Petunias

My daughter had the surgery in 2005 to remove the excess skin on her arms after losing 100 pounds. It was very painful and the scars are still tender. They have turned from red to white now so they are less noticeable. She says even with the scars and pain she would do it again. I, myself have "batwings" and am trying to over come being self conscious about them. They are incredibly uncomfortable and I will be going to to the website mentioned above and checking it out, thanks.

lizzy - I wish I would have put a roll of quarters in my pocket or maybe a block of lead! LOL Cocaabean - I like the way you think! I'm definitely going to use that reasoning in my appeal letter. Thanks a bunch! And you are right that gaining the weight won't do much good currently. I was getting really depressed thinking about gaining that weight. I'll keep you posted....

I have been denied twice in the last 2 days. The reason I was denied is that my BMI is only 34.8. I lost 30 pounds last year and have been gaining it back slowly. I thought that I'd head it off before it reached more than I had lost. Guess I thought wrong. I need to gain another 6 pounds in order to qualify and I don't really want to. I already feel horrible at my current weight..

Thanks for the well wishes. Yes I will appeal, I'm going to get copies of my medical records for the last 5 years so I can have all of my facts straight. My BMI was almost 38 (and was for some time) before I started my last diet. I guess I jumped the gun in going to the doctor too soon. I just started to panic as I started to gain back the weight I lost . And that usually means gaining a few more pounds than I lost too. I do have co-morbities, high chol, mild sleep apnea and gerd. Thankfully, I don't have diabetes or high blood pressure-yet anyway.

Hello, Both of my sister-in-laws had gastric bypass and did fine for about 2 -3 years. They have not learned to eat properly and do not exercise. They have gained back a lot of the weight and continue to yo-yo back and forth. They had beautiful thick hair and now it is thinner and dull. For me, just watching them experience the dumping syndrome was painful. My daughter had bypass surgery at age 24 and has had problems with her mineral and Vitamin absorption since. She too, has gained back weight and has been considering the lapband. Having seen what they had/have to endure has led me to the Lapband because it is reversible. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who has had the Lapband surgery and maybe I would feel differently if I did. Best of luck on your decision.

Congratulations and wishes for a speedy recovery

Thank you for responding to my post. I have mild sleep apnea which my neurosurgeon said would improve with weight loss and I have high cholesterol. The only reason I have a lower BMI right now is because I am just coming off a weight management plan where I lost 30 pounds (and of course I am gaining again - 15 pounds), otherwise my BMI would be 37. I'm going to have the surgery even if I have to self pay. I am just hoping that my insurance will cover it.

Hi everyone, I have been thinking about having this surgery since 2005 when my daughter had gastric bypass. I have decided that it is now or never. However, I'm not too sure that I can trust my referring doctor ( I have HealthNet *** ) to submit my information to my insurance for approval. My BMI is 34 and she told me that I shouldn't get the surgery and that I could lose the weight thru diet and exercise. She didn't ask me any questions about my diet history or anything like that. Should she have asked or will she get it all from my medical file? Does any body have any thoughts, ideas or experiences? Thanks...

Just curious as to why you would keep it secret? I'm thinking of doing that too. What have you come up against?