ElizabethAnne

My first goal is to have a BMI in the normal range. If I attain that goal, I will reevaluate it when I reach that point.

Congratulations on your approval! I understand how excited you are---I received my approval letter this past Tuesday, and it still doesn't feel real!

That is fantastic! I understand about losing before surgery. I was motivated after I met with my surgeon in early January, but this week I learned I'm approved and am even more motivated. I have lost about 18 pounds so far and don't have a surgery date yet. It will likely be June before I have surgery, and though I want to be as healthy as possible, I am concerned about what will happen if my BMI is too low.

You are right----people here are incredibly nice, and I appreciate that so much. Congratulations on your weight loss---You are losing fast!

I have some Nike pants that somewhat fit the description of what you are looking for. I have had them almost three years, though, so I don't know if they are still available. The label inside says "NikeFitDry." The fabric content is 88% polyester and 12% spandex. They have a wide waistband, which helps control my stomach, and they make my body appear firmer, without being tight. I don't like Spanx because I become too hot (meaning body temperature...LOL) in them. The Nike pants appear to do the same work as Spanx but without any discomfort. I have four pairs and would wear them every day if I could.

I actually just found what I needed. If anyone else needs this type of help, here's the link: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/index.php?app=core&module=help

Welcome, Band Wagon Barbie! Like you, I was delighted to find this informative, supportive group. I adore cats and have two rescue cats, too. I hope you're approved soon!

I'm happy you only had to do 6 months, too. Initially, I was very discouraged after receiving the denial letter, so discouraged that I considered not persevering. In fact, I didn't make my first doctor appointment until two months later. However, once I got started, the time actually passed more quickly than I thought it would. Now, I am so very happy that I followed through.

Congratulations! Stories like yours are encouraging to read. Best wishes for continued success!

I'm with you, elcee! I weigh every single day and will likely continue the practice once I have surgery. Weighing daily helps me stay somewhat in control of my eating.

Congratulations on your approval! I received my approval letter yesterday and still have to wait, too. I called my surgeon's office last night and left a message saying I had received approval. I received a message back today saying they usually get the approval letter from insurance about a week after I do. She said once the insurance department receives it, they will scan it into my file, then send the information to her so she can call and schedule my surgery. So now it's more waiting. But the positive is that the waiting will provide an opportunity to try to lose more weight before surgery.

I had to do a two-year program. I saw my doctor approximately every two months, counted calories, and walked 5 miles almost every single day. I didn't do anything differently---I ate healthy, but on many of the days I ate way too much. During some visits, I lost weight, yet I gained on others. My weight never stayed the same, but the experience was a true snapshot of how my weight has yo-yoed most of my life. At my final visit, I had lost 14+ pounds in the two-month time period and was concerned I wouldn't be approved. However, my insurance company received my paperwork on February 15, and the approval letter was dated February 17. The two years actually passed by much more quickly than I thought they would.

Initially, after attending the bariatric surgery seminar that my surgeon conducted, I was strongly considering gastric bypass, primarily because of the beneficial outcomes information that was presented. Based on the data he has collected, he said gastric bypass patients could expect to lose 70% of their excess body weight within a one to two year time period while lap band patients could expect to lose 40% of their excess body weight. Since then, I have met with my surgeon twice over a two-year time period. Both times, he recommended the band for me. I told him I want to lose more than 40% of my excess weight and asked what I needed to do to achieve this. He basically said to educate myself well. I already walk fives miles daily and am a rule-follower. I also met with a dietician twice over a two-year time period. Each time, I explained to her that I eat fairly healthy but am obese because I eat way too much. Based on the facts I gave her, she thought I would be successful with the band. She said her patients who are unsuccessful with the band tend to drink their calories and don't follow the rules. Additionally, I talked to the psychologist about my personality. Long story-short, she said I was the ideal candidate for the band, based on my personality. I have done a lot of reading and have asked many questions, yet I still agonize at times about whether I am making the best decision. The only thing I've concluded is that there is no way I can determine in advance which procedure is truly the best for me. Therefore, I have decided I trust my surgeon and am choosing the band. There are many at this forum who have been very successful with the band. And they inspire me greatly. I read almost every post submitted and consequently have gained a wealth of knowledge. I've considered WLS since June 2009, and although at this point I am simultaneously excited and scared, I am also hopeful and ready to proceed. Gather information from as many reliable sources as you can, and you, too, will be able to make a decision that's comfortable for you.

