Stargurrl*

Thanks! I'm doing slim fast right now to get to where I need to be to schedule the surgery....seems to be working but we all know losing is easy its just keeping it off. : )

I know how you feel...I was almost a pack a day but I want this sooo bad and to tell u the truth I was shoving everything in my mouth instead of smoking so it wasn't the hard to quit.

Thank you!

Thanks Stacy...a little nervous tho...had to lose 10 lbs and quit smoking I hope the numbers are where they need to be...I'm sure working hard but it seems the scale doesn't move aaahhhh! Ill keep you all posted : )

Congrats all of u! I go January 25 to schedule my date : )

Thanks everyone! Today was one week exactly. I have horizon nj direct

*for*

So I got word from my surgeons office this morning that my insurance approved the surgery!!! Yay!! I go the 25th foe pre-op appt and schedule my surgery. I'm so excited, nervous, worried....ahhhh I can't wait!

Good Luck!!!

Okay so I'm waiting for insurance approval....one of my conditions was to quit smoking, which I did....its been a month now and I put on 13 lbs ontop of the ten I was supposed to lose before my last consult with surgeon and scheduling surgey. I'm freaking out! Anybody else have such a hard time losing pre op weigh right after quitting??? : (

I have Horizon Nj direct. Yeah that sounds like it would be pretty rough...most docs have a pre op diet too. Not sure but another girl on this thread just had hers done like a month ago and she said it was only 24 hours liquid only diet with nothing after midnite...don't quote me tho...hopefully ill find out soon for myself. Other docs have liquid diet 2 weeks prior!!! : / Jamie

My insurance didn't require any time frame...just had to get all the testing and the two evals. When you go to the consult he'll give u a packet with a checklist as front page it tells u everything that needs to be done for him. I think in this thread I wrote down everything from the checklist....if not, anything u wanna know...just ask id be happy to let you know if I can. I got all my testing done and it was submitted to insurance 1/5/11 they say no more than two weeks to get an answer. And if and when they approve me I make appt to see dr. Goldstein and schedule the surgery : ) oh and don't get overwhelmed when u see the checklist. I was done everything in under 30 days...I had my mind made up! Good luck

Allygator thanks so much for the info...you took the words out of my mouth...my eating controls everyday of my life and I'm done trying on my own. After so many years of diet and exercise to no avail I am going for it as well! Just waiting for ins approval now CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

lgw I hear what you're saying but I personally know a handful of people who all had lap band and the only ones that had complications didn't follow the directions of their surgeon and thought the band was a magic fix eating things like fast food and all bs...then sure ur going to get sick constantly and then your band can slip etc... Basically I'm going to go into this with a positive outlook and believe that I will control what happens to me with the band. Good luck with your weightloss however you approach it.... : )

Hummingbird....awesome post! I completely agree with you. I knew my weight was causing me problems but I had no idea I had high bp, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and my body fat percentage is 45%!!! I know the lap band is what I need to change and I'm going to follow the directions of my surgeon and pray for the best : )

I found out about a year ago that I have one (1) mutation of factor five leiden in my blood after suffering from a superficial blood clot in my left calf, at the time I was smoking about a pack a day and on the birth control pill Yasmin. Anyone been banded with the condition?? Any complications?? Thanks

Congrats! I would say keep a notebook around until then and write down everything you want to know. I didn't do that and went completely blank when the doc walked in....I was so mad at myself. I'm waiting for approval now...fingers crossed : ) good luck

Daelynn...funny you ask...I just had an appt with the nutritionist Kelly Burgess today she is great! My insurance covers me for 3 visits a year with her and I just paid my co pay. As for the pysch consult with dr. Deibler 499 flat fee and my insurance reimburses me for 80% after I submit receipts. That's it. Let me know if you need anymore details. I'm waiting for Eva, Dr. Goldsteins scheduler to call me with the inssurance approval hopefully...fingers crossed : )

Thanks so much for the replys...and no offense on the age I was just wondering for the long term with lap band. My surgeon answered a question @ the seminar I went to about the band lasting throughout the years, he said the lap band is so durable by the time u pass on...years down the line the lap band will still be intact. I know that's kind of dramatic but I'm not looking forward to having to get a new one every 15 years or so. I turn 30 next year and my weight has been holding me back for as long as I can remember. I finally found the love of my life : ) we been together almost 2 years and he loves me @ 300 lbs. And supports my decision to get the band. I don't want to be a fat on my wedding day, and I sure don't want to be the mom on the sidelines who can't keep up with her kids. I really think the lap band is going to be the tool I need to get healthy : )

Oh and 5 year weight loss history chart and proof of non surgical attempts @ weight loss...I made copies of old weightwatchers weigh in booklet, they said that was fine....

Hey Stacey I went to my initial consult with the sugeon on 11/23 and had all my testing completed by 12/22....primary doc appt, eval and letter of support, psych eval, nutrition eval, cardiologist clearance, pulmonologist clearance, sleep study, barium swallow, chest x ray, and I had to quit smoking. I was so determined to get everything done before new years. My paperwork was submitted today to insurance and I was told a few days to two weeks for approval. I hope this helps...good luck Jamie

I am going thru the process now (waiting for ins. approval) and I was just wondering if any longtime lapbanders would be interested in giving their opinion on the decision to be banded....whether its positive or negative. I guess I'm just having a hard time imagining being 50, 60, 70 with the lap band. Any feedback is appreciated : )

I live in New Jersey. I don't know about ulcers but the barium swallow I believe was to rule out a hiatel hernia and make sure you can swallow properly. It does sound like alot but honestly I did it all in under a month I was determined to get it done. I went to one seminar and liked the surgeon so much I made an consult right after the seminar. Have you looked in to your surgeon? When I first joined I made a topic just asking who had experience with my doctor and alot of people replied. Where are you from?

I can relate my surgeons office is submitting my paperwork to the insurance company Jan. 3 all tests are done...finally! And I had to quit smoking...I'm two and a half weeks smoke free but eating everything in my path. Can't wait to get approved and get a date! The longer it takes the more I second guess myself and think maybe I'll try one more diet...but I know this is what I need to do to lose my 100+ lbs. We can do it..... Jamie

hey I don't have a date yet I'm waiting for insurance approval but I had to get a whole load of tests done. lets see...barium swallow, psych eval, diet eval, cardiac clearance, pulmonary clearance, sleep apnea test, chest x ray, primary doc letter of support and quit smoking.