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I had my 2 week post op visit today. My scars are healing very nicely and my 2 week post op liquid diet was cut so this afternoon I started soft food. I am very happy with my progress so far.

Hi Charlie. I think you are doing the right thing. I am 23 and have been overweight the majority of my life too... I have dieted and lost some weight, but have never been able to lose enough or keep it off. I look at this like a new adventure and a new chapter, where I can experience new things and really be an active participant in life and not just the person on the sidelines. I ultimately made the decision when I saw my Aunt, who yo yo dieted her whole life, lose a majority of her weight and keep it off for over two years with the Lapband. I don't want to feel defeated each time the newest diet fails, and I don't want this demon on my back for the rest of my life. At this point in time, this is the only thing I can do to assure I get to a healthy weight. I have gone through all of the emotions, and still feel a little ashamed that I have to resort to surgery to lose this weight. I am one of those people that has always excelled in everything I've done, so admitting I'm a failure in this department is still hard. I'm sure a year down the road I will not feel any remorse over this decision.

Your posting made me sad. You are so young and have so much to look forward to. I haven't been banded yet and worried I will get turned down because of my age, 73. So wish I had done this a long time ago. Even if I live for only 3 more years thats okay, I don't want all these pounds to slow me down. Probably in your late 30s you will develop lots of obesity related health problems. If you are a prayful person please pray about it. Being put out is so simple, I know you will be anxious but just tell the nurse and she could hurry and put you out. Good luck, I pray alot and will keep you in my prayers.....Loutenia

I have fibrmyalgia as well as PCOS and my doctor says that neither of these should impact it : )

I'm not affiliated at all but I tried this and it's awesome! The meat is so so tender. http://www.pureandnaturalspices.com/product_p/sku16371.htm They sell samples if you want to try it before buying a large jar.

I feel like I see an equal of both positive and negative on here. Make sure you also read the blogs and like someone said above, the success stories. Iv'e lost 45 pounds in 10 weeks, so I believe I'm a success thus far. I would do everything the same and do not regret my decision at all. Good luck and stay positive!

They should have clearly outlined in the denial what the reason was for denial. With that said I have Aetna and was denied as well. I was denied thoughout the entire appeals process. The final step after exhausting all appeals though the insurance company is to request an idependeant external review process. I contacted Kelley Brown Lindstrom at obesitylaw.com on a recommendation from someone on this site. She and her husband Walter are AWESOME !! They handled every appeal and finally the external review process. My claim was overturned in the external review and Aetna was required to cover the procedure. Believe me I know the frustration and disappointment that comes with every denial letter. I lived this for OVER a year. I got my approval 1 day before my family vacation to Disney World in October 2010. My surgery was 12/28/2010. At this point I am almost 14 months post surgery and couldnt be happier with the weight loss. I am at 182 which is only 7 pounds above my goal weight. A little over a year ago I couldnt do a lap around the track without feeling like I was going to die. Since then I have run several 5K races with time under 25 minutes. I play hockey a couple times a week and I am training for a half marathon in May. Please dont let those denials discourage you. I know how bad they made me feel. I think I got a total of 5 of them over a 10 month period. Check out obesitylaw.com web site too. It cost me exactly $0 for all of their help. Did I say that Kelley is the BEST. After every denial she was so encouraging. She assured me that it was OK. That is what they wanted in my case. They had to get away from the reviewers in Aetna and get to the external review. I'm sure every case is differnt but again please hang in there. It is so worth the fight.

My insurance did not cover it either... It is my understanding that every insurance company covers it, it is just a matter of whether or not your employer chose to have it as part of your coverage. My CEO told me that we were not even given the option of choosing it as part of our coverage, I am sure it has to do w/the size of our group and coverage limits. I am almost 3 yrs out, and I was fortunate that I had enough money in my 401K that I was able to take a hardship withdrawal for medical purposes in order to pay for my surgery. I don't regret taking the money for a minute, it was an investment in my life. I can rebuild my 401K but my life is not replaceable. Good luck!!

What a great boost for your self esteeem, that is truly a NSV, and you so deserve it! Karen

Sorry to tell you this - but as been posted hundreds of times, it takes several fills normally to give you good restriction. I had my surgery over 2 yrs ago and it took until my 3rd fill - 4 mths later, before I felt like I had any restriciton. I didn't lose anything the first 4 mths - but then over the past 2 yrs have maintained over 100 lbs off. It'll happen. You have have some patience. I wish someone had told me this when I first got banded - I didn't do much research on it until aftwerwards. I'm very happy with my band now - the first few months tho I thought I had failed yet another weight loss attempt. Good luck! Marci