peacequeen

How long did it take to get the call after the seminar and turning in paperwork? Went to seminar Jan 4, turned in paperwork that night. Had issues with the insurance coordinator but straightened it out ,,still no call and I'm feeling very anxious and depressed. Am I overreacting?

Congrats and good luck to you!

Congrats! Hope all went well..prayers lifted for you!

Comments like this may not affect those who have already had the lapband surgery or who are in advanced stages of getting it done but those of us who are just beginning. It's very confusing when someone comes on here dogging the procedure that I'm thinking of having. It makes me feel nervous and question my choices. It makes me start scramming to find more information..looking for some fine print that tells me how bad it is what I'm trying to do. Not to mention, my doctor will not give me a referral for any other WLS due to my autoimmune disease, she feels it would be risky. So I only have one choice and she's making me question my one chance. So I was just wondering why someone would want to come on here and make even more sour remarks about the lapband, it only adds to what she's saying.. but of course sleevetalk is more positive, it appears they are coming here to lay out dirt to make the band sound bad. So I end up with self doubt and wondering if I should do this at all. By the way, I did a little searching into the sleeve and I've read plenty of negative in just the 1 hour reading. I think you're going to find good and bad if you look hard enough about all WLS. And after reading for 2 months, I've found that different procedures suit different individuals. I read that the sleeve is for people who have very large amounts of weight to lose. I need to lose 125, it's enough but I don't feel I'm in a chronic stage that I have to go drastic to have a very large portion of my stomach removed,,which is irreversible. I'm looking for something to aid me, to be my helper. I know I have to work too, the lapband would be my partner in crime. I really want this to be a happy and exciting journey for me but I'm getting fatter and very depressed. I want to come here and get motivated and plan my new life. I do that through the successes of others while waiting for my turn,,please people,,don't ruin it for some of us.

I'm sorry, I want to be nice but I've been struggling enough with my decision and what I need to do. I'm not sure I understand the purpose of your coming on LAPBANDTALK to tell us about you getting a sleeve?? Is it to convince us to get one instead of the band?

I attended my seminar on Jan 4. I turned in a packet and had told the nurse there that it wasn't complete, that I had to get my doctor's referral. She said, that is ok, just give us a call when you get it. So I got it..4 of them in writing. I called to pass on the info and the receptionist told me to leave a msg for the ins coordinator so I did and asked her to return my call. I didn't hear anything for a week so I called back,,the receptionist,,sounding a little frustrated said she would write the msg down and leave it on her desk, I told her I was sorry she had to go to that trouble, I just needed to turn in my info, she said no, don't feel bad..you deserve to hear something from her. She told me if I didn't hear from her within the next day to call back so I did. The ins coor. wasn't available..again. So they left another note for her. When I finally rec'd a return call from her..last Monday..she act like she was mad at me. She told me she was out of town and they should've told me that. She also said, "Oh, I sent your packet back to you because it was incomplete". I was like, you told me to call the info in when I got it and that's what I was trying to do. I told her I was never told she was out of town. Her tone changed and she said, well, I have a copy of your packet right here in front of me and well..I'll just take the info you have over the phone and turn it all back into the clinician. I asked her about all the paperwork I have, she's like,,well just bring it in when you come for your consult with the physician. I said, when will that be,,and she said in a couple days,,they will call. I still haven't heard anything. This is supposed to be the best in the state? I've been held up for a month. Should I be angry? Is this all normal?

Yay!!! I'm so excited for you! I think you'll find the seminar very educational and informative. Hopefully they will be able to answer any questions you may have afterwards! Good luck and keep me posted!

Morgandonar, I just realized you are from Ky...so am I! Check out Central Baptist in Lexington. You can sign up online for the seminar and you could register as a self pay to get in. I'm insured so I didn't really focus on self pay so not sure what the payments would be but there will be someone there to answer your questions. You aren't commiting to anything by just going to the seminar..and I didn't have my paperwork completed when I got there so I wouldn't stress about anything till you get some answers. With a bmi of 52, you shouldn't have any troubles qualifying. Dr. Weiss is very knowledgeble and they are rated up there as the best in the state. I was so impressed and relieved afterwards.

Maybe someone with medicare can shed some light. I currently have United Healthcare through my husband's work. I am disabled and qualify for Medicare 4/1/11. If I start the process now having UHC..meet with surgeon, all the pre-op stuff, etc..will medicare help pay for the actual surgery when that time comes? If the starting process is up to 6 months or possibly longer, I'd like to at least get started now. I've seen the seminar, filled out the pre qualifying forms, waiting on appt with surgeon,,haven't gotten a call yet? I've already called UHC and they will cover lapband 80% if I qualify,,bmi is 43, i have comorbidities and past 10+ years of all my weight documented by dr's and i have referral letters from 2 doctors and 2 other doctors willing to push it if I need them. I've heard medicare can make things difficult so I'm trying to decide if I shouldn't just wait till 4/1 to start any of this so I would have primary and secondary insurance. Without medicare it's still gonna cost about 3000.00 out of pocket costs. Just anxious to get this going!

Hi Kevin! I'm pretty new around here too. I'm sorry to hear of your troubles and prayers are lifted for you in hopes that the year will only get better. It sounds like you are on the right track. Keep us posted and good luck!

I'm disabled, I have a form of muscular distrophy called Myasthenia Gravis. I can't do anything high impact. This sounds crazy coming from a fat lady but I found a dance that I love..belly dancing. I bought Amira's dvd, the beginning level and she is amazing. The dance is actually designed for people who carry some weight. I'm not great at it yet but I really enjoy it. It's totally low impact and the it focuses on isolated movement. You think your not even working out but you'll feel it the next day.lol I'm not ready for the cute little costumes but look out!lol My niece does Zumba..she carries some weight but she's young and healthy..she loves it. She said it has really toned her butt and legs.

