Hi there, I'm a newbie.....

[gwenie 0]

Hi, my name is Gwenie, I live in North Texas by the Oklahoma border. I am 60 years old, and weigh 294, height 5'4". I'm not married, divorced.

I am looking into the Lapband because I just can't control the volume of food I am eating. I have been heavy all of my life. I have Diabetes 2, arthritis, high blood pressure, high cholestrol.

My problem is the amount of money it will cost.....and to find a great surgeon.... I have Cigna Insurance and they have made it very clear they will not pay any part of it. Which I find really crazy...if they know it will save them money in the long term....no cutting off of limbs, no blindness....no heart disease....I mean come on Insurance....Senators, whomever makes the rules.....can't you see this is needed?

I think the worst part of the whole Lapband surgery will be the liquid diet....at least for me.....especially the pre-op one.....I can take the pain, at least that is what I am telling myself....LOL.

I've had cardiac stress test done, the breathing test, just need to find a doctor now....maybe in Mexico (my son-in-law is from there). There is one here in Sherman.....brand new to the area.....

So that's the scoop on Gwenie.

[kathystrick 3]

Hi Gwenie! Congratulations on your decision to get the band. There is a lot of information on here about doctors in Mexico. Sounds like you are well on your way to having all of your pre-op stuff taken care of. From what I have read, the liquid diet pre-op is worse than post-op, but not all doctors require the full liquid pre-op, so that's good. Anyway, good luck to you in finding a doctor and welcome to LBT!

[losingjusme 12]

hi Gwenie,

welcome to LBT. i was a very large volume eater as well and the band has really helped me.

just think of the liquid diet a temporary thing that you can get through. not all surgeons require only liquids, so you never know.

best of luck to you.