obese people and the lap band

October 18, 2000

In my experience there is alot of obese oot there that do not know about

the band. I had not heard of anything like this until I saw " the weighting

game " - if I had known about this option earlier I would have gone for it.

Each trip to the GP about my weight has been, join weight watchers,

exercise more - take these diet pills etc. Only after seeing the show and

pratically begging him to let me see a specialist - he finally gave me the

name and a referral of my surgeon. He did his utmost to put me off, and

also said that there was no way I would be able to have the op as I was

under 100 kilos, I was 95 at the time, my answer to that was - well in a

few months I will be over 100 why wait until then.

As to the cost - well I was very lucky and had mine done on private health

cover. I would have paid if I had too - I would have taken out a bank loan-

to me money was not an issue. I dont earn a great deal I am on a basic

wage but to be able to BUY a slimmer body for me was a dream come true.

One of my wishes all my life was 'I wish I could be thin " to me money was

not an issue.

On the other hand, my husband (fiancee at the time) would have probably

gone mental at the thought of spending $8,000 on an op to make me thin. His

reaction woudl be - get off your bum exercise more and eat less, dont be

lazy etc. This reaction I am sure would be quite normal for a slim person.

I would have gone against him and borrowed the money if I had too.

I believe when it comes down to weight loss money is not the real issue,

some obese people want to stay obese as they feel secure, and safe as an

overweight person. I think people who use money as an issue not to have the

operation done - should really look at other reasons why they cant affford

it or claim it is a money issue.

I also believe that Dr's should give people the option about the operation

and let them choose if they want to learn more or not. I know if the

weighting game had never been aired - I would now be 100kilos plus and

still fat and feeling frumpy. My Dr would not have given me the option.

Longterm the medical profession should look at the lapband more as I am

sure it is cheaper to fix people now than pay for further medical problems

for the rest of their lives. It should be available on medicare and the

choice should be there for all.

Well thats my view

take care all

hally

I am now going to have a glass of wine and toast the lapband. I thank my

band everyday for helping me become the person I want to be

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