Anyone just starting???? - I'm in Feb 2010

[CSinTX 0]

Hello everyone -

I have been reading pieces and parts to other threads about the 6 month diets with most of them being over a year old. I know insurance requirements change year to year and wanted to see if we could get a new thread for 2010 newbies.

How cool would it be if we could get several of us together who are starting our life changing journey around the same time to share our experiences. We would be there for each other during everyones ups and downs (hopefully not many) until the day we all get approved. :biggrin:

Here is my story.

My first appointment will be in 2 days. I can hardly wait to get started and while several say that the 6 months will go by quickly I find it hard to believe at in the end I will say the same. My BMI is slightly over 40 and I don't have any real health issues. I had gallstones but the gallbladder is now gone, I had heavy random periods but had a hysterectomy 6 months ago.

I can't decide whether to continue to see my PCP for my monthly weigh in's or see the surgeons dietitian. The dietitian would require a 2 hour drive (one way) and a half day of vacation each month. But I don't want to take the chance that my PCP would not put everything down that is needed for approval.

Anyone else in this situation?

Thanks,

Cathy

[Majj 0]

Hello , I am a soon to be banded person , saw the specialist yesterday and got booked for 24th Feb....feeling pretty scared and will be glad when its done and I can start my journey , I too have had my gall removed and the doctor said the operation will be similar which was a breeze ...I am just worried about the eating after if I`ll have pain or do the wrong thing ....

Good luck with your journey .....

[CSinTX 0]

Hi Majj -

Glad to hear from you. I am just so excited to get started and have the ability to control my appetite. I know I will be just fine eating little amounts and look forward to the day that it happens. Just think about the money we will be saving by eating smaller amounts.

I have a coworker that was banded 4 years ago. She started at 318 and is today at 144. When we order lunch, she takes the left overs home for dinner. She says it's the best decision she ever made and has absolutely no regrets.

Are you getting your band on Feb 24th?

I'm just starting and hoping to be banded by August.

[carmen74 10]

Most pre-op bandsters are in the "Pre-Op" forum all the way at the top :-) There are specific monthly threads, but I think they only go to March right now.

I'm getting banded on 2-23-10!! My insurance required a 6 month "medically supervised weight loss attempt" basically I visiited my PCP every month, got weighed, and we talked about food & diet.

[CSinTX 0]

Hi Carmen74

I'll definitely look for that other thread so I want to hear from others that are going through the same thing that I am.

You must be super excited about having your surgery so soon. I see it's been a long journey for you.

How was the approval process with your insurance company?

[Mel Mel 0]

My insurance requires 6 months of documented weights, which is retro active. That means the Drs. appointments I went to in Oct and December count and hoepfully they will give me November. This will allow my surgery date to be April. Between weighing in at the office and these visits I should be good to go.

Try to find out the exact information they will need for your insurance and see if they have a form the PCP can fill out for you. I'd rather save my vacation time. Also, you can sign a release to have all the info sent to the Drs. office and they can take the info they need.

Good Luck!

[ezzie5 0]

I think you have a great idea. I am new also. I have a story but it is 1:38 in the a.m. and I'm tired so I'll write tomorrow, But count me in following a 2010 thread.

ezzie5

[CSinTX 0]

Great news and welcome.

Can't wait to hear your story.

[Holly C. 0]

Hello everyone -

I have been reading pieces and parts to other threads about the 6 month diets with most of them being over a year old. I know insurance requirements change year to year and wanted to see if we could get a new thread for 2010 newbies.

How cool would it be if we could get several of us together who are starting our life changing journey around the same time to share our experiences. We would be there for each other during everyones ups and downs (hopefully not many) until the day we all get approved. :w00t:

Here is my story.

My first appointment will be in 2 days. I can hardly wait to get started and while several say that the 6 months will go by quickly I find it hard to believe at in the end I will say the same. My BMI is slightly over 40 and I don't have any real health issues. I had gallstones but the gallbladder is now gone, I had heavy random periods but had a hysterectomy 6 months ago.

