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Congrats to u. I guess some are thinking you're a guy cuz of ur forum name and not going into your profile. I'm mostly a lurker around here. I've been contemplating this surgery for almost 2 years and went to the seminar and finally decided to start the process on Oct. 7. I know it's going to take me over 6 months to be banded if I'm approved. Reading around the forum it is mostly not so good news. You are one of the few successes I've read and I'm hoping that I will have a similar experience. Very inspiring!! Congrats again. Dee

I went yesterday and even though the presentation was a little off cuz the computer was broke so he spoke off the cuff and there were no pics or visuals I got enough out of it to decide that I was gonna start the process. I still have a lot of questions and reading these forums it seems that a lot of people have problems but I'm gonna continue the process.

I am just starting the process in trying to get approved for the surgery but I have already made up my mind that I will not tell anyone. I was contemplating not telling my DH cause he is supportive but he has seen me go on and off every diet imaginable all our married life. I am just frankly embarrassed that I am at this point. I had to tell him though because he has the job with the insurance . In the past when I have hinted at this option to others the 1st thing they say is No, you can do it on your own because I have lost weight before and of course gained it right back. Many are so misinformed about this surgery and feel that it is the same as GB and everyone has a story of how someone died or lost the weight and gained it all back and all the other horror stories. Even this morning trying to talk to my insurance company. I gave the woman the procedure code and told her what I was contemplating and she kept referring to the surgery as Gastric Bypass. I want to do this for me and I don't want to hear anyone elses negativity at all. If my dh is supportive what more do I need? I would love to have a good friend to confide in but the couple that I have are not feeling my decision either so I didn't tell them that I even went to the seminar.

How's everyone doing? I'm still sitting on the fence about the surgery. Getting fatter by the minute. I got started thinking about it again yesterday after I noticed that a center opened within walking distance of my home on Flatlands avenue that has a bariatric care program meaning that they do the surgery. It's called Advanced Bariatric care in Canarsie. My PCP recommended Dr.Fielding but this would be so convenient for me. I'm going to call them tomorrow to see what they say but I see Dr. Fielding has great reviews. I have to do something about this weight. My life is being ruined by this ongoing weight battle.:crying:

Will do!! Thanks again for your help.

Thank you very much for your response. I tried calling BC/BS , but talk about a run around . I never got anyone on the phone just referred to 1 # after another that referred me back to the previous recording. I am still sitting on the fence about the surgery but I will make an appt and go to the seminar. I really hate thinking that I have to resort to surgery. If they tell me I have to do a 6 month diet like I haven't done that before :thumbup: maybe I'll lose enough to do it on my own.

This is exactly me. My PCP referred me for lap band through Dr.Fielding at NYU. I rejected it at first because I would like to be able to do this on my own. However, I'm getting heavier . I'm 52, 5'2 and 250lbs. I can't believe it :eek:. I also have HBP and now high cholesterol. I have GHI and Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield...anyone else with that coverage that got approved? I'm hesitant to start the ball rolling just to be denied after a long haul. Aprrox. how long does it take to be approved? if at all I know everyones case is different , just looking for avgs.

Hey everyone, I've been considering Lap Band for a couple of years now but I didn't want to believe that I am not able to lose this weight and keep it off on my own. I am 52 yrs old and at 5'2" I'm 230 lbs. I have always been overweight but I'm now in my heaviest range. Last year I lost over 50lbs as a result of having an injury that left me immobile and I decided that if I didn't do something I'd get even heavier at that time I was about 248. I got down to 196 at the lowest doing strict low carb. Now that I'm back on my feet, socializing and stressed out , well I'm back to 230 and I'm so afraid that if I continue this way, I'll surpass my last high weight of 248 and be 260-275. I'm miserable and I feel my life is passing me by fighting this life-long battle. So, I'm here researching the beginnings of considering LB surgery. I have an appt at my Dr. next Wednesday and I'm considering going to a LB seminar next Tuesday. Any advice , suggestions, experiences would be appreciated.

Thanx Rosie Red for the encouraging info. YOu and I have the same insurance so maybe at least I won't have a problem with that. I wonder if one of the other Docs takes GHI or I guess I can pay for my own follow ups if I have to but I guess I'm a long way from that. I have to venture into other threads to see about how long the process takes from beginning to surgery. Can't wait for my PCP to come back from vacation so I can see what he has to say. I hope I don't have to go over him . D

Thanx for the info guys. I'm at the very beginning stages. I am so tired of gaining , losing , regaining, I'm getting too old for this. I mentioned to my DH today that I was seriously considering this and his thing was "you think you eat enough to need this?" well I used to think that way too because I am not a binge eater. I can go all day w/o eating and then I eat the wrong thing and you all know the story. I got a Wii fit when it came out and got on it yesterday and my BMI was 43. I'm almost 1/2 fat !! Just so tired of this. I have an appt next Wednesday with my PCP and even though he is very overweight , I mean like 400lbs he doesn't believe in much other than the regular, so I'll see what he says. I'm going to go through the process though and see what happens. Kristen it seems crazy that they will have you go through all this and then submit your paperwork. I guess they are pretty sure you'll be approved . Gigi, Leslee thanx for the tips and the welcome. Let's stay in touch. D

Thanx for the response Kristen. Were you approved by your insurance and if I may ask what type do you have? I have GHIand Empire BC/BS, my DH is a city employee so I hope if my PCP gives approval I can be easily approved . I am going to go online to see if NYU is having seminars now. I checked into a local hospital here in BK but NYUis superior. Thanx again, Dee