Questions Before Consultation/seminar Please Help :)

[christina512 0]

Hi everyone! I am new to the forums.. I could really use some advice before considering lap band surgery.

I keep going back & forth, making consultation appts then not going.

Its been awhile again and here I am considering it again. I have 3 family members that had it done & had great success. I am worried about qualifying mostly at this point...

My bmi is 38 now.. I have Medicare as my primary insurance & I'm hoping I can qualify to have the procedure covered.

Also, I am 32... 5'3, 212pds

I have been struggling with my weight for years now though... lost & gained it back several times and I am just frustrated a permanent solution sounds so good to me at this point although I know it will still take some work on my part.

I just hope it would be the right decision, I was never overweight until around age 24 ..after that and having my daughter the weight started adding on.. & medications I have to take just make it harder to lose the weight or cause weight gain.

Anyways.. sorry for rambling..any advice is appreciated

[jojo in ks 0]

It has been the best decision I have ever made, but it has to be the right decision for you. The band is such a useful tool in getting the weight off. If you follow what the doctor tells you to do, it works. You will be able to eat "most" things, but will hit restriction after a small amount of food.

I too have lost weight several times before (75+ pounds a couple of times), and this is the first time I really feel that I'll get where I need to be. I have such a busy life with work and 2 kids at home. I knew that I needed a tool to help restrict my intake, because I didn't have time to go to the gym or do anything active. Then I lost 30 pounds... and I WANTED to go to the gym. Now I am upset when I can't get to the gym.

Look through this site as there is so much insight and information here, and it will really help you make an informed decision.

Best of luck!

[Cocoabean 430]

The biggest question that comes to my mind is with a BMI of 38, do you have any co-morbidities, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea?

If not, you might not qualify. Most insurances require at least one with a BMI less than 40.

[NWgirl 574]

I personally was around 38 when I started to consider the surgery. I knew I either needed to gain weight or have health problems (which are minimal). I ended up purposefully gaining about 10lb prior to my consult just so I was sure I qualified. Some may not think this is a good idea, but I have been overweight since I was 7 and have tried formal weight loss programs to no success.