I'm Holli and I'm ready to start my life!

[HolliJ 24]

Hello :tt2:

I found this forum as I was researching Lap Band surgery. Thus far, I haven't done much. I was going to go to a seminar for Dr. Fusco (in Florida) this past Thursday, but canceled. After reading posts on this forum about the $3,700 program fee, I had hesitations about him being the surgeon I wanted. When I talked to a friend, who is a ICU nurse, she told me that she doesn't recommend him. She said he's an great surgeon "until something goes wrong". Supposedly if he gets called in the middle of the night about a patient of his, his response is "What do you want me to do about it?" I don't want that kind of attitude from a doctor who is to perform surgery on me.

She did give me the name of Dr. Domkowski, who she HIGHLY recommends and said he's a WONDERFUL doctor. So I'm now signed up for his next seminar, which is on May 28th.

As for more about me, I'm 25 years old. As a child, I had a normal weight. I was pretty active during my childhood and early teen years - very big into rollerblading. I also took horseback riding lessons, tennis lessons, gymnastics, figure skating lessons, etc... When I hit my mid-teen years, I became very depressed. Eating more and no longer having the desire/motivation to be active, I started gaining weight.

As the years went by, the weight went up and up. I've tried different diets, but the weight loss I did achieve didn't last long. I was always hungry, always wanting food. While I could eat less, all I thought about during the day was the next time I could eat. After a few weeks or months, it felt like I just exploded and ate everything I could, as if I had been starving myself. Not only did I gain back the weight I lost, I would gain more because of it. I'm sure we've all experienced that.

I haven't tried a lot of fancy diets because I haven't been able to afford it. The diet I mainly stuck to was counting calories, although I also tried Atkins and was on a study for a weight-loss drug (I'm pretty sure I had the placebo). The study was supposed to last a year, but I dropped out after 5-6 months. The reason is because it wasn't helping me and work obligations didn't allow me to make my doctor's appointments when the research person was available.

I've been diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). I was also tested as borderline diabetic (by one point above normal). I don't want to get diabetes.

I considered weight loss surgery years ago, but didn't have insurance or money at the time. I've been working for a great company for the past 1-1/2 years and my mom finally just put that little bug in my ear about it. Now I feel like I'm absolutely convinced this is the right path for me.

What do I want out of this? I want to feel good about myself, instead of being ashamed. I want to be healthy. I want to be able to run, possibly even run marathons. I want to be able to perform small tasks and not feel tired or overworked. I want to be able to eat to live and not live to eat. I want to be able to feel satisfied with small portions and not think about food all day. I want to be able to enjoy the things I used to enjoy and do new things which I've been too insecure to do. Or just haven't been able to because of my weight (like sky dive).

I look forward to getting to know all of you and hopefully be able to join in as a bandster.

Details:

Age: 25 years old

Weight: 260lbs (highest weight ever)

Size: 22/24

[maclynn 0]

Best of Luck to you Holli. I know how you feel. I just wish they'd had something like this when I was in my 20's.

[HolliJ 24]

Best of Luck to you Holli. I know how you feel. I just wish they'd had something like this when I was in my 20's.

Thanks :tt2:

I really wish I could have gotten control of it before it happened, but... we'd all be skinny if we had been able to do that.

I just hope it all works out and I'm able to get it. I know my insurance provider will pay like 85% of it, but I don't really know all the details (as far as what they require).

[maclynn 0]

My best advice for that is call your insurance company. I did that and they gave me the area that specializes in bariatric coverage and looked up my policy. She then emailed my my requirements. I followed them to the letter though it took me 11 months to get here. I wish you nothing but sucess in whatever you chose.

[OnTheWay to Thin 0]

Hi and welcome Hili. On your insurance it really depends on the insurance company and plan, there is a wide range of requirements depending on the company. Most agree that you need to be 100lbs above ideal weight, have a bmi of 40 or higher or 35 or higher if you have comorbidities. Some require a 6 mos medically supervised diet before they will approve you for surgery so check with them and get the medical policy and their exact requirements. I am really amazed my insurance did not require much and was able to approve me right away so my surgery is scheduled for 5/28. All in all I had to have the following:

100 lbs above weight

5 year history of being this obese

Primary care doctor referral and agreement that I was a good surgery candidate and that he felt surgery would be beneficial.

Psychiatric evaluation

Nutritional Evaluation

Blood Work

EKG

2 appointments with the surgeons office one for pre screening and one for preop

Attend informational seminar

Hope this helps you to understand the process.

Debbie

[TheDeb 0]

Hello

When I talked to a friend, who is a ICU nurse, she told me that she doesn't recommend him. She said he's an great surgeon "until something goes wrong". Supposedly if he gets called in the middle of the night about a patient of his, his response is "What do you want me to do about it?"

Dr Domkowski is the complete opposite of this. He is a very caring & compassionate doctor, as well as an excellent surgeon as your friend has told you.

Bring your insurance card to the seminar and give them your info ... they will contact your insurance company and tell you exactly what is required.

Good luck!

Edited May 25, 2009 by TheDeb