petra1124

Yes I would like to know as well, are gummie vitamins ok?!

That is great to hear!! I still have a ways to go....I am in the begining stages of getting approved and going through all the initial appointments. I hope I can get through it without cheating!

I am glad to hear that its cleared up for you! I hope I have the same results....sometimes its even more embarrasing than being obese...

Ive suffered from acanthosis nigricans since I was 12 or 13 (although it was much lighter then). I do have metabolic syndrom and I am pre-diabetic...I am hoping that this will go away because I want to be able to wear sleeveless tops!! I do wear them in the summer on occasion, but I am so embarrased by my underarms that I tend not to. Has anyone exprienced a decrease in the darkness, or even seen it disappear after the weight loss?! That would just be amazing!

havent submitted yet, still have some appointments to complete first, but excited and impatient just the same!!!

Thanks so much for the support twinRN! Sometimes I feel crappy about not being able to keep the weight off, but Ive struggled my whole life...its hard when people can be so negative, but I like what you said about taking control! I need to take control now before I mess myself up for life.

Hey guys! I am still pretty new to this site, and I am very early on into the process...I am nervous about insurance, but excited for the next couple months of appointments, they cant come soon enough!! I am excited to think about how my life will be if/when I get the surgery, but nervous about possible complications...I just keep thinking too much!!! I was working late one night last week and went through reading all the posts in the complications catagory and almost scared myself out of getting the surgery. But I think that the very low risk of complication is worth changing my life. Ive been obese almost my whole life (diagnosed with hypothyroidism at age 13, overweight since age 10 or 11). Ive tried dieting, exercise, everything...and while I am able to lose 10-25 lbs temporarily, it never stays off and I fall into my old eating habits. THIS also makes me nervous...never being able to have the foods I love...or will I be able to? My in-laws got me a Pasta machine for xmas (something I've been wanting for years). I realized last night after talking about making pasta with my husband that I may not ever be able to even EAT pasta after surgery...will I ever be able to have a bite or two of the foods that I love? I love to cook and Im scared I wont be able to eat anything other than bland food for the rest of my life. From what I gathered at the seminar I will eventually be able to eat foods Ive normally eaten, just in much smaller portions. Ive had my gallbladder out for going on 3 years now, and so I stray away from fried and fatty foods, but a few times a month I might indulge and have a small portion of a fish fry (usually just eat the fish and only a bite or two of the breading) or some french fries. Will I ever be able to eat a french fry?! I know that this thinking is bad...but I figure that even people of regular weight are able to have a few french fries once in a while..... Mostly I am scared of complications, although I have a (relitively) lower BMI [required for the surgery] 39 right now, I am opting to get this surgery because I have high blood pressure and I am pre diabetic. Diabetes runs in my family and I want to reduce the risk of getting this. I also want to be able to model healthy eating habits for my future children so that they might avoid leading a life of obesity. I want to be able to do physical activity without feeling like I am going to die. I used to ski and I want to ski again so badly!! I want to go for a jog or hike with my husband who loves the outdoors.....I most of all want to be healthy with no blood pressure or other major health issues!! I am also nervous about telling family. I brought up surgery to my step mother (is a nurse) who expressed that I am a 30 year old woman so I can do what I want, but strongly advised against it due to the risks. My step mom and my father are both very health concious thin people, and I feel like they just dont understand what life is like for an obese person. I feel like they will think that Im trying to take the "easy way out" and Im not even sure if I want to tell them about the surgery until after Ive had it. Im scared about being judged, but Im judged every day for being obese. I could go on and on, but I dont want to rant....thanks for listening guys!

I would love to be able to have 1 or 2 ravioli or a couple bites of pasta instead of having a whole bowl full!! And I agree, depriving myself of the foods I love is the worst part about dieting! I want to be able to have healthy and enjoyable meals without being able to eat tons of it...or even wanting to eat tons of it...

I would love to be able to wear a bikini one day....never have in my life!! I just hope I dont have tons of extra skin everywhere..

I HATE BACK FAT!!! I am still on the long road to approval...but if and when I have this surgery, saying goodbye to back fat will not come soon enough! I also hate the side boob....I hope that will go away with little to no extra skin, but my skin is on the thin side there. I just hope it can bounce back! Will have to look into a good firming skin lotion!

Is there no one else who might be able to answer some of the questions I have?....feeling a little let down here, the one place I thought I could get some more support.

Thanks so much for the support! It is nice just to be able to share feelings with someone who could actually relate! I have support from my mother (who has also struggled with her weight for most of her life) and my husband. My husband is of a normal weight, could stand to lose 10 lbs, but still in the normal range. I have seen him gain weigh since we first started dating, and I dont want my bad habbits to continue to affect his life either! We have both agreed to adopt a healthier lifestyle, surgery or no surgery and are trying to include more physically active activities in our life. Right now I have to be careful of losing too much weight (was told this by my PA at the bariatric center), because if I go under 210 I will not be eligible for the surgery (236 at the moment). So we are watching what we eat and trying to walk more.

