Sooverit!

I feel aweful for you. I read so many positive posts here that it's almost a realtiy check to read yours. I pray that things get better for you with the band. I am prebanded and will go to Mexico to get mine as my ins co played games with me for a year. ARe you feeling any better ...after the 11 lbs came off? I think 11 lbs in less than 2 months is awesome and right on track with what they say to expect(1-2 a week) I was thinking that your stomach will eventually shrink when you are eating less. Do you think you are eating less...it must be hugh adjustment to make though...keep posting you will get the support you need. Keep us posted take care,

I think you should focus on the 75 pounds you lost and the health problems associated with that much excess weight! You are so much healthier now. tHOUGH it sounds like you are suffering from anxiety and believe me we've all been there at one time or another. There are so many good meds now ..like Lexapro a low dose antidepressant with antianxiety qualities. Talk to your doc as soon as poss....hang in there.

Hi Indio: Thanks for all the work you do on this site. I am prebanded but what I read so far I understand that you are a big help here and just wanted to let you know it's greatly appreciated. I wanted to shoot you a quick question about the 25% that the lap band helps with. What exactely does it help do? Does it decrease appetitie by 25%? Does it remind you to eat slower and stop sooner? My problem with food is portion control and I eat rather healthy but I think I lost the "full" signal a long time ago. thanks again

Hi there: I am looking for a buddy who's had their Lap Band surgery done in Mexico. I found a very experienced doctor in Monterrey Mexico; Dr. Rumbaut who fits the bill so far. I'm still in the beginning research stage but getting more confident about the decision every day. I really could use someone to share their experience with me and possibly a strong shoulder.

I have open access through NY...I went on the CIGNA web site yesterday and noticed they changed their requirement to having a 40 BMI for 12 months to 24 months. Unless I read it wrong, this is a big change. I found the new requirement page on Cigna.com under bariatric sugery. I recently heard they also look for a 10% weight loss during the 6 month physician supervised diet.

Hi nancy: I am starting to research the sleeve ..I believe it's different than bi pass. I heard someone here say they want to do the sleeve because they don't want the "drama" caused by the lap band. From all I've read on here there can be difficulties with the band and fillls etc. not to mention out of pocket costs. Look up a member named Bubblebutt on surgery in Mexico she had the band and is switching to the sleeve. I'll keep you posted on what I learn as well. Best to you in whatever you choose.

Hi over 50 gang: I am so grateful to see this site. I am prebanded and my tag says I'm 47 but that is when I started this journey and I am still not banded. I have the worst insurance for LB coverage with Cigna and started with a borderline BMI 37/38. I'm going through the arbitration process ..it's been a long road. In the mean time I'm getting even bigger and morphing into a woman I don't recognize and I don't feel comfortable or particular like what I see at all and I feel like withdrawing and hiding. Most of my life I was a very attractive woman with a good figure and a happy attitude. Later age pregnancy and meopause took me to a weight gain I can't manage on my own. Now I don't know who this woman is in the mirror as of the past few years. The hot summers here are particulary difficult. I stilll go to the gym as I love yoga and excercise but I'm getting down about my new appearance and feel myself withdrawing. Though through all of these hormonal ups and downs one of the things that has kept me from feeling too down is the support I feel from woman in their 50s and 60s 70s and beyond ...woman in these decades of age are just so much cooler, less judgemental, kinder, just more supportive of their fellow female folk. I thank all of you for your smiles, kind words and support.

Hi Healther: I am prebanded and had a quick question for you about the terrible carb demon that I know as too well also. Do you find that now being banded tho that you are better able to resist the urge to not overeat the carbs and isn't it impossible to overeat at least like before being banded. Does your brain get the signal quicker before you've eaten enough carbs to cause the insulin trigger? It's confusing to someone who's not banded yet. Also I noticed that your BMI is below 40 were you able to get insurance to cover you? thanks heather

Hi WasaBubble: This is very interesting about Luvox and I appreciate your honest advice. I have read that overeating is akin to OCD and it does seem obsessive compulsive at times for me when I just can't stop! I am like a starving animal the 2 weeks before my TOM and I am looking for anything that will help with this also. I will ask my doc about this! thanks! Hi Northwest Nance: I was wondering if after being banded do you crave wine more so now? This is my worst fear of getting the band. I do like my wine and I do drink occassionally and when I do drink, like eating, I usally drink a bit too much but I don't drink often just 2x a month or so. I have heard about the transfer addiction problem but not at all on this site.

thanks gettin...and good news about your upcoming surgery! Exciting! Glad you found a local fill center. Where in MX are you getting the surgery done? There is onlly 1 fill center on LI that someone here directed me to in Levittown. I was surprised there weren't more but I will take your advice about calling the surgeons in the area..

woops Just looked on Cigna's main website and it's all very clear what they cover now. There is a big change tho...they require 24 month of a 40 BMI now....not 12 months..

