Coalminerswife23

Welcome Amanda....I will be getting banded on 2/7....Being that our band dates are so close, we could be great support for each other. Congrats my dear!

Hey MalindaM....Welcome back to your Journey...i too have started the Journey two other times before this one. I don't regret backing out the other two times. Obviously, i wasn't ready at the time, and neither were you. I finally re-did my seminar in May 2011, being my 6 month pre-op supervision in Junme 2011, finished all my testings, and got my final insurance approval in early January...In 15 days, i will be banded. I am so excited. I am also excited for you as well. Good Luck and congrats!!! Stick with it! Remember we are doing this for a healthier us... <3

Congrats to all of you...Can't wait til we all get to the banded side. My surgery is Feb 7th...(20 days) Woo Hoo!!!

Good Morning Mari....In reading your post, I noticed one major thing that stuck out. You are trying to give yourself incentives to get the surgery...U named on incentive that stopped me in my tracks. Your child! I myself have two children and made my decision for the mere fact that I love my husband and children more than anything in this world. I want to be here for them for as long as God sees fit. Like you said...Don't worry about what people are going to say or do. They don't have to know what you are doing to an extent (with the exception of your immediate family)...U chosing to do this to prolong you health and life is exceptional. I applaud you for that. Have you contacted a surgeon? Alot of the times they have seminars that they require you to attend before having surgery...I would start with contacting a high recommended surgeon and go from there. My surgeon's office took care of all of my insurance requests and requirements. I did no leg work. Let the surgeon's office do all the work for you. Then you know everything is done right. I look forward to hearing about your WLS journey and success!!! Good Luck...It took me a long time to decide as well and I am finally scheduled for surgery on Feb 7th. Best of Luck to you sweetie!

Awesome!!! Congrats...I will anxiously be awaiting to hear an update form you...Considering I will be banded on 02/07...

Welcome!!! I myself have tried everything you have listed and then some. Aggravation set in when I realize my health was beginning to decline. I myself obviously had to go with the "third time is a charm" motto. I considered lapband on two other occassions and backed out. I finally decided that I needed to proactively get my health back in order for myself, my hubby and my two sons. In May, I ran into a friend who I hadn't seen in a year or so. She was so slim compared to the last time we saw each other. She had Bypass. We talked for over an hour in Walmart parking lot. She is the one who told me about lapband considering I exspressed my concern with re-routing and everything. She directed me to Youtube to watch a few videos. I was sold. That same day I contacted Magee's Bariatric Center, did the online seminar, filled out the questionaire and faxed it over. A week later they called me to let me know I indeed was a candidate for weight loss surgery. From then on I have been flying high. I am scheduled for surgery on Feb 7th. I had to complete my six month supervised diet and multiple testing. But to make a long story short....Recovery time, time off of work, the fact that I have a 9 year old and a 2 year old ( I didn't want to be laid up too long), non invasive, no re-routing, no lifetime supplements, etc....That was an easy decision to make for me... My surgeon advised me that the lapband will permit me to lose 60% of my excess weight within 18 months. Or 75% with bypass over a year. the 15% different was only a matter of 15 pounds for me. I would rather have the "safer" surgery and forfeit those extra 15 pounds. To me they aren't worth the length of healing and recooperating...(just my opninion) In your instance...If you are 110lbs over weight, lapband will permit you to lose 66+ pounds....Bypass will permit you to lose 82.5 pounds. (If the doctor is right on his calculations) That is a difference of 16.5 pounds. To me I would rather do lapband instead of losing an additional 16 pounds with bypass. Ultimately it is your decision and what you feel comfortable in doing. That is just how I decided on my lapband...I figured losing the weight a little slower will permit me to tone up what was lost before more comes off. This way I can try to limit my "sag" LOL

Thanks Boo!

I was scheduled for Valentine's Day but I happily got moved up to Feb 7th...Exactly one month from tomorrow. Yeah...And hello Fellow Feb Banders!!! We own this month.

Hopefully my approval will be here soon

Congrats sweetie!!! It has been a long time coming.

Wow that is insane. When I went to my very first seminar, they gave me a huge packet to take home. In that packet was an Insurance Info packet. It gave me complete directions on calling my company (Highmark BCBS) and asking them if certain codes (medical codes) were covered. I verified that Gastric Banding as well as gastric bypass were all covered. Even though my plan never changed, I was paranoid and called almost every month asking if the same medical codes were covered. Now if they would just hurry the hell up and approve me. I am so sorry that u had to go thru all this. It is a shame. I can't believe how un-educated people are in their own jobs. Almost every insurance comapny has multiple types of plan. She should have known that not all insurance plans within a certain company are the same. Shame on her...

