Leesa926

Have my first appointment with the doctor tomorrow morning and just wanted to ask for any advice as far as questions I should ask other than the basics? I just figured there may be people who now can say I wish I had asked this, etc... Thanks!

Turns out I may be able to go in December or January after all!!

Feels like a silly question but I'm wondering is it the sleeve that helps us eat better after surgery? I ask this because I know how to eat right and I've lost weight in the past doing it but always seem to fall off and re gain. I know surgery is just a tool and not a miracle but I'm scared asking myself what makes it easier post op rather than pre op. Many of us failed at diets before so I guess my question is wanting to know what the differences are in eating right post op vs. Pre op? They say you have to change your eating habits and lifestyle after surgery, is it easier to do that after surgery than it is before? Thanks

See that makes sense but my requirement is 3 months not 6 hence why i am asking.

@ I don't think so. I meet with the surgeon on Thurs, we shall see. The advocate just puts an estimated date. It is not really that big of a deal just wondered is all. I see others who after their 3rd NUT appt go the following month. She said 2-3 months after basically. Maybe it is worst case scenerio. Again not that in a rush just thought I would see if others had dates moved up from when they initially thought, etc.

I was just wondering how many people have changed their mind during the process. I am thinking of the sleeve but keep going back and forth. My insurance has a 3 month wait so I have time to do more research. I have lost weight on and off for over 20 years. I am 36 now. I know how to loose weight but I never keep it off. I know my eating habits are terrible lately and part of me says if I just change this I can do it on my own.... but then I remember all the times I have done that.. I see a lot of people saying the only regret was not doing it sooner. My plan right now is to give it my all during the 3 months, I mean what can I loose except weight? If I stll have trouble keep going on for surgery. I wondered if anyone had lost weight during their wait for surgery and changed their mind. Thanks

I figured and again I know its a tool its just all the talk of you need to change your lifestyle and eat healthy makes me wonder if I can do that now why need surgery but like everyone says above I think the tool is just a really helpful one at least at first. My thought process is I will learn the habits and form new healthy habits at least that is my plan.

I was just wondering how many people have changed their mind during the process. I am thinking of the sleeve but keep going back and forth. My insurance has a 3 month wait so I have time to do more research. I have lost weight on and off for over 20 years. I am 36 now. I know how to loose weight but I never keep it off. I know my eating habits are terrible lately and part of me says if I just change this I can do it on my own.... but then I remember all the times I have done that.. I see a lot of people saying the only regret was not doing it sooner. My plan right now is to give it my all during the 3 months, I mean what can I loose except weight? If I stll have trouble keep going on for surgery. I wondered if anyone had lost weight during their wait for surgery and changed their mind. Thanks

I guess that is my point. Most I am seeing have a 4 month wait, she is talking February surgery, that is what has me confused. She listed the 3 weigh in classes and a final preop in Dec but then surgery in Feb. It isn't that big of a deal, just was hoping to possibly try to have it before end of the year is all and wondered if it is common for the dates to move up.

My preoperative class is Dec 11. The last of the 3 months class is 11/10. Not sure how to push it up

See so I'm hoping I can get in earlier as well :-)

Thanks I don't work in an office either so I am able to do that as well but my insurance has a three month requirement. That will end in November so I wasn't sure how much time after that it takes

If you were thinking of the sleeve and during your first appointment with the doctor he told you he was partial to bands would you have doubts? He said he would do either surgery and it is my choice but he is always more in favor of the band. This threw me for a loop and has me all confused now. I am wondering if I should talk to another doctor to make sure I do full research.

My plan is a high deductible plan. My deductible is $3000 and once that is met everything is covered. I called to ask if WLS is covered and they said yes all I need is preauthorization. I said from the surgen and they said yes. That is all they told me. My initial appointment is Wednesday. Reading about all of these requirements has me nervous as they told me no requirement. I guess I am just anxious. I am over 40 BMI but don't think I have documented weight loss if needed. I have done weight watchers on and off for years and my regular doctor prescribed me weight loss medicine twice not sure if that would count. Looking for any informaion - thanks!

So I have been looking into the band vs sleeve and am really stressed on which is best for me. I had my first appointment yesterday and do suggests band but I was leaning sleeve. Turns out I have to wait 6 months for insurance which I was not happy about but today starting having new thoughts. I still want to go through with the nutrition class and weigh ins but part of me wonders if I should do this. I have struggled with my weight as most everyone here has but if I am completly honest with myself I have not done ANYTHING to help me loose in a long long time. Sure I belong to WW but havent gone in over a month and wasn't following. Twice in my life I lost 70 lbs and regained. I regained because I ate bad. Hubby and I have not cooked in I can't tell you how long we are always ordering out and blame it on work. I am up half the night and haven't touched the treadmill I brought a year ago. I think the surgeries are great when needed and maybe I will need it one day but I think it is best for me to at least attempt to loose weight especially during this 6 months. A woman I know with lap band said it was slow for her but year 1 she lost 40 lbs and another 30 over year 1 & 2. She went on to tell me all about things she cannot eat and as I know how you have to change your lifestyle. I understand that but have I even made a recent attempt? When I did loose my habits changed. I know where and how I went wrong. I also know surgey isn't a miracle and I need to put in the work. Currently I have no health issues so I know I should be thankful. So for now surgery is something I may choose to do but I want to take this time to make a good solid life choices. Anyone here opt out of surgery or had decided against only to change their mind

