asheyrae

So today I had a meeting with my surgeon Dr. Lusco. He was so motivating and excellent at helping me sort through my concerns. I am now going to be on a 6 month waiting period that is required by my employer before insurance is allowed to cover my procedure. I am now going to go through 6 months of meeting with a dietitian and a nurse to allow them to decide if I'm ready or not. I have spent the last 2 years researching the Lap Band. I know I'm ready, and now I just have to get through this road block set in my way. I will do this.

@@pink dahlia I love shopping and I will for sure use weight loss as a good excuse to revamp my shoe closet!

@@doingitforme29 We are all in this journey to a better way of life together and anytime I'm glad to offer support and encouragement. Sometimes a smile or a hand can really make someone's day! I'm so glad to hear that your husband is coming around, it will be great to have his support and I think more than anything any reservations he had were just out of fear and a lack of knowledge in WLS itself and the associated risks of the procedure vs. the lifetime risks of remaining overweight. I am a nurse by trade and just to let you know you can reassure his fear of you all being able to conceive with just a little bit of research. With weight loss it is actually easier to conceive and there are less associated risks with pregnancy. Here is a link to one of my favorite "you tubers" the video I linked to is actually her with her lap band after having a baby. She offer some great insight and inspiration.

You can do this! This sight is so motivating. There are so many great topics on things I just hadn't thought of. The best part of this site has to be the people. Everyone I have chatted with on here has offered excellent advice from their perspective and what better place to get advice than from someone who has been there and done that!

Congrats to you! Hope everything goes well!

@@kyrickchick64 This is a big decision and you have to do what is right for you. I know Baptist is a good hospital and I'm sure that you have selected another excellent surgeon. I choose my Dr. because I know people that have had nothing but good things to say about him and the program. Also I work as a nurse at Jewish downtown which is part of CHI and through our insurance plan we also get better rates with our insurance plan to have the procedure done at a CHI facility with a CHI MD. After doing the research on Dr, Lusco, meeting him in person, seeing my friends results and knowing the out of pocket difference for me the decision was easy. I could honestly care less about the cost, but it is a nice bonus to know I will be able to save a little money as I am planning on starting Grad School next year. When I met Dr. Lusco in person he put my concerns at ease, thoroughly answered my questions, and after explaining to me the reasons my people fail on this I knew I was at the right place.

@@doingitforme29 I hope everything goes well for you at your appointment. I know for me getting the lap band is not a decision I have taken lightly. I have done a lot of research on it in the past 2 years and I know this is what I want to do for me. Like you I have been unsuccessful with my weight loss for many years, I have been overweight since childhood and I can remember being always being the largest one in the class. Now is the time for me to finally get a tool that can help me get my weight under control and help prevent me from getting some of the conditions I an genetically predisposed to like high blood pressure, and diabetes. You can do this and I know your husband is wrong. This is not the easy way out. This is something that will be a tool for you to finally shed the weight and it will make a huge difference for you with a lifetime commitment to change!

@@kyrickchick64 I am actually out in Hillview, but didn't think many people would know where that is. I will be going to St. Marys with Dr, Lusco. I know 5 of my friends who are nurses that have went to him and they have amazing results. I have also seen the results in some patients.

I have BCBS in Louisville, KY through Catholic Health Initiatives and I have to go through a 6 month program prior to approval and then they will decide. I hope you don't have to go through this too. It is my employer that requires this, not BCBS.

I am still 6 months out from my surgery completing my insurance requirements, but I am using this time to get myself on track. When I talked with my surgeon he said that one of the biggest reasons people fail in his practice with the band is because they drink with their meals. I always drink several glasses of Water with my meals, but I want to change this habit. Has anyone else had issues with this and if so how did you overcome it?

@@lisacaron You all are offering some great advice, Thanks for everything.

@@HotButterFly It sounds like you are speaking from personal experience on this. I will take that to heart. I am really looking to make as many changes as I can now during my 6 months to make my transition a little easier. If I can make myself stop drinking with meals slowly now I know it will be easier than going in cold turkey.

@@BandedSister_Lizz Thanks Lizz! Weaning down seems like a great start. I love my water, especially with my spicy meals! So over your 6 months were you able to get yourself down to where you don't drink with meals ?

@@BandedSister_Lizz Congrats on making your way to your surgery date! Here is to wishing you a speedy recovery! I welcome any tips and advice. I have read up a lot on the band, but I really like to hear what actual recipients have to say. I have not talked with the nutritionist from my surgeon's office yet, but I look forward to hearing what she has to say. Thanks so much for the words of advice and I'm looking forward to being in your place sooner than I know it.

@@briefs199 I am really not worried about getting approved. After talking with my Dr. I felt a lot more reassured in the decision I have made. I knew their would be hoops. I had my first call yesterday 8/5/14 with the insurance company and the program they put everyone through from my company is obviously scripted. The information she said she was going to send me was just general and nothing was tailored to me or my plan. With it being so general I really feel it is just an endurance thing to make sure I'm dedicated to the cause. I am also a world traveler. I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip! I am on my fitness pal, but stopped using it for now as I think in the near future that will be one of the suggestions from my insurance counselor. My ID on there is Asheyrae83.

Congrats!!!! I am looking forward to being in your shoes a short 6months from now. I just had my meeting with my surgeon today and have a road block the insurance company has but in my way. I will get there soon enough. Good Luck to you with your surgery! I wish you the best.

Thanks so much for your words of encouragement ladies! Any advice you can offer to the newbie? I am just soaking it all in. I have researched a lot over the last 2 years, but always looking for tips from those who have been where I am. BTW.... Can anyone tell me how to tag other people in posts I make, or replies...?