new to Lap Band idea

bee in my bonnet · August 5, 2008

Hi Everyone,

I am 34 yrs old and very new to the idea of getting banded. I just decided to look into it last week and my first appointment is Thursday. I am very excited at the prospect of having hope to get my life back. I live in Boise, ID and am very limited in surgeon choices. My appointment is with Dr. Cahn. I am hoping that my insurance will cover my surgery but there are a lot of hoops to jump through first.

Is it Thursday yet??? :thumbup:

Christina

August 5, 2008

Welcome to LBT Christina. I hope your appointment goes well. Please let us know what you find out. Good luck.

micatee · August 5, 2008

I have been lurking here for a couple of months for information on the "band". Anyhow, after 2 mos of waiting I go to a surgeon the day after tommorrow (Aug 7th) to find out if I can qualify. I am a diabetic, have fatty liver issues (I see a liver doctor next month), and my BMI is 36 so I feel that I may have a good chance. In fact, my primary care doctor was very supportive in my quest.....now I will see what happens on Thursday and keeping my fingers crossed that my insurance will cover it! I have BCBS /Anthem of Ohio.

bee in my bonnet · August 6, 2008

I weigh more now than I ever thought would be possible. I am 5'5 and my BMI is 48. Can you imagine? My blood pressure was always low but now I am hypertensive. It is very worrisome that I have no energy and can't breathe when I exert myself. I called my insurance before calling a surgeon and I have to jump through a lot of hoops but I hope that I will qualify. I do have some questions but I am not sure where to post them. I have been scouring the forums all day and trying to get as much info as I can.

Does anyone out there have Empire Blue Shield?

Is anyone from Boise, Idaho who has seen Dr Robert Cahn?

Can you actually feel the band around your stomach or do you get used to it?

I am sooo excited and I hope to have the surgery done by October. I am going to try and race through my appointments. Has anyone only gone through 2 months of appointments or does it take longer? I see that some people have waited 6 months to a year, but I am just curious.

It has been very helpful to read your nutritionist and psych tips, thanks.

Let me know if I can just continue posting under my newbie info or if should go some other place.

Thanks!!!

August 6, 2008

Does anyone out there have Empire Blue Shield?

I don't - I have BCBS FEP.

Is anyone from Boise, Idaho who has seen Dr Robert Cahn?

Can't help with this one either - I'm in Georgia.

Can you actually feel the band around your stomach or do you get used to it?

Ah - one I can answer. No. You cannot detect your band - I don't even know it is there. However, I can feel the port under my skin if I feel for it. If I accidently overeat I get a weird feeling around my port - which doesn't happen very often. I did it more often when I was first banded, learning the rules and such.

You should be able to post any questions here. If you have anything specific you can post in those areas. I.E. Girl Questions (body related in the powder Room), Exercise Questions (Fitness/Exercise). Good luck to you in October. You can PM me if you have any questions also. I'll try to help if I can.