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Thank you all for your responses. I was out today . I had to meet with the surgeon again and the nutritionist (again). What a waste she (the nutritionist ) made me feel so uncomfy. It is so obvious that they are just churning people out. She hardly looked up at me and asked some perfunctory questions then started to drone on and on about all the stuff I already know and that was it. Out of there in less than 10 minutes. At least I didn't have to pay out of pocket for it. Bad news for me though, as I was getting ready to walk out of the office I was told that even when I finish the testing it takes my insurance company 60-70 days to approve the surgery. So I will not be a March bandster. I'll be fortunate if I can have it done in May or even June. I am so depressed I felt like crying on the subway home. I slipped this morning on all the ice in the street and twisted my already weak ankle. I just want to crawl in the bed and pull the covers over my head. I am so fat and uncomfy that the only thing I can figure to do now is to start my low carb diet on Monday and try to lose like that. I cannot face another Summer being so fat and bloated. I am really bummed . Thank you all again for your words of encouragement. Jodi, finding me, kujhawkrulz everyone I read every word and I appreciate them. I addressed them earlier from my iPhone but the message was lost.

Thank you finding me...just depressed today. I'll get over it. Thanks for caring. I appreciate your words. Dee

Hey all, Snowing again today in NY. I was going to see the psych today but decided not to . I'm not much for taking the bus & train and definitely didn't want to navigate all of that today with snow on top of snow on the ground. I've already broken my ankle 2x in the last few years. I think that's another result of my weight. I'm a little depressed today. I went to the mall yesterday with my DH. I wanted to buy a Coach wallet that i had been looking at and a bag . Have you ever just felt invisible? That's how I feel, invisible. I'm standing in the store with my big down coat on and my long matronly skirt to hide my fat and my boots on and I just feel invisible standing there waiting to be helped and being ignored and I feel inside that's it's because of my dowdy , fat body now. After I finally got someone to wait on me I went across to the MAC store and same thing except as I walked in one of the young girls says "hello M'am" UGHHHH!!! How did I ever get here? How did get so fat that I'm having surgery to help me solve this problem? I have been told my whole life how pretty I am and then it turned to you have such a pretty face. Now all I feel is fat and unattractive. OK, I just had to vent somewhere. I'm too embarassed to tell my DH how I feel and my friends would never understand.

Hey BabyDiva!! Good on you for not having a lot of hoops to go through. It seems that all should figure if you have to go through all this you really want and need the surgery. Anyway, I see you're in the Bronx what Dr and hospital are you using? I'm in Brooklyn. Dee

Hi all, I'm starting to get very anxious about everything. As said before I had to cancel my endoscopy on Wed. because of the snowstorm and now I have to wait until the 22nd for an appt. cuz my Dr is going on vaca. Next week on the 17th I meet with my surgeon again and the nutritionist. I already met with a nutritionist with the NYU program that I paid $250.00 cash for and she did no more than recite to me what was obviously a speech that she gives everyone and gave me a photocopied manual of what not to eat and what to eat b4 and after surgery. I thought it would be more personalized so I am not too excited about seeing one again if I'm gonna get the same treatment. No one has mentioned whether I will have to pay again. Next week I also am having Ab/ultrasound which is a little nerve wrecking . I had one about 9 years ago when I was having woman probs but don't remember much about it other than it was uncomfy. You have to starve from the midnight b4 which will not be a problem for me .That's part of my weight problem I can go all day w/o eating and then around 4 I start grazing. However after not eating and drinking from the midnight b4 I have to bring a 32oz bottle of Water with me and drink all of that in 1 hour and hold it b4 the test :scared2:. I hope my DH can take off that day so that he can go with me. I still have to book an appt with a psychologist . I guess I should get on that today and I have to get my last 6 month med. supervised diet sheet from my PCP that appt is the 25th. So with all of that still to go and then them sending for approval from my insurance I'm really not thinking that my surgery will still be on the 8th . Hopefully my insurance will quickly approve. I have BC/BS and GHI. I'm not even going to consider that I won't be approved. I have every reason to be approved my weight is very high about 250 my BMI is about 46 and I have 2-3 comorbidities. I'm also feeling anxious about trying to lose a little b4 my surgery and starting and sticking to some exercise program. I was going to Curves but the owner there is so intrusive that she can sometimes make you uncomfy. My membership is over in March and I don't plan on going back. I have a treadmill and everything else at home. Ok, I know I've had a long rant but that's how I'm feeling today. Any suggestions, tips, what's everyone else doing in preparation?

