Hello! My name is Julie

[Jramirez1228 3]

I am just starting on my journey. I had my first appointment today and I am waiting to hear if my insurance will cover surgery and if I will have to do six months supervised weight loss. I am hoping I will get approved and not have to wait six months!

[Sharpie 3,306]

I hope you are approved and can proceed to the next step on your weight loss journey.. It is the best decision I have ever made for myself... As a Mother and Grandmother I always tended to put everone else ahead of me.. now I decided it's time to be happy and healthy... The band has saved my life, I was headed for serious health problems.. Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol... I was on medication for all of it.. felt like hell most of the time.. couldn't get out of my chair,, couldn't walk more than a few trips around the house.. Couldn;t clean my own house ... 55 lbs lost since Jan. and I feel like I am a new person..Use the resources on this site.. lots of experienced successful bandsters on here to help you....Good Luck

[LeeAnnfromNC 46]

Hi Julie. I hope you get your approval. If you do have to wait six months don't get discouraged. I had to but I used the time to learn everything I could about the procedure and to prepare myself and I actually think it helped. Once a month I had to go to see my doc's PA so he could give me the same little speech on how I needed to eat after being banded and it really helped. I have heard the instructions so many times that it's in my head forever as a constant reminder. I think it has made it easier for me to be successful.

[southernqt 236]

Hey Julie! I hope everything goes okay with your insurance. Even if you do have to do 6 months it will go by fast because you're working towards something! I had to do 3 months and it went by quick. Good luck!

[Bandista 7,466]

Hi Julie, I started researching the band in June and am getting mine placed in November so my process was about five months even though my insurance had no pre-op requirements. There was a mandatory info session only held every two months so I had to wait for that and then all the other appointments (for me it was Program Coord., nutritionist, psych eval, surgeon then date for surgery). I've used the time to really read people's stories here so I can understand how best to be successful myself. And I've been working out a lot during this time, too, trying to turn into an exercise machine to prime my body for the new mode. Best wishes to you -- keep us posted!

[ChicagoRose 650]

Welcome =)

My whole process took 11 months (which included the 6-month supervised diet) and although it felt like a million years, it was well worth it. I took that time to really research, think, talk to people, prepare, and train for my new life. It has been an amazing journey so far. When people say it will "take too long" I say, the time will pass regardless of if you are waiting or not....and when it does pass you will think I could have spent the past year prepping.

Good luck =)

[MsGal 104]

On a good note...it took years to get heavy...6 months is a small amount of time to prepare for this life changing [rocess! Good luck! Lisa

[starfish n coffee 157]

I am just starting on my journey. I had my first appointment today and I am waiting to hear if my insurance will cover surgery and if I will have to do six months supervised weight loss. I am hoping I will get approved and not have to wait six months!

I'm with you on the journey start. Don't let the 6 months discourage you. It'll go by fast. This is great forum for awesome support and advice. Good luck to you !!

Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

[Jramirez1228 3]

Thanks for the wonderful comments and encouragement! I found my insurance policy and bariatric surgery is not covered under any circumstance. There is no way i can afford to do this without insurance. I am very disappointed, but I refuse to let this bring me down. I will get this weight off! I will be strong and healthy! I hope you all have the greatest success. Keep me in your prayers please! Thanks!

[starfish n coffee 157]

I think upon your next open enrollment you need to change insurance plans. I know it's heartbreaking but you're already in the right mindset to start your weight loss journey. Hang in there!

Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk