Greetings from a newbie

Shegill · October 25, 2003

Hello to all, and thanks for this forum. My name is Sheila and I'm 41, newly married, live in CT. I'm waiting for insurance approval for my band surgery. I've been approved for the Bypass, but am going through tons of hoops in order to get the ok on the Band instead. I've been in this process since July and am a little heartsick at the moment, having hit so many brick walls, but am still hopeful that all will work out.

The Lapband folks I've observed on this and other boards seem to me a rare combination: sensitive and compassionate (due partly to the remembered or ongoing pain of obesity), and thoughtful and intelligent, having chosen a WLS that requires those qualities to succeed. I feel like I've found my population, not to be self-flattering. It's nice to be able to chat with others who can relate without judgement to the experiences and impulses I have had and continue to have.

I'm in that state--perhaps others can relate--of wanting this surgery (and the control it can confer under the right restriction) so bad I can taste it (forgive the pun), and worrying that I'll just never get to the other side. I feel so left behind, while my compatriots are leaping ahead making their own miracles happen. I'm deeply happy for those banded and doing well, I'm sorry for those having troubles, but I'm also jealous that I'm still on the outside looking in.

Anyway, sorry to be so talky, and thanks for being here.

Sheila

Lulu · October 25, 2003

Hi Sheila, and welcome!!!

You are now experiencing what the vast majority of us have gone through. After deciding this is what you REALLY want, and we all wanted it yesterday, it seems to take forever. I've read as many posts as possible; admired the before and after photos of hundreds, and dreamed of the day when I'll be there too. Don't get discouraged! After decades of giving in to "what we want and we want it now," this process seems to go on eternally. I started in June and thought I could waltz in and tell my doctor that this is what I've decided, and he would make it happen within a few days. WRONG! I wasn't prepared to wait months but since there was nothing I could do but wait, decided to become as educated and prepared as possible for the big day! I'll be banded next Thursday.

You hang in there - and be persistent! This site will help you tremendously.

donali · October 25, 2003

Welcome, Sheila! Love the hedgehog!

Congrats on your new marriage! Wow, so many new and exciting things happening in your life right now. When I was young we lived in Norwalk, and then Danbury.

Best of luck in your Quest for the band. I was self-pay and went to Mexico for mine. $10,000 and it was so worth it. It would be fabulous if you could get it through your insurance, though!

Sending you best wishes :cool:

Alexandra · October 25, 2003

Hi Sheila! Welcome to LBT!!

Your experience is very familiar to me. When I first found out about the band and started reading the various boards, it really stood out to me that the people who follow this path have something different about them. I felt, as you do, that I had indeed found my population. (That's a great way of putting it!)

I had the insurance fight from hell but stuck it out and finally won in the end. At any point they would have happily paid for RNY. No thanks. Once I'd found the band there was no turning back, although like many I had my fleeting moments of doubt. But the company of like-minded Bandsters kept me motivated and secure in my decision.

If we're patient, the insurers will all come on board and probably even come to prefer the band over RNY within the next few years. At 41 myself, I know how you feel about doing it NOW, but another year or two seemed like not too long to wait if the alternatives were a) resected internal organs at great personal risk, or :cool: mountainous debt. As it was my year of waiting went by very quickly (as they do at this time of our lives) and I had the best of all possible outcomes.

It's lovely to "meet" you and I hope your insurance carrier comes around soon!

Shegill · October 26, 2003

Thanks for your responses, and your warm welcome. It's nice to know that others understand the particular brand of impatience that arrives hand in hand with the discovery of the band. I keep telling myself that this patience I'm cultivating will stand me in good stead while waiting for my first (and second, and third) fill. Truth is, I've spent so much time researching and thinking about the band, I feel like I could perform the procedure on myself! And this is from someone who's never taken, let alone passed, a college science class.

Thanks again,

Sheila (MD in my own mind, but definitely no place else)

IAMOMX6 · October 26, 2003

Hi Sheila,

Welcome to the boards.

I know your fustration. It took me almost a year to get an appointment with my doctor. Then she told me that my insurance didn't like the band. So, I was really prepared to fight and wait. But amazingly a month later they called and said I was approved! I'm sure this day will happen for you too. The insurance companies have got to get up to date with technology.

Good luck with your fight!

Christina