No Jodi, I did not get my endoscopy this morning. I cancelled it because of the storm. My DH works integrally with the City when we have storms like today so he was not going to be able to come with me. Unfortunately, the Dr is going on vaca next wk so I won't be able to get it done until the 22nd. Yesterday I saw the pulmonologist and had an echocardiogram. This morning I woke up with strep throat :rolleyes2: I still have to set up an appt with the psychologist. I have a small feeling inside that I won't be able to have my surgery on the 8th.I hope so though . I tend to be a worrier.

I feel the same way like the banding will be the start of a new phase of my life and actually it will be if all goes well. I'm not putting things off but I am making plans for what I will buy and what I will do more of. I just got off the phone with a friend talking about the new stores I will be able to shop in. No more plus size stores!! I too am heavier than I've ever been and I feel terrible about it. I am ashamed and would never go out if I didn't have to.

Hey Jodi, I did get an email asking me to come in and consult with Dr.Garber but that would have meant too much travel for me. Oh boy I hadn't even thought of the device blowing up in a plane now I'll have that in mind. I live in Brooklyn so Methodist is a little more convenient for me. I live in the Canarsie/Spring Creek area. Funny, there's a Bariatric center within walking distance of my house but I have never heard of it or read about it anywhere so I didn't check them out. I hope that all my testing goes ok so that I can hurry and get this part over with. Already today they are predicting a big Nor'easter coming our way so I may have to cancel my endoscopy for Wednesday and make it for next week. I think I may check out that book you recommended. I have already read 3 books about the surgery. I'm thinking of starting my pre-op diet early. I am so bloated and fat now . I just can't stand myself. I'm going into the last month of my 6 month weight loss and have not lost a pound. I bought a case of chocolate Muscle milk light and I have samples of some other Protein powders like Chike and unjury. I would love to lose 15 -20 lbs before my surgery. Is anyone else trying to lose before surgery and if so how?

Thanks Gloria I signed up. My surgery is scheduled for 3/8/10. I 've found your posts to be very helpful.

Hey all, My surgeon has given me a surgery date of 3/8/10, This month I will be going through all of the tests endoscopy, echocardiogram, Pulmonary function, ab ultrasound :thumbup: also a colonoscopy and the hospital will do the chest xray, ekg and blood work. I also have to meet with the nutritionist and my Dr again on 2/17. I then have to meet with my pcp on 2/25 for the last of my 6 month weight loss documents. It is daunting as I live in NY and I drive but don't enjoy it and I hate taking public transpo but I will bite the bullet and do all I have to do to get this part done and behind me. I am getting banded by Dr. Gorecki at NY Methodist hospital. I initially was referred o Dr Fielding at NYU and I liked it there but my insurance is out of network for them , they assured me that I would be taken care of but I couldn't risk that I want ot be thin and healthy and shopping for new clothes not paying Dr's thousands of dollars. I found Dr Gorecki through a referral from a member here and another site. Even though my Dr has not told me yet to start my pre-op diet I think I'm going to start this week to the best of my ability. I am hoping to do a low carb diet and maybe lose from 10-15lbs before my surgery. I hope all goes well with my tests and that March 8th is a go . I have been reading and researching so much that I really don't have any questions. I have read 3 books about the surgery and have been on this site lurking for about 2 years. I just want it all to be over and into the post surgery phase. I'm also so afraid that I'm going to die in surgery or have a heart attack or stroke. That's how anxious and nervous I am . In all my reading I have not heard of that but I'm just crazy that way :smile2:.

Where is the thread, I can't see it ? I have been given a date of 3/8/10. Going through all my testing now. I hope all goes well.

