Dana36

My husband was 100% supportive AFTER going to an information seminar with me. That really helped him see where I was coming from and what brought me to this decision. My brother, on the other hand, has struggled with my decision. He is really worried about me having any surgical procedure and was telling me to just use will power and portion control. I went to see him the other day and he and I were talking about it, and I asked him, "If I were a drug addict, and the drug was killing me, would you support a surgery that could help me gain control of the drug?" He said yes, I then explained that food was like a drug to me and it was killing me. He then mentioned that he and I both had quit smoking several years ago, and had enough willpower to kick our habit.. I then said to him, yes, but what if you still have to smoke 3 cigarettes a day to survive? I have to eat 3 meals a day... that, as silly as it sounds, was his moment of clarity. I had to equate this surgery with an addiction that he had felt and knew that difficulty of dealing with.

Only my close family, one friend and my supervisor knows what I am doing. The only reason that my supervisor knows is because we are super close and she is extremely supportive of me and my choices. I'm not telling anyone else because I don't want to be criticized all the time.. I don't want them staring at everything I put in my mouth and talking about me behind my back.. which I think a lot of people will do. I'm in month 3 of my 6 month pre op diet before submitting to the insurance company, and I'm missing, on average 1-2 days a month from work. My coworkers know that I am missing, and some have had questions about why I'm going to the dr so much, is something wrong? I just tell people that I am fine, healthy, but that I am very private about my health. If anything is wrong, I'll let them know, but right now, I'm just doing some preventative maintenance.

I'm pre-op and my current weight is 280. I bought a Huffy Cranbrook Cruiser bike from walmart last week and am starting out with it.. It seems to do okay under my weight and was very cheap (about $90). I'm only able to do about 20 minutes at a time on a flat surface, but that is better than not moving around at all. Also, it was very hard for me to 'relearn' how to ride the bike since I've never ridden one at this weight. I was very shaky and afraid I was going to fall over. Just keep at it and don't give up. After about 10 minutes, I was much less shaky and a little more confident on it.

Oh, I'm glad you told him to F. off! What an ass! I'm pre band also. I have one guy in my office that I just can't stand. He thinks saying things like that are perfectly acceptable. We were eating lunch one day and someone said something about the show the biggest loser. He got really indignant and said that all fat people were losers. He just ranted and ranted. I, being the only fat person at the table, didn't say anything, but of course everyone else was just staring at me as I continued to eat my lunch.

Questions that I asked: How many of this type of surgeries have you completed? What common complications have you seen? What serious complications have you seen? What is the pre op diet like? What is the post op diet like? What % of you patients go home the same day as surgery? What requirements do you have? Do I meet those requirements? What lab work do you order? Then there were more that I can't remember. My surgeon took me into his office and we discussed the procedure for over an hour!

If you look on the back of your insurance card, you will see a number for 'member services' they can give you all of the info that you need. First ask them if bariatric surgery is covered under you plan, and then ask them what the requirements are.

I think you would probably be okay at the restaurants, just order Soups and items like that. With the conference site, can you call ahead of time and see if they can accommodate you with soups and liquids? If anyone in your party says anything, just let them know that you are on a special diet due to some upcoming medical procedures.

I had my surgery consult last week and the surgeon said that it would be placed below my breast bone because it was easier to get to for the fills.

I'm from TN also. What kind of Cigna do you have? I have Point of Service. Also, if you don't mind sharing, what was you BMI? My BMI is over 40 and has been for the last 5 years except for one weigh in where it was slightly less. I am paranoid about them denying me!

That is what I told my very supportive husband. He doesn't need lap band, but he does need to get into shape, so he is going to change his lifestyle with me. When I came home from my surgery consultation, I told him that was day 1 of our new life! And when I start a ticker, it will start from that day also.

I have Cigna insurance and my case is similar to yours. I have to have 5 years of medical records. I'm basically healthy except for being overweight. I have weigh in records from 04, 05, 06, 07, and 09. I don't have one for 08. Also in 07 my BMI was 38 or 39. I called my insurance and they said that it would be okay with out a 08 weight in, and with the lower BMI because I'm still showing a pattern of morbid obesity. So, call them and see if they can put your mind at rest, or at least give you some direction on what to do.

I set up an account on their website, logged in and did a search for lap band surgery. The pdf with all of the information came up that way.

One more question.. on the 6 month diet monitoring, is there a certain amount we are required to lose? Neither of my dr's have mentioned it.

Okay, I will start with March.. that will put me at later in the fall before I get everything done. That will give me more time to schedule time off of work and stuff. I already have the 5 years of weigh ins. All of them are over BMI 40 except for one, which I think was a 39. I'm excited to actually get this ball rolling and be on my way!

I am just starting the lab band process, seeing the surgeon for the first time tomorrow. I have Cigna POS and have printed out all of their requirements. I picked up all of my medical records today and have been looking at them. They all have me listed as 2 inches taller than I am. This is really stupid, but at some point, I was told that I was 5'7" and since I wear heals anyway most of the time, I never disagreed with it. When asked how tall I am, I've always told everyone that I was 5'7" (hence, how it ended up in my medical files). I had my husband measure me in my sock feet, and I'm actually just a little bit over 5'5". So, here is my question. If we go by the height my husband measured me at, my BMI has been over 40 for the past 5 years (ranging from 40-46). But, if we go by the height in my medical records, my BMI drops one year to 38 (unhealthy dieting, dropped the weight quick, gained it back + more, this is within the past 2 years). I don't really have any other documented health issues except for hypothyroidism. How would you handle this? Will my surgeon measure me? Do I need to call my dr and have them change my height on all of my records??? I know it is a stupid question, but probably not at stupid as me not knowing how tall I am LOL!

I agree! We have been to disney 8 times as a family, and never, ever eat burgers and fries! There is a lot of good food there, but you have to know how to plan and find it.

I'm in the very early phases of researching lab band. I have an appointment with a surgeon for a consultation next week. I've only told my immediate family, and I've talked to my boss since she has to approve my time off for the dr's appointments. Those are the people who are supportive, and I feel will keep my 'secret' I've not shared it with other people because, like mentioned above, I don't want them watching every bite I put in my mouth or watching ever pound I drop. Also, in my work environment, it can be catty and back stabbing. I have one SKINNY, male coworker who would JUMP at the opportunity to 'out me' and use me for his own funny little jokes. He is lazy, I'm a hard worker and he doesn't like that for some reason, so I am his 'target' at work. I'm not giving him or anyone else a 'weapon' to use against me by letting them know I'm doing this.

I'm just starting this whole process. I went to the seminar last night, met with my primary care physician yesterday, etc.. I've talked to my mother, husband, and our 17 year old daughter. I need their support for something like this. They are all behind me 100%. I've also talked to my boss because we have to schedule time off in advance, and I didn't want any weird questions about sick days and stuff. She is overweight and very supportive of LBS. She has promised not to tell anyone at work. I feel it is private and don't want to share with anyone else!