ITS BEEN TOO LONG LAPBAND TALK! After a year since joining, I'm finally saying hello! I feel like the creepy man at a xmas party that no one invited! lol....anywhoo. My name is Sierra, and I am a 22 year old graduate student in NC. I am 5'5'' and 253 pounds. I've always been "big boned" and in my family it was always great to get up for seconds! I graduated High School at about 200 and went to march in the famous BLUE AND GOLD MARCHING MACHING A&T! DRUMLINE ANYONE????....I worked my butt off in that band and got down to 175. When I came home that Christmas everyone was amazed at the weight I had lost. Since then, I got a boyfriend, stopped marching, and packed on the pounds! I now have high blood pressure! Its finally time to change my life.....Im ready to be healthy for the first time in my life! Since I am originally from Ohio, I will be going through my mother's insurance Medical Mutual Of Ohio. I FINALLY WENT TO AN INFORMATIONAL MEETING at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical. They sent off my insurance verification form probably the day after the meeting so....probably September 9, 2009. I just got back the results form the other day September 28, 2009. It says that the surgery is covered....BUT...I HAVE TO HAVE A 6 MONTH MEDICALLY SUPERVISED DIET! I mentioned weight watchers to my PCP last feburary does THAT COUNT? The letter said I should be hearing from them in a few weeks about my status...what should I do until then? Get my records together? THIS IS ALL SOOO FRUSTRATING! Not to mentional all my family thinks im CRAZY for trying to do this....and that I should just exercise, but its more than that! I will exercise and eat healthy for about two weeks, get defeated about the reflection in the mirror...and just CONVINCE MYSELF that im cute thick, plump, volumptious, or WHATEVER PEOPLE CALL IT. I work at a plus-size clothing store so I found comfort in finding girls that were bigger than me. But when im with my friends....im the "big" one! I AM SICK AND TIRED OF BEING THAT FAT, FUNNY FRIEND! WHOO...NOW THAT THATS OUTTA MY SYSTEM...HOW IS EVERYONE?

Hi sierra, Well that just sounded like my life pre band, except the marching and insurance hassles. just over 4 months post op and feel fantastic. Listen to yourself its your life... Good luck

cheers chooky

WELCOME BANDSTARR430!!

It really is up to you to do this or not. Ya it would be nice to have family support but...not all of us get that at the start and then they see...they see what you've been tell them all along on what this "tool" will do for you and now the results that come from the proper use of the “tool”.

Maybe have them come with you to your meetings, to the doctors’ appointments and let them ask questions too. Make them feel and be involved, “family support is always welcomed”.

My DH has always been supportive but he even thanked me for asking him to come with me to my meetings during my 6 months before surgery.

It was also good to have someone else there to talk to later about the topics that came up and how I might do this or that or even the same.

As mentioned I had to go through a 6 month waiting period too. I had to maintain my weight, I was not asked to lose any. I started out at 225 (I’m 5’1”).

Went to meetings, psychologist, nutritionist, had to journal all my food/liquids/exercise, and of course a monthly meeting w/the doctor.

Then….I was asked to go on a two week liquid diet before surgery. Oh I thought I was going to die. It was hard but worth it!!

Keep your chin up, talk again to the family and ask them to come w/you to meetings, continue to research to make sure that this is the right thing for you and be proud of yourself for recognizing that you do need help to get your life back, be healthy, and be happy.

Good luck and keep us posted

Welcome and congratulations on your decision. lf your insurance requires the 6 month supervised diet, I suggest starting it asap. Get your pcp to find out what is required and do it. Also, on the dl, ask the bariatric surgeon what weight you don't want to go below. Although, you may find that on the 6 month diet you are able to lose. I could always lose, the problem was keeping it off, which, with my band isn't so hard anymore. Good luck!