O2BThinAgain

Thanks for all of the feedback. You're all right in one way or another. I did get approved for Bilateral reduction AND for the lapband, thru my insurance. I spoke with both the plastic surgeon & my lapband surgeon. I am so sick and tired of digging brastraps, upper back pain, and the aforementioned "peek-a-boo" shirt! Also, the bad posture is enough to make ya ill when you see yourself in the mirror! The lapband surgeon didn't see any reason why we couldn't do the surgeries at the same time. I've never lost a lot of weight in my boobs when I've lost weight before, so I'm going for it. I based my decision on that fact, plus that my insurance does have a minimum # of grams of weight that needs to be removed, plus health issues (mine being my disk problems plus some arthritis in my upperback) to be approved for them to cover the surgery. I can't afford to pay for it myself, so I'm going for it at the same time. My surgeries are going to take place on March 11th (2008). I figured that I wouldn't get approved once I lose weight from the banding. I'm going to speak with the plastic surgeon to see what he plans on doing (ie. higher/tighter/whatever). My appointment with him isn't for another month & a half. Once I find out what he plans on doing I'll let ya all know! :eyebrows:

I've been wondering the same thing....which I plan on asking my doctor also. My band date is set for 03/11. I started back to working out at our gym, which we also love a lot. My kids (daughter-13; son-9) keep on my about going, as they love it there too! Good luck this week on your banding. How are you feeling? How's the liquid diet going? My surgeon recommends Slimfast Low Carb for before surgery & any other kind you want afterwards. What are you using? Have you tried different kinds or has your surgeon recommended one? Do you like it?

I hope that your cold gets better. What's Lucozade? I started back to working out last week at the gym. I do this 1 hour circuit class (called a Strive class), then sit in the steam room & jacuzzi for a little while. I figured that getting my muscles a little more tone may help after surgery & it won't be as hard to start working out when they let me after surgery. Toning helps to prevent sagging! Plus maybe I'll be able to drop a few pounds also. Who knows !!! This is a good time of year for the gym, as summer is way to nuts and golfing takes up a lot of my alloted time (that doesn't count the "kids" allotted time, which is like almost always!!).

I found out on Wednesday that I was approved & I found out today that my surgery date is March 11th. I'm having lapband and breast reduction at the same time. The reduction was approved first, to help with upper back problems. It was the plastic surgeon that recommended weight-loss (duh....like I haven't tried & didn't know that I needed to do that!) and he recommended seeing the doctor who is now going to do my procedure. Exciting time, isn't it? On the bummer note, I rear ended someone this evening and messed up the front of my Highlander! The airbags did not deploy, so I wasn't going that fast. Jeez Louise!!!! Just another crappy thing happening in my life......BUT, it hasn't taken away my "HIGH" on receiving my good, life~changing news this week!!!!! :confused: THANK YOU JESUS for no one getting hurt!

Gosh, I have no idea! I've tried all kinds of diets: WeightLossForever, SlimFast, protein shakes, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Atkins......all of which were successful to a point. Either I couldn't afford it anymore or I lost 20-30 pounds then reached a plateau & got discouraged & quit. I've also, in the past, had sleep studies done (no sleep apnea though, which is good!) and had blood work recently done to check my cholesterol & glucose & thyroid. My cholesterol was a little high, but the rest were fine. I have had 2 sugeries on one of my knees and upper back disk issues. I'd think that if your BMI is over 40 or 35 with a one or more of their predefined health risks then you should be ok. I'm no expert though. After hearing me talk about the procedure, my cousin started looking into it and is now attending the 6 months of classes that her insurance requires before she can have the procedure. She has 2 of the health risks and her BMI is over 40. Since your not boarderline with your BMI I'd think that you should be fine. I guess it depends on your insurance too. They may want to see some kinda progress or show that you'd be committed. Who knows? As long as they get your money it's a guessing game from there!

Hi Friends! I just found out my surgery date, which is March 11th. I could've had Feb 7th, but I'm having breast reduction done at the same time, as I have upper back problems too. The plastic surgeon said that I shouldn't sag, but I may end up smaller after losing weight. Big deal! I'm so tired of lugging these things around! Anyway, I have my class and tests (EKG, blood work, etc.) on Feb 26th. This will interfere with my golfing for a few weeks, but the end justifies the means, eh? I'm just overwhelmed with happiness right now. Finally, something is going right for a change!!!!