The band is a tool not a magic bullet. Please read some of the positive posts about the benefits of the band and start following the program, get your fill and work the band. I spent $2000.00 with Jenny Craig and I lost 6lbs. This is one of the many plans that I tried and failed on and have thrown away thousands of dollars on. I can't wait to be banded on 3/8/10 . I have read all the worst and the best and I'm ready to do whatever I can to lose this weight once and for all. It really surprises me how many people put themselves through surgery and then don't follow the proper procedures to get the tool to work for them. You will file a lawsuit really!! based on what?

I'm going through all of that now too. I had an appt with my PCP yesterday to get my 5th month of weight loss letter. I have all of my appts within the next 3 weeks and I have a surgery date of 3/8/10. I hope all goes well so I can get this part behind me. Like OP said at least after all this hopefully I'll know I'm healthy.

Thank you Irene. OP asked a question and never came back, I hate that.

Thanks for the response Irene. I know it's going to take some work with the band another reason why I chose it . I can lose weight like a lot of us it is just so hard for me to keep it off. I need to learn how to control what I eat and when and to exercise consistently. I'm sticking with the band like I said before the band will take some work but I just can't see having my stomach cut in half unless I simply had to for other reasons. I have to go to my PCP every 6 months anyway because of my HBP because of being obese. I'm looking forward to seeing him after my surgery a few times so he can tell me my HBP is gone my borderline High cholesterol is under control. So he can take morbidly obese off my chart and all the rest. thank you again, Dee

If you don't mind .What type of aftercare have you had other than the fills?

I was thinking about choosing between the 2 surgeries also because quite frankly on these sites you read a few of the best but more of the worst experiences with both on these sites. That is what has kept me from making the final decision to have my lap band surgery. After reading thoroughly about both surgeries I have decided to stick with my first decision to do the lap band. My deciding factor was basically not choosing to have surgery where my stomach will actually be cut into 2 pieces and a part removed. In my case and humble opinion I think for me that would only be an option if I was told I had some disease that would require me to have half my stomach removed. I know obesity is a disease (some say) . I know that any surgery has major surgery risks but in my mind I would rather take my chances with the lap band and hope for the success that many others have had. I don't mind the fill appts because from what I've read it can avg. out to be from 2-4x the first year and less after that if all goes well. I'm taking this chance hoping I'll have the best case scenario not the worst. This is a big decision so whatever you decide I wish the best for you.

Hello all, I had my first appt with a new Dr yesterday in preparation for my surgery. He asked if I have a preference for the Realize band or the classic band. I asked him what the difference was so he explained that the Realize had a little lower profile and a couple of other things but I really didn't get a drift of what the big difference was. Has anyone else been asked this? and if so what did you decide and why? Happily after 2 years of my own uncertainty and research he gave me a surgery date of 3/8/2010 .... yay!!!! :thumbup: ETA: I went on to the realize site and had my question answered. So nevermind!! let this thread die. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

^^^ Even if they used a gold tube they didn't give it to her. They kept it . This is outright greed. I would definitely take this public and embarrass all of them royally and then sue them for distress or whatever I could.

I just wanted to say that I feel so bad for you and wish you the very best. Everything that shmoopy said is true and on point. There are not many women that have not gone through exactly what you are right now. You are very young and do not deserve this but your Husband has you on an emotional rollercoaster which is abuse. Abuse is not only physical. I went through the same thing when I was your age. We weren't married but were engaged and when he broke up with me I thought I would die. I stayed in bed for 2 weeks and lost 25lbs. I couldn't even drink water to sustain my life. My Mother had to force me. Looking back now I can see that if I could have begged him to stay with me it still would not have worked. Your Hubby is telling you who he is listen to him now before you have invested more of your life and heart into him. You cannot make someone love you or want to be committed to you. You will see as time goes on he will stay with you but will you feel like you're really loved from the heart? is he committed to you and your marriage? If this is about another woman or your weight loss their both bad signs. I'm so sorry again. Tell your family and friends you need all the support you can get. Your husband is right he is not ready to be married and noone can talk him into being ready. Not even you. Oh and I'm now married to a wonderful man. If I had continued to beg someone else to love me that was not ready to maybe I would have missed out on my real hubby .