Hi everyone! I am new and still deciding - part of me feels I have not given it my all in a while.. At the same time I don't want to waste more of my life. Insurance requires 6 months wait so I can take that time to put in the effort then decide is what I am leaning towards. I like my doctor and only had my initial so far - next week I have nutrition class. I may go check out Urchal and Herraras seminar next week as even though I like my doc he is very pro band and it really shows. I was thinking more sleeve and everything I hear is opposite what he said. I think I want to like him more than I actually do. What are your experiences with the doctors in Jacksonville? May go to Uchal & Herreras seminar next week.

Thanks all! Again he wasn't against the sleeve just prefers the band. He says there is more information on it, etc. Personally I like him but think I will always have an issue that deep down he is pro band. That wasn't so much the issue it was more how obvious it was. Going to go to another doctors seminar next week to discuss. I only did my first appointment and will have my nutitional visit next week so not too late to switch.

Thanks everyone! Vvgann, I didn't take your post as snarky at all appreciate all of the comments. I know in the past I have not been successful and I really do believe in WLS. I may decide to do it. The reason for the post was more to say I was 100% committed and earlier upset about the 6 month history trying to find an "out". Now I just think I am going to make the best of it - still follow the plan as I will have surgery but put in a real effort. I have seen people worry they will loose too much and not qualify - I don't want to worry about that - what will be will be. I am committed to making a change, just feel that yes I have done it before but I was looking at my WW trackers (to see if I could use that for insurance) and yes I have been weighing in for the last 6 months but have not even followed 1 full day! That is what I meant by being honest. I think what hit me was my HR person had lapband and today talked of her experience. She is happy with it but went on about all of the things she cannot eat and throwing up at times. She said it was slow for her but she lost 40 lbs the first year. Last time I put my mind to it I lost 75lbs in 8 months so it had me thinking - what went wrong? I went back to bad choices. Maybe I cannot keep it off - maybe WLS will as icanmakeit said make it easier but I can take these 6 months to focus and make an informed decision for me. I appreciate all of your advice and thoughts!

I started looking into the Lap Band but then reading the internet felt the sleeve was a better option. Today I had my first appointment with the surgeon who does both but admitted he favors the band. He talked a lot about it and makes good points. Now I am not sure what the best option for me is. He said I could do both and to take my time - ultimatly it is my decision. I have heard pros and cons on both. I think my thinking was the sleeve would work more in the sense the sleeve wouldn't let me eat to much. I know I have to change my habits either way and I am fine with that but maybe felt the sleeve gave me that extra protection. The doctor feels the band is best but it is all in the aftercare. He says the sleeve is still newer that is why there isn't as much long term information. He thinks both are great surgeries just that he leans more on the side of the band. I will continue to do research but wanted your input. Appreciate the help and avice!

Thanks all. My doc said he would do either just is partial to the band. I feel confident in him but keep going back and forth. I will check out some of the other seminars. I am ok with changing my food habits and really feel the WLS is a tool but I think what I hear is that the band is more resrictive on what you can eat, is that true. I think there are pros and cons on both and I just have to keep doing research. My biggest fear is the bank won't "work". The sleeve seems easier. Thanks so much!

I have Anthem BSBS and know it is covered, the head of HR had it done I was told and I confrmed it is covered. What I am trying to confirm is the 6 month wait. I don't mind waiting if the doctor thinks I need to but 6 months puts me past next year and then my 2015 deductible won't count (I have the high deductible plan) Trying to see where I can find out for sure (they have not been helpful over the phone) and or if it can be waived or at least reduced. any advice or help on this?

Well I went today and it seems my insurance wants the 6 months supervised. I am not opposed to waiting specifically if the doctor says but seems they want people to back out. I have done so many things at times with doctor but not consecutively. I have been on weight watchers many times even now but not sure that can count. Doctors office said I should talk to my primary and see if he would write a letter. I made an appointment in 3 weeks (he is on vacation) My worry is 6 months puts my last weigh in at mid Dec. I won't be able to have surgery until January and then I loose out on everything I paid into my deductible. Any one have success getting the 6 months waived or reduced?

I agree. From what I read prescription such as phentermine wouldn't count. I have weight watcher history nut hear that is IF the doc will sign off on it. I have been on and off weight watchers and pills for years so I would hate to have to document 6 more months. I go tomorrow will keep you posted.

Awesome! I am going to Dr. Baptista on Wed (first time). I am closer to Memorial hospital. Read good things on both docs. Hopefully I will have more info Wed, I am so excited and nervous!

I am in Jacksonville. I just started my process with my first Dr. appointment Wed this week!