Tamboh63
I was born in 1963, as normal as first babies get. Fast forward through my life - normal elementary years - abnormal Junior high years (which is normal) - average high school years - all at a normal weight (at least that is what I know now!). I can remember going on crash diets because I was a size 9! OMG, what a dopehead!! 
I got married on my eighteenth birthday to the love of my life. We had our first baby in 1983
, I gained about 40 lbs and kept them. We had our second baby in 1987. She had some heart problems, which I am sure helped me to lose some weight. When she was about a year I started WW. I lost over 50 lbs and became a leader which lasted until after the birth of our third baby in 1991. After having her, I just ballooned. By the time we had our fourth 
(a boy! finally!), I was over 200. All the while, trying TOPS, some weird ear piece, WW again, you name it... Then came baby #5 in 1999. She was supposed to be the millenium baby, but because of my blood pressure they had to induce me. My doc was very upset and told me basically, that I cannot do this anymore! I have 5 to take care of, I need to take care of me.
Flash forward 7or 8 years.
I had a health crisis last May (07). My blood pressure spiked one day to 186/160 
something. I had no clue why. I was swelling and felt like I was dying. Long story short, I was anemic! That did it! I had to do something NOW! The August before, I remember thinking about the lapband and thought, "hmmmm, that would be great, but I 'don't weigh enough'" no problem, because between then and June I had grown to over 236 lbs. Pathetic. I read a book 
by Kalihah Ali about her lapband experience called "Fighting Weight"
. That did it. I did the research in my area, went to my main doc and told him that I wanted to go forward. He said "great, let's go!"
I had started with a Doctor in a town slightly closer than the one that I opted to go with later. He "was a salesman" according to my dear hubby. Words that hurt then. I really hate it when he is right!! He went with me to the presentation that this guy had and afterward looked at me and said, "I guess I don't understand why you can't just eat less." 
Huh?!
OMG! We have been married for 26 years! What do you mean?! Jerk!
Then, after going almost 'all the way' with this doctor the insurance company called me and told me that I would get more coverage with a center of excellence place than with this guy. That is when I saw the truth about what dh said.
His office became rude to deal with.
Oh, well... on to bigger/better! In the meantime, I had started using the protien powder mixes and eating mostly protien and veggies in an attempt to "get started". It worked. I had met with my surgeon, the staff there took care of all the insurance crud and before I knew it I was having surgery. Before I knew it? well... it took from the beginning of October to the first week in December before I knew the date!
I was pretty stoked anyway! I wanted surgery before Christmas
, But knew that was an almost certain no.
When they called with January 7th... WHOOOOOPIE!!!
Now, my story continues in my blog... happy reading and have a nice nap! LOL
