Considering Surgery..

[meghang]

I'm 19 years old and i've been overweight all my life. I've tried anything and everything to lose weight, to no avail. My weight has put me into extreme depression in my earlier years, but now i've come to terms with who I am and what I look like. Not to say, that I don't wish I was a smaller size. My family has a strong history of weight-related diseases and conditions and with me being as overweight as I am, I just know its a matter of time before I start to develop these diseases or conditions. I've seemed to avoid them so far. I really have considered having this surgery. I think that it would help me to finally lose the weight I need to to be healthy. My insurance does not cover this surgery or any weightloss related action/medication. My family and I cannot afford to pay for this type of surgery out of our pocket so i'm not even sure its worth going through the shame of seeing a doctor and for him to just explain that I need this surgery. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm just so lost..I don't know who to talk to and I just feel so ashamed for me being this size and not being able to do anything about it.

Thank you for any insight you can offer!

[nothereanymore]

First of all congrats on taking the first step to make a change – research. And many of us have been in your shoes. The reason we’re on this site is we were able to get a lap band from one of the best doctors at a very affordable price.

I lost over 130 pounds – I really just followed the bandster program, had some fun and made amazing changes to my life. (My family on my father's side is very morbidly obese). I thought that who I was going to take after - but was able to make the change - I did it late - wished I hadn't waited till my mid 40's to do this - you're smart to look at it now at 19 - my only regret was I waited too long and missed out much in life.

Losing a significant amount of weight doesn’t just change how you look on the outside, it can change who you are on the inside. I went from a morbidly obese woman, who could barely climb up a flight of stairs, someone who tried to hide from the public as much as possible (at 275 pounds that can be hard) to someone whose life is now focused on eating healthy organics and exercise. I now have no problem being in the public and enjoy the spotlight! (I actually speak in public here and there)!

Being morbidly obese affects the quality of your life in so many ways, we have health issues – I had knee surgery and being mobile was becoming more difficult, breathing was becoming an issue as well and I was sick more than most people. My self esteem was low, and this can cause problems in your marriage as well as in your work environment.

Losing the weight opened so many doors for me, or it actually allowed me to have the confidence to walk through a door that was already opened, where before I would have been afraid to take that step to the outside and grab an opportunity that was there just waiting for me.

I have been married for over 28 years, my husband is very proud of the changes I made and our relationship is so much better. It’s like we are dating again! I get out more, can keep up with things going on around me and I have the confidence to take chances and make more contributions to my job which has allowed me to move up in my position.

Life is fun again for me – and I look forward to living, and I’m not afraid that my weight may shorten my life – my new active and healthy lifestyle has allowed me to fully live with the knowledge that I am doing everything possible to insure that I live a long and healthy life!

All the best - make sure to check out the gallery for before and after pictures. There are many great story's you can see and research this board. Its a wealth of information.

Best,

Lisa

[PAMMIE]

First of all congrats on taking the first step to make a change – research. And many of us have been in your shoes. The reason we’re on this site is we were able to get a lap band from one of the best doctors at a very affordable price.

I lost over 130 pounds – I really just followed the bandster program, had some fun and made amazing changes to my life. (My family on my father's side is very morbidly obese). I thought that who I was going to take after - but was able to make the change - I did it late - wished I hadn't waited till my mid 40's to do this - you're smart to look at it now at 19 - my only regret was I waited too long and missed out much in life.

Losing a significant amount of weight doesn’t just change how you look on the outside, it can change who you are on the inside. I went from a morbidly obese woman, who could barely climb up a flight of stairs, someone who tried to hide from the public as much as possible (at 275 pounds that can be hard) to someone whose life is now focused on eating healthy organics and exercise. I now have no problem being in the public and enjoy the spotlight! (I actually speak in public here and there)!

Being morbidly obese affects the quality of your life in so many ways, we have health issues – I had knee surgery and being mobile was becoming more difficult, breathing was becoming an issue as well and I was sick more than most people. My self esteem was low, and this can cause problems in your marriage as well as in your work environment.

Losing the weight opened so many doors for me, or it actually allowed me to have the confidence to walk through a door that was already opened, where before I would have been afraid to take that step to the outside and grab an opportunity that was there just waiting for me.

I have been married for over 28 years, my husband is very proud of the changes I made and our relationship is so much better. It’s like we are dating again! I get out more, can keep up with things going on around me and I have the confidence to take chances and make more contributions to my job which has allowed me to move up in my position.

Life is fun again for me – and I look forward to living, and I’m not afraid that my weight may shorten my life – my new active and healthy lifestyle has allowed me to fully live with the knowledge that I am doing everything possible to insure that I live a long and healthy life!

All the best - make sure to check out the gallery for before and after pictures. There are many great story's you can see and research this board. Its a wealth of information.

Best,

Lisa

GREAT POST LISA

[Smiley]

Your reasons for wanting to get the band sound just like mine. I was banded at the age of 35, after watching my dad, aunt and grandma all go thru bypass surgery. My aunt and grandma are diabetic and my dad is pre-diabetic. My aunt has lost numerous toes and one leg to diabetes. I am 100% my father's child and had no intention of going down the same road he and his side of the family are on, so I decided to have the surgery not only for the improvement it would provide, but also for it's ability to ward off future health problems. According to a little birdie known as my mother, my dad has asked two of his doctor's about having the surgery now that he has seen the success I have had. His insurance does cover some of it, so I am keeping my fingers crossed, but not holding my breath that he will seek out a surgeon.

As for the cost of the surgery, most of the people on this forum had their surgery with Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. His price for the surgery is somewhere around $8,500. This still sounds like a lot, but it is half of the price in the US. Some people have financed the surgery and make monthly payments toward the loan. You might check into this option since paying for the surgery in full prior to it doesn't sound like a viable option at the moment. Utilizing a loan would also speed up when you would be able to have the surgery as opposed to having to wait while saving for it. Just to give you an idea, I financed $10,000 of my surgery and my monthly payments are $212.xx for six years, although I will have it paid off sooner than that.

I say you should definitely check into having the surgery. One thing I have figured out is that if I want something bad enough, I will find a way to make it work.

[Jacklynrae]

I can honestly say that I am exactly with you, I was banded at 20. I have been banded for 1 year and although my weight loss hasn't been dramatic I feel much better about my health, about my future, and about being able to live my life and teach my future children to have a healthy relationship with food. My fathers side of the family has serious eating disorders (bullemia) while my mothers side is all overweight. I too did not suffer from any health problems but have always been a very self conscience person and when the weight really started piling on it got worse and worse. I was able to self pay, but I don't feel that this weight loss I have had could have happened without the assistance. Whatever you have to do to be healthier, happier, and more confidant is worth it. I am not to my goal but I know that the huge changes that I have made like daily exercise and cutting out fast food are important changes that can all be contributed to the band. It may seem like a mountain to climb now and it may take time to gather the funds, but I think for the sake of your well being do whatever it takes!! Good luck and hopefully you can give us some good news soon. The forum is a great place of knowledge, tips, and support.

Jacklyn