Natalie3

A couple of years back I felt very strongly about having gastric bypass surgery and having a surgeon for a husband was very much an obstacle. He is totally against it. He says there are so many things that can go wrong and it isn't reversable...things just can't go back the way they were. It got pretty bad as I felt my life wasn't my own. I saw the wisdom in what he was saying but resented not being able to decide for myself. I said ok...how about lapband? He finally caved and agreed. That day I called my surgeon's office and found out that lapband wasn't covered on our insurance. I was so upset. We just don't have the thousands it takes to dedicate to my "elective" surgery. The girl in the office said that the word is that soon it will be covered and rumor has it in only a few months. I just called yesterday and it is covered on our Highmark Blue. I've made all my appointments for preop clearance (Psych, Nutrition, Cardiology, Internal medicine) had the big tests done already (upper and lower GI, mammogram). All that is left is a lot of blood work and a chest xray. My clearance appointments and labwork to be done between now and August 8...then the lapband Surgeon, George Eid, MD in Pittsburgh @ Magee Hospital gets approval from insurance company...and THEN once accepted (staying positive) we can schedule the surgery. I can see where patience is necessary throughout this whole process as many of us want instant results for everything... including the lapband itself. You've all taught me something just following one thread on results postoperatively (lack of weight loss during a certain timeframe). I've learned that you need just the right amount of band fill to reach optimal performance FOR YOU. This is something I'm doing for myself...no one else...and in the process it will hopefully bring down my blood pressure, improve my bloodwork, and hopefully lengthen my life. My first post. First of many to be sure. Natalie3