Melissa A-D

I started looking into Lap-Band a few years ago after reaching over 300 pounds. The thought of surgery and some of the things I would have to give up - like never drinking and eating at the same time again- scared me away from the idea. I went to a clinic near my house a couple years later and I was asked if I had ever thought about bariatric surgery. I admitted that I had however had been scared and unsure if I could afford the surgery. The nurse practioner I was seeing had the surgery, as did her son and her husband was awaiting approval from the insurance company. She told me about the sucess that she and her son had, which gave me the courage to complete the blood work  for the claim for surgery could be issued to my insurance company. A few months later, I was denied by the insurance company and thought that I would never have the surgery done. Well, July, 2009 I had a baby boy, my first child. Looking at him, I knew I had to do something to change the issues I had with food and my weight. So, I called about the Lap-Band surgery again (Jan 2010). Went through the process of submitting the surgery to my insurance (I was working for a new employer) and about a month later I was approved (March 2010). At that point I was truly freaking out. I was excited about the prospect of getting healthy and loosing weight so I could be a positive role model for my son but I was also afraid of giving up food. I scheduled my surgery for May 31,2010 so that I would have enough time to think about this process and make sure I was ready for this type of commitment. Well, I am proud to say - I did it. Three days ago I had Lap-Band surgery. I lost about 11 pounds the week prior to my surgery due to the liquid diet. So, I went into the surgery weighing 348 pounds.