I posted this in another forum and got no feedback, so I'm going to post here as well. Hopefully I'll have more luck!
I am considering gastic bypass/Lap-Band® surgery and I'm just starting to explore my options. I have BCBS of IL PPO insurance, and I'm looking for insurance to cover the surgery. I'm a 5'8" female, and I current weigh about 235. Over the past 5 years I've weighed between 252 and as low as 203.
I did a low calorie, doctor supervised weight loss diet for 6 months to lose the 50 pounds (to get down to 203), but I gained most of it back within a year or so. Because of the calorie restircted diet, I had to have my gallbladder removed about 6 months ago. I have borderline high blood pressure (and I'm only 32) and high triglycerides, but am not on any medication.
So... am I a candiate for surgery? Do I have to gain weight to be a candidate? I have been overweight pretty much my entire adult life, I have tried diet after diet and nothing sticks. I need to be around to take care of my kids and I won't be able to do that when I weigh as much as I do. Please let me know your thoughts and/or suggestions to make this surgery a reality for me.