carolyn22

Well, it's taken me a long time to get to this point, but I've come to the conclusion that I need help to lose weight. I've tried everything - Weight Watchers, Atkins, counting calories, you name it. And it just doesn't work. I lose some weight, then hit a plateau for months on end (if not a year or more), and then start gaining back the weight plus more. This even happens when I've exercised religiously. The doctor has checked my thyroid numerous times, and nothing is wrong with it, so I guess I'm just one of those unlucky people that need to severely restrict their food intake to lose weight. Only problem is that I am always hungry. My current BMI is about 50, and I know that I need to do something, or this extra weight is going to kill me. So, I've been exploring the Lap Band as a tool to help me do this. I guess my biggest question is - can you have too many health problems where they won't even consider you for surgery? I have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine. I use Lipitor for high cholesterol, but that is the only medicine I'm taking. I guess my most serious problem is about 4 years ago, I had hurt my back, which put me in bed for a few days. I was also on birth control pills at the time. I ended up getting deep vein thrombosis in one of my legs, and small parts of the clot broke off and went to my lungs. While I was hospitalized for about a week and was anti-coagulants for a few months afterwards, I have not had any similar problems since that time. The doctors think the BCP's were the real culprit in this scenario, and I have been off them ever since the DVT/PE happened. I'm just really scared that I might not be considered a candidate for this surgery because of that problem. For those of you who have Lap Band, what do you think my chances are of being able to have this procedure done, given my past health problems? Other than some small surgeries for tendonitis-type problems, I don't have any other health issues. According to previous physicals, I know that my heart and lungs are in good shape - well, at least in good shape for someone my size - LOL! Any insights would be appreciated, and thanks in advance!

Thanks to both of you for your responses! That makes me feel a lot better!