brownie012

I&#39;m a 24 year old mother of two, wife, and full-time student. My kids are my life, and I am getting banded to shed the weight and be healthier and more energetic for them. My husband supports me in everything that I do, and this is no exception. He made sure that it was something that I was doing for ME, and not for him. My grandma supports me because she knows of the hardships I face from carrying around the excess weight. &lt;br /&gt;<br />I have had my share of obesity-related struggles. In 2007, my gallbladder almost burst, and was removed in a surgical emergency procedure. In 2008, I had a total hysterectomy due to cervical cancer (age 21). Several months later, I began having flare ups from sciattica to the point that I could not walk due to extreme pain. &lt;br /&gt;<br />As I returned to school this past fall, I learned that I suffer from manic depression/bipolar disorder. The doctor put me on several medicines, and in the past 3months since I began taking them, I gained back all of the 30lbs I had lost in the previous months. The medications make me constantly hungry, and I never feel satisfied. &lt;br /&gt;<br />My mom was banded by Dr. James Barnes in June of 2006. She went from a size 18 to a size 6 in just over a year. We are an extremely close family, and I talked to her about her band. I watched her success and struggles, the vomiting, mouth watering, burping, you name it....it wasnt easy for her, but she did it. And because it worked so well for her, I believe that it will be equally successful for me. &lt;br /&gt;<br />I am excited to learn that my insurance through my husbands job will cover the lapband with a &#036;1300 deductible. Next week I start my journey into bandland. i cant wait&#33;&lt;br /&gt;<br />The banded community is an amazing place...it is easy to talk to others and get input and share experiences...I am happy to have found a whole othr family online&#33;