New & in the very early beginnings of my journey

[SuzieInTexas 0]

Hi everyone. I'm glad to have found this forum. I'm in the very beginnings of my LB journey, so y'all will have to bear with me. I've just had my insurance confirmed, but must go through the 6 months of weight counseling, plus psych testing. My first counseling appointment is Nov 1 because of a pre-existing clause, so that means I won't have the surgery until May 2012. The only thing I am nervous about is if my insurance policy changes to exempt bariatric surgery on Jan 1st. I have CIGNA insurance through my employer.

Currently I am 50 years old and have a bmi of 48.1. I am using Texas Gastric Banding (Dr Wilkenfeld), with the surgery at True Results in Houston. I'm for sure going the lap band route, but considering also an imbrication. The decision will be made as time goes by. I'm not interested in rushing anything because I'm looking to change old eating habits I've had for a lifetime. The LB is for assistance and encouragement. I can't do this by myself. My goals are to get healthy, reduce the aches and pains in my joints, and to finally be able to shop in the normal size clothing section! I want to run/walk a 10k by the fall of 2013.

I am here to see your experiences and share mine. I've already added to my list of questions that I need to ask my doc. I'm thinking of blogging my journey for an emotional outlet. I live by myself, divorced in 2006, adult kids grown and out of the house. As a matter of fact, I moved 2000 miles from them last year to be closer to my parents and sisters. I'm hoping to convince my sister to join me and make her own journey to health.

I'm so excited!

[LADY LOVELY 1]

WELCOME NEWBIE ITS NOW TIME TO GET UR MIND PREPARED. I JUST HAD MINE ON THE DONE ON THE 27TH. START GETTING RIGHT NOW SO THAT YOU WILL BE OK LATER

[SuzieInTexas 0]

WELCOME NEWBIE ITS NOW TIME TO GET UR MIND PREPARED. I JUST HAD MINE ON THE DONE ON THE 27TH. START GETTING RIGHT NOW SO THAT YOU WILL BE OK LATER

Congrats Lady Lovely! I wish you much success. How are you doing today? Hopefully you are feeling well post-op this weekend. I had my seminar the day you had your surgery!

I'm doing a lot of research now, reading blogs here and watching youtube videos. It is a scary process and not 100% guaranteed, but I've got to stop this madness and fix it. I just need that little extra that surgery will give.

Did you have to do the 6 month counseling before surgery? How did that go for you?

[RaleighGal 4]

Welcome to this site! I have found so much great information and everyone is so positive and encouraging! May 2012 will get here before you know it :-)

[DebHart71 3]

Hi everyone. I'm glad to have found this forum. I'm in the very beginnings of my LB journey, so y'all will have to bear with me. I've just had my insurance confirmed, but must go through the 6 months of weight counseling, plus psych testing. My first counseling appointment is Nov 1 because of a pre-existing clause, so that means I won't have the surgery until May 2012. The only thing I am nervous about is if my insurance policy changes to exempt bariatric surgery on Jan 1st. I have CIGNA insurance through my employer.

Currently I am 50 years old and have a bmi of 48.1. I am using Texas Gastric Banding (Dr Wilkenfeld), with the surgery at True Results in Houston. I'm for sure going the lap band route, but considering also an imbrication. The decision will be made as time goes by. I'm not interested in rushing anything because I'm looking to change old eating habits I've had for a lifetime. The LB is for assistance and encouragement. I can't do this by myself. My goals are to get healthy, reduce the aches and pains in my joints, and to finally be able to shop in the normal size clothing section! I want to run/walk a 10k by the fall of 2013.

I am here to see your experiences and share mine. I've already added to my list of questions that I need to ask my doc. I'm thinking of blogging my journey for an emotional outlet. I live by myself, divorced in 2006, adult kids grown and out of the house. As a matter of fact, I moved 2000 miles from them last year to be closer to my parents and sisters. I'm hoping to convince my sister to join me and make her own journey to health.

I'm so excited!

Be glad it is only 6 months. I am a member of an *** and I had to do several things in a one-year time span: lose 10% of my starting weight, take a weight-management class, and pscyhological counseling. This was just to get approval from the insurance; then I had to take a class on what to expect in the hospital and my diet afterward. I just started my pre-op diet this morning, made the mistake of going cold-turkey with the caffeine and have a major headache. I am scheduled to be banded on October 17th and I am very excited to start the next phase of my journey. Do you have a certain amount of weight you have to lose in the six months?

[SuzieInTexas 0]

Be glad it is only 6 months. I am a member of an *** and I had to do several things in a one-year time span: lose 10% of my starting weight, take a weight-management class, and pscyhological counseling. This was just to get approval from the insurance; then I had to take a class on what to expect in the hospital and my diet afterward. I just started my pre-op diet this morning, made the mistake of going cold-turkey with the caffeine and have a major headache. I am scheduled to be banded on October 17th and I am very excited to start the next phase of my journey. Do you have a certain amount of weight you have to lose in the six months?

Ok, so I'm feeling pretty lucky right about now. That's quite the requirements. Congrats for getting through it all!

No requirements for weight loss. CIGNA is only requiring that I have 6 months of physician directed weight loss program completed within the last 2 years including weights, dietary program, physical activity, behavioral modifications etc. This is what True Results will handle for me when I go in their office.

[DebHart71 3]

Ok, so I'm feeling pretty lucky right about now. That's quite the requirements. Congrats for getting through it all!

No requirements for weight loss. CIGNA is only requiring that I have 6 months of physician directed weight loss program completed within the last 2 years including weights, dietary program, physical activity, behavioral modifications etc. This is what True Results will handle for me when I go in their office.

Thanks. You will see that the six months will fly by; I know the year passed very quickly for me. My life is pretty full though; I work full time, have a very small business on the side, I'm a single mom and I am working on my Master's degree. If you keep yourself busy you will pass the time in no time at all!

[melissa45154 2]

Hi, and welcome. I am fairly new at this like you. I am 3 weeks into my insurance requirements. I have really lucked out. Normally, my insurance (Aetna) requires the 6 month, but this year our employer added a specific clause that allows us to do it in 3 months. It isn't the multi-disciplinary like some people have. It is just 3 months of physician supervised diet, and a pysch consult. I have had my pysch consult already. I'm going ahead and having a sleep study done on Thursday night. My doc can submit for approval on Dec. 5. So excited, but so nervous as well. My Christmas will be liquid diet. I was a little upset about that at first. Then it hit me.....that is why I'm needing to do this surgery. I need that little help to stop me from piling in the stuffing or what not. I exercise daily, but don't lose anything. All, because of my diet. I am here to change that. I am really hoping I get approved and fast because I want the surgery done before Jan.1....I know it sounds crazy, but not only will January 1 have the whole symbolic meaning of a new year with new beginnings. Also, I have already met my deductible for this year and if I have the surgery this year, I will have enough medical expenses to claim on my taxes. I also live in Texas, but in the Dallas area. I am a stay at home mom to 2 kids and go to school full time for teaching....a busy life. Good luck to you on your journey.