New in New York

[Biglilmama75 0]

Hello to everyone! I have been surfing thru this website for several months now. This is my first post. I have had a weight issue, like many of you, most of my life. I've tried just about everything but drugs. I've been successful sometimes, but mostly not. I have been interested in the Lap Band for a couple of years now, but I never thought I would be a candidate because I'm not >40% bmi. I am very short and my heaviest was over 200 lbs. I have put on lots of pounds, especially having had 5 children over the last 10 years. I've managed to hang on to 10-15 after each child. Nearly 3 years after having my last (really the last) child, I am heavier now than I was at my heaviest during pregnancy. It hurts me to know that I've let myself go. With my last 2 pregnancies, I had high blood pressure and was at risk for gestational diabetes. I may have addressed my medical issues once or twice, but the demanding schedule that our family has makes it easy for me to put my health and well being last. The children and my husband always came first. Last October, I had a scare and went to the emergency room only to find out that my blood pressure was 200/130. That's when I resolved to take better care of myself. After all, what good is an active life if you can't be there for your children because you stroked out or had a massive heart attack?

I went to my first informational seminar in October and met Dr. Nick Gabriel in St. Catherine of Sienna Medical Center and the entire staff of their weight manament program. The people who work there are the most wonderful, helpful, kind and understanding group of people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. They have been able to guide me thru this entire process. I actually reside in Pennsylvania and have lived here for 4 years. I did my research, and I felt Dr. Nick best suited my needs. Every month I make my 300 mile trip into NY to meet with the surgeon and my nutritionist, Sheryl (who is a God send, btw). When I get frazzled or lost, I can call anyone in the office and they are quick to reassure me and assist me in any way they can. They are confident that though my BMI is only 37-38%, I will qualify for this surgery because I have existing co-morbidities that include sleep apnea, hypertension, and at risk for diabetes. I would ideally like to lose 75 lbs, 85 being my ultimate goal.

We've picked a date - March 23rd and I am so excited! I've just about completed all requirements and consults and tests and diagnostics. My anxiety isn't about going thru with the surgery, it's more my recovery time and the demanding post-op diets and follow-ups that are required.

I'm loving all the posts here. It makes me feel that I am not alone in my journey. It's a big decision to go forward with such a lifestyle change and I feel I am responsible enough to handle these changes. I'm just here looking for the support. Best of luck to all of you and I look forward to getting feedback!

starting weight 202/ current weight 192/ goal weight less than 120.

:confused:

[MacMadame 81]

Welcome to LapBandTalk!

I don't know how tall you are, but I'm about 5'1" and I was SHOCKED to find that some insurances didn't consider me "fat enough" for "long enough" to qualify for surgery. Anything over 200 is just way too much weight for me, no matter what that stupid BMI chart says!

Anyway, it ended up that my insurance company had an exclusion, so I had to pay myself no matter what so I didn't have to do the BMI Dance after all.