Hi new here just starting the journey

Hello everyone,

My name is Susan and I am 40 years old, single from the Chicago suburbs. I have been over weight almost all my life, but over the past 3-4 years have gained a great deal more weight in part to medications and health issues. I feel my metabolism has but all shut down, have suspected hormonal issues, and have found it more and more difficult to lose weight even with moderate exercise and a pretty nutritional, portion controlled diet. My mother had gastric bypass surgery over 25 years ago and I always said I would never resolve to bariatric surgery to lose weight. But now with severe hypertension which requires 4 different medications, depression, pre-diabetic blood sugar numbers, and gynecological issues thought to be aggrevated by my weight, I am researching the LapBand surgery.

I am attending a seminar this week to find out more and have started asking my insurance company questions about coverage, etc. My PCP had already told me she would not consider gastric bypass but I plan to talk to her about the LapBand after I get more info from the seminar.  Note I've been on other diets before- Weigh****chers, HMR low calorie diet, South Beach, to name a few... with most losing 20-25 pounds but not being able to keep it off. It is frustrating.

There is much more I could write about why I need to do this (besides for my health) but I will spare you all for now lol! I look forward to reading about your journeys and know that I'm here to support (and pray) for you as well!

God bless you all,
Susan

Susan,
Welcome to our group. Your story is so similar to many of ours. Obesity is a battle that is not an easy one to win. Good luck as you investigate your options. Remember we are here for you, and I encourage you to ask questions and seek support as needed, even if you decide never to have wls at all.

So glad you have joined our group, and I look forward to getting to know you!
Hugs!

Susan, welcome to bariatric buddies.  This is a great place for support.  Love to hear more of your story, I am always curious about people.  Surprising (not) that our stories are similar.  Best of luck while you research your options.  Congratulations on deciding to do something about the weight and health issues.  Take the time to write out all the reasons that you need to do something for yourself.  Refer to the list when you have those moments of "why did I do this" it helps to see in black and white, the reasons that we are seeking improvement in health.

Feel free to add your thoughts, comments and questions.  As a group you will get lots of great ideas from us.  If you don't ask, we can't answer.  Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as well.  Hugs, Kathy

Hi Susan. I'm pretty new around here myself. Sorry, I haven't had a chance to get online for a couple of days, but I have  a few minutes now. Congratulations on beginning this process. I just went to my seminar at the end of October. I started out thinking about the lapband, but the more research I did, the more I realized that bypass would work out much better for me. That being said, I went to my first support group meeting tonight and there were lots of very successful lap banders there.
l I think everyone here knows what you mean about trying different diets and the frustation of losing and gaining over and over. I  think I've tried everything except Jenny Craig and Nutra system ,only because I couln't afford them! Wow, your mom had bypass surgery 25 years ago. Things were very different then. Even in the last few years there have been big changes not just in the procedures but in the after care, & long term monitoring. Did she have a lot of problems with hers? 
 Whatever you decide, I hope you are able to get your health problems under control soon. I'll count you in with my prayers for this group!

Hugs,
Rhonda