Blund

CLARAJEFF, how has it worked not telling them? Or have you told them now? What did you say to your kids while recovering? I'm not ashamed to tell my family & friends. (At least I think I'm not!) I like to keep some things private. I don't want to hear the comments or feel like I'm being whispered about, etc. I expect there will be negative comments. Gosh that sounds paranoid! If they ask, I'll tell them, otherwise MYOB or MMOB. I can't wait to be on the other side of this and post about life AFTER LBS!

Thanks for the input everybody. I think a 14 year old could handle it OK. I'm still not sure about the young'uns. The "blurting out" in public thing has happened with other things of course, so that IS on my mind. I can get away with being vague with my 5 year old son, but my 7 & 9 year olds are girls that ask questions questions questions! I'm more concerned with not "damaging" them with my eating issues. They will be going into their tween stages soon enough, and will have their own body issues to work through. This is not going to be happening for me in a while, so I'll keep it on the back burner. Thanks again! Barb

Hey MediumMike. I just posted a new thread asking if anyone has told their young children about LBS. My 7 & 9 year olds are girls and they will be having enough "body issues" soon enough!

You go Kat! Those "other" people just dont understand if they've never struggled with their weight like we have. My hubby is very supportive even though he doesn't quite get my struggle. I've resolved myself to understand that he doesn't fully understand (I think he's reached the same conclusion in reverse!), but am so glad he's supportive. He even is ready to re-arrange our spring vacation if need be. I am a stay at home mom, so I don't have to worry about people noticing me at work. (I agree, women can be a pain to work with!) I can understand, since I had an office job in my previous life before kids! I plan to tell as few as possible unless pushed into it. My kids are young (and don't think I'm fat bless their hearts!) and I'm not sure how to handle them.

I like your plan meduimmike. Kind of "don't ask, don't tell." But like you said, if they ask and are persistant, I'll give. I've only told my 1 friend and my hubby. Have no plans to tell anyone else at this point, although my going into the hospital (if approved) will cause some questions from my kids. Not sure how to handle them if the time comes. They're 5,7,and 9, and you know how they go to school and tell things to everyone! Any ideas out there on how to (or not to) tell little ones?

Regarding yesterday's posts....isn't it rediculous that you have to take a class and get a license to drive a CAR, but ANYONE fertile can become a parent?!!! I was brought up with 2 older brothers and we were like a pack of wolves at the dinner table! If I didn't gobble stuff down, I didnt get anything to eat! And being southern, we were praised for cleaning our plates. The reward being....you guessed it....SECONDS! I often wonder exactly when (& what)started my overeating. I learned at a young age to "stuff" my feelings. (Anyone have older brothers who constantly tormented you?) I suppose that was easy to convert into "eating" my feelings. I don't want my kids to have food issues. I already have to distract them from eating cuz their bored once in a while. I know that I'm not as cold as my my was, but what kind of example am I showing them about food?

Nice to hear simular stories. I calculated my BMI from a web site at 36 1/2. I'm 5'8" and 240 lbs. My highest weight EVER and I'll be 44 years old soon. Life keeps going by faster and faster, and I have better things to do than struggle anymore. I have sleep apnea (have been using the C-PAP), depression, & joint and foot pain. As far as blood sugar and colestrol, my numbers are low. I hope I have enough "ammunition" for BC to approve me. My surgeon appt is next Wed too, and I'm getting excited. I'm concerned the insurance might not like my lack of "hard copy" Dr history. I've only been seeing my Primary Dr for a year and a half after relocating here, and my medical records are all over the place. I hope the Drs take my word regarding my history with weight loss attempts, and I hope the insurance company takes the Dr's word! I really doubt if I could get copies of all my records easily. I hope it doesnt come to that! I couldnt even get a copy of my previous mamogram from them! I did sit down and compose my own history on paper for the surgeon. Going to MX makes me nervous, and I'm in N. Michigan so its pretty far.....

This is a great topic. I'm at 36 BMI and my first surgeon appt is next week. I'm worried I wont have enough comorbidities to get insurance approval, but on the other hand, I have BCBS PPO. I have only told one friend and DH that I'm looking into it. They are supportive so far. But like someone else said, I dont know if I will tell anyone else! At least not until I have to. I get the "you're not that big" and "your're tall so you carry it well" which isn't a good thing either! I'm so tired of yo yo-ing and fighting this by myself. I really feel this "tool" of LBS will help me greatly. And thats all that matters--is what I feel about it. GmaDebi, are there maybe some underlying issues your DH isn't communicating to you? Like maybe being fearful and showing it as being curt with you? I know mine can be less than (ha ha) talkative! The seminar on LBS warned us that the whole thing is stressful on a marriage. Good luck! (TO ALL OF US)

I haven't been approved yet, but when I went to the surgeon's seminar at the hospital, they had all the information put together regarding what the insurance companies require for approval. They even had a letter with sample wording for the primary physician's referral letter. Very organized. They don't seem to want to mess around with the insurance companies. They get as much info to them up front as possible. For instance, my first appt is in a week and a half, and I'm seeing the surgeon, the shrink, & dietition one right after the other. (3 hour appointment total) I have to bring a 3 day food log for the dietition. I didn't need referral for my BC ins, so I saw the sleep Dr a few months ago and have been on the C-PAP machine already. I had a physical & bloodwork done a few months ago as well. I'm still worried though!

Thank you Randi, reading that book sounds like a great idea. I haven't had my first surgeon's visit yet...it in a week and a half and I'm very excited. I'm going to look on Amazon, and if I get approved for the surgery, I'll order it. My friend had the Roue-n-Y (sp?) surgery several years ago, and she said she actually "mourned" food. She had a big dinner party with all of her friends for her "last supper" before surgery. She has lost a TON of weight. I'm more for the less invasive Lap Band though. All that cutting and re-arranging inside freaks me out! My BMI is 36, and I don't have many co-morbidities, so I'm worried I won't be approved. I've read posts both ways...some easy fast approvals, and others denied.

Hi. I've been looking at this site for a couple of weeks. Its great! I have my appointment with the surgeon & shrink & dietition in 2 weeks and I am excited but worried I won't meet the insurance criteria. My BMI is 36, and I have sleep apnea and the usual joint pains associated with being obese. I'm really hoping my BC of California will cover this...I'm almost 43 and I really want a more permanent fix/change. I'm so sick and tired of this fight with my weight! Has anyone ever heard of negotiating with the insurance for a partial payment?