That is fantastic! I hope you hear back soon and that you are approved.

My insurance required documentation in my medical record of failure to sustain weight loss within the two years preceding surgery and documentation of my doctor's monitoring of my progress toward a goal of weight loss. My final doctor visit for my goal of weight loss was February 13; today, on February 21, I received the approval letter. My insurance company received the request on February 15, and their response letter was dated February 17. I could hardly believe how quickly the paperwork was processed, but all of my reports, with the exception of my medical record notes, had already been submitted in 2009, which may account for the speedy response. Hope your paperwork is submitted soon!

Would you please tell us who did your surgery?

That's great! Your story is encouraging! I renewed my license recently and had dreaded the process for months in advance because I had gained 67 pounds since my last renewal and felt like an utter failure. The woman who helped me at the license facility was very nice, though, and it wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. However, I am hopeful the next time I renew my license that I can actually give a much lower weight.

I was not approved for WLS benefits the first time because my insurance (Wellmark) requires "documentation in the medical record of failure to sustain weight loss within the two years preceding surgery and documentation of the health care provider's monitoring of the patient's progress toward a goal of weight loss." Now, I am almost to the two year mark and my weight has yo-yoed up and down throughout this 24 month time period. I, too, am concerned about whether I will be approved, particularly since my policy reads " The following surgical procedures for the treatment of morbid obesity may be considered medically necessary..." I have called my insurance company twice to try to get clarification on the policy language. Both times, I have received answers that were vague at best, even when I asked to speak to a supervisor during my second call. The months have passed by more quickly than I originally thought they would, so now I am waiting a few more days for my final doctor visit, which I am scheduling one day after the two year mark. Hopefully, I will be approved soon.

Wow---you look great! Congratulations on your weight loss! And thanks for posting your photos. I am still am the pre-surgery stage and it's very encouraging to read posts like yours.

I have been overweight almost all of my life except the few brief time periods when I successfully dieted (Phen-Fen and physician-supervised fasting) and became a much smaller individual. Though I wore a size 4 or 6 during those times when I was smallest, I still felt overweight until I saw my reflection in the mirror. I always thought my body image was probably distorted during those times because I wasn't used to being small and since I was unable to maintain my weight loss for any lengthy period of time, my brain never had time to make the needed adjustment. However, my slender friend from college, who was thin from her youth through her 30's said each time she saw her much heavier reflection in a window or mirror, she'd gasp and think, "Who's that fat lady?" She said she still perceived herself as the thin person she'd always been. She said she felt this way even when she was selecting clothing to try on, thinking the size that she used to wear would still fit.

Congratulations on your success, B-52! Your photos are amazing! I appreciate the insight, wisdom, and encouragement you provide at this site and when you attain your goal, I am hopeful you will stick around here and continue to share your thoughts. Best wishes for continued success!

I have not had WLS, but I have lost weight many times in my life. When I have lost weight in the past, my bra band size has decreased, but my cup size has always remained the same. If I were you, I would check with my insurance company concerning benefits for breast reduction. My insurance company required that a minimum amount of grams be removed from each breast. With that in mind, it is much easier to remove 300 grams when an individual is a 38DDD compared to a 32DDD. My surgeon even recommended that I gain weight before the procedure. Hope this helps.

I have narrow feet and can get the best fit with New Balance. I've worn NB for many years.

Your explanation makes sense. Thank you!

I've read the band loosens as weight is lost. Can anyone explain why?