gMommy

It took 3.5 months from intro meeting to surgery date (4/28/2011). My insurance approved me on the first try. I had a BMI of 40.6 and 2 co-morbid conditions. My insurance required a written history of all of the diets I had tried in the last few years. Some insurance companies require you to work for 6 months with a nutritionalist before getting surgery. The good thing to keep in mind is that recovery from this surgery is really fast. The tough part lasts 24 hours. You can do light activity like walking (or sitting in class). My coworker had the surgery done on a Thursday and returned to work on Monday. So, you might consider still going down this path even if your surgery date ends up being after September. Good luck to you.

My surgery is scheduled for April 28, 2011 with Dr. Machado. I'm really happy with her and her staff so far. I wasn't able to make it to the support group meeting at Sutter Cancer center yet. Today was the 3rd Saturday, I really wanted to go. But, my husband misunderstood what time I said it started. I needed him to watch the kids. I'd like to hear about how people dealt with the emotions of their spouses. My husband is expressing his fear that I will lose weight and leave him. He has heard that happened to other couples after the wife has weight loss surgery. That is not my plan. I am doing this for my own health and well being. Any advice?

I am scheduled for 4/28/11. Good luck April bandsters! G

I started my journey towards getting a Lap Band last September. In December I realized that I had more of a problem than just being overweight. There is so much more to overeating than putting lots of food in your mouth. Using food to make yourself happy, relieve stress, and comfort from illness or sadness leads to overeating. Thinking about food all day leads to overeating. Looking forward to the food at an event instead of looking forward to the actual event leads to overeating. Using food to suppress you feelings and starting to isolate from friends, family and the general public leads to overeating. For me, being overweight was a sign that something was wrong. I felt like I always had a tug a war going on in my head. One part saying to eat the "bad food" and the other side telling me not to because the "bad food" and the quantity was so unhealthy for me and was going to lead to a premature death. The first one was winning out. At times I had serious physical symptoms that should have led me to the Emergency Room. Instead I ate more "bad food" to comfort myself. I know the lap bad will help me lose weight. But I also know that it will not stop the mental tug of war or any of the emotional eating. I knew I would need more help. I tried counseling for a couple of months. The counselor was not an overeater, so she didn't really "get it". I decided to try OA. I was really embarrassed going there. I didn't want anyone to see me going into the meeting. But, wow! Once I was through the doors I felt like I was completely accepted, understood and loved. Although these people were strangers to me, they all had the same problems as me. I "get it". I have been going for 2 months and I understand how valuable this program is going to be to me. It is not about counting calories. In fact, it is not even about losing weight (that is just a wonderful benefit). It is about learning how to come to peace with yourself, start loving yourself, living life without the food obsession and how to make the mental tug of war end. For me, I know that I will not have success without addressing what is going on in my head. Good luck with everything. Only you know what will work for you.

That is great! I felt the same way this week. I have completed all of my pre-surgery requirements, the request for approval is submitted and I have lost 8 pounds in the last month and a half. I have been following the behavioral changes needed for success with the lap band: no straws, no drinking with meals, eating the Protein first and then the veggies, hardly any carbs, two Protein shakes a day and 3 small meals. I also haven't had any "recreational sugar" in 2 weeks. Yay! Not only is the scale starting to move, but my mood is improving. I put on my jeans out of the dryer and was able to easily button/zip them closed. I even had wiggle room. Within an hour my jeans were really loose on me. I felt as good as you feel about your shirt! We can totally do this! I truely believe this will be the last time I have to struggle to lose a lot of weight. I started thinking about a Hawaiian vacation in summer 2012. At first I just felt the reservation that comes from being a heavy person that wants to be in a swimming suit. Then I remembered that I will have had my lap band for over a year by then. Oh, wow! The joy and excitement I felt in that moment was overwhelming! I don't expect to be model thin, but I know I will have lost enough weight that I can be comfortable in a one piece bathing suit in public. Happy day, happy day!!!! We are finally going to be able to start living our lives and loving it!

I am registered for Dr. Machado's Feb 7th information session. I have Blue Cross PPO. My insurance is supposed to pay for the procedure 100%. But, I still would have to pay the $2995 fee for the support and online support. The money is due in full at preop. When I told my husband about the fee he told me to find another doctor. I am really impressed so far with Dr. Machado. The website is very informative, she has performed 1000+ lap band operations and has really good reviews from past patients (found on many online dr. review sites). I'm leaning towards staying with her. But, is the fee really worth it? I don't know what the support afterwards includes. I guess I will find out at the information session. The one thing that concerns me is if I will get approval through my insurance. The rep for Dr. Machado said if you have a BMI of 35-39 most insurance companies require two comorbid conditions. I am on high blood pressure medicine, so I definately have one. Does anyone know of a list of comorbid conditions (Blue Cross PPO approved)? My BMI is 39. At least they said if the insurance does not approve me I don't have to pay the $2995 fee.

Hello. I am registered for Dr. Machado's informational meeting on Feb 7th. I think a support group is a definate key to success. Do you mind if I attend even though I haven't had the surgery yet?