JBJB00301

Hi Truckoholic, See if the you're covered like the others have said. Also, see if your insurance requires that you follow a medically supervised diet for six months before they approve it. I would suggest, starting the medically supervised diet as soon as possible. You can go to your regular doctor monthly or a nutritionist. See what your insurance requires. My insurance and doctor required, this and also that I have 1 visit with a nutritionist and 1 with a psychologist. They want to make sure you're ready for this and have realistic goals. But I would also recommend you go to an information session and see if the procedure is right for you. Mine was in NY and was chock full of information on what I had to do for the Surgeon, forms needed to fill out...etc They also discussed the procedure in more detail. They also gave guidance with dealing with insurance companies too. I don't recommend gastric bypass, as I know too many ppl with issues and they needed additional surgeries. Although the procedure is touted as reversible, you should not go into this with that thinking. You need to realize, whether you lose the weight and get healthy with the band or without the band is something you need to do for the rest of your life. As far as band removal, you need to have a medical reason (band slippage, band erosion or some other medical condition reason for the insurance to pay for the band's removal. Otherwise, you're talking at least $17,000+ to have it removed. It is also a more complicated procedure, then the initial surgery to insert the band, due to scar tissue that will form around the band. They will need to cut threw this in order to remove the band. It's something to think about. I was banded on Dec 13, 2007. I'm 38 yr old female and started at 237lbs. I now weigh 215lb. I have the 10cm band. I am diabetic and also have a hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). My BMI was 43. The lapband surgery itself is easy. But the afterwards, is something to get used to. You have to learn how to eat for the band. Eat not only what will pass thru the band, but what is healthy and will pass thru. Big difference. The lapband is a tool. If you use it right, it will work. If you don't, then you're wasting your time. You can still cheat on the lapband. So, it's important to make sure your ready for all that you need to do be successful. It's a process. The doctors won't do surgery on you for your other condition because you are a higher risk for complications. With the lapband, the doctors are going to put you on a liquid diet for atleast 2 weeks before your surgery. They want to make sure the liver shrinks. When we're overweight our liver becomes fatty and enlarges and covers the area where the doctors need to work. After the surgery, you have to follow another week or 2 of liquids, then a week of mushy foods and then finally solids. The purpose of putting patients on the liquids after surgery is to allow your stomach to heal and allow for the scar tissue to form around the band so you have a less chance of band slippage. Also, the more weight you take off pre-op, the safer you're surgery will be. I'm happy I did the band because I have had a tough time losing weight in the past. Eventhough my weightloss is slow, I'm happy its going in the right direction. To have gone thru the holidays and my busy season at work and be down 22lbs, is huge for me. My band is 10cm and I'm filled about 7 1/2 cc's. My doctor told me that being I have a bigger band and I'm on the smaller side of heavy (whatever that means), it takes more liquid to feel the restriction. So even though I had 3 fills, only with this 4 fill did I finally have restriction. Remember no advice beats your doctor's advice. We can all give you our opinions and experiences, but your doctor needs to tailor your health care for you. Good luck !:biggrin: