ChaCa

Congrats sweetie, you will be fit and trim before summer's end. Enjoy Cathy

KMB0426, You have done so well with your weight loss you shoyld be very proud of yourself. I am on week 5 still waiting to hear from my insurance. I can see why people, if the funds are there would rather self pay. This waiting around for the other shoe to drop is ridiculous.

I know how frustrating the wait can be, if it makes you feel any better you do not have the slowest insurance. I do My Anthem bc/bs takes from 4 to 6 weeks and the coordinator let me know right off to expect the full 6 weeks if not a bit longer.. Cathy

Congrats Shadow, that is def.. the first step. I am waiting on my insurance to approve it can take up to 6 weeks but it will all be worth it in the end.. Cathy

I was sent a information video called a Emmi it was fabulous. It really clarified many questions I had and felt a little unsure to ask. I have my first date with the surgeon on Jan 11 and found out through email I apparently have Dr. Schuster of St. Mary's Hospital in Louisville Ky. I met him during the seminar he is wonderful and will be easy to work with I am sure. I am so excited I hope they will be able to do my surgery in Jan.. so I can get my routine down and well on my way to a healthier slimmer me before spring. :clap2::clap2::clap2:

Sorry Amy, I am sure if they are prescribed to you they will allow it. As a matter of fact I think that is what they gave me to help me sleep.

Lots of wires ran everywhere *LOL* Steve it is very easy they tape wires all over your head chest and lower legs. I asked for a sleep aid for fear I would not be able to fall off to sleep knowing I had all the gadgets on me.. They wake you the next morning and off you go.. Cathy

My brother went that same night he was the fellow who came in there at the last. He was scheduled for the 7 PM but it was canceled so they let him sit in on the tail in of the earlier class. Do you mind me asking what is your BMI, Mine teeters between 38-39 so even though I am as round as I am tall they consider me border line (kind of funny really) I also, according to my GP am considered severly obese (it is all very confusing). I do have sleep apnea that is considered a health related illness . My surgeon seems to think there will be no problem with the approval but I still can't help but worrying until I get my letter in hand. My husband has our insurance through is work General Motors.

All I can tell you is my seminar was in early Nov..of 2007 I have expediently filled out all my paperwork attended every appointment. I called my coordinator today to find out that my bc/bs traditional will probably take the full 6 weeks to decide if I am approved or not.. The main thing is we do have the ball rolling so lets think positive.. we are all in this together.

Hello Walkbyfaith, I started my process back in early November and am still waiting. All my paperwork is submitted and I am now waiting on the Insurance approval. Good Luck it all takes time. Cathy

No referral needed here just insurance dragging their feet.

elebrooks, You have done well I see you have lost 49 lbs!! Good Job! I can't wait.

Hello Deraco, I started my process the first of November with a seminar sent my information packet in 3 days later, then 3 weeks later I finally got my appointment for the surgeon... the same week I was sent for the mental evaluation . I have been sitting waiting now for my insurance to approve I called them 2 weeks ago and they said it could take up to 6 weeks . So please do not get discouraged it's a hurry up and wait process.

Hello Yikes & J9, Congrats on your bandings sounds like you both are doing fabulous! My paperwork was submitted this past Tuesday so I now have a waiting period of up to 6 weeks. I hope to join the ranks soon tho.. Good luck with your weight loss. Cathy

Hi Barb, And welcome to LB.. I have a BMI of 38 , I also have sleep apnea so that helps when submitting to my insurance. All my paper work was turned in this Tuesday so I am crossing my fingers it all gets swiftly. Cathy

How wonderful Nana!! you are right about the band being so much safer . I hope it all moves swiftly for you. I am with BC/BS and still waiting for aproval. Cathy

Sula, Thank you so much for such a beautiful report, you are a true inspiration!

Thank you Jeni I will try to remember that tip when it is my turn Cathy

Hello gal's I have just completed all my testing and submitted to the insurance this past Friday, I too hope to be banded soon. I personally can deal with the Flab as long as I can get this weight off.

chica, I have seriously thought of trying to gain also my BMI is 38 just shy of the 40. Luckily I flunked the sleep apnea testing (is that not sick) I do have a health issue along with Thyroid, I do not know if that is enough for bc/bs or how long it will take for approval. If all else fails I will be gaining along with you sweetie. Cathy

Hello Bandchick64 welcome to the forum. Wow! 47 pounds already *Great Job* I just completed my sleep study at St. Mary Hospital the results are going to my Doc (Dr. Schuster) On Monday. I just hope now we can get a date set. Keep doing a good job you are going to be a skinny minnie before you know it at the pace you are going. Cathy

I just had my evalutation it really was noting to be nervous about.. I would stay on your meds.. it is perfectly normal to be depressed over our weight.. My doc asked questions like: Have you ever tried to diet before? were you able to lose weight? were you able to keep it off.. have you ever been depressed? do you feel like harming yourself have you ever felt like harming yourself or others? at the end of the session she said he was recommending the surgery. Now all I have left is my sleep study.. Cathy

I forgot to mention that this site also walks you through the fills. I totally appreciated this tool and have watched it several times.

Hello Donna, I am from Southern Indiana near the Seymour area. An Emmi is a program sent to you by the surgeon that walks you through the entire process via computer. It is really neat you can go on line and watch something similar here >>>--> Emmi :: INAMED LAP-BAND Cathy (ChaCa Maltese)

Ugh! I can not get the picture to work I will have to reread the how 2's Sorry All Cathy