Hey Everyone! I am new to this forum. I was planning on looking into LAP Banding, but after the weigh loss seminar I decided that the sleeve was the best option for me. I just scheduled my physical exam, nutrition seminar and 1:1 meeting with the nutritionist. I still have yet to even tell my dr about my decision for the weight loss surgery as the last time I brought it up she pretty much told me that I dont need it and that I just need to diet and exercise. I have to schedule an appointment to see her and have the paperwork completed that is required by the surgon, but I did ask at the seminar if my doctor's approval was necessary. He stated that although he likes to work with the PCP, if she is not going to be supportive, then I might want to look into a new doctor or just see the surgon's office for any issues or concerns. I have my physical exam on Jan 10th, which I am really excited about because I have a lot of questions regardin insurance. I was hoping that I might find some advice on here as well... My issue is that at the moment I am between 38-40 BMI (my scale broke so Im not quite sure) but I do have high blood pressure. Ive only had HBP for about a year, maybe a little more, and Ive never had a BMI of 40 (maybe when I was 13 and first diagnosed with hypothyroid). My BMI has always been around 35 and sometimes lower, although Ive been overweight since age 11. I am 5'5" and I havent been under 200lbs since I was 21. I am now 30. I am afraid that my health insurance wont apporove me since Ive only had a BMI of 35 or higher and a comorbidity for 1-2 years, but a BMI of 35 or more for 5+ years. Any advice as to whether its a good possibility that I will get approved. My surgon expressed that for his requirements I do not need to have the comorbidity for 5 years, but Im just worried about insurance. This is what my insurance states (I have Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield - Simply Blue and I am in Rochester NY): A: Patients must be morbidly obese, which is defined as either having a BMI greater than or equal to 40 kg/m2 or having a BMI greater than or equal to 35 kg/m2 and existing comorbid condition(s) (e.g., hypertensive cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, pulmonary hypoventilation, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemias, diabetes, sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of weight-bearing joints, or other weight related arthropathies, and metabolic syndrome). Documentation of the comorbid existing medical condition(s) must be submitted by the primary care physician. B. The condition of morbid obesity must be of at least 5 years duration. Hope someone can give me some insight!! I really want this surgery.

My surgeon requires that a form be completed by my PCP, in this form it asks if the patient has been morbidly obese for 5 years. My doctor checked yes for this and also listed 2 diets that Ive tried. So, with that information, my insurance should be satisfied! Lets keep our fingers crossed!

I am still in the process of going to all of my initial appointments. But as far as my PCP and surgeon are concerned, I meet the criteria that my health insurance is requesting Everything will get submitted once I attend my nutritional seminar, 1:1 nutritionist appt and make an appointment to meet with the surgeon.

I am super excited and nervous about my first appointment tomorrow! I have no clue what's going to happen... They say it's my "physical appointment" but still not sure what's going to happen. Could anyone tell me when they send my info to my insurance company for approval? Will I have to wait till my nutritionist seminar and 1:1 appointment? I am so nervous that i won't get approved but I hear great things about my hospital/Dr (Highland Hospital in Rochester, NY - Dr. O'Malley) and that they will help me as much as they can to get approved. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

My appointment went really well, as far as they are concerned I qualify for the procedure!! Now I just have to complete my nutrition seminar, 1:1 appointment and psych eval. They also want me to go in for a sleep study to see if I have sleep apnea, as I have had it in the past as a child. I am really hoping I dont have sleep apnea because I dont see how I can sleep with that thing on my face...but I am willing to do what I need to to have this surgery! My PCP also completed the necessary paperwork which states that as per her records I have been morbidly obese for 5 years (which satisfies my health insurance requirements). Hopefully I wont have to do the 6 months with the dietician since she also listed diets that I have tried while under her care. The only issue I see with insurance is the diet time, but even then, its not really a big deal. I can deal with 6 months of working with a dietitian to satisfy my insurance company! Very excited for the next couple months But I am wondering what the nutrition seminar will be like...

Just reized that I have had metabolic syndrome for the last 5 years as I've been 30> bmi and have increased blood sugar levels although do not have diabetes at this time. So I guess I meet the requirements?! I had to Google metabolic syndrome...

I've had pre diabetes for the last 5 years I wonder if that counts?

I'm not really nervous about the surgery... More so the approval process... Im just scared cuz I haven't been at 40 bmi ever... Just 35 or above with Comorbidity.

I dont have high blood sugar, high cholesterol or PCOS, but I do have high blood pressure and have been on medication for at least a year. I actually was able to weigh myself at work at with clothes on I am 241, which is a BMI of 40 for me. But this is the heaviest Ive ever been. I am usually between 210 and 225.

Hey everyone! My name is Petra and I am considering lap band surgery. Ive been overweight most of my life...I started to gain weight when I was 7 or 8 years old and at age 13 (and around 200 lbs) found out I had hypothyroidism. I was put on medication and lost a lot of weight by 14 years old (and my slimmest at a size 9). I slowly gained weight since then and I am now 232 lbs. Ive struggled with hypothyroidism, and my major weight gains have happened due issues with medication dosages which cause a decrease in thyroid function. I have tried every diet except for pre packaged food and have lost 15-25 lbs but always gained it back. I now have high blood pressure and take a low dose of medication to control this. I am also at risk for diabetes since it runs in my family. Im tired of feeling horrible and depressed about myself, and Im tired of always feeling hungry even when I eat a "normal" sized meal. I want nothing more than to be able to shop for clothes freely without worrying if a store carries my size or not. I dont want pain due to excessive weight when I work out or do anything physical....and I would like for once just to feel comfortable in a bathing suite! I want to have lap band surgery, but I am also afraid. Im afraid that I will go through with it and it wont work! Im also afraid that I wont qualify or my insurance wont cover the procedure. I do know that I do not want a more invasive procedure and I started looking into the lap band since it is reversible. Any advice or guidance would be great...all I know from here is that I need to start talking with a surgeon. Petra

Thanks for all the advice, I have a consultation at the end of the month, and will know more then!