Newbie from Southern GA

[jaimed123 0]

Hi everyone, I'm Jaime a 31 year old mother of 3 boys. I am at my breaking point after YEARS of yo yo dieting I NEED to do something before it is to late. I am currently at my heaviest 240 :scared2: and I am only 5' 3". My DH is in the Navy and I just recently found out that Tricare approved this surgery as long as you were double your healthy weight. Well I am. I have my first appointment on June 2nd. Hopefully they will get me scheduled for surgery by Fall. Wishfull thinking maybe, but we will see.

I am sick and tired of being fat. I almost cant wear the seatbelts on the rides at Disney. I am so ashamed of myself. I don't want to be skinny, just normal. I can't even wear shorts anymore because I am disgusted with my fat legs. Other then the hospital pictures of my with my babies I have no pictures with (or without) my kids. How did I get to this point? I am hoping this will be my way out.

Thanks for listening. At least I you all know how I am feeling right now!

[bjrjames 0]

I'm a lot older than you; stop beating yourself up about this. You are taking the first step. You will do fine. I am on Tricare, too; wish they had approved this surgery before I went to Mexico 2 years ago. But I'm glad I did it anyway. In two years, I've only lost 75lbs, but I feel so much better than I did before. I still have a long way to go, but I am glad I have made a start.

Anyway, stop beating yourself up. You are a good person, a good mother and a good wife. You have made a decision that will make it easier to be active with your family. Good for you. I'm also in south Ga. Good luck to you.

[rreiny 0]

You sound just like me a couple years ago. I was at your height and weight and was plain discusted with myself. I hated wearing size 20and pretty much wore really tight 18's and did without clothes cause I just couldn't accept that I was that fat. I had lapband in June 2006 and was at goal in September 07, just over a year. I am SOOOOOO happy - size 8 and some size 6. My motto was "I just want to be normal", I wanted to eat like a normal person, look like a normal person, etc. Not skinny, just normal. I am happy to report I am there and you will be too. Good luck to you and enjoy!

[jaimed123 0]

You sound just like me a couple years ago. I was at your height and weight and was plain discusted with myself. I hated wearing size 20and pretty much wore really tight 18's and did without clothes cause I just couldn't accept that I was that fat. I had lapband in June 2006 and was at goal in September 07, just over a year. I am SOOOOOO happy - size 8 and some size 6. My motto was "I just want to be normal", I wanted to eat like a normal person, look like a normal person, etc. Not skinny, just normal. I am happy to report I am there and you will be too. Good luck to you and enjoy!

Thank you for telling me your story! I am the exact same way about buying clothes. I have like 10 of the same in different colors because the tag says XL and I can still fit into them. I really hope I can get approved for this. Even if my insurance does not cover it I think I will still get it done. Thanks again!

[AZChick289 1]

Hey there in GA... Both Daughters in GA and son in the Navy.. I too am with Tricare and was approved. I just had my band the 19th and I am so hopeful for the first time in my life ..This is a blessing we can have this ..Now you are wonderful and no weight can change that. You take care and keep us posted on your outcome . I am 5'3" and was 2230 and was apprived . I am diabetic and have high blood pressures also ..

You keep marching and take care .

[AZChick289 1]

Correction weight was 230... Felt like 2230

[Contella2003 0]

Hang in there and be persistent--I was banded on 5/19 and since the pre-op diet I have lost 35 pounds. We all feel/felt the way you do. It is hard work, but you will get there!

[simego 0]

I have been considering the lap band for several months and just can't decide. I eat mostly out of "head hunger." I am just concerned that that won't go away even with the band. Did the band make it easier to just deal with the head hunger; i.e. you just have the same desire to eat, but just don't eat as much or as often? In other words DESPITE yourself you can succeed?

[dgh1969 0]

i am a 39 yr old male 5'8 400 plus Dr told me i need to loose ALOT of weight within 5 yrs i will pass away i tried so many diets dr had me on so many diff ones also he wrote to the ins company stating i need the surgery and the ins company said NO WAY i also called and was told its MY FAULT for being this big so i am in a pickle why pay the ins company's so much money to be DENIED health saving surgery im @ my boiling point stuck back where i started what should a guy do ???

[weighdown 0]

Congratulations~ I will be banded on 6/30; start pre-op diet soon... what was your pre-op diet? post op? which liquid Protein did you like?

i opened the can of slimfast and the smell make me choke;

[Contella2003 0]

You will lose, despite the "head hunger". You simply cannot eat. That inability to eat, combined with exercise and activity, you will shed it. I am only a week into it and I feel differently already.

Yes, the pre op diet sucks. I drank the chocolate slim fast. The others made me sick. I did like the carnation instant Breakfast. Just stir it well......

You will be amazed at how much weight you will lose pre-op!

[Contella2003 0]

I was denied seven times prior to being accepted. Fight with the insurance company. They do not want to pay. Ask them for the criteria for the band, or look it up on their site. They fought me tooth and nail, but I won.

[nana2eight 0]

I too am from South Georgia - Valdosta. I had my surgery in Albany by Dr Burnette. It was wonderful. Surgery was Sept 13, 2007 and I've lost 81 lbs so far.

Good luck and let us know how your visit goes.

Patsy

[garfield461 25]

I can relate. I was in the Army and got out when I was pregnant. I gained a whole lot of weight and then more when I got pregnant again. Never got it off after 20 years. I fly a lot and barely fit in the plane seat with the seatbelt extended as far as possibly and forget putting down those trays. I was diabetic and next step was insulin injections. I had lost weight and gained it back so many times I lost count. Finally made the decision to have the lap band last August and never regretted it. I was 265 at my heaviest, 237 when I went for surgery and now I am 75lbs lighter. I can play with my grand kids, work out in the gym and go for walks with no problem. My diabetes is in remission and my blood pressure near normal. I think you reach a point when enough is enough and only you know when that is. I congratulate your decision, it is a scary step but well worth it.

[garfield461 25]

Look for another insurance company. I was with Group Health and they covered gastric by pass but not lap band. I switched to Blue Cross last year and they covered both. Shop around if you can, even if you have to pay out of pocket for a year of premiums, it may be worth it.