I'm so sorry to hear about your insurance company. That's a bunch of bull, if you ask me. Do you have any type of on-line system that you can check the status of your approvals? I'll keep checking this forum for your updates. I feel like everyone on here is a family now!!!

I know what you mean about not telling the family. I mentioned it to my sister & got a lot of negative feedback. My family is not at all supportive of anything that I do, but my kids & husband are. However, I have an ally in my cousin. She's going to get it done also, after hearing me talk about it. She has to wait 6 months though due to insurance restrictions.

SuzanneG, Thanks for the info! I found out today that I'm approved! I appreciate your offer. I see that your date is only 2 days away!!! Good luck with your surgery and please keep me posted on your progress/feelings/etc.

I just checked my health insurance profile on-line and I was approved today for the surgery! I can't believe it....it's 2 weeks today that I had my appointment. They have me listed for 2/25, but I have a call into my Dr. office to see what I need to do. That means that, it it's in February I'll have to move to the February '08 group also. I'm so excited that I'm shaking inside! No more tubby me! God, this means so much it's unbelieveable. Glad I never threw away those thin clothes after all! :whoo:

Good luck to you on your upcoming procedure! :clap2: Has it been hard for you these 2 weeks beforehand? How are you feeling? Gosh, you're blessed to have it just around the corner! Good Luck! :whoo:

Congrats StLouisGal! What an awesome Christmas gift....to receive word of approval around the holiday. You go girl!!!! It's been 1 week & 1 day since my appointment & I'm getting antsy already!! 4jin....I sure hope you get word soon! I'm just so nervous :guess that 39.7 BMI is not good enough for approval! Argh:rolleyes I hope everyone has a safe, happy, healthy New Year. With any luck it'll be a LOSING year :heh:

Thanks for your stories! We'll see how things go! I'll keep ya posted on any news/info. I'm just so~o~o anxious to get this it's unbelievable!

I had my first appointment today. The dietician and the surgeon feel that I should not have any problems, however another dietician was quiet pessimistic. My BMI is 39.7, with 99 pounds to lose. I do not have hypertension or diabetes, but my cholesterol is a little high, but not considered dangerous. I have joint problems though (2 knee surgeries on left knee and back issues). I was psyched until the last lady saw me. I work at the hospital that does the surgery, so maybe that will help. I'm in Virginia & I have Anthem BC/BS Choicecare/Blueview. I really, really want this badly!!!! My knee is starting to bother me again and I'm tired of being a load. Also, I can't stand having "hidden areas", if you know what I mean!!! Any words of wisdom, encouragement, advise would be most encouraging while I wait!!!!

All, I'm not certain what to do, so I figured I'd check with folks who've been there. I've been approved for breast reduction already and I'm going in for my first appt. with surgeon/dietician this week to discuss lapband surgery. I've completed a bunch of pre-paperwork (paperwork they review even before they'll consider you for an appt.), so I've passed the first step. My breast reduction approval is good until the end of March '08. I know that there's awhile to wait before you can get your lapband surgery, if approved for it. My concern is if I have the breast reduction before the lapband will they turn me away for the lapband? I have upper back problems and, gosh, if breast could be donor organs I'd have signed up long time ago!!!! My plastic surgeon said that they only drawback he could think is that they may become smaller than I'd like (no problem to me!!!). I just want to make sure that (a). I don't blow my chance for lapband surgery AND (. my boobs don't end up sagging if I have it done beforehand. I don't want to wait until after lapband surgery to have my reduction if I don't have to. Any suggestions????? :help:

I have about 88 - 93 pounds to lose. I'm, at the least, a DDD.....swigging low~w~w!!! I have upper back problems also. "High Beam Headlights" would be awesome. I'm tired of walking around with poor posture because of them.....they get in the way! Also, I'm wondering if the insurance would still pay to have it done once I have the lapband & lose weight. They may not consider it "medically necessary" then. Decisions.....decisions......