qtney1

I was told it will make your cycle more regular, which can increase your fertility to what it should be

which part of the country are you in? you can call around and see if they have CareCredit, which is a payment plan accepted by a lot of doctors

Hopefully, approval will come swiftly for you! I, too, am playing the approval waiting game and it can't come fast enough for me :-)

Hi, newbie...It is definitely a roller coaster of emotions. We have all had a love affair with food over the years and now have to buckle down and say goodbye. That is hard! Best of luck in your journey. it will be well worth it.

You are doing WONDERFUL! Definitely treat yourself to some pampering!

My surgeon's office called this evening and informed me that everything was submitted to my insurance company and that it can take up to 20 business days to get a response. I am glad all the paperwork is finally with him. The real waiting begins....NOW!

Thank you...those are all really great suggestions! I have added sparkpeople to my app list on my phone so it will help keep me in check. Breads will be hard to say goodbye to, but I'd rather be fit then eat bread!

Wow! I have BCBS, too. How long did it take for you to get your approval?

It will go by quickly, you'll see! I had to attend a seminar (to choose the right doctor group, I went to two of them), have a consultation, then my insurance company revealed their requirements to me. From there, I started on a 3 month diet. I remember it was 2 weeks from when I called my pcp to when I actually got in to start my diet. It felt like it would be a very long time, but then everything seemed to move very quickly. Best of luck to you and your journey!

You look fantastic! Great work over this past year!

You look fantastic! Work it, girl! Thanks for the suggestions on pictures, too. I will be sure to take plenty. It's crazy that I have avoided full body pictures for so long, now I will be eager to take them before surgery..haha!

I went in for my final meeting with the psychologist last Wednesday. The personality test was quite interesting. There was no real surprises to it...no underlying personality issues. He just said that I am an optimistic person who likes to look on the bright side of things...which is true. When he was reading off the personality analysis, it fit me to a T. He told me he would have his report written up this past weekend and sent in to the doctor's office early this week. I am hoping that it is sent today so we can get everything submitted to the insurance company for approval asap. I have no idea how long it will take for approval with BCBS but hopefully it will be swift. How long did it take you to get approval? So ready for it! I am so nervous and so excited. Words can't express how I am feeling. I ate a dinner roll at a wedding this past weekend and thought, "Wow! This tastes so good!" And, I won't be able to have that after my band gets filled to where it needs to be. And, that is okay with me. I am so willing to give up the foods that I need to give up in order to get me where I need to be. The band will just be my tool in helping me give up those foods (and portions!) that I need to. My husband has been so incredible. I have no idea what I would do with out him in my journey. He gives me so much love and support and I am so happy to have him by my side throughout this. For a thin man, he does a great job of trying to understand what I go through on a normal basis. I have gained at least 50 pounds since I met him and I love that he is able to accept and love my curves at any size/weight. He is fantastic!

Thank you so much for all of the helpful advice, Ken. I am so excited to start on this journey of being healthy. Having this weight off of me will feel better than any food could possibly taste!

So, I completed the psych evaluation yesterday and boyyyyyy was that a lot of questions! I am curious to see what it will say :-) I don't talk to ghosts or hear voices, so hopefully I will be alright :-) If you have to go in to take one of these, prepare to do 1 1/2-2 hours for the testing phase of it. I did two tests. One was over 500 questions and the second one was somewhere in the neighborhood of 160 questions.....all true/false. I go in to talk over the results next Wednesday. At that time, he will be writing a report to send to the surgeon's office and I can finally submit for insurance approval. I am so excited, yet a little nervous at the same time. Some people say, "Wow, you are going to have the surgery done right before the holidays?" But, as I look at myself in the mirror, I don't even care if it's before the holidays. I don't want to eat as much anymore. I want to get the weight off and be full with smaller portions! The sooner I can get there, the better off I will feel. Hopefully everyone is doing well in their weight loss journey. I am curious, though. If you are reading this, where are you at in your journey?

Well, I think it comes down to what fits you the best. I would have loved to do the sleeve, but insurance paid for LapBand and I am okay with that. I plan on getting banded in the next couple of months. I like the fact that it is adjustable (and, if you plan on having any kids, that may be something to consider), that is the least invasive surgery, and that the weight loss is slower (to help with the extra skin). I have another friend who had the sleeve done in Mexico because her insurance didn't pay for WLS. She didn't want to pay each time she had a fill. Her weight loss was quite dramatic. She had it done 2 1/2 years ago and went from 270 (at her heaviest) to 125. She didn't have any complications. She could only eat a bite or two at each meal and took vitamins to supplement. She also followed a strict sugar free diet. No matter what, both are great surgeries and I'm sure you will come to a wonderful decision no matter what. Good luck!

I truly believe this is a fantastic journey that you are about to embark on. This site has been a huge resource for me over the past 6 months I have been pondering LapBand. I will finally be done with my insurance hoops tomorrow then can submit for approval. I am a mom with 4 kids and just want to keep up with them..lol. You will have to keep us in the loop about your surgery. While I find great strength in my husband and family, it helps to have other people on your side that know what you are going through :-) Best of luck!!

I say if that's what you want to do, then go for it! It seems like everyone has a preference on who to tell and who not to tell. It seems to range from everyone to a select few. If you are one to share the happiness, I say scream it from the rooftops!

64 pounds, LoseIt! That is FANTASTIC! I bet you feel fabulous, too. I really can not wait! And, grigg4, I am excited to hear what the doctor says about me :-) I have looked at the doctor several times and thought he has an easy job for the $...lol. How are you feeling post op?

I just finished my three month diet and it isn't bad. They aren't looking to see if you have lost weight----just that you are making an attempt to. Best of luck in your journey! Are you submitting for approval now?

I am almost through my process of jumping through hoops to get approved. Debra is right. It does sound very overwhelming at first to get your ducks in a row, but just do one thing at a time and you will get it together quickly. I thought my diet plan would feel like FOREVER, but it really hasn't. Just stick with what your insurance company asks you to do. I have also heard to eat what you love now. For me, it has been dinner rolls Best of luck in your journey and keep us posted!

That is awesome! I, too, have BCBS and had to pay my own nutritional consult. But, everything else, minus copay, seems to be covered. Have you submitted for your approval yet?

Ladies, you are so right about sparkpeople.com. I love it! It helps me hold myself accountable!

I felt exhausted after mine yesterday...they didn't leave out a thing! Best of luck in your journey! How much longer do you have to go before you can submit for approval?

God always seems to come through at the times I need him the most, too. I am so happy everything is working out for you! I can only imagine the stress you must've felt

Best of luck on your journey!