First I would like to commend everyone who is a part of this site from the individual considering banding to pre-op to post-op all the way to the experienced. Thank you all for coming together and sharing you concerns, fears, triumphs, setbacks, and stumbles along the way.
I will try to be brief however, I will like to share my story. I am 43 years old and I have always had a problem trying to keep my weight down to a recommended level. Over the last few years I have tried a number of diets but I have always gained the weight back. I would usually lose between 20 -40lbs and then I would just stop. As most of you probably already know, this can be very disheartening.
I have been considering banding for the last two years and have researched it periodically but I didn't follow through because of the concern that my insurance would not help cover the cost. Well, to by surprize, I found out last week that they will now cover 85% of the cost, Thank You God.
Here is where I stand now, as I mentioned I am 43yrs old, 6 feet tall and weigh (as of yesterday's doctors' visit) 350 lbs which gives me a BMI of about 47. I currently have Atril Fibrilation ( I won't go into detail but you can read about it on Webmd) which my cardiologist expects was cause by a childhood infection. I also have sleep apnia and a degenerated disk in my lower back. If I don't make some changes in my life, the next thing on the list is going to be Diabetes. This is not by any means a pity party, I am just trying to let you know my story. I have been married to a wonderful woman for 4 1/2 years and I have 26yr old & 20yr old stepdaughters and God blessed us with a wonderful son 3 yrs ago. If all this isn't motivation to make a major change in my life, I don't know what is.
Here is where I am now. I met with my regular doctor yesterday for the needed consultation & refferals and he is behind my decision 100%. I am scheduled for my psych eval in two days and I see know reason why I shouldn't pass that step. I am waiting on a telephone call for my first appointment with the surgeon I have picked (who has been recommended by one of my wife's co-workers who was banded in March of 2009).
So I am on my way and I am very positive about the whole idea of being banded. I know that I may not be all roses but I have to much to concentrate on to help me through any of the low times, plus I feel pretty confident that I can always post here for help.
Sorry to draw this out but hopefully my situation and decisions may help someone else out there
Rhepting
