Corize

1. How long have you been banded? 10 months 2. How much weight did want to lose? 75 lbs. (I lost 25 between the time of my consultation and my surgery, so 'only' needed to lose 50 by the time of my surgery) 3. How much weight have you lost? 42 4. How happy are you that you have been banded: scale of 1-10 (1 being regretful, 10 being elated) 10+ My ONLY regret is that I didn't do this sooner! It's not a magic bullet - you still have to work at it, and focus on eating habits, etc., but it certainly has made it possible. I feel amazing!

I agree with Eggzy82. It's not a race. Instead of being frustrated that you can't take in more than you can, embrace it and be thankful. I was the same way after my banding 10 months ago. I sipped liquids all day long but felt full after only a couple of ounces. I was on clear liquids for 2 weeks after surgery, then full liquids for another week. Even when I started eating real foods, I could only eat about 1/4 to 1/2 of a cup. It was that way for a long time, but, I am down 70 lbs since my initial surgeon visit (including the weight I lost between then and surgery) and am a new person (mentally & physically). Relax, take your time, and embrace every day.

sassyfrass I was the same way, very excited about having surgery but very scared too. I was sick of being ashamed about the way I looked and avoiding people that knew me when I was normal weight, because I didn't want them to see how fat I had gotten over the years. Life is too short and I decided I didn't want to live the rest of mine being unhappy with the way I look and feel. I was banded 5 weeks ago and I am convinced it is the best thing I have ever done for myself in my life! I 'only' had about 50 lbs to lose but I knew I wouldn't be happy if I didn't do something about it. In 5 weeks, I have dropped 23 lbs. and I feel absolutely amazing! I finally have HOPE. I have no regrets.

I am also scheduled for surgery in July - the 15th - and can hardly wait. I had originally pursued lap band 2 years ago. I was denied by insurance, after jumping through all their hoops, because they felt my obesity-related medical issues - sleep apnea, reflux, etc. - could be treated in ways other than surgery. I had lost 30 lbs. in preparation of surgery back then, felt a lot better physically & psychologically, so didn't appeal the decision. Unfortunately, since then I have managed to maintain the 30 lb weight loss but haven't lost any more. I, too, am in the 33-34 BMI range and have decided that I am going to do self-pay. Life is short and I refuse to go through the rest of it feeling & looking like I do. Cheers to the journey ahead!

Call your health insurer right away and ask them the process for appealing. You may need to send them a letter stating that your doctor has misunderstood what you relayed to him and that you have been making an effort, including weight loss drugs, dieting, and exercise, without success. You may also need to see your doctor again, and explain to him that you feel he has 'misunderstood' you and that you would like his visit note to reflect that you have been following his instructions. I think brbm6 is right. A lot of insurance companies deny at first, figuring if you accept the denial, you just saved them some money. My initial doctor was the same way. She thought that everyone could easily just watch what they eat and exercise and the world would be right. I wish it were that easy.

Michelle2011 -- where in Mexico? Which doctor? I am looking at Angeles Health International in TJ but would appreciate any 'good experiences' that anyone else had in Mexico. Thanks.

gettingstarted: Have you found any more information on out-of-country self pay doctors? I have also been researching. I know there are a couple in Mexico that will do the surgery for around $5000-$7,000. I am looking seriously at them but have discovered that I can't always trust the replies/posts on this site. When I research the doctor (either one), it seems he either gets 'glowing' reports or 'warnings' to not go there. I am beginning to wonder how many of the posters actually had the surgery done there, and how many are just working for one doctor or the other and trying to drum up business. I'd like to find honest/truthful opinions. In searching their websites, they look wonderful and competent, but then, that's what websites do for every company that sets them up. Being a self-pay, I know my only option is to go to Mexico to have it done, I would just like to get unbiased, honest reviews of the best doctors there to do the surgery.