I can't decide whether to continue to see my PCP for my monthly weigh in's or see the surgeons dietitian. The dietitian would require a 2 hour drive (one way) and a half day of vacation each month. But I don't want to take the chance that my PCP would not put everything down that is needed for approval.

Anyone else in this situation?:thumbup:

Thanks,

Cathy

Hello Cathy

I'm just starting my journey also...My surgery is March 17.

Scared but excited also. Have been to all my doc. visits now

just waiting...Holly C.:wink2:

[Holly C. 0]

:wink2: I'm trying to understand this Lab Band site not to much

on computers...I love it thought to be able to see what

everyone is feeling ....Holly C.:thumbup:

[CSinTX 0]

I see some mention that they are getting or had a colonscopy, is this something for just those getting By-Pass?

I had my first appointment this past week and we talked about a barium swallow but thankfully no colonscopy.

So the question is:

Has anyone got the band or is scheduled to get the band that was or will be required to get a colonscopy?

Thanks,

Cathy

[Mel Mel 0]

Not a colonoscopy but I am required for an upper endooscopy. Not looking forward to it, but it's important to makes sure I'm a good candidate for the surgery.

[ezzie5 0]

Hello everyone: I am 58 and have five children all grown. I was a skinny gal for my first 44 years of my life, even after kids (give or take ten pounds or twenty). However, I am only 4'10" and I could get away with being 120 but not 190. I simply look awful and feel awful. I used to be active in sports but now I have a bad knee, sleep apnea, one kidney, no gall bladder. I'm a mess. I've been working full time for the last 30 years and keep gaining and gaining. My husband does not desire me at all. He once had a cute, skinny, vibrate, athletic wife to this rolly polly woman who works, cleans and watches T.V. I am so depressed about it I am now on anti-depressants. Anyway, I'm in the dietician phase for six months. March will be my fifth month and I'll probably start the weight loss part in April. I am so happy I found this site. My kids don't want me to get the LAP-BAND® my brothers don't and hubby says it's just another weight loss gimmic and this one could take my life and my kitty doesn't care one way or another, LOL! I have read the negative parts of LAP-BAND® on this site too and have received answers that have helped. I think the real scare is that disgusting barium you have drink before for test and then I heard you drink it after surgery to double check if the band and port are placed correctly. I'm going to see my doctor in a couple of weeks for updates on how the dietician process is going and ask questions I might have. My goal date is mid May 2010, I hope the tests go well and everything else. Glad to be here. I'll keep you posted on my 2010 journey to the LAP-BAND® world. Hooray, I belong to a group of people who understand.:thumbup:

ezzie 5

Edited February 21, 2010 by ezzie5

[CSinTX 0]

Hi Ezzie 5,

We are certainly glad you took the time to reach out too us and be a part of our group. We are here for ourselves and each other, we will all get through this with a very happy ending.

It's a shame that your family is not more supportive of your decision. My husband has always had the "eat less and exercise more" and the weight will come off diet plan. Well it has not. I sit behind a desk at work (8 hours) and behind my computer after work (2 hours) and then do some quilting which again is on my butt. My motivation is great just my will power SUCKS.

I bet your family is supportive in you losing weight just not this way and the reason is because they don't want to take a chance on losing you during the procedure. Selfish on their part but they do love you. When your husband starts seeing his cute, skinny, vibrate athletic wife again, he won't be able to keep his hands off.

I was told that I would need to have a barium swallow before we would submit to insurance but when I told the dr. that I had a barium swallow the summer of 08, he said he could used that one instead of making me get another one done. That is a very simple easy exam, just drinking some liquid chalk. A lot easier than getting a mammogram.

I go see a therapist this next week, my first ever. It is a requirement before submitting for approval. I was given a referral, made the appointment and hung up thinking what are we going to talk about. How long do we talk. Will I get something in writing and How much will this cost me? Unlike making an appointment at the doctors, they know what you are coming in for. Has anyone been to a therapist yet?

Thanks,

Cathy

[Hi-diddle-diddle 0]

I was just banded on Feb 12 and would love to share stories, both good and bad. Everything helps. When you are in something like this with others, it helps.:thumbup: