gonnabehotagain

I'm 30 years old and have been overweight since I was 17. I wasn't completely skinny as a kid, but wasn't fat either. Just an average, athletic build. So, I gained 40 pounds in 2 months because of Depo Provera and developed type 2 diabetes AS A 17 year-old! OMG! So I was put on a strict diet and lost about 15 pounds, and the diabetes went away. Until I gained weight during both pregnancies and of course developed gestational diabetes with both kids.
So I am 5'3", 198 pounds. I have had a tummy tuck and breast reduction to get rid of my then 36H boobs (right now a 40DD, but when 150 pounds was a gorgeous 34D/DD) and a horrid pannus that hung down like an apron over my lady parts - sorry about the TMI.
My lowest weight in the last 14 years is 149 pounds, in October 2006 before I got pregnant with my son. I was a comfortable and energetic size 8 on the bottom and a luscious, still full-figured size 12 on the top. I was crazy happy with how I felt and looked. All the clothes are still in the closet. I still have the most comfortable pair of jeans I've ever worn (Abercrombie and Fitch, size 10) in my drawer, waiting for the day I can get them up my calves again. Weight for those 162 pounds. Hehe...
I've done B-12 shots plus phentermine, 5HTP, glucophage, and vitamins for weight loss. I lost a whopping 8 pounds of water weight that came back on three times as quick as it came off. That cost me $800. I've also done just phentermine plus 5HTP for a few years, off and on. My insurance is carefirst BCBS through DC but I live in Virginia. I am a government employee but not Federal. My file will be submitted for pre-approval to the insurance company tomorrow morning (5/26/2011). I have had a couple gaps in the process of completing the required (2) three month diet programs. I did not go consecutive months, but I was following diet plans. The insurance coordinator (shout out to wonderful Pam at Bluepoint!) seems to think that I have a good shot at approval. Worst case scenario is that I have to do another three month diet, which will only help me be more successful with my LapBand once it gets implanted.
Top non-pregnant weight ever: 205 pounds
Current weight: 198 pounds
First Goal Weight: 163 pounds - byebye obese me
Second Goal Weight: 149 pounds - back to pre-pregnant me
Final Goal Weight: 127 pounds - healthy me.