babyk

i am 20 years old. female 5'5 235 pounds i have been heavy my entire life but have gained over 70 pounds in the last year alone. my father passed way and i quit smoking. i am so miserable being overweight. i have tried every thing known to man kind to lose weight and nothing works permanently. i have lost weight several times and have ended up gaining back everything i lost plus so much more. i am really considering getting the LAP-BAND® and have a few questions. would i be a candidate? (my bmi is a 39.1) has any gotten the LAP-BAND® in los Angeles? i live here and have ppo insurance. were you able to get financed? how should i bring this up to my family!? any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks :]

i am going with a surgeon that is in my network. i have no idea why i have such a high deductible. it sucks! i go in for my consultation tomorrow....very nervous

good job! keep up the good work! :grouphug:

So I have my consultation with the doctor tomorrow. He will be the one to submit the paperwork to my insurance company. I am really nervous as to how to answer questions. I have been on every diet possible. I am an emotional eater, and over eater, and I have always been overweight.I have tried every "diet," i have tried eating healthy and exercise and NOTHING seems to work. I can lose the weight but it is only momentarily. With in months I end up gaining it back plus more. I don't know what things they do not accept as "valid answers." Can anyone give me any advice as to what I shouldn't say...i know that sounds silly but I am afraid to say the wrong thing.

I am attending a seminar on Saturday. What is the next step in this process? Contacting my insurance, or finding a surgeon and speaking with them first? any help is greatly appreciated :]

oo ok cool i'm so nervous and i haven't even done anything yet. haha thanks for the answers :grouphug:

wow very helpful. thanks so much.

o ok...i see. well i'll call and hope for the best :thumbup: thanks for all the great advice

o wow great info thanks! i am not sure that i have had a bmi of 40 or higher for 5 years. however, i have been "overweight" my entire life. i did have one year where i was probably considered "normal weight" but i was in the gym 4 hours a day and starving myself. (stupid, i know) i hope this all works out

o wow! that's great. thanks :] best of luck to you please keep us posted!

@ amaris: o no that's kind of a bummer! thanks for all of the advice. it is really nice to have some answers :thumbup: have you already gotten your band?

wow! how exciting! great luck to you!!!! how long did the process of being approved from insurance and actually scheduling a date, take?

@ amaris: wow thanks so much for all the info! I am trying to figure out whether i should go to an outside doctor that is affiliated with my insurance or go to a doctor that is "approved" by my insurance to get the referral letter. I am afraid that if i go to a doctor that is approved by my insurance and they deny me, that i will not be able to get the surgery. Any advice?

@ Laura Lane: I have been researching placers in Mexico as well. What can you tell me about the place that you went? Were the facilities nice? How much did you pay? (if you don't mind me asking) i will definitely keep you posted thanks for caring! @kcarny: thanks! i've stuggled with my weight for my entire life, which i am sure most of us here have. i'm tired of being miserable. thanks for the advice. i am going to ask my grandma to go to an appointment with me. I am going to the seminar this weekend and my boyfriend is coming with me. he is very supportive. what is the next step? i do not have a primary doctor at this point.

wow thanks for the advice :] @ becca29: how did you bring it up to your family? I am afraid since I am "young" that my family will be hesitant. I live on my own and work and go to school so they know I am responsible. i am just afraid that they may not agree with it. i wouldn't know what to do with out my family's support. @reverie: i understand what you are saying about gaining a pound. i was thinking the same thing. thanks for the advice :] what was the process for you as far as getting approved by your insurance?