Ok, So this is my first entry on this blog. A bit about myself.

I have always struggled with my weight. I was never overweight as a child or even a teen. I think this was because my Mom really was my "food monitor" I never realized that till now that I am 44. It wasn't until I got out of my Mom's grasp did I gain loads of weight which of course for most kids is when they go away to college. Before that point I was very active. I was involved in Sports and Cheerleading but still was considered "big" compaired to the other girls. I knew I was different even though I was what I now consider at a very good weight. I am 5'9 and back then I was consistantly between 145 and 160 until I was 20. At 20 I went away to a University after staying at home for 2 years while getting my AA.

My own parents were in shock when I came home for Thanksgiving weighing around 180 at that time. By Summer I was around 200. From there it was a vicious cycle. I did get engaged that Summer. My poor fiance (now husband) knew me as the good looking 20 year old and now had a overweight fiance. By the time we married the following Summer I was at 225.

4 years later came my first son. I had got up to 260 but went on diet center and immediately got pregnant but got down to 220 first in about 8 weeks. My pregnancy weight topped out at 280. 4 years later when I got pregnant again my pre-pregnancy weight had gotten to 306. By the time of delivery I was 325.

My weight was effecting a lot of my activities.

3 years later (this was back in 1996) we moved to Phoenix. I found a new love in my life....chatting online. I was bored here in Phoenix and had no friends so I took to chatting online. Somehow that sparked me not eating and being able to easily diet. I still dont know the reasoning but I was happy about it. I had gotten up to 337 and within 12 months I was down to 200 pounds. I felt great and loved life once again. I was comfortable on an airplane, shopping in normal shops etc.

Now, 12 years later, after many ups and downs I am at the highest weight I have been since my huge weight loss. I am back up to 292 and really wanting to get banded. I love to travel and it's embarrassing to squeeze into an airplane seat. I do it often but I am usually praying the night before that no one will be sitting next to me. I already have a trip to Ireland planned in September with my Mom and Sister and I know I am going to spill over into their seat. Not that they dont know how big I am, I just dont like to be reminded!

I also know I have sleep apnea though it hasnt been brought to the attention of my doctor. I am tired all the time and my feet hurt when I wake up in the morning and take those first few steps. I remember them doing that when I was at my highest weight ever. That all went away when I dropped all that weight but now in the past few months those feet pains are coming back.

Other than those "ailments" I am quite healthy. No high BP, no diabetes, no limitations etc.

Wow this has gotten very long!!

Anyway, I hope I am well aware of what being banded will do for me and I am going into it with my eyes open.

My insurance now is Cigna and it's such a cheap insurance option that my husband's company selected. It's not even normal cigna, it's got loads of exclusions and huge deductibles and co-pays. I was so happy that my husband (after working for 19 years with his current company) has just taken a job yesterday with a new company!! :rolleyes2:

When he was interviewed he found out that it's a great health plan. Its BC/BS of Mass. Some sort of Blue select program. From all it covers and how generous this insurance seems to be I feel as if they have probably not excluded lapband as an option like what the Cigna policy did.

I see this is my ray of hope!

I need to sit back till around June 1 when I am finally covered on this insurance and then find out what to do to get this process rolling!

Hi there, I'm Lyn from Ireland. I thought when I saw the word 'wee' in title that you were Irish or Scottish as we use the word a lot lol.

Just want to wish you luck with everything and I hope you've some good news to report soon. :-)

Hi,

I know how you feel. I am now at 251 the highest I have ever been, which is hard to deal with when all throughout my childhood and teen age years, most people thought I was anorexic (I was not!!) I went on my first plane ride in almost 20 years last April, when I took my son and nephew to Disney World. Thank goodness a nice couple gave up their seats so that we could all sit together since it was the kids 1st plane ride. It made is easier to sit, since they are so thin. (they were 7 &8) I wish you all of the luck, and since I am in a similar boat, just now doing research on banding, maybe we can exchange info that we find?? Best of luck

sls1974

No, not from Ireland, Lyn but I do go there a lot :rolleyes2: