Learning about Lap-Band

[lmwalt2413 0]

Hello: My name is Elizabeth (Liz) and I have been researching Lap-Band for about a year now. I have been overweight since 2001, roughly.

My height is 5'4" and weight is 227-232. BMI of 39. I was up to 240 this winter and lost 12 lbs!

I have high cholesterol and had gestational diabetes.

I am scheduled for a seminar on May 19th. I will be self-pay as I am sure insurance won't pay.

Question: How long after the seminar does it take to get surgery scheduled?

Did anyone else feel like a failure because they had reached this point in their life?

Thank you, Liz

[losinandlovin 2]

Bless your heart Liz, I hear your pain and honey you are in good company. We are here, we will listen and we will support you. First of all Congrats on making the decision to save your life. Excellent choice. To answer your question, it goes much faster when you avoid insurance red tape. You will be done in no time. Your surgeon will require a pre-op diet plan and you want to stick to it. The more weight you lose the easier the surgery will go for you and your surgeon. Where are you having it done and who is your surgeon? Please keep posting and spend any free time reading as this is a wealth of information. During the entire process, you will need to ask questions that can only be answered by those of us who have done it. Here are a few helpful hints.

You have nothing but a great life ahead. Best decision ever.

Tips tried and true as you prepare:

Read on these sites every minute you can.

Take your measurements NOW and then every month. Trust me you will need this later

Start chewing and chewing and cheweing now

Do not drink with your meals starting now.

Remove "questionable" foods from your home

Tell lots of people so you will have the support

Make a list of things you can not do now that you plan to do later

Make a list of ways you will reward yourself for the small goals and then big goals

Be reasonable on your expectations discuss this with your surgeon, our plan is usally more aggressive then theit plan for us. They have done this awhile and know what they are talking about

Prepare, plan and then succeed.

This is a wonderful time to plan for a long and happy future. Best of luck to you and keep us posted and use this site as a resource. ASK ASK ASK, that is the benefit of these sites.

My heart goes out to you, That is how I felt, hopless, alone, like no one really understood and now, well I am a new person and I love it. Enjoy the journey and post often. I can not wait to hear the date!!!

[ttny007 29]

Hello: My name is Elizabeth (Liz) and I have been researching Lap-Band for about a year now. I have been overweight since 2001, roughly.

My height is 5'4" and weight is 227-232. BMI of 39. I was up to 240 this winter and lost 12 lbs!

I have high cholesterol and had gestational diabetes.

I am scheduled for a seminar on May 19th. I will be self-pay as I am sure insurance won't pay.

Question: How long after the seminar does it take to get surgery scheduled?

Did anyone else feel like a failure because they had reached this point in their life?

Thank you, Liz

First I will tell you your not a failure its called Life. My son always tells me life gets in the way of living and boy is he right! we are right about the same height and weight, dont think your insurance won't cover you, if you have a BMI of 35 with a "co-morbitity" if your policy cover WLS then they will cover it. You have 2 co-morbities listed. When you go to the seminar they will check for you. If your going thru insurance then you usually need 6 months of dr. documented weight loss. In other words go to your primary dr every month talk about your weight and all you have done to help yourself, the gym and diet. That will help speed things up. You will need to meet with a nutritionist and a psychologist. Some dr's will want a sleep study for sleep apnea and blood work, chest xray and endoscope. If your insurance will pay you will want to get started on this stuff right away so that the process moves along quickly. Look for a support group you can go to and go. You don't have to have the surgery to go, they are also there to answer questions of people thinking about WLS. If you have any more questions please ask that's what we are here for. I am going thru this too so don't sell yourself short.

Theresa

[jennifer1 180]

Hi Liz,

Welcome! Congrats on making a decision to do something about your health. I researched lap band for 5 years on/off and went to a seminar. My insurance policy excludes all WLS so I am a self pay. Once I met with the surgreon and dietician it was up to me when I had my surgery. I met with them on April 8th and my surgery is May 20th. Being self pay you skip all the hoops insurance companies make you go through. I have my pre-op testing on may 6th and start my pre-op diet may 9th. I'm so excited and cant wait! this forum is an excellent resource. and no question is too stupid! everyone on here is very supportive and this site is additcting. Next to face book I cant stay off this site! LOL! Feel free to keep in touch, not sure what all i can answer since i havent been banded yet, but i'm willing to share whatever you need!

Jennifer

Hello: My name is Elizabeth (Liz) and I have been researching Lap-Band for about a year now. I have been overweight since 2001, roughly.

My height is 5'4" and weight is 227-232. BMI of 39. I was up to 240 this winter and lost 12 lbs!

I have high cholesterol and had gestational diabetes.

I am scheduled for a seminar on May 19th. I will be self-pay as I am sure insurance won't pay.

Question: How long after the seminar does it take to get surgery scheduled?

Did anyone else feel like a failure because they had reached this point in their life?

Thank you, Liz