Jonna

Best of luck to you!! Keep us posted on your progress! I start my liquid diet tomorrow, then my surgery is on the 27th.

Hey there, Great to hear someone else used Dr. Brebia, he seems like a great doctor. I'm getting really excited to have my surgery on the 27th. We'll have to keep up with each other! Take care!

I know how you felt, I was very nervous about telling my husband. I was afraid he would say "do it like everyone else does". But he has been so supportive and comes home just about everyday with new information from others who know people who have had it done. I told him that the main reason I was having it done was for myself, but a lot of it is for us!! I really feel it will help grow our relationship stronger if I were more confident in myself. My husband isn't thin, but far from being heavy and I think to myself sometimes why does he want to be with a fat person like me. He's told me before, he didn't care if I weighed 500lbs that he would still be with me because he loves ME. He's not a very affectionate person, as I am but I truly feel this will help all the way around.

Thanks everyone!! Looks like you've all done really well, I just hope I will as well!! Best of luck to you all!

My doctor has suggested I eat a Protein bar if I start to feel real hungry during my 10day pre diet, which I start on May 18th. Can anyone suggest which are the best? Also, I'm losing my excitement I guess because its been such a long waiting game. Has anyone else gone through that? Thanks everyone!

Best of luck to you!! We'll have to keep each other posted of our progress and challenges.

I have Coventry of Delaware! I can tell you that they don't cover the Lapband, however I was able to get in under a loop hole. I work in Maryland and in July 2009, Maryland past a law that all Insurance companies MUST cover the Lapband surgery. Even though I live in Delaware, my insurance is covering it because I work in Maryland and the policy was signed in Maryland. You may want to just call your insurance commissioner in MO and ask if this is true there. Best of luck to you!!

Went to my last surgeon appointment and finally got my surgery date..................May 27th will begin my new life and boy am I ready!! I very excited, but nervous all the same.

That's awesome!! You should be down almost a dress size now LOL!! Just remember, if you lose it to fast its going to be tough to keep toned and you'll end up with the saggy skin. I should have my surgery sometime toward the end of the month, I hope! Just be a little patient and trust in yourself, family and friends for support!! Best of luck and keep up the good work!

Yup, I had to do a stress test. However, I didn't have to do the treadmill because I have a bad knee. They have to get your heart up to a certain number of beats per minute and make sure all the muscles around the heart work properly. This tells them if there are any possible blockages. Nothing to be concerned with! I'm sure everything will be just fine. Your EKG was probably off because you were getting irritated at the doctor LOL! Good luck to you!

I'm so sorry so many people do not have support from loved ones, when this is one of the biggest decisions you can ever make for yourself. Yes, this is for yourself and NO ONE else!! I have been fortunate and have support from everyone I've told or maybe their just being nice. Whatever the case, I could care less what they think because I'm doing this for me, myself and I!!! Please don't let anyone tell you what is right for you, you are the only one that knows that. Trust in God with your decision and no one else!! Take care and best of luck to everyone!!

Phew, it would be a bad day if my husband was to do that! I have to say, my husband could care less if I cook or not. He always tells me, he can always find something to eat. He is super good about that and will eat anything I make except Kidney beans, he really doesn't like them at all and I love them.

Congrats to you!! I'm looking forward to being banded, probably in May. Best of luck!

WOW, congrats to you!! That is awesome! I'm in a 22/24 now and can't wait to get in a size 14!

My insurance company required 6 months, but it was basically going to the Nutritionist class once a month. My first visit counted when I went to see the Nutritionist, then had class for 4 months and my last surgeon visit will count as my last months class. Good Luck to you!! It really does go by really fast!

Thanks so much for sharing your story!! Awesome job, I am about the size you were when you started and can't wait to get my last approval. I'm hoping to have surgery in May.

I had to laugh at the "fat lazy wls chick" LOL!! I'm fortunate or should I say they are fortunate that I haven't had anyone negative thoughts about my surgery. If they do, I will have plenty to say!! Although, I'm sure there is probably plenty said behind my back and as long as I don't hear it they're safe LOL!! This is our decision and our life and NO ONE has the right to judge us! I am 41 years old and have been fighting my weight my entire life. When I was in my early 20's I lost about 125lbs and thought I was the sh--!! However, it came back quicker than it went and I haven't been able to get it down again. I wish you nothing but the best and don't let anyone make you think, you made the wrong decision for yourself!

My first mistake was not letting the surgeon get me an appointment with the pulmonary doctor and using one closer to where I live!! The appointment was made in November and the soonest they could get me in was March 31st!! That was the last clearance I needed and was expecting be an April Bandster, but now because of all the tests he wants to do looks like it will be May! I was suppose to go tomorrow to get my surgery date, but because I haven't got clearance from the lung doctor, they said to cancel and reschedule for the first week of May. I know I've waited for 6 months, but was so looking forward to my doctor visit tomorrow and getting that surgery date. I just hope the next month goes by as quickly as the last 6 months.

I had my Lung doctor appointment last Thursday and he said he wanted to do several tests. He said he wasn't going to do a sleep apnea test, until after the surgery but was going to recommend they put me on the c-pap machine when they pull the ventilator tube out. I have to go for several breathing tests on the 18th. I understand they are being very cautious, but I don't understand the whole c-pap and why they would put me on that. I don't have any breathing problems now and just thought it was kind of weird.

Welcome! I'm pretty new myself, but have found a lot of great information on the sight and a lot of support! I had to go through the same nutritional classes for 6 months, well actually just 4 months. The first visit was a one on one and the last visit with my surgeon counts as the last month. I also had to have a psych evaluation, clearance from a heart doctor and lung doctor. Best of luck to you! Teagirl is right, it really does go by really fast. I think the longest has been this past month.

I went to my Psych evaluation was in November and I haven't seen a bill yet. I believe she and the surgeon are in together and the whole thing is kind of in together. I haven't even seen a bill from my first visit to the surgeon, which was November 9th.

I called my insurance company just to make sure they would cover it, then the doctors office called them and told me exactly what the steps were I had to take. Yes, once I have all the clearances they will submit everything to get final approval from Coventry. Its just the process they take, to ensure all the doctors say you are a candidate for the surgery and are healthy enough to handle it. Apparently, even Medicare requires the facilities to be a "Center of Excellence" and so does Coventry. It just means they've done a certain number of surgeries to acquire that title. I will tell you that I started this process back in late October and as you can see I'm still going through it, so if this is something you really think you want to do I would consider starting it now. Have you been to a seminar yet?

104lbs, you should be so proud of yourself! That is a huge accomplishment. I should have my surgery next month and can hardly wait to start my new life. Good Luck and continued success to you!

Thanks everyone! Had my follow up visit yesterday with the cardiologist and everyone was so nice that I couldn't bring myself to say anything, I'm going to just say she was having a real bad day and hopefully she took all her frustrations out on me instead of someone that was really sick. Needless to say, I past and clearance has been given!! Woo hoo!! Now, just need to get clearance from the Lung doctor and I should be on my way to get my surgery date!

Thanks for this information, I just ordered some to try it!