Hi all,
I'm new here, but have found all of your experiences and information on this discussion board very helpful as I consider this procedure.
I am 29 years old and 5'2" with a BMI of 42 right now. In all honesty, I think I suffer from a delusion that I am a thin, active person, when I am actually the complete opposite. I love to cook and eat healthy and I really enjoy being active. I've run several 5ks in the past and love walking, yoga, playing softball and other team sports. But yet, here I am, still at almost 230 pounds. It's not until I see myself in photos or my clothes don't fit right that I realize how big I've become. I've struggled with my weight all my life and have been on WW, South Beach, Body for Life, Atkins, MediFast, etc. Most recently, I've been following the new Weight Watchers plan off and on since it launched in November with minimal success. I feel like I just need some help...a little something extra that will help me stick with it. I hope this is the answer.
I checked into LapBand two years ago after a professional associate of mine lost 75lbs in four months and told me she had the LapBand surgery. At the time, my insurance explicitly said it did not cover the procedure and my BMI was not more than 40 (it was over 35). I don't have any complications...yet. However, my good cholesterol levels are low, and, last year, my running plans were put on hold as I nursed a heel spur (which I'm 95% sure was caused by my excess weight). I have family history of heart disease and high blood pressure. My husband also believes I might have sleep apnea.
Long story short, I need to get this weight off. Not just for me, but I really want to have kids in the very near future. I want to have healthy pregnancies and be able to keep up with them as they grow. We've tried a bit already and I'm worried my weight is a factor (okay, I KNOW it is a factor).
I'm registered to attend a seminar on April 15. I'm really hoping my insurance covers this procedure, as my husband and I don't have the money to pay for it out-of-pocket.
Laura