Hi Everyone!

I too am in the prelim stages of my banding.

Here's my journey so far....

I started to have blood pressure issues about a year ago so was put on meds. Swelling from water in feet and ankles, etc... Then in Oct breathing issues (due in part to my size) and finally went to my dr in Dec. At that time I discussed my weight and options with her. By Jan, I had the approval from BCBS hmo IL to see a lapband dr for a consult. I was given Rush and Loyola for my options. Loyola is 2 and a half hours away, and Rush is even further. I chose Dr Sarker at Loyola.

I had my first appointment with her Jan 15. She gave me the ever dreaded list of things to do... To date, I have everything done. I had the sleep study done earlier this week and they now want me to go for another sleep study to be set up for a cpap. Without the cpap, I was told the surgery can't be done... I talked to Gayle today at Dr Sarkers office and she told me that she is waiting for the sleep study and the psych eval and then my file will be given to Dr Sarker for review... After she looks at it and approves, then Marva(??) will send to BCBC hmo IL for final approval.... So, honestly things are moving rather quickly for me... I just hope they continue that way. Once the ins co gives the final approval, then I will see her one more time before surgery (I think).

The other night when I had my sleep study, I was laying there miserable. I couldnt sleep with all them stupid wires, and I felt so trapped so I was laying there thinking and second guessing myself and was wondering why I was doing this. It actually scared the crap out of me and is making me rethink things.

I need a serious support system and I dont have one yet!! I have only told my significant other, my mom and my friend in CO (who was also banded in Oct and to date she has lost 52 lbs) about this. I dont want everyone to know my business, so I dont talk to my friends or close coworkers about it. I also have 2 kids (10 and 17) that do not know Im considering it.. I feel like I am being sneaky all the time, and I hate it!

Can someone help bring me out of this slump I'm in?? I need some encouragement. I seriously feel that I'm a food addict and will eat myself to death if I dont go thru with it.

a good support group is absolutely necessary for something like this. talk to your family, kids, parents, friends whatever and tell them how you honestly feel. if you really feel that you can commit to this and use this tool to your advantage to change (and save) your life, tell them so! be ready and armed with pamphlets and information so that they can be as educated as you are on this.

its near impossible to do this alone. arm yourself with allies who can help you succeed! :biggrin:

I did my second sleep study in early March. Couldnt sleep more than hour and a half with that cpap machine blowing cold air into my face... No one told me to or how to adjust... I left there to go home at 4 am.. They got enough to put me on a cpap machine. I have been using it about a month and I still dont like it.... HATE it.. Anyway, Dr Sarker had everything that she needed except for The Barrium test of the esophagus concerned her. So this past Monday I went to have a esophogeal monometry done. It was horrible. Had to put a tube in my nose and then I had to swallow to get it down. The poor tech lady got threw up on...... I was soooo embarrased. So, now I'm awaiting those results and should know more by the end of this week or early next week... Next step is to visit Sarker again and then await ins approval and maybe by June 1st I can be banded....

All is well and I just got my approval from my insurance. I am shooting for June 10th. It's getting closer!!!

Good Luck and Congrad with getting the insurance to approve. I am struggling with mine and was told that my BMI was not high enough (46) and that I didn't have enough health issues. So appreciate what you have.

Today is June 5th. In just 5 days, this will all be happening. I currently am doing the 7 day liquid diet. Honestly, it's not going so well. I have NO will power. I am defineatley eating less but not stopping. Tomorrow is a new day and I will DO this!!!!

One other thing... I'm finally getting used to my CPAP. Just getting used to it and after some weight loss, I can get rid of it