Where in Mexico did you have the surgery done? Which doctor? Would you recommend him to others? What was the cost? I was denied by my insurer 2 years ago because they didn't think my obesity-related medical conditions warranted surgery. Now, they no longer cover the surgery - any weight loss surgery. I just talked to my surgeon's office 2 days ago to see how much self pay would be. $21,000 (with 3/4 of that going to the hospital). Unfortunately, that's probably out of the question, but I am looking for more reasonably priced - but safe - alternatives. I think MN is probably one of the more expensive places to have it done unfortunately. Thanks for any info you can share.

all4gizmo: I haven't been fortunate enough to have the surgery yet (insurance denied coverage of the surgery because they didn't feel my obesity related health issues were 'untreatable' by other means), but did attend the info meeting when I was going through the process. Some basic information that I would have like to ask, if there had been someone available that had gone through the surgery -- Was it worth it? Would you do it again, knowing what you know now? I think sitting out in the audience, I just wanted someone to say 'yes, I did it and I am so glad I did'. It's one thing for a nurse from the surgeon's office to sit there and tell you it's great, but to hear it from someone who has actually gone through it is another thing.

REDSparkles11: Did you have your surgery? I pursued lap band surgery almost 2 years ago. Jumped through all the hoops, and then 2 weeks before I thought I would be having surgery, insurance sent a letter denying me. Instead of appealing the decision, I let it drop, thinking I could do the weight loss on my own. I have regretted it ever since. I wish I would have appealed it and argued with them til the end. My insurance company stopped covering weight loss surgery as of April 1st, so there is no hope for me to have financial assistance from them now. My only option is to pay out of pocket. Maybe re-fi the house, borrow against the 401K, I don't know. I think it would definitely be worth it.

I pursued lap band surgery almost 2 years ago. Jumped through all the hoops, and then 2 weeks before I thought I would be having surgery, insurance sent a letter denying me. Instead of appealing the decision, I let it drop, thinking I could do the weight loss on my own. I have regretted it ever since. I wish I would have appealed it and argued with them til the end. My insurance company stopped covering weight loss surgery as of April 1st, so there is no hope for me to have financial assistance from them now. My only option is to pay out of pocket. Maybe re-fi the house, borrow against the 401K, I don't know. I don't even know what costs estimates are for the surgery. Can people give me a general ideas of costs? I realize it will vary by state but it will give me an idea of what I could be looking at.

I pursued lap band surgery almost 2 years ago. Jumped through all the hoops, and all my surgeon & I were waiting on was the final okay from the insurance company. Two weeks before I thought I would be having surgery, they sent a letter denying me because they felt my health issues (related to obesity) could be treated without surgery. By then I was eating better & exercising, and had lost 30 lbs, (as recommended by my surgeon to make it easier to get by the liver) and was feeling better psychologically. Instead of appealing the decision, I let it drop, thinking I could do the weight loss on my own. I have regretted it ever since. I wish I would have appealed it and argued with them til the end. I have maintained my 30 lb weight loss but in the last 1 1/2 years, haven't lost any more. My insurance company stopped covering weight loss surgery as of April 1st, so there is no hope for me to have financial assistance from them now. My only option is to pay out of pocket. Not a cheap venture but something I am seriously considering because I don't want to waste the rest of my life regretting that I didn't do something about my weight. Good luck.

I am 54 and would love to have the lap band surgery. I actually pursued it almost 2 years ago. Jumped through all the hoops and all my surgeon & I were waiting on was the final okay from the insurance company. Two weeks before I thought I would be having surgery, they sent a letter denying me because they felt my health issues related to obesity could be treated without surgery. By then I was eating better & exercising (as recommended by my surgeon) and had lost 30 lbs, and was feeling better psychologically. Instead of appealing the decision, I let it drop, thinking I could do the weight loss on my own. I have regretted it ever since. I wish I would have appealed it and argued with them til the end. I have maintained my 30 lb weight loss but in the last 1 1/2 years, haven't lost any more. Starting April 1st, my insurance company no longer covers weight loss surgery. My only option is to pay out of pocket. Not a cheap venture but something I am seriously considering because I don't want to waste the rest of my life regretting it. It is scary to face surgery, but I figure the fear is easier than the way I feel every day when I look in the mirror. Good luck.