Do I? Can I? Confused Please Help

Hello, I'm a 36yr old female with Multiple Sclerosis. I feel bad all the time and I know some of the problems are due to my weight gain. I am 5ft tall and 163 pounds. Would I qualify for a lap band? My knees hurt constantly, heartburn constantly and hip pain. Any help would be appreciated.

Michelle, I don't know about the lap band, but you aren't obese, what have you tried to lose the weight? I'm 5'3" at 283. To be considered obese for weightloss surgery, you would need to be over a 100 lbs overweight. Heartburn can be taken care of. One way is to not each spicey foods, carbonated drinks, tomato base foods. You can take pepcid, Prilosec, Zantec 75. They all work for heartburn. As for hip and knee pain is most likely arthritis setting in. I don't mean to sound discouraging, but I would say you aren't qualified for weightloss surgery at this time. Have your PCP put you on a Dr. supervised diet program, and a referral to an Orthopedic regarding the knees and hip pain. Best of luck, Kathy

Michelle, With a BMI of 31.8 you are classified as obese (just nor morbidly obese). Some folks with lower BMI's (like yours) who need help getting the weight off, are opting for a surgery known as a sleeve gastrectomy. It's a surgery where the full portion of the stomach is removed along the greater curvature - retaining the pyloric function. There are a lot of plusses about this surgery - no foreign body implant (as in with the Lap Band), no need for fills or adjustments (like with the Lap Band), and great results. My surgeon (Dr. Aniceto Baltasar) is really excited about this option! Most of his Lap SG post-ops are in surgery less than an hour and are discharged from the hospital in 24 to 48 hours. And they're having great results! I do know a lady who had the DS with my surgeon who has MS, too. She - of course - continues to have the repercussions of the MS, but does report that losing her excess weight has made it much more bearable. BTW, there is a Yahoo group for folks researching Lap SG or have had it: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/sleevegastrectomy/ Best of luck to you as you seek an appropriate treatment! Blessings, dina