perryjoyce

Wow, this made me giddy!! I haven't worn shorts (comfortably) since middle school!!

I'm a May 13th Bandster!! I just made all my pre-op doctor appointments today. I'm stuck in tax season hell for 9 more days and then I can really focus on trying to adopt some early healthy habits! I had a surprisingly effortless insurance approval journey, but I still fear that final bill - hopefully no surprises. I'm on a HSA PPO that I've never really utilized before, so we'll see... I first started coming around here last month and I was so jealous of all the April Bandsters! Now it's our turn, we're up next!! :thumbdown:

I got my surgery date today too!! I gotta wait 'til after tax season unfortunately, but May 13th is my day!

I'm in a very similar boat. I'm waiting on insurance approval (which I expect to have this week) and then a surgery date either in mid April or mid May. I just barely squeaked by the BMI requirement (I had to slouch a bit) so I know I don't want to actively try to lose weight right now, but I'm also terrified of gaining. I feel like my body is at its bursting point and if I gain another pound I'll do an irreversible amount of damage (new stretch marks, etc.) At the same time, while I'm very much looking forward to working hard and conquering my bad habits (and there are many) with the help of this tool, in the interim I've found I've been splurging a bit more knowing my days of eating for pleasure and fun are just about over. Not to mention I'm an accountant and April is my biggest stress eating month of the year AND my birthday is in April so there will be lots of meals and drinking centered around that...I am definitely worried I'm setting myself up for disaster! I don't know if all this is "part of the process" but I definitely feel the same way you do and vulnerable is a great way to describe it! But you know what? We've made it this far. We're not going to crumble in the next few weeks/months. We just have to see through the end of this journey - the one where we're often left feeling controlled by food - and then we can start our new one! We can do it!

You sure do know a lot about bad surgeons! Know any good ones you can recommend? I realize this may come off as defensive, but that's not my intention. I have personal friends and family members who have been to Dr. Liu and have had nothing but wonderful things to say about him and his staff. However, that's no reason to ignore the bad. Would you be willing to cite the source of this information and perhaps a contact number? I would be most anxious to speak with your acquaintance.

I've always wondered about those! Great to know, I'm still in the "how am I gonna eat only liquids and mushy foods for three weeks" phase. I can't wrap my head around it just yet, but knowing there are solutions out there really helps! :thumbup:

My surgeon Dr. Carson Liu who will be performing the operation at Cedars. So far him and his team have been a dream to work with.

I'm in the same boat too, KarissaLyn - I was just too embarrassed to say it! I didn't even think the Lap Band was a legitimate system prior to last Wednesday! So to be told suddenly that I'm a good candidate and this could be the tool I need to finally concur my weight problems and then be told I have to wait wait wait is making me anxious to say the least. From insurance to trying to gauge my future success, I'm kind of a basket case. But I do know that reading all these lovely replies has helped calm me down a great deal and accept the long, rewarding journey ahead. I hope it's working for you too. :thumbup: Also, BetsyB, thank you for this: The "arbitrary no" is exactly what I've been the most anxious about. It's good to hear that if the requirements are met (whatever they may be) I cannot be denied. :smile:

I find this topic interesting because I have been struggling with it myself. I am only in the pre-insurance approval phase, but my brother and my boyfriend know. Some days I want to jump up and down and tell EVERYONE and some days I just want to keep it between the three of us. I've started up e-mails telling people about my decision only to delete them unsent. I think I will probably wait until I have some success to stand behind and then I won't be able to shut up about it! :smile: I work with a group of terminal dieters who also happen to be quite chatty/gossipy. If I do lose weight they will certainly ask "how I did it" and if one knows, they'll all know. So the work bridge will have to be crossed sloooooooooooooowly.

All of you Anthem BCBS peeps are making me SMILE UNCONTROLLABLY! I know my miles may vary but that's who I have and I JUST started the process. I know they cover the surgery but I don't know if they'll cover me and I am so worried they're going to drag this process out weeks, if not months, and just deny me in the end. At least if I'm denied tell me NOW so I can make other plans. I'll keep my fingers crossed I have a similar experience! :smile:

I just had my consultation yesterday as well! I am pretty decided in favor of the band (gastric bypass is not something I would consider) and am currently waiting to find out the insurance situation. I had previously believed that if insurance refused to cover it I would self-pay (with financing) but reading ForMyBoys' horror stories about complications not being covered, I will definitely reconsider the self-pay option!

Hi, I'm new here. Very new. Like, this is my first post! I'm in the insurance limbo phase myself (I know my insurance covers it, but I don't know what hoops they're making me jump through just yet...) and the anticipation is killing me! I'm just curious though: for those of you who had to do the six month monitored diet and exercise program, would you mind if I asked what insurance provider you have? I agree that regardless of our impatience to start our new life, it's gotta be a good thing overall, but yeah...if there's even the slightest chance I'm gonna need that I want to start making calls and appointments now! I am beyond anxious! Thanks in advance for your replies! :smile: