier so that is why I know a bunch about it.

Again great job on the pre weight loss and here is to a much healthier and skinner you!!

I was also nervous posting anything on youtube because I was (and still am) scared of negative or rude comments regarding my size. However, I've watched so many videos and they've inspired me to better myself, so I figure, why not just do the same?

You're right, it's the hospital my mom works for that did not have wls in their policy. When I received the bad news from my doctor, the first thing I did was call the insurance company and plead for them to do something, to which they replied that it was out of their control. I do know a lot of people that have had wls and also have anthem blue cross and blue sheild but it is too bad that not all companies are willing to consider wls into their policy.

Thank you so much for the compliments and I do hope I can be brutally honest with myself and with everyone who is watching my videos. I'm hoping it'll keep me "in check" and also keep everyone informed on how it difficult it really is. I'm sick of people telling me I took the easy way out. This is so not the easy way, we are working just as hard, if not harder than people who choose to just do diet and exercise alone.

Hope you reach 145 soon, keep us posted. :w00t:

great videos, and i totally congratulate you on your band, your weight loss, and the courage to post those videos to share on your journey. its always nice when i see people close to my age sharing their experiences!