JULESDARLN

I have not had the band yet. My insurance has required me to see a nutritionist for 6mths. I have one more visit to go. It has really helped me out a lot. I know we all have struggled with food or we would not be where we are. We all have done research and we all really know what we need to do. Now we have to really do it, and you have to do it for yourself, when you are ready. Even knowing all of this, it helped to have an expert show me actual serving sizes that I held in my had, or measured out. It helped to know what foods will help out the most and which ones I should choose over the other. She gave me books and pamplets on exercise, eating when bored, what to do instead of eating, etc... If your insurance covers it, I would recommend that you see one too. Good luck with your decision. For me, I always knew I wanted the lap band because with the others, once you are cut and the stomach is gone, it's gone, lol. With the band, it can be reversed if needed.

Glad you asked that, I did not even think of it. I have been too upset about the fact that you can't wear panties, to think of what I will wear home, lol.

Good luck with your journey! I have med. insurance and I never once had to deal with them. Once I found the Doctor that I wanted, I tool all my info to them and they did all the paperwork and stuff for me. They let me know what all I had to do. My insurance required 5yr history of overweight, 6mths dr visits, 6mths nutritionist and BMI over 34. My doctor required me to lose 60lbs before I have surgery. I have one more month to go and 20lbs to go.

Everyone is different. I have United Healthcare and they required 6mths of Dr. visits and 6mths with nutritionist. My nutritionist put me on my diet, went over a lot of information, portion control, exercise, what to do when craving stuff... very helpful. When I see my Dr. he just wants to know what I am doing to lose weight and that's about it, less than 15min. lol. btw, my insurance would not take weight watchers or anything like that, that is why I had to see a nutritionist. Good Luck!

Congrats! I am a Chinese food freak too! I am going to miss it, but I would rather be skinny, lol. I would think that the chinese soup would have alot of salt and maybe even MSG in it. I have not gotten as far as you, I have another mth of visits before I can get approved, but so not ready for liquid diet. Good luck!

I am so excited about getting it done, that I tell everyone, lol. Just realize, you need to do this for you, not anyone else. Some are going to understand and others won't. I am grown and don't need anyones permission, lol. Although I have gotten alot of support, there are some who think I can do it on my own without it. My mom even said that all I have to do is stop eating. Thanks Mom, never thought about that! I have wanted to do this for years and have done alot of research, but even when I met with my Dr. I realized I did not remember everything I wanted to ask, so I would write it down to ask at the next visit. Also, my band coordn.lets me email her all the time. Good luck! Ps. The more I talk about the lapband, the better I feel, and the more support I get, don't be afraid to share.

Good Luck!

My doctor has made me lose weight before surgery, my first visit was in January and he gave me 6mths to lose 60lbs. I have lost 40lbs so far and have one more month to go. He did not give me any drugs, but I do see a nutritionist and they put me on a 1200 cal diet, 60g of protein daily. I also cut out all sodas, I drink water only. Cut out fast food, sugar, pasta. I mostly eat chicken, fish, veggies, greek yogurt, and fruit. I also eat 5tbls of hemp seeds a day. they help keep me feeling full and have lots of health benifits. Good luck!

Good luck Steph! I love how you put you are starting new I am going to think of it like that also. You are going to do great! I will keep you in my prayers!

Happy for you, Good Luck!

Way to go! I am having to wait 6mths also, I am currently on my 5th mth and it has gone by so fast. Good luck!

Good luck! It was hard for me to decide also. I have wanted to do this for a long time and I finally have insurance that will take care of it. I did alot of research on what surgery would be the best for me and finally decided to do the lapband because it is reversable and has the least complications, it seems. I feel like with the others, once something is cut and thrown away, it's gone forever, lol. I was also nervous about my first visit and was upset when I found out that it would be 6-7mths before I could have the lapband done because of hoops I had to jump thru for the insurance company. But I got over it and have been doing all that they have asked because I want this real bad. Keep us posted, good luck!

Congrats! Wish you the best of luck!

my friend that used Dr. W was told she could have some soda, but everytime she drank it, she would burp it up. She also had problems keeping stuff down. This may have been because she had her port too full and she would drink soda and beer and then try to eat. I have heard that you are not suppose to drink with meals. Also she had to stand up to eat. Has anyone else had those problems? I go in on the 24th and weigh in again. I am nervous about this weigh in because I have not kept to my diet. I think it is because I am just 1 1/2mths away from finishing my 6mth stuff and I am getting scared. My fat has been with me for many years and I have used it to hide from many things, including life. What's going to happen once that fat is gone? I want the surgery, I just want to do good on this. ;(

CONGRATS!!! Good luck with your surgery!

Hello, I am hoping to have my band done in a couple of months and my Dr. Is wanting to also do the Plication. I have never heard of it, but some people on here gave me a little information. If you don't mind, can you share with me how it has worked or not worked for you. Thanks! Julie

I just wanted to share this, a friend told me about it and I am so thankful! I know this may not be the same in all states. My doctor did not even know about this. I have insurance with United Healthcare. My insurance does cover the lap band surgery, but only 90%. I am not able to pay the rest of it out of pocket, so a friend told me about a place called Arkansas Rehabilitaion Services. I made an appointment to talk to someone there to see if they help out with this. They do! Every case is different, but I was told that they want to help people that need to get a job or hold on to a job and can't or are having problems because of a health problem. In my case, It was hard for me to stand 8hrs at my job because of my weight. They also help for other problems other than weight. In some cases, they cover 100% of surgery! They also refund me my copays for all my doctor and nutritionist visits. My case worker told me at the beginning that if I was not approved for surgery, then they would pay for me to be on a weight loss program and pay for my food! Thank God though that I am getting the surgery. I just wanted to share this, because I know not everyone can afford it or get credit. Hope it helps!

*****that should be, I use to live in Benton, not like in Benton, LOL

Hi! I am from Fort Smith, I have not been banded yet but hope to be within the next 3mths or so. I am using Dr. Eckes. I had a friend that used Dr. Wellborn and has had her band for 7yrs now. I use to like in Benton and I actually went to one of his seminars. I did not have insurance at the time so did not go thru with it, but now I do and can't wait to get this started. I added each of you as a friend so I can follow you.