TinaB

Hi everyone..... I'm new to the board and I am SO glad I found this place. I have been overweight for as long as I can remember and have recently had some very scary experiences that sent me running to the doctor. My ankles have been swolen for almost a month and I can't get them to go down. I can't even walk for a small amount of time without profuse sweating. :cry When I went to the doctor last Thursday, he asked me if I had ever thought about weight loss surgery. Truth is, I have thought about it .... ALOT. But, I've always been against it because I have heard so many horror stories. I'm not naive though, I know there are FAR more successes than failures, it's just that you typically only hear the bad. I in NO way, shape or form will consider the gastric bypass. That is just too scary to me, but I have been looking into lap band. I have done a LOT of research on it and it looks like it would be the best option for me, the only thing that kinda scares me is the band slipping. Does anyone here know if that happens alot and is there any way at all to prevent it? Thanks in advance and ANY advice you could give me would be appreciated.

I have Cigna..... Does anyone have any good OR bad things to say about them? From what I understand from the receptionist at the surgeon's office, they were approving left and right last year and now they want some type of documented weight loss program for at least six months with either my PCP or a nutritionist. Gee.... why didn't I think of that before? :devious If THAT worked for me, I wouldn't have turned to surgery in the first place. Anyhoo... that's just what I've "heard". I'll continue to keep my fingers crossed though.

Well, I have DEFINITELY decided to have lap band surgery, but I have a long way to go. I'm going to inform my PCP of my decision this coming Thursday, so he can get the letter of medical necessity rolling. From that point, the surgeon I have chosen wants you to go through a seminar with him before you schedule the initial consultation. He will not be having a seminar until July 22nd. This is the doctor I have chosen: Dr. Ponce I am SO excited about him. He is one, if not THE best doctor in my area and was even one of only 20 doctors selected to participate on the food and Drug Administration (FDA) clinical trials of two brands of adjustable gastric bands. He is the head of the Gastric Band Institute: Gastric Band Institute Once that is taken care of, (the initial consultation), if all goes well..... we have to submit everything to the insurance company and that's when the real struggle begins. More than likely, no matter how many health problems I have.... no matter how many years I've tried to lose weight and failed, I will probably get denied and then we'll have to appeal. Probably half or even more have to appeal. Then..... if all goes well with the insurance company, we go through all the pre-surgery stuff, up until the big day. All in all, I'm quite sure I won't have the surgery till sometime in 2005. It is quite frustrating for me, but I must learn patience... something I don't have a lot of. Once again.... I really am glad I found this site and I hope to get to know alot of you better!