Waiting for ins. approval with 105 pounds to lose

stacey f. · January 19, 2008

Hi. I am new. I am awaiting ins. approval for lap band. My next app. is Jan 29th. My bariatric doctor requires me to lose 3% of my body weight before submitting for ins. approval and i have had a tough time doing this. I jointed Weight Watchers three weeks ago and am ready to move ahead with the approval process. I have about 105 pounds to lose and have been back and forth between choosing what surgery to have, Roux-en-Y or lap band. I have changed my mind 1000 times over this past year. (I started this whole approval process with my ins. company March 29, 2007). It has been a long emotional roller coster for me. I have now decided that lap band is just a better fit for me. (plus Roux-en-Y scars the daylights out of me). I have done so much soul searching and realize that the surgery is not a magic cure for my obesity. I know I have to take responsibility for my actions and my eating. I also know that this is going to be a life long journey for me as I was placed on my first diet at the age of 8. I am just hoping that having lap band in place will give me the tool to not suffer with being hungry all the time. I have restricted calories to 1400 a day on WW and am just sort of suffering through the hunger. I average about 2.5 pounds of weight loss each week and hope to do a little better after surgery, initially anyway. I have numerous health problems, hyperinsulinemia, (pre-diabetes), high blood pressure, high chol., a painful knee, SVT complicated by weight. I am 36 and weigh 250 pounds, (I have lost 9 pounds on WW yea!)

The question i would like to pose is this. Is 105 pounds realistic to lose with lap band? From what i am reading, it is not the norm. Is there something i can do to ensure success? I am very motivated and can and will follow a program to the T. I hear so much talk about carb restriction for success. Is this necessary? How many carbs should one eat to be successful? Is carb restriction possible long-term, as I am looking to change my lifestyle long-term to ensure success?

If anyone could give me an idea of daily foods and amounts, this would help ease my mind a bit. I just am trying to be as prepared as i can be for the long road ahead.

Thanks so much., sorry to ramble..

anewme08 · January 22, 2008

Hi. I am new. I am awaiting ins. approval for lap band. My next app. is Jan 29th. My bariatric doctor requires me to lose 3% of my body weight before submitting for ins. approval and i have had a tough time doing this. I jointed Weight Watchers three weeks ago and am ready to move ahead with the approval process. I have about 105 pounds to lose and have been back and forth between choosing what surgery to have, Roux-en-Y or lap band. I have changed my mind 1000 times over this past year. (I started this whole approval process with my ins. company March 29, 2007). It has been a long emotional roller coster for me. I have now decided that lap band is just a better fit for me. (plus Roux-en-Y scars the daylights out of me). I have done so much soul searching and realize that the surgery is not a magic cure for my obesity. I know I have to take responsibility for my actions and my eating. I also know that this is going to be a life long journey for me as I was placed on my first diet at the age of 8. I am just hoping that having lap band in place will give me the tool to not suffer with being hungry all the time. I have restricted calories to 1400 a day on WW and am just sort of suffering through the hunger. I average about 2.5 pounds of weight loss each week and hope to do a little better after surgery, initially anyway. I have numerous health problems, hyperinsulinemia, (pre-diabetes), high blood pressure, high chol., a painful knee, SVT complicated by weight. I am 36 and weigh 250 pounds, (I have lost 9 pounds on WW yea!)
The question i would like to pose is this. Is 105 pounds realistic to lose with lap band? From what i am reading, it is not the norm. Is there something i can do to ensure success? I am very motivated and can and will follow a program to the T. I hear so much talk about carb restriction for success. Is this necessary? How many carbs should one eat to be successful? Is carb restriction possible long-term, as I am looking to change my lifestyle long-term to ensure success?

If anyone could give me an idea of daily foods and amounts, this would help ease my mind a bit. I just am trying to be as prepared as i can be for the long road ahead.

Thanks so much., sorry to ramble..

Congratulations and good luck on your Quest to be healthy for life. I just had my lap-band surgery on Tuesday, January 15, 2008. I feel great and no pain. Even better is that I have lost 12.5 lbs as of today, since surgery.

As far as food amounts. I was worried, but have no fear. 2 oz of fish is alot. Take my word for it. I would have eaten three times that amount before surgery. I am not hungry, at all. My Doctor started my diet on stage 3 of the meal plan after surgery. My first meal at the hospital was 2 oz of tuna fish with diet dressing and 2 oz of blue berry yogart. I only ate about half of each and got dressed 2 hours later and went home. Please note that I have simular medical problems and weight goals as you.

Best wishes

Southern Missy · February 27, 2008

Hi Stacy!

Are you sure you didn't copy all that from my bio??

I haven't been banded yet but on reading a lot of posts from this site I have come across a lot of people who have been losing 100 pounds (or more) so I am greatly encouraged. No, it's not as fast as RNY but I personally would prefer to lose slowly and be healthy -- besides I didn't gain it overnight!

Don't stress!! I am finally excited about my life again and can hardly wait to get the band. It's been so long since I was able to lose weight -- no matter what I did -- that I am just going to take baby steps. Right now, 20 pounds would be a step in the right direction!

KatsenD · March 2, 2008

Hi Stacey,

I was just approved and I, too, have a 105 weight, loss goal. And, I have been with weight wathcers fo rthe last two years. I lost 25 lbs, but have put 10 back on. I made the decision, 2 years ago, that if I failed WW, I would look into a weight loss surgery.

The gastric bypass scares the heck out of me, so I decided to do the lapband. I know, like WW, the weight wont come off over night. That I am starting down a new path and that I will have to work, on this as well.

Good luck with your surgery. Let's stay in touch. Take care, D'