Begining the process here in Buffalo NY!

[Michelle514 0]

Hiya, My name is Michelle and I"m just begining the process of getting banded.

I am 310 lbs, 5'3.5" (no I'm not sensitive about my height, it's just that I was FINALLY measured and know for sure my height now... I used to tell people 5'3" or 5'4" i dont really know my height. But now i know so i will be sharing it! lol)

My BMI is 55. I went to my primary dr's this past thursday 4-23-09. I'm considering that my first day to the rest of my life. I asked my doctor about getting GB, but she suggested LB seeing how I'm active and I have very little health problems.

I have elevated blood pressure (143/89) and i suffer from mental illness. I do not have any other comorbidities so I'm hoping that they can push through and get the medical neccisity approved by my insurance. The dr's office that I've called about the lapband has a really good rate of getting people approved. However it didn't really dawn on me that people get deneid until i started searching online about the surgery. I"m hoping I dont have any problem with getting approved. And i'm hoping I can get it done relatively quickly!

How long did it take you to get approved ? and how long did it take from the first day you decided to the day you got the surgery.

I'm really not looking forward to this upcoming summer months as over this past winter i"ve put on so much weight that now I'm chafed everywhere (it seems) and i'm rather uncomfortable.

Any insight or support or well wishes are much appreciated. I'm really scared and nervous but I know this is what i need to get to a better me.

[lindas0809 0]

Michelle- Welcome and good luck. I think that the timeline is very different for everyone. It really depends on what your insurance needs for approval (most of us have to do a six month supervised diet). I can tell you my process has taken a lot longer than I thought (I started last summer, got approved in March, we probably have surgery in June), but it is what it is.

One thing I would tell you is to be prepared for the surgeon to push you toward RNY surgery instead of lapband since your BMI is over 50. I was at 49 when I went in and really had to fight for the band. Do your research and read a lot on this site(it will give you inspiration and realstic view).