I am 29, turning 30 in August. I have struggled my entire life with my weight. When I look back at pictures from when I was in highschool and I thought I was fat then...... if only I knew what I would end up looking like today. I would have appreciated it so much more. I have always been around 15 - 20 lbs heavier than I should be. My whole family struggles with being overweight. We love food, and are all emotional eaters. In college I was prescribed Xenical but did NOT like it. Now I have a 6 year old and weighing in at 257 lbs on a 5'3" frame. BMI of 45. I am tired of feeling restricted in all areas of my life. As a mom, as a wife, as a friend, a sister....I'm tired of aching feet, aching backs, tired of feeling tired all the time and out of breath. Tired of pulling my shirt out of my rolls and busting out of my jeans. And I'm tired of trying all the marketed diets. I've TRIED eating right and exercising. I still do. But I slip often. I have tried several diets/pills. I have had the most success on Atkins losing 75 lbs. Only to gain it back and then some after having my daughter in 2004. I can't remember the last time the scale read below 200. Or that I could wear a size 14. I called my insurance company today to make sure LapBand was covered...and it is!! Then I called my doctor and made an appointment for Monday to discuss it. Wish me luck!! I'm scared.