goddess819

You sound just like me when I had surgery (aside from the missing ovary/tube). I too am 5'3" and started out at 254lb. I had high blood pressure even with medication, IR & type II diabetes, high triglycerides, no periods (didn't respond to Clomid & responded very poorly to injectables), facial hair, dark patches of skin...I was miserable. I too had tried just about every diet out there. I'd done WW, south beach, atkins, low carb, high protein, no red meat, low cal, diet pills (rx & otc) and nothing worked. The most weight I'd ever lost was 34lb on WW and I'd gained it slowly all back.

I opted for the RNY as it had better success with the IR/Diabetes and overall weight loss. At the time I had surgery (4.5 years ago) the average weight loss for a lapband was 55-65% and RNY was 75-85%. I was not going to go through surgery and still be fat. I also didn't want the maintenance of the lapband of fills and unfills to find the right amount of restriction. Also I have a sweet tooth and needed the possiblility of dumping syndrome associated with the RNY to help keep me 'in line'. It's been the best decision I've ever made in my life for myself.

WLS is definitely not easy as Tammy said and at 4.5 years post op still struggle with what I eat/don't eat. Having the WLS does make it easier to keep the weight weight off but I do have to work at it. My body has adjusted over time and although I still have the restriction my body does absorb probably 90-95% of what I eat. If I'm not careful I will gain weight. Case in point the last 1.5 months. I've been 'lazy' with my eating and packed on 11lbs. Since becoming more aware and working at it I've managed to loose 3lbs this past week. So my tool still works. I refuse to go through surgery and get fat again. I refuse to fail myself.

That being said don't just limit yourself to the lapband...explore all available options for surgery. You may find out that one of the other surgeries may be a better fit for you. You have to research and decide along with the help of a qualified bariatric surgeon on which surgery to have. For one it may be lapband, for another it may be the RNY and for another still it may be the VSG or DS.

Based on what you've listed as your height/weight and co-morbid conditions you should not have any real issues getting approved for surgery. Good luck in your journey and if you have questions feel free to ask.

__________________