wow, I'm late in here but this situation is totally outrageous to me. How in the world does a reputable hospital charge someone $76,000 for a 3 hour stay? WTH!!! I'm afraid of this happening to me. My PCP referred me to a great well known Dr here in NY however after starting out with them I started hearing YES we accept your insurance but they are out of network when I spoke to the insurance coordinator she assured me that they would accept whatever my ins. paid , she estimated that to be about $1500. and they would write off the rest :tt1: that set off bells for me. Why would they do that? I'm not poor. I know how they get all these benefits and the rest but again why would they do that? I decided to check out other Dr's that would accept my insurance . I have all the conditions to be fully approved for this surgery...BMI over 40 and 2 co morbidities . Why wouldn't my insurance cover me. I was afraid like the OP that I would have the surgery finally be on my way to lasting weight loss and then stuck with bills out the wazoo that could very well bankrupt me & my DH. This is going to be the next big rip-off preying on people that are desperate to lose weight . I hope the Op comes back in to let us know how this was resolved at all.

I really appreciate this thread and the responses. This has been one of my big issues too. Like everyone else I have a lot to live for and I don't want to have this surgery to help me to finally conquer this weight problem and then die or have a stroke or heart attack on the table. I can be a bit maudlin and always thinking and fearing the worst. I want to lose my weight, buy some beautiful clothes and be able to really enjoy my life instead of floating through always dreading to be seen because of my weight. Thanks again everyone :thumbup:

Yes, that's why I don't tell anybody except those I absolutely have to what I'm planning to do. That includes my Hubby, my Sister and only 2 friends. There are so many misconceptions about the surgery. Then people have their own prejudices and issues regarding weight to deal with . I have enough to deal with .

I'm in the process of getting everything together for my surgery. So far I am very happy with the staff at NYU and Dr. Ren was very pleasant. I met with Dr. Ren on Nov. 18th and my primary has already given me 3 months of my medically supervised diet...only problem is I have GHI which is out of network and Empire BC/BS through the City of New York. I already spoke to the blling mgr. who reassured me that they are trying to get back in network with GHI. However, I am wondering now if I shouldn't try to find another good bariatric surgeon who will accept my insurance. I have all the factors to be covered by insurance. I have a BMI of 48 and co morbidities. I'm afraid of having the surgery being happy and losing and then getting stuck with a bill for thousands of dollars. I have been in the hospital 2x since 2001. I know how high hospital bills can be. Any thoughts? anyone have any experience with their insurance being out of network ? I'm really stressed about this.

ITA with this post. I am a person that has done everything to try and lose weight. My PCP referred me for Lap Band surgery almost 2 years ago but I resisted because I wanted to do it "on my own" . It took me to get to the age of 54 and being 5'2" and 250lbs to realize that I need the help of this tool. I can lose weight, I lose 50-60lbs on what ever diet you can name and I can keep it off for 6 months or so and then I begin the gradual climb back up again and I will regain what I lost and some more. I'm tired of that!! I don't agree that if you don't want to tell people that means that you don't want to be accountable if you fail . Maybe that is some peoples motive for not telling the world but so what if it is. Everyone has to be accountable for themselves. We are all different in what works for us and what doesn't . That statement right there was judgmental. If someone chooses to tell everyone they meet their having the surgery I have nothing against that, good for them. I choose not to tell anyone except my DH , my sister my niece and 2 good friends which in my opinion is already too many people. I tried to discuss it with a couple of other good friends and right away I heard "Oh no" not that . So many people are ill informed about this surgery thinking that it's GB or thinking it is the easy way out which is far from it . As a matter of fact reading through this forum helped me to put the surgery off for the 2 years that it did because quite frankly most of the posts here are negative and let me see that this is not the easy way out. However, I decided to go to the seminar because I have been there done that with everything you can name and I don't want to die an obese woman with all kinds of obesity related diseases. I have a good life and I want to enjoy it and feel good about myself. This is a last resort for me and I don't need the negativity of well meaning and some snarky people to discourage me and I don't feel it is my responsiblity to educate the world about the advantages of lap band surgery. Sorry for the long post (rant) but a couple of the posts were judgmental and everyone should be able to handle their business the way they choose without someone inferring that their doing it for some underlying reason. To each his own.