Awesome!!! Congrats! I have been fully completed with everything for two weeks now. I am only waiting for them to submit me. Apparently the Psych took an extreme amount of time completing my evaulation paperwork...Ugghhh...Surgery date was 2/14 but they moved me up to 2/7...Let's just hope my approval comes thru on the first try ...But everything looks like it is working in your favor. Congrats my dear!

This site has been very informative to me. I was schedule for my Realize band on Feb 14th. My surgeon's office called me yesterday and moved me up to Feb 7th. Hoping they do the same for you. Welcome my fellow "Future Banded" friend...

Congrats Amanda!!! I am having my surgery on Feb 14th...We are going to have to keep in touch to see how everything went....

Congrats!!! This is so exciting.... Welcome to day #1 of a "new you"!

Welcome to our community...Congratulations on your continued success. Keep up the great work. I will be banded soon and look forward to my progress...

Im getting nervous. Psych and Nutritionist appointment tomorrow...What should I expect? What does this nutrition test consist of? I studied my Lapland Handbook from back to front...

Im getting nervous. Psych and Nutritionist appointment tomorrow...What should I expect? What does this nutrition test consist of? I studied my Lapland Handbook from back to front...

You know....my six months went by so fast it scared me...But I was not asked to lose a specific amount but I was asked to show effort and keep a detailed food log. Www. Fatsecret.com has an excellent tracking tool for diet n exercise. Plus they have an Android and Iphone app. AWESOME! In regards to the sweets, I fell partial to the Dole peaches fruit cups in light syrup. 70 calories and very satisfying to my sweet tooth. ALSO Kellogg Protein Meal Bar in double chocolate... Protein n chocolaten.. fiber ....very yummy... Sorry I am posting from my phone. Hope u can read the full message...

Congrats on the banding...I will be getting banded soon... A few of my banded friends use Kellogg's K20 Protein Water....They love it. So it helps you get your protein and your liquids in. It just might work for you...Here is the link that explains it more in details....Keep up the great work! http://www2.kelloggs.com/ProductDetail.aspx?id=10031

Welcome...New Banders!!! I am a few days old myself to the site. You will find it very informative. As of Dec 5th I finished my 6 months. I have my Psych and Nutritionist appt on Thursday and then I am officially ready to be submitted for my final approval. Tentative surgery date is Valentine's Day...I look forward to seeing everyones progress. If any of you have questions about the journey...i will try to help as much as I can... Congrats on making the decision to have a complete Lifestyle change!!! Kudos to all of us!

@B-52....Thank you!!! That made me feel so much better. Before I started my journey, I called my Insurance to see if it was covered. I called in and they confirmed that the medical codes that i gave them were covered 100%. I have remained within my guidelines. The only thing that concerns me is that during my 6 months supervised, in my third month, I gained 3 pounds. I was dealing with the tragic murder of my brother and food became my comfort once again...But in turn, I regrouped and got back on track and lost my weight. So I don't know if that lil fluctuation in weight will cause them to decline me. I have heard horror stories... I must admit, you are right, this is the best insurance out there...(In my opinion...) My husband is a coal-miner (hence my user name) and they seem to always carry great insurance. Again, THANK YOU for comforting my concern and congrats on your progress....I look forward to seeing great numbers for myself as well.

Hey everyone!!! I am so confused! I keep reading all of these forums on lapband and the insurance process and now I am starting to get concerned. I have Highmark BCBS out of Pennsylvania. I started my whole banding process on June 5th with my PCP supervised monthly visits. I did my seminar in late May in which I found out that indeed I was a candidate. So like I said, June 5th was my first PCP weigh-in. I had my monthly visits all the way up to Dec 5th. In September I met with my surgeon in which she game me a list of tests to have complete. I complete my bloodwork, sleep tests, Upper GI with Barium, and now I go Thursday for my Pysch and Nutritionist visit. (This was the earliest appt I could get)... Now, here is where my confusion begins. Speaking with my Surgeon's assistant, she advised me that before she can submit me for approval after she rec'vs my Psych and Nutritionist Evaluations. I understand that as well...BUT She said that once she submits me, it will take 4-6 weeks for approval!!! So the tentatively schedule my surgery date for Feb 14th, 2012....Almost 2 months away. June 5th - 242lbs Dec 5th- 234lbs Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea High Cholestrol Dystfunctional gallbladder- due to weight Borderline Diabetic Borderline HBP Hopefully I don't get a denial... So, how is everyone getting approvals in a matter of days when I am told it takes weeks?...I am so anxious to get this done and start the "New Me." Can anyone give me info on this?

I too am on Facebook and would love to have a circle of supporters...Please look me up... Candace Byrd Davis

LOL...Yeah my "Boys" were a little lagging last night. LOL...Thanks...I will make sure to stay on top of the surgeon's office. I saw your tracker...EXCELLENT!! Congrats! Hope that is me really soon! Again thanks for your great info. Merry Christmas luvbug!