New Here-questions-sorry If You Have Heard Them, But There Is A Lot To Dig Through

[radarluv 59]

Hi there. Newbie here.

I have only scheduled my education class for the 14th of Decemver in Houston. I don't know what goes on there. I have a friend that had the surgery and she also has the same insurance through the same company (we work together @ the same job). We were at similar weigh at the beginning. I am around the 200 mark. I am worried that my chances.

I have had weight issues for quite some time. I went so far as to having an extensive tummytuck and flankplasty as well as breast reduction in hopes that would fix my form. I have only grown....rounder. Although I have dropped some in the past it all comes back with a vengence.

I was at a crossroads. My weight has taken over my life and everything about it. socially, romantically and everything else. This has to happen.

I am just afraid that insurance will not think 200 is severe enough, although it was for my friend. I do have severly high cholesterol and have been on and off BP meds. I am borderline diabetic with history in the family with my father being diabetic. I also have polysictic ovarial syndome (is that how it is spelled, or pcos?, as well as stage 4 endometriosis). I could benifit from a sleep study, as I never sleep.

I am also a flight attendant. We are paid for many things, and one of those things is to look somewhat attractive on the aircraft. Although I believe I am attractive in some ways, I do not have the confidence that 99% of our work group do to sit on the jumpseats without taking up too much space. Running down the aisles without taking someone out. I get hot and sweaty due to the weight and that is embarrassing.

I am with UHC. They do cover it my Dr.'s sweet desk lady says she called for me today. I work for a major airline and I wonder if the motivation to have us look up to standards is why my friend was approved so very quickly 2 years ago. Do you think this could affect my ruling?

Now what. Seminar the 14th:

Gonna post some before pics, if i can find one that I havent hacked my body out of.

Thanks!

[Corrigan 75]

In my opinion, a BMI of 35 or greater, diagnosed diabetes and sleep apnea should be enough to qualify you for

WLS surgery, with most insurance companies. Any other comorbidities would only strengthen your case.

Please keep posting here and keep us informed as to your progress. Good luck.

[horsegirl315 114]

Hi there! Let me first start out by saying you are gorgeous. There, now thats out of the way.I'm gonna make this short and sweet cause I'm typing to you from a phone that likes to over auto correct me and typing a lot takes too long. Insurance approval is based on you bmi, and whether you have obesity related conditions, termed co-morbidities...whci you do have, high bp, pre diabetic etc. You need to figure out your bmi, and then find out from there if you qualify. Given the time of day, you probably won't be reaching an insurance co now, but I was able to find that info on my insurance co website, and the people that work at the Dr office typically know that info off the top of their head.

Secondly, once you figure out if you le insurance covers the surgery, you need to find out whatbyou need to do as far as pre-approval steps. Sometimes the insurance co wants yu to go on a supervised diet for a certain amnt of time, yadda yadda. The lady at the dr office should know that as well.

Thirdly and perhaps most importantly, you have to be ready to go to a LOT of appts. Take a look at my signature, its a LOT of appts. But the good thing is, everything gets checked out, the tests are easy for the most prt, except for the dreaded sleep stdy...and you end up finding out just how healthy, or unhealthy you are. Don't get scared. Just make one appt after another into you're done. There is a light synthesis end of the tunnel. If you need help, or have more questions, don't hesitate to ask. I'm no expert, not even banded yet, but I will do my best to help you. I know what is like to be the girl with the "pretty face"....now its time for us to have smokin bods too!

[horsegirl315 114]

Hmmm. Not as short as I planned, but full of errors LOL!

[radarluv 59]

well it is covered at bmi of 35 with co-morbidities. I may be at the very cusp of 35 at my heigh and weight, like a lb or 2 less. Guess it's not the time to start that diet right now. When do you do your 1st "official weigh in" for approval submission?

[horsegirl315 114]

When I went to my first seminar, they were booking appts for the nutritionist on the spot, so I went the next day. that was when I was weighed for the first time. Embarassing but I've grown very used to being poked prodded and weighed. Lol.

[radarluv 59]

So I supposed I should EAT. I wanna be in that 35 bmi not a fraction below it. does that sound terrible. My PCP did recommend it years ago, so I figure if she thinks I am a candidate, then I should hopefully beat this thing,

[radarluv 59]

so excited for yall, and your upcoming surgery. What a perfect time for a nice Christmas present.