Hi Cathy: Thanks for responding and I just love your quote.. ..and so simple!~ but so true!:-) Mine is "Life isn't about what happens to you but how you choose to respond (or not) when it happens". Back pats to you for your great weight loss so far....you must feel great. I haven't lost that much weight in a decade but I know how great it feels to be in that direction! Hi Heather and thanks for responding. I'm thinking of going to Mexico...never thought I would but reconsidering now that there are so many fill docs around. Cigna is tricky they want me at a 40 bmi for at least a year and the 6 mo diet within a year...so.I would have to do the 6 mo diet over.

Hey gone being your age I would initially say it's the yard work for the back but jaw pain?? Has it gone away yet? I would call my doc just in case.?

:thumbs_up:Dear Karen: Thanks so much for all the great info on your fill doc! This has really given me hope as I've been banging my head against a wall trying to get my insurance company (Cigna) to cover, but I am starting to think outside the box thanks to you. I've heard great things about your surgery doc in Mexico as well. I'm thinking of trying to find a lap band doc within the states. Anywhere outside of NY as here it's close to 28,000 dollars out of pocket. Thanks again! M

Hey Lexy: Just came across our post from March about head hunger....I get that hunger all the time but I am prebanded and just shut it up with salty or sweet treat. I admire you for recognizing it and trying to tame it! How are things going now 4 MONTHs later? I hope you got that "sweet spot" with fills that people talk about. Hope all is well best to you Marg

I have the same dilema as well. I was deinied by cigna Cwith a 38 BMI also not the kind of major coomobidities they like such as high blood pressure, diabletes and sleep apnea ..that couldn't be controlled with drugs. I am in the process of an appeal process with Walter at Obesitylaw.com ...they are the best at what they do for sure. Currently I am a 40 bmi tho and wondering if I can't get the appeal if I should go :cursing:through this entire process all over again ...it would take another year tho.

Hi BB: I remember too, a long time ago when I had lost a very substainial amount of weight after a pregancy and caught a glimps of an attractive normal sized woman in the gym mirror ...my mind could not tell it was me at first. so "I" looked at that image acurately without the usual critism and negativitly. I'll never forget that feeling when it clicked that that image was me. I think that was the turning point and I no longer looked at that mirror with an inspectors vision. I just let go and said no need to really look to much anymore. May I ask you why you had to have the LB removed? Did you loose too much of your BB? Size 4 wowo. I was a size for when I was 3 years old! :-) Glad to see you are getting to a place of acceptance. All the best to you, marg

Hi NYers: Haven't gotten the proceedure yet but I am in the seriously thinking and making appointment stage. Anyone out there at this stage? I haven't met with a doctor yet regarding the Lap Band. I am so fearful I will be turned away as my BMI is only 35 without complications. It's so funny that I have to be sick to be treated with this preventative proceedure that will prolong my life and keep me well!! I wonder if they would consider my twin sister who died in her sleep last year at age 37 of morbid obesity complications?:think Any thoughts any one? Marg

Or at best a waste of time and money!!

This is amazing to me ...after all the tests and bloodwork I can't believe it's required to have additional tests 7 days before the proceedure!! If this appeal doesn't go well there is no way I can afford this out of pocket. You folks are blessed that your insurance companies covered you. Feel grateful...for the rest of us with companies like Cigna and a BMI just shy of 40 it's tourture and feels like a dangling carrot.

Hey Carrie: Great to hear you are doing well! You are going to feel and look great this summer! Yeah and best part I think your body temp goes down so you won't feel the heat as much..that is if you are in a climate that the seasons change?> .(I can't stand the summer because I'm always so uncomfortable-any other time I'm fine) ! Sorry you had a rough time for the first few day though! Did you get pain meds I hope? You are so nice to ask about my appeal...I am still waiting to see if Walter at Obesity Law can save the day for me. Thanks for the heads up on Cigna also. Thurs will be here before you know it! ALl the best to you!:laugh:!

Dear Mekadig: I've been on this site for over a year now and read many posts and what I have gathered is 1. You are very normal to feel anxious 2. You went this far for a reason and I believe that this is a miracle surgery for anyone who needs it and so many people have gained their lives and their health back and you will too. Keep posting...smartbandsters.com is very good also Keep the faith, marg

Hey Carrie C: Congrats one being covered and your surgery...I see you had a date of 5/22!! Hope all went well and you are feeling great! All the best, Marg

I have to say I think hormones really are one of the big culprites for me. Also bad habits of snacking didn't help either but I was thin to normal to slightly overweight until I became pregnant at 29 then gained 80 lbs, lost it all though starvation and being very active and kept it off till my last pregnancy at 39 same thing but this time at this age those lbs weren't going anywhere. I lost about 20 of them though daily strenuous activity and protein diets etc. then my hormones starting up again at I around 46 and I steadiy and rapidly gained weight especially in my stomach and chest till now at age 49. I am uncomfortable and I am about 85-90 lbs. over my ideal BMI. I am waiting on an appeal process right now and praying I will be appoved by my ins. company ...unfortunately I have CIGNA the toughest one around to get an approval from!!!!:laugh: marg

So proud of you ......