AngelaO

I have struggled for a number of years with my weight.  Like many of us who struggle with weight related issues, I have been for a couple of years now.  I will admit that I have not had weigt issues all of my life.  As a child /teenager I was normal weight.  I had my first child at age 17 and gained  whopping 80lbs.!  Never lost it!  With my second at age 23 I only gained 35 lbs and lots about 15lbs of it. For over 20 years I 've gone from a 200lbs to my heaviest (currently) 240lbs. Although, I dont have high blood pressure, or diabetes I do have joint pain, swelling of the legs and feed, lower back pain. For about a year now Ive been investigating weight loss surgery, reading articles and blogs online by individuals who have had the surgery, or contemplating the procedure.  I finally made up my mind after trying another failed diet.  I decided that I will not continue on the path of yo-yo dieting and once-and-for-all do something about my struggles. After reviewing materials, and speaking with husband and doctors.  I began my journey. I chose the  lap-band because I feel my lifestyle including the type of work  that I do would not be as affected by my new lifestyle change or would be accommodating. While I am still in the very beginning stages of my pre-op journey, I am very motivated about the choice I have made.My insurance (UMI) United Health Care, has approved me for 100% of the cost, with a co-pay of $300. due on the date of the procedure.  The only requirement is a six month grace period for medical observation. To date I have sat in on the intital  informative  seminar, the one required session with a psychiatrist (quite interesting), one meeting with New Start-(the program that my surgeon is  an affiliated  member of and the first of six visits with my primary care physician.  During this appointment, I had to give blood sample, where they check my thyroid for abnormalities.  Im on my Way!!!!!