My head is spinning....

[ready_to_start 0]

Hello! I've been researching and researching this surgery since it first was introduced years ago. I've been overweight my whole life and have always been the cute fat girl (whether anyone said it or not). I'm in my late 20's and am sick of it. So I'm ready to have the surgery. I hit my highest weight, 210 at 5'3'' and wanted to throw up. I don't know of any other medical issues that I have because I've always been too scared to be tested for anything! Am I eligible? Also, I just started a new job and my insurance won't kick in until September- if it is even covered. I would like to at least try but honestly, at this point, I'll be self-pay if I need to. I've read what seems like every post on this board and just want to get started! Would someone give me a rundown of what the ENTIRE process is so I can get started? Also, if I want to attempt to go through insurance should I wait until I am fully covered?

BTW... even though I have read what seems like 64527456745 posts, can someone tell me what a "fill" is??

[PSJ71 0]

Hello! I've been researching and researching this surgery since it first was introduced years ago. I've been overweight my whole life and have always been the cute fat girl (whether anyone said it or not). I'm in my late 20's and am sick of it. So I'm ready to have the surgery. I hit my highest weight, 210 at 5'3'' and wanted to throw up. I don't know of any other medical issues that I have because I've always been too scared to be tested for anything! Am I eligible? Also, I just started a new job and my insurance won't kick in until September- if it is even covered. I would like to at least try but honestly, at this point, I'll be self-pay if I need to. I've read what seems like every post on this board and just want to get started! Would someone give me a rundown of what the ENTIRE process is so I can get started? Also, if I want to attempt to go through insurance should I wait until I am fully covered?

BTW... even though I have read what seems like 64527456745 posts, can someone tell me what a "fill" is??

Hi!

If you choose to self-pay everything would go much quicker. If you have a primary care physician, I would definitely speak to him/her about what you are wanting to do.

If you choose to go the insurance route (which is what I am doing), be prepared to go through a lot of "hoops" for them. I was lucky in that I really have no comorbidities other than obesity with a BMI of 47 and sleep apnea. It has taken since the time I visited with the bariatric coordinator in November until now to get my testing, following a 3-month supervised diet, and approval 7 to 8 months.

I would start with your primary care physician though. Good luck and do lots and lots of research!! Good luck to you and if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. This board is a great resource!

[PSJ71 0]

Hello! I've been researching and researching this surgery since it first was introduced years ago. I've been overweight my whole life and have always been the cute fat girl (whether anyone said it or not). I'm in my late 20's and am sick of it. So I'm ready to have the surgery. I hit my highest weight, 210 at 5'3'' and wanted to throw up. I don't know of any other medical issues that I have because I've always been too scared to be tested for anything! Am I eligible? Also, I just started a new job and my insurance won't kick in until September- if it is even covered. I would like to at least try but honestly, at this point, I'll be self-pay if I need to. I've read what seems like every post on this board and just want to get started! Would someone give me a rundown of what the ENTIRE process is so I can get started? Also, if I want to attempt to go through insurance should I wait until I am fully covered?

BTW... even though I have read what seems like 64527456745 posts, can someone tell me what a "fill" is??

I forgot to answer the question about a fill. A fill is when the physician injects saline into your port just under your skin that is attached to the band, in order to give you restriction.

[plain 12]

Ok, others might have a different take, but my idea of a good first step would be to call your new insurance company and see what (if anything) they cover in relation to weight loss surgery. If they cover a surgery (and heck, maybe they cover the bypass but not the band......every insurance is a little different, which is why you need to talk to them, even if you're not covered yet), they can tell you what (if any) prerequisites you need. You might discover that your insurance has a preferred doc, or you might discover that you'll need 6 months of a documented diet before you'll qualify. That's why nobody can really lay out a step-by-step procedure.......all insurances are different. Of course, if you self-pay, this stuff is rather streamlined, lol. So in my opinion, yes......wait until you are fully covered to do anything that actually costs money.

A "fill" is also what some call an "adjustment". Basically, it's when the doc puts in more saline to make the band a little tighter.

[ready_to_start 0]

Thanks for the help and support. I really appreciate it. Since this procedure is relatively new, does anyone know how long the "band" will be in place? Is this for an entire lifetime or will there be a point when it is no longer needed??

Also, can some people share their experiences with loose skin? My goal is to become bikini worthy! I can't do that if I have a ton of loose skin. I'm about 210 and 5'3"... do you think that will be a concern or is it mainly dependent on how quick I lose the weight?

THANKS GUYS!

[TopTier 0]

Everything I've been told is that this is a permanent solution, unless there are complications down the road, at which time it can be removed.

That's one of the things that makes me feel comfortable about it. If, for whatever reason, it doesn't work out, it can be removed and there is hopefully no permanent damage (or restructuring of my innards).