Cocoabean

After years of struggling and dieting, I had had enough. It was time to do something about it. I asked my PCP about WLS and he was all for it. I got a referral to a surgeon he said he would go to if his insurance would cover it. I had already attended one seminar with another surgeon, so when I attended Dr. Callery's, I knew he was the one for me.

At first my medical group said I could not even see Dr. Callery until I had completed a 6 month supervised diet, I appealed with Weight Watchers records, my own journals, a thorough timeline of weight loss attempts and results (amount lost then regain). I wrote a letter of why I wanted/needed the surgery. I won the appeal.

It still took about 6 months to get my surgery with all the testing and things. The biggest hold up being the letter from the psychologist. The appointment was no problem, but it took him two months to write the letter. It came down to daily phone calls, and finally waiting on their doorstep for it.

After that, my surgeon sent the request just before Thanksgiving 2007. With all the holidays and offices being closed I finally got my answer in mid-January of 2008...APPROVED! My surgery was scheduled for February 15, 2008.

I've had no problems with my band, I've lost a little over 70 lbs and kept it off for over two years with ease.