Lori in Spokane

I am in the beginning stages of seeking lap band surgery. I see my internist tomorrow and pre-op informational seminar next week. After gaining weight - 50+ lbs - with no changes in diet and exercise and being diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes, high triglycerides, and cholesterol in the last five years and NO results after increasing activity and following Weight Watchers diet have decided to seek this out as a last resort to lose weight to get off all of the meds and regain my health. After realizing how much I've changed my life and what I do (or don't do is more like it) as a result of my weight, I am very excited at the prospect of feeling normal again. I work as a sales rep and know that I am judged by my size and it dings my creditbility by what people must think about me. I HATE that! I eat small lunches when entertaining clients so they don't think I over eat, but am always thinking that they must think that I go home and gorge myself to be my size when nothing can be further from the truth. I hate clothes shopping and can't find anything to fit or feel good in to appear professional in my work. I would love any advice, or comments from anyone. I love the idea of online support and as I proceed with my journey, being of help to anyone who seeks me out. Life is hard enough and we must encourage one another. Thanks for reading my story and I look forward to hearing others.
Update: Surgeon's visit - Jan 7th. Weight 232. Surgeon said I was perfect candidate for LapBand. Should resolve my diabetes, hypertension, triglycerides, cholesterol by losing 50 - 60 pounds. I hope to lose more than that, down to 120 ish to be where I was in college in a size 6/8. That's just a fringe benefit as I just want to be off of all of the meds which are really messing with my memory and cognitive skills.
Update: January 22. Received insurance approval letter! yay! Next step is pre-op testing. Already finished psych eval, so have GI and blood work. My case manager says that can take up to 12 weeks and I can't imagine! We'll see!Update..February 11th....All testing is done now. Had my chest xray, upper GI, blood work on Jan 29th, EKG on Feb 5th, and follow up cardio stress test (cardiologist wanted it since I have diabetes) was today. All seemed to go well, so next step is for surgeon to review, then I go to scheduling. wahoo!! I'm just fearful they'll come back with "oh, we have an opening in June" and that'll really break my heart. I've waited so long and been so dilligent. Plus, I was laid off from my job last week and really can't hit the job search hard with pending surgery. We shall see what they say! :)