Lapband surgery?

I am thinking about having lapband surgery and have some questions. I have been overweight all my life. Even as young as 10, they were worried aobut my health. I can still remember in high school when I went from being "a little pudgy" to fat. I think I went from about a 16 to a 22/24 in a year. After high school, I went off to college, and of course, I gained even more. I stayed a 26 for a long time. Now I am up to a 28, and those are getting tight. I see the statistics on how fat Oklahomans and Americans are, and I feel guilty because I know I contribute to those numbers. God has blessed me that I don't have too many health problems. I'm not fully diabetic (yet!), but do have Impaired Glucose intoerance. I'm travelling that road if I don't do something quickly. I have high blood pressure though, and the doctor suspects that I am going into congestive heart failure because my feet and ankles are continually swollen. Okay, getting to my point, I would like to see about getting lapband surgery. Mostly because I am only 28 (soon to be 29!), unmarried, but would like to have children. I have heard that it is recommended to have the gastric bypass reversed while pregnant, and if you go with lapband, that it's easier to reverse. Anyone know if this is true? Secondly, in my long wordy tale here, I am uninsured and would be paying for this out of pocket. Do you know about how much it would cost to do something like this? I know it's up there. I have heard as little as $5,000-$7,000, but as much ast $15,000. Any help is appreciated! Thanks! Kelli

Hi Kelli. I can related about the size. Iam slowing creeping into a 30 and not happy about that. I can't answer any of your questions. But I wish you success with your decision.

Hello Kelli I've been there. My highest weight was 350 lbs. I wore 28-30 in my pants. I lost some weight on my own. I'm a diabetic and had high blood pressure. I had a stroke at age 32 that scared me really bad. I got the lapband 4 months ago and I'm down 55 lbs. I weighed 290 lbs a few weeks before surgery. I'm at 235 now. Let me tell you it has changed my life so much. I feel so good. My blood pressure went away a few months before surgery. I would have this surgery all over again. It has given me my life back. I can touch my toes. Ha Ha. And now that its nicer out, I can walk at least 3-4 times a week. My weight loss has slowed down, but I'm still lossing about 2 lbs per week, which my doctor said is really good. I'm not sure on the not having insurance price. I did hear someone at my husbands work that it was $10,000. My doctor is: Dr. Sevin Holsater. He is with St. Anthony's. He is a great doctor. Here is their number 405-232-0144. Dr. Holsater and his staff is so friendly. Even the staff at St. Anthony's hospital were wonderful. You couldn't ask for a better doctor or nurses. I was on my way home within 2 hours after recovery. If you have any other questions, you are welcome to email at [email protected] Melissa

Hi there I'm just getting started myself and replying to your post a little late in the game, however I don't have insurance either and am finding out that the surgery can run from $9,000 - $35,000 I'm looking into financing the surgery and it's a little over whelming.  I wish you luck in your persuit. Rebecca from Tulsa