New Here

[sweetsmile 0]

Hi, I am a newbie here. I finally agreed with my endocronologist to have a lapband. He had been suggesting gastric bypass for a couple of years, but I was afraid.

I have been dieting and exercising since I was 13yrs old, with varying degrees of success. I am 54 yrs old, female, BMI 49.9 with co-morbidities, diabetes, hypertension, GERD and hip/knee joint pain. I am an ICU RN working 12 hr shifts, feeling exhausted. I was told with my HgA1C 9.9 and BMI that I have approximately 10 yrs to live.

I am scheduled for the seminar 7/17 in Pittsburgh, Pa with Dr Joseph Colleti. I have a million questions. How long will I be off work or restricted with lifting? How long will it take to get the ball rolling? TIA for sharing information.

SweetSmile

Edited July 1, 2008 by sweetsmile

[kkarryall 0]

Hi there! Congrats on your decision. Most insurance companies require a 6 month medically supervised diet--although you'll have to find out for sure about your ins. company. I was told 5-7 weeks off work. Recovery wasn't bad at all for me. I am a week post-op and I feel great!

Good luck

[sweetsmile 0]

The insurance customer service rep told me the diet would be up to the surgeon, they did not require it. The procedure is 80% covered, I have a copay for surgery and each day in the hospital. The rep told me the insurance only required a letter from the bariatric surgeon and my PCP citing the medical need. I hope to get things moving soon after the information class. The surgeons office said usually there is a 2 week waits for an appointment. Now that I have made the decision, I just want to get on with it.