Wondering about criteria

I am a short (5'1") 47 year old woman who is very interested in the LapBand. I have the sleep apnea, hip/spine pain, thyroid, reflux and general tiredness. I feel ill all the time from my eating habits. I have tried diets, pills, everything. I weigh 175 pounds and have been told I do not weigh enough for the band to be approved. But I ask this, if I feel so terrible and suffer, why am I not a candidate? Once I passed the 160 weight zone I developed carpel tunnel (numb and aching hands and arms) Is anyone else in my position? What doesn't sound like a large weight to some is miserable to someone as short as I am. I weighed 126 when I was 40 and after my hysterectomy I ballooned and find it impossible to lose. Thanks

hi donna! i am 5'1" also and am having a tough time getting approved for open RNY at 230 #---let me ask you a few questions....? WHO told you you would not get approved? Have you taken the BMI test? and allowed for comorbidities? Have you got documentation of weights etc for the past 5 years? Who is your insurer? I haven't read your profile- sorry! i know that with my stature; almost all of my weight is around my middle and it makes life very difficult so i can relate! anyhow- just thoughts-

me again! i'm not trying to squash your hopes or get them too high--sorry if i sounded taht way! but - how long have you had the sleep apnea? do you have cpap? or bipap? that alone should be able to push your case thru if you have at least bmi of 35--- fight the good fight!!!!

I have not been diagnosed with sleep apnea but awaken at night almost every night gasping or choking. 175 may not sound like a lot to some but to me it makes my life toally misrable. I dress in the dark, do NOT look at myself in mirrors and rarely go out anymore as I am too fat for my clothes. Should I start seeing a physician and get these things diagnosed? And what would they do to test me for it? Thanks for any and all help