5 more months to go.

[Lovely Lady 46]

I have a 6 month waiting period before I can have surgery. People are telling me that Winter months are going to be the hardest time to lose weight. Holiday meals and all. I dont know how the Dr thinks I can lose any more weight. I have tried and failed to lose weight countless times. I dont want to be turned down for lap band due to recent weight gain. I am very scared!! I just dont know what to do! Any suggestions?

[winkie80 147]

I had my 6 months from January through June. I lost 17 pounds then I gained 6 pounds back and my insurance approved the surgery. The insurance is looking more at the notes from who is monitoring your weight loss. They want to see that you can commit to a program. No weight loss surgery is not a magic wand (believe me!) you have to commit to changing the way you eat for the rest of your life. This 6 months shows them that you can do it. Just do the best you can and make sure it is documented each month and you will be fine! Good luck to you

[SandyM 1,956]

Don't miss any appts. I don't know about your insurance but with mine if I skipped one of those 6 months, I would have had to start over.

[Lovely Lady 46]

Weather permitting, I will go to every appt.

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

Just make your scheduled appointments and don't miss a month, they want to see how committed you are to follow-up care and to get you accustomed to eating differently. If you don't lose a lot - don't sweat it, that only proves the point that you can't do it on your own and you need the band to assist you in achieving long-term results.

If it were simple to achieve weightloss goals by traditional methods, the band and other bariatric procedures would never have been invented.

[winkie80 147]

My insurance was the same it had to be timed right. I couldn't reschedule if the time went past the aloted amount. Make sure you check with your insurer to see how long you have between visits. Mine was 35 days max.

[Bandista 7,466]

My process took five months -- not an insurance requirement but just the way thee program works at the hospital I used. I used the time to read all I could here about other people's experiences and I got a therapist to talk through food issues with me and be a partner in the banding process. Again not a requirement but I'm really glad I did that. Just wanted to make sure I had all my bases covered for this new chapter in my life. I am determined to be successful. The other thing I did was really step up my exercise life and I'm so glad to have that piece solved. My body is so much stronger than five months ago. I just got banded and I know the exercise is going to help tremendously once I start losing. Maybe that's something you could do in your six months -- you'll be ahead of the game and may even lose some weight. I don't know what your insurance company requires in terms of diet and documentation but the exercise would be great to start. Also drinking a Protein Shake very day. Good luck to you! Very frustrating to wait but the time will fly by.

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

holidays is no excuse to over eat or make bad food choices..so eat healthy, exercise and stay the course as those holidays will continue to come like clock work after WLS...get into a mindset...why do you want to have surgery?..and if you truly want it, then do what you need to in order to make it happen.

you CAN do it if you want...best of luck

[Lovely Lady 46]

I am tired of being Chubby! I know this weight isnt good for me and my knees. Your right, Holidays is no excuse not to follow what the Dr wants me do. I will call my Dr's office and make sure I know what he wants me to do.

[Lovely Lady 46]

I did call the Dr's office, and they said they want me to try not to gain weight before surgery. So I am going to work harder to do just that.

[Lovely Lady 46]

I found out I have only 3 more nutrition classes to go to starting next month and I will also see the exercise physiologist. I am hoping by Feb, I will be ready for my journey.

[MzEboni912 177]

Don't miss any appts. I don't know about your insurance but with mine if I skipped one of those 6 months, I would have had to start over.

My was the same so far I am good.

[Bandista 7,466]

I found out I have only 3 more nutrition classes to go to starting next month and I will also see the exercise physiologist. I am hoping by Feb, I will be ready for my journey.

Sounds like things are moving along already! I felt very impatient with the process over the summer but now, looking back, I can see that time was important for me. By the time I got my surgery date, I was so ready for the band and all the changes in my life. Getting the exercise equation in place was huge, and I also did a lot of journalling, lined up support including a therapist for discussing eating habits, head hunger, etc. I'm only one week banded but I feel like it's all happening now. The band is in place and I'm very happy about everything. Good luck to you in these coming months -- you are going to do beautifully!