MyBandAID

I have been obese since I was 10 years old. I weighed in at 145 pounds in the 3rd grade. Been through Hell in school, constantly picked on and degraded up until High School. I was the funny girl, the class clown-who made everyone laugh so I didn't have to decipher if they were laughing with me or at me, though most of the time it was with... That was long ago but remembering it takes me back to those feelings of worthlessness. I am going to be 29 soon, am recently Married and completely bummed out by my unhealthy body and my mindset. One of my past attempts to lose weight took me to a forum board (which led me to think there was one for the lap band) where I was one of many taking the appetite suppressant "*hentermine". Now I believe this implant could help me and be the end to my unhealthy life and the beginning to the rest of my healthy life... This is what troubles me. I have tried all the "magic pills" shown on TV, the celebrity endorsed weight loss programs, read the books, followed the eating plans; even payed to see a nutritionist who ended up giving me drugs that ended my hunger essentially making me Anorexic... I LOST WEIGHT and GAINED IT BACK PLUS SOME. I don't want the Lap Band to be another notch on my belt. I would like to work with it and achieve my goals. Or at least would like the opportunity for it to...per the qualifications I don't believe I qualify for the surgery, according to the BMI numbers. With my Marriage benefits, brought me Medical Insurance. The first coverage I will have that has not been provided by the state in 10 years. I have an appointment with my new PCP on Tuesday and am looking forward to getting a Compete Physical and to learn the state of my health. I have been feeling strange and apprehensive about talking with her about the lap band.. Why? I guess I should put those feelings to the side until I know if I have a co-morbidity or not. So here I am. I believe that everything happens for a reason and I that I was supposed to open up to whoever will receive what I have said. THANK YOU for reading and for those that hear me and have any response, I welcome it.

Sorry for the frustration they are giving you!! Hope it all falls into place and works out for you quickly. Keep calm and carry on

Great to know thank you and I am glad all is going well for you

Bullock: I was a little nervous about talking with my Doctor about the surgery so I kind of waited for her to talk about other medical options first and she mentioned she knows a surgeon who does gastric bypass. I was a bit shocked to hear that but that is not what I want, I want the lap band. I asked her about the LB and she says that the Doctor she mentioned does not "believe" in it. Well I would like my anatomy to stay intact and not have the severity of mal-absorbtion that most if not all gastric patients encounter. So yeah. I am attending a LB seminar a week from today to get more info about the band and to see if the Surgeon that is hosting it is compatible with me and my insurance. I do not have any co morbidities that I know of. I thought for sure I had high blood pressure but no. I am happy for this but I dont need it since I am only 10 lbs away from a BMI of 40. Stephanie I look forward to reading about your experiences with the Band in your Blog

Thank You all for your responses!!! I met with my Doctor yesterday and she gave me the number to a surgeon who "doesn't believe" in lap band surgery. He preforms Gastric Bypass which does not interest me and My Husband and I like the idea of the lap band over the gastric. Diabetes and High Blood Pressure run in my family. I will know in a week if I am pre diabetic or have type 2. As far as high blood pressure it took 5 times for them to get a reading because of how thick my arms are... and when they finally got it, it was 110/40 I think it was? So as far as co morbidities I am not sure I have any that count towards my favor with the insurance. BUT I am 10 lbs away from a BMI of 40. So I called the Surgeon she mentioned and made an appointment for a consult. Have yet to hear from them so maybe that is for the best as gastric seems too extreme. My husband likes the fact that I could get adjusted with the lap band for when I am pregnant, whatever gives him more peace of mind gives me more peace of mind. Oh and I found out that the appetite suppressant I was on has recently been recalled do to unwanted affects to the heart! That is just great thanks to the Doc who gave it to me!!! I have a seminar scheduled the 21st of this month so I am looking forward to that. Thank you again for taking the time to respond, it seems people are more observers than repliers here which is fine. To each there own. But I was really looking for some guidance. Thanks again and I hope to keep in touch through this process and my road to recovery

Hate to burst your 30 day bubble all but THC stores in your Fat cells. I wouldn't tell your doc and for the time being it might be wise to forgo it for awhile. Aside from the possibility it might change the course of your scheduled surgery I would imagine it might impede your healing process afterward. Also I would worry about the munchies and having the band... I quit, I am not even approved for the surgery. I am in California where holding a Medical Marijuana license protects me from it being illegal. Its not worth the trouble and the unwanted side effects for be Munchies and being DUMB<- that is what I call it lol. Hope you get the answers you need

Extremely informative and I am very appreciative that you took the time and posted this!! Thank you

Hi Lisa Congrats on your Surgery! I have a question for you... do you have pain because of your incision sites or because of the placement of the band? I ask because I am pretty flexible even at my weight. Do you think you will always have pain when you do bend or move that certain way? Thanks for feeding my curiosity Welcome

Hello all Meeting with my PCP tomorrow to see if I qualify. I am happy to see that you are excited and pumped up to make changes Keep that attitude and you should do just fine I am 28 Married and live in California. Been obese since I was 10 years old and like you look forward to the day I can walk into a store pick something off the rack and be able to wear it! Keep us posted on your diet process. Oh what type of supervised diet do they have you on, what foods are you eating? Have a good day all!!

I am glad you have been keeping us posted I am new here and have not yet met with my Brand New PCP. I will on Tuesday and will talk with her then after a complete physical. Have you found your surgeon yet? Good thoughts to you!

Great Job Keep doing that and Good Luck to you on your happy Tuesday!!!

Hi Monica! I was thrilled to see that you are from the bay, I am too! I was not thrilled however to see how poorly you were treated. Go with your instincts on this one! After what I read I wouldn't have sat there and been able to complete the days tests! I look forward to seeing what decisions you make and how everything turns out for you. Take care of you

I am sorry to hear you are feeling out of sorts. If you don't mind me asking how fast was your loss and what reaction is your liver having? I hope you feel better and get your next fill as expected. Take care of you!

I can understand you feeling nervous, but I believe we all have some uneasiness going into something new and so encompassing. Keep positive thoughts and supportive people around you during this time. I am meeting with my Doctor to discuss the possibility of getting the surgery myself. You will be great; making this decision and following through just shows me that you are determined to take control of your health. Be strong, keep calm and carry on Good thoughts to you!

Hi There! I am new here also and am seeing my PCP on Tuesday to have a Physical and talk about the Lap Band Surgery. How great to know you found a wonderful Surgeon! How long after your surgery do you think you will overcome the diabetes, has your Doctor mentioned it? Good Luck and Positive Vibes during this monumental time

Even when I was the lowest amount of weight in my mid twenties I still perceived myself as fat. Something else to work on I guess... I complained a lot one day about it and my Mom got fed up and drove me to the grocery store and had me hold up 2 thirty pound bags of potatoes and she told me that I used to carry that weight. That alone really put into perspective how my body had changed as I struggled to hold on to them and carry them around. You sometimes cant help how you feel but try to redirect your thoughts to remind yourself of where you have come from. Well done on your weight loss

Sorry I couldn't be of any help to you! I thought the more serious co morbiditys are diabetes, sleep apnea or high blood pressure. I have yet to see my Doctor regarding the surgery. I think I might have high blood pressure my wont know until my apt on Tuesday. Good luck to you and welcome

Mrs.Crosby You are doing the right thing by writing your note! Feel free anytime to write to keep you on course. It sounds rough, I have not been where you are and cant relate but it sounds tough. It also seems like a good start to the rest of the tests that await. You will do great, take this one day at a time. Good thoughts to you!

All the luck to you on your BIG day! Thank you RN for the repost it addressed a lot of my initial questions! Good Vibes to all.

Good to see you are doing well! And that you don't need any pain meds How long do you think your recovery will be? Take care of you!

Hi Jamie I just wanted to say though I do not have even the lap band surgery approved, that it is okay to be scared. It's totally normal, BIG changes. I cant tell you what it will be like after the surgery since I have not been there myself but change is necessary because the alternative is a lot SCARIER. Rule your Mind or it will rule you. Sending good energy your way, Own the challenge, you will do great!

Amazing!! I am so Happy for you Mallory!!! Is it okay if I ask why your insurance denied your request? I have yet to ask my Doctor about about the surgery. I have a ways to go in this journey and am curious. No worries if Not. What an incredible thing to happen for you