Rascal76

Hello, I went to my first support group meeting last night (I have not been banded) yet. They were saying that if you tend to be a sweet eater you should consider gastric bypass over the band - they claim it's more effective... Have any of you found it to be a problem?:huh2: Thanks, Shannon

Thanks! Going in this morning for my first consultation... Can't wait to get it all started! I guess when I go today I get all my other appointments (minus the surgery date)... Went to a great support group meeting.... Getting to hear all about the ins and outs... Scary, but I'm ready to forward!

Hi, Going in for my consulation next week and after finally making the decision to do this... I think I will be crushed if insurance denies me... Has anyone been denied for just having a BMI of 40 and no co-moribities? Thanks, Shannon

I saw that on TMZ today too... I can't believe how much she gained!!! I know she had bypass and you can stretch it out but I never though you would actually be able to gain so much weight back! I feel awful for her!

from what I hear...yes (so long as there is no heavy lifting)... Good Luck!

OH no... that does't give me a good feeling! What kind of insurance do you have?

Hi, I'm so sorry you went through that... I have not been banded yet I'm in the process of going through everything now... and I have a BMI of 40 too and I have also heard you really aren't that big to be getting it, are you sure you don't want to go back to WW, etc. and let me tell you I certainly feel big enough! I mean seriously how much more do my thights need to rub, how many rolls do I need over the top of my pants! LOL Listen don't worry about it, you know what you want to do, you have researched it and you have so much support here on the boards... I wouldn't give it another thought... You know you will feel better, you know what you are capable of and you know what works for you... I don't care what her major is, she is not an expert! If I were you I wouldn't even let her know it bothered me... I would say nicely I thank you for thinking of me, but I will do what's best for me and I do not wish to discuss this further... and end it! What a b*tch! Don't let anyone make you cry! Don't give anyone that kind of satisfaction! We know how we feel and we know we have tried every diet known to man... probably at least twice!!! I say pick your head up, move on and be happy with your decision... from reading the boards it sounds like the best decision we can ever make for ourselves! Best, Shannon

Wow! That was great! Congrats on getting a date! It's just around the corner - you must be so excited! I can't wait to get the whole process started...! I guess when I go Wednesday I will get all my other appointment dates (psychiatrist, nutrionist, surgeon, etc.). I will feel better once I get those in place... Right now it's just a waiting game...

Hi, Thanks for getting back to me! I do have BCBS of New England. Their requirement is that if you have a BMI of 40 you qualify for surgery (plus some meetings, paperwork,etc.). I will meet those requirments but was wondering if they mess with you and make it hard to get approval... It would be so nice to get approval in 3 days like you!!! Have my first support group meeting tomorrow night... I have to attend 3 before I can get a surgery date. Thanks again, Shannon

Thanks for the tips! I measured myself and I'm actually just under 5'5 so I'm not going to be able to say 5'3, but I'm definitely going to be prepared... It is so weird to actually have to gain weight to qualify... I mean seriously how much more do my thighs have to be rubbing? How many necks do I need? LOL I have even said I might as well try to gain 5lbs to help for next week and for the first time ever I'm actually having a hard time mentally doing it... When I restrict myself I want everything in site, now that I'm telling myself eat whatever you want until next week I have been feeling not hungry and full and almost like it's a chore to eat a cookie! That so never happens until now! Weird... Any way I have some parties and stuff going on this weekend so I should def be able to put on 5 pounds and find a way to gain 5 more (ankle weights). I have not been this excited about something in such a long time! It's like there is some light at the end of the tunel. Thanks for listening to me bable! :-) I am definitely going in after weighing in at home and making sure I'm spot on 40... Has anyone been denied being at 40 with no co-morbities?

I can't believe this exists... I'm so happy I'm not alone... I am about 10 pounds from 40 and I know I don't have a co-morbity... I bought this and don't laugh... a pair of mens steel toe workboots last night! I had to... they are black so they are less noticeable... I though about weights but I don't want to get caught so please tell me what you did! When I asked what the meeting would be like they said it's like a physical... Gulp! Thanks, Shannon

Hi and Congratulations on making the decision! I too have recently decided that I was going to take the steps to move forward in getting the surgery. I am thrilled and have my first appointment next week! I am however a little nervous. I am slightly under the bmi of 40 and I can't bear the thought of getting denied... I am planning on layering up and wearing the heaviest shoes I can find! LOL

Hello All, I am brand new to this site and I'm so happy I found it! I have been contemplating lap-band surgery for just about a year. I have gone to the informational session (twice) and have just made my appointment with my nutrionist... I am however nervous about being denied. I am about ten pounds lighter than I was last year and now that means I'm ten pounds away from having a BMI of 40. My current BMI is 39 and I don't have any co-morbidities... I am in fear of being denied. I know that I need this and that I am ready for this. As I mentioned it took me over a year to make up my mind and now that I have I'm not so sure it will get approved.... Has anyone been in the same boat? Thanks! Shannon:unsure:

Hi, Just wondering if anyone has been through the process at Lowell, General Hospital? :biggrin:

Anyone been through the Lowell General Hospital Program?

Hi, New to the site... Ready to do this and make the commitment, but in fear of being denied... No co-morbities and only a BMI of 39... This can't be the end of it... can it?

Hi, I feel the same way! I don't want to gain more weight I'm already miserable! I think I'm going to load up my pockets, keep my shoes on and drink plenty of water! The only high morbidity I could have possibly is cholesterol... Mine is as of last year 210??? Is that considered high enough to be dangerous? I thank you in advance for your responses... Oh and to answer your question... Yes, I have been to an information session and my first one on one appointment is the end of this week. The lady I spoke with said I only have to be that weight this one weigh in and after that they expect me to lose some weight... Ugh! Thanks again! Shannon

Hi, BCBS POS New England I'm so happy you finally got approval, but my God I can't wait 3 years! That's a long, long time!

10 pounds off....

Hi, I'm going through the same thing.... I'm 5'4 and 228 - not 233 which is what is needed for no co-morbities... After taking all this time to make up my mind I dont think I will be approved... I definitely can't self pay. What insurance company do you have?