[horsegirl315 114]

Can anyone say last hoorah? Lol. I kormally wouldn't condone gaining to get the surgery, but you are so close. I have heard some crazy stories about people wearing ankle weight etc to first weigh ins

[Texasbandit 8]

Ok I'm gonna be a Debbie downer but have you really thought about what it takes to be successful with the lapband? It takes work and it's not a cure for anything. I just get a little alarmed when I see people that has had other weight loss surgeries or plastic surgery and still haven't been successful in losing weight.

Have you tried dieting and excersize? Did you know that some lapband doctors push for a low carb or restrictive diet? Why not try a serious work out and diet plan with a nutrtionalist? Cause with the band you will be restricted and advised to workout. It's all about changing your life. Just think about it.

[sandy1 1]

Can anyone say last hoorah? Lol. I kormally wouldn't condone gaining to get the surgery, but you are so close. I have heard some crazy stories about people wearing ankle weight etc to first weigh ins

Ankle wieghts might work or just fudge the height check. You can just slink down a little and lower your height an inch or so. That should get you where you need to be.

[radarluv 59]

I understand your concern, and I have been VERY restrictive on diet. AND, I exercise a lot not to mention my job is labor intensive. I have gone low carb, which works to a point, and the plateau and can never round that corner, plus I just can't get down to where I need to be.

I REQUIRED the reduction.Period. The TT was sort of a spur of the moment thing. The 'lap band was recommended to me by my PCP years ago. When she did, I was offended, and left angry. After years of trying other ways, I have come to the conclusion that this si the right thing to do. Everyone in my life has seen my struggle. I eat less than everyone I am with, yet I still remain at 200 @ 5'4. My bloods been checked for everything possible.

I could go on, bu thtere is no need. Everyone here has their own reason, and to me, mine is just as valid.

Ok I'm gonna be a Debbie downer but have you really thought about what it takes to be successful with the lapband? It takes work and it's not a cure for anything. I just get a little alarmed when I see people that has had other weight loss surgeries or plastic surgery and still haven't been successful in losing weight.

Have you tried dieting and excersize? Did you know that some lapband doctors push for a low carb or restrictive diet? Why not try a serious work out and diet plan with a nutrtionalist? Cause with the band you will be restricted and advised to workout. It's all about changing your life. Just think about it.

[radarluv 59]

wow, lots of typos. no coffee yet, but you get the point.

[Dulci 108]

I also have both endo and pcos. My gyn said it is unusual for someone to have both. PCOS makes it very difficult to lose weight and to maintain the loss. I have only been banded a month, so I can't comment as to the long term success of the band for me.

So far, I am down 20 lbs and I am waiting for my first fill. This has been the easiest and most natural weight loss that I have experienced. I am confident that the band will be the tool that will finally help me to lose the weight and maintain the loss.

Regarding the pre-insurance approval, preop weigh-ins, instead of doing all the tricks I used to do to reduce residual weight at the doctors (emptying pockets, wearing light weight cotton clothing, scheduling appointments in the morning and not eating or drinking, and wearing light weight foam shoes), I did the opposite.

I wore jeans to every preop appointment. I kept my keys and change in my pocket. Since it is winter, you could wear hiking boots to your appointments.

Good luck with your band journey.

[radarluv 59]

Wow, I did not expect to hear from someone else suffering from endo and pcos like I do. Ain't it a b***h? I have had several surgeries and, at 37 my doc wants to remove everything. It makes it very difficult, yet none of those things are factored in for ins purposes. I am tired of taking the meds for it too and hope for some relief for that. Doc wants to add on a cholesterol pill as it is alarmingly high. At 37 I should not have to be on 10+ meds a day.

I am so glad to hear from you and so glad to hear of your success. Please keep me posted! Or add me as a friend if you can. I haven't made it that far! ha

I also have both endo and pcos. My gyn said it is unusual for someone to have both. PCOS makes it very difficult to lose weight and to maintain the loss. I have only been banded a month, so I can't comment as to the long term success of the band for me.

So far, I am down 20 lbs and I am waiting for my first fill. This has been the easiest and most natural weight loss that I have experienced. I am confident that the band will be the tool that will finally help me to lose the weight and maintain the loss.

Regarding the pre-insurance approval, preop weigh-ins, instead of doing all the tricks I used to do to reduce residual weight at the doctors (emptying pockets, wearing light weight cotton clothing, scheduling appointments in the morning and not eating or drinking, and wearing light weight foam shoes), I did the opposite.

I wore jeans to every preop appointment. I kept my keys and change in my pocket. Since it is winter, you could wear hiking boots to your appointments.

Good luck with your band journey.