Oceanspirit

I am relatively new to posting on the forum but have been reading for a while. All my paperwork has been submitted to my insurance and I was told it was in the nurse's inbox to review for approval two days ago. I am 5'6 inches and about 290 lbs and in my early 30's. I have Humana PPO and am seeing Dr. Schuster in Louisville, KY. I had my six month diet and my psych eval but am fairly good health with a huge family history of obesity and related diseases. So now I'm anxious and excited and nervous. I'm dreading the pre-op diet and have heard its a liquid only diet for at least 7 days, but you don't find that out until you see the surgeon for your second appointment after approval. Just curious if anyone has any advice or tidbits that you wish you had known or done before surgery. Did you take anything to the hospital? Was there something you would have asked that you didn't before surgery? Would you have done something differently to prepare yourself? Thank you for taking the time to read this and responding.

I got approved!!!!! I heard today and I am scheduled for surgery on April 6th! I can't wait and am terrified all at the same time. I think I have to do a 2 week liquid diet instead of a one week as I meet that person next week but won't have surgery for another 2 weeks.

My name is Melissa and I am going to have the lap band done. I have contemplated this for several years and told myself I could do it. I have lost weight many times before but have been unable to keep it off for more than a couple years. I have now waited and and dieted myself up to 310 lbs. I am 5'7". At 18 I began to rapidly gain weight, become moody, lose my monthly cycles, and develop hair on my face. It took me several years and many doctors to get the diagnosis of PCOS. Every year I put on 10 or so lbs and now am having physical complications from the weight. I have been fortunate that my health has remained mostly good. By some miracle, I was lucky enough to have a baby who is now about 7 months old. I have decided to have the band, not just for myself, but for my family. I want to be able to play with my daughter in the floor, carry her up the steps. I want to be able to take her outside to run and play. I have gone to the seminar, and am now in the 6 month pre-diet phase. I can't wait to start this new phase of my life.

I will be going through Dr Olsofka's group. I have a 6 month diet before my insurance will consider it. I have been to the seminar and am working on my paperwork now.

Hi I'm new here, and trying to decide if I want to persue a lap band or not. I'm 29 yrs old, 5'7" tall, 265 lbs. I have PCOS, pre-diabetes, and occasional high blood pressure. I'm very confused right now about my direction and reading about others experiences.

I have Humana. I met with the doctor that will be supervising me for the next 6 months. I really liked her and the appointment went really well. I told her this was my last ditch effort to lose it without the aid of a band. She and I talked about the band as a tool for those who were unable to do it alone. She said that she would also test me for comorbidities related to weight should we decide the band would be the best alternative that way it would all be documented over time. What I'm doing so far seems like something I can live with and work into my life. Overall it was very positive. I haven't sent any paperwork in for the lap band yet. Since I have the six months there is no rush, and the surgeon fee is up front and insurance reimburses later, so I'm in no hurry to start paying them on the chance that I might actually have sucess with this medical supervised thing. I am from Louisville. I'm fortunate there are some really great bariatric physicians here both surgical and nonsurgical.

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. Like I said I have to see an MD for a medically supervised diet. If that doesn't work I will have the lap band.

Flowergurl- I am from KY. I was diagnosed with PCOS about 8 yrs ago. What about you if you don't mind my asking. Its been a long and hard journey. I went from being about 165 to being around 180 in less than 3 months. Then all the other stuff started happening. Anyways I have read that sometimes surgery can help. I found out that my insurance requires 6 months of medically supervised dieting prior to any acceptance. So today I have an appointment with an MD to start that. Hopefully it will work. If it doesn't then I've decided to have the lap band.