Am I a candidate for the Lap Band Surgery?

I have been over weight since I was 12 and I am now 19. I have tried exercie, Weight Watchers, diet pills, etc. But nothing seems to work for me! All my life I have been depressed because of the way I look. I am 19 and I am 235lbs. and I am only 5"3. I know this surgery will make me happier and healthier and that is my goal. I just want to be able to fit in my section of clothes at the store.

Tell Me Please!!!
My Email- ***@****

Jennifer

[AAlexander]

I have been steadily gaining weight since puberty. I am 30 years old, 5' 4", and 250 lbs. I too have contemplated lab-band surgery. My BMI is 43. (40 is required to even be looked at for surgery) I am too young to have the health problems that I do, and to be the size that I am. I am currently taking another stab at watching my portions, and exactly what it is that I am putting in my mouth. I am shooting for between 1600 and 1700 calories a day. If I can truly stick to that, I will loose a pound a week. I want to try it on my own before I elect for surgical intervention. I have never paid for a diet. (ie. Jenny Craig, etc.) But I think I'll try that before surgery too. I recently had a physical and had all the blood work done, and am anxiously awaiting the results of my thyroid, cholesterol, and iron. I've got 120 lbs to loose and everyday is a chance to improve myself.

I would encourage you to give yourself the chance to do this on your own. Surgery is a big deal, a big commitment, and a big change in your lifestyle. Research it all you can before you make a descision. As the after-school specials always tell us, "Knowledge is Power!!!"

[missmeg]

I am 20 years old, and I am 248lb. I have not experienced health problems yet, minus the depression caused from weight gain. i have struggled for almost 10 years with being overweight, and am seriously considering the lap band surgery. Let me know what you decide!

[hava]

Try this before any surgery.Do it everyday.The duration is important to get the metabolism going.Come back to report progress, as it will help so many.
The Yoga Pranayam (breathing exercises) will  help you relax and also help with the weight reduction, only if you are over-weight.
Build up your timing gradually. If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after 1 minute.
One week after you have built up your timing to maximum you can start watching the weight go down.Drink plenty of warm water.
Bhastrika - Take a long deep breath into the lungs(chest not tummy) via the nose and then completely breathe out through the nose. Duration upto 5 minutes.

Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and hold your head steady. Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.
Age over 15 years -do this for 20 to 30  minutes twice a day(maximum 60 minutes in one day).
Age under 15 years -do this for 5 to 10  minutes twice a day(maximum 20 minutes in one day).

Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Age over 15 years -Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30  minutes twice a day(maximum 60 minutes in one day).
Age under 15 years -Repeat this cycle for 5 to 10  minutes twice a day(maximum 20 minutes in one day).
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee.
Duration : 5 to 12  times

Once you have achieved your target, continue the pranayam once a day.
Be patient, as the benefits will show over a period of months.Only by doing you will benefit
and feel good because you are helping your body.Those who say I have tried everything....
will be amazed at the result of doing pranayam.

[Donna31]

I was gaining weight since 2001 ish and tried several diets but each time gave up as nothing was happening.  I then spent two years deciding whether or not to have lapband surgery.  Last April I had a call from a hospital which I asked for information from who said they lowered their BMI to 30 and above so I went along for a consultation.  The surgoen was tough work and laid everything out as plain as can be.  After leaving I thought that this would be my one and only chance to feel better and get out of my depression so I went for.  May 1st 2008 came and I spent 2 weeks in and out of tears with the pain the gas causes, I looked grey, old and haggered (husbands aren't always nice!)  After that I was fine.  July 2nd I had my first fill by x-ray and ever since then I just feel like I am never going to be able to eat properly.  I am suppose to stomach meat but can only handle lamb, I am sick if I eat bread of any form and they put it down to me being scared to eat.  Since May 1st I have lost 3 dress sizes but it is very very hard work and it has got me down from time to time, but I am also happy that I have lost weight finally.  Overall I would say, think extemley hard and if you go for it you have to make sure you are committed, it isn't as easy as it can sound.