Thank you, I was able to load a photo! But not sure it loaded my "little profile pic" for the forum. This is one of the hardest websites to navigate!lol

I'm sorry, I haven't had surgery yet so I shouldn't give advice. I know there is a protein infused diet but I don't even know if we can have fruit based anything or soy milk.lol Disregard my comment. Good luck!

I signed up for the seminar online. The registration form asked if I had insurance but didn't ask anything beyond that. I downloaded the "other" forms and filled them out to take to the seminar but didn't have to, it stated they handed them out the night of the seminar and anyone could fill them out there or take them home to fill out if they wanted to. I turned mine in after the seminar was over. When I went to my seminar, they discussed self pay. I know you said you couldn't self pay but if you are considering paying high dollar for private insurance, you might think about self pay or at least talk to them at the seminar about it and what the payments would be. Are they making you turn all the forms in before you go to the seminar? You might talk to your HR lady but more than likely they will tell you they can't do anything. Most who I have heard that fight the insurance companies do that by hiring a lawyer or getting their physicians to send letters stressing how it is medically necessary for them to have the surgery. But those cases are usually people who's insurance pay but may reject a person for some reason. If your insurance doesn't cover bariatrics at all,,I don't think there is much you can do about that. If your parent would do that for you, that would be awesome. I think you can stay on a parent insurance till age 26 but I don't know the stipulations. Try to get to a seminar somehow and talk to someone in person. Don't give up till you've weighed every option. Good luck! I'll pray for you!

Are you lactose intolerant? If you are or if you just have a problem with milk products in general, you might try soy milk or fruit based shakes/smoothies.

I'm replying to myself in hopes this will repost, I still need help. Where and how do I post a profile photo? I checked in my profile and went to the gallery but I still can't figure it out. Thanks!

It seems since I've started this journey reading, educating myself, gathering all the info I need to get started towards getting the surgery,,I have started obsessing about food BIG TIME! More so than I ever have. I thought I would be so excited that I would stop that and start watching what I eat but I'm not and i'm gaining weight. I feel down and unmotivated. Has this happened to anyone else? If so, please tell me what you did to snap out of it!

I've been cruising around the site and can't figure out how to upload a profile photo or gallery photos. Help would be so appreciated..thanks! Karen

Thanks to all of you. I'm feeling better now. I actually re read what I posted and am a little embarrassed of my ranting tantrum. I went to the seminar tonight and the surgeon informed me I would be a good candidate despite an autoimmune diesease I suffer from so that was one hurdle. I then asked the nurse about the surgery I may be having and how long it would hold up lapband and she said it wouldn't be long, maybe a month..2nd hurdle. I was told that I had to go through a 6 month pre diet program, that my insurance required it. I found that odd because I called the insurance company prior to going to the seminar and was told what the criteria was and that was not mentioned..hmmm Oh well, guess I'll have to do what I have to do.

Sorry, no my husband is just going for support also. He does have some weight to lose though. We are both middle aged and it just isn't easy. I think he's hoping to gain some knowledge while at the seminar too. I posted a venting session.lol I'm feeling a little down today, I had a doctor's appt and may have to have surgery and this may postpone the lapband. Anyway, I'll stick around the site to keep learning about the band and watch others success that are inspiring me. Gives me hope.

I'm reading all the posts here and I am crying. I need this surgery so bad and everything for me always goes so wrong. I'm feeling lonely and sad, I feel confused. My emotions are a roller coaster right now and I'm not sure why. The past few years have been pure hell for me. I don't even know where I would begin. I came here to this site all excited, I dove right in to commenting and posting,,trying to make friends for support. Just thinking, I'm going to learn so much about lapband..I'm going to be so sure that this is the right thing to do since I've tried everything else under the sun for my entire life. So excited that finally after years of horrible health that I just might have a chance at being happy and healthy and feel good about myself, that I would show them all and start getting respect. It's bad enough that I have to resort to surgery to get healthy but I can't believe I've let myself get to this. I've been having some problems with my bowels, passing alot of blood so I had to go to my gastro today, looks like I may be having surgery again..yeah, not my first surgery. I've had several and it's caused alot of adhesions in my abdomen so it appears my bowels are being tangled by the scar tissue. I've been in alot of pain, passing blood, irregular bm's, nausea, heart burn. We talked about the lapband, he thinks it's definitely for me but thinks I need to take care of this surgery on my bowels so I'm sure it'll be a while for me now..again. I wanted the surgery earlier last year but was having problems, ended up with my gallbladder being taken out. How long do I have to wait? I haven't even made it to the seminar yet! Has anyone here had surgery for whatever reason but still able to go on with the lapband and if not, how long will I have to wait after a surgery? It will be pretty invasive. I know they will do a scope to check it out then they'll probably go into the same incision where I had my csection and my hysterectomy, disect my organs and remove all the adhesions they can. Oh gosh, I hate even thinking about it. I'm so upset and so disappointed. I'm sorry to go on so much. I'm having a big pity party I guess. Thanks for letting me have this blank space to just lay it all out there.

Yes! This is awesome to find someone else in the same stage. My husband and I are going to the seminar in Lexington, Ky on Jan 4th. Glad to meet you on here! Looking forward to hearing how you are progressing. Karen

Bless your hearts! I had heard of it, I realized when you spelled it all out there for me.lol Thanks for the information, I like to be educated : ) I hope the weight loss will help you be rid of PCOS! Victoria, congrats on your 27 lb loss,,that's awesome! I'll put you both in my prayers!

Kat, I had to take steroids too, I was already overweight,,,then an extra 57 lbs later and I'm checking out lapband. It threw me into an all time high and I remember the mood swings..oh how I don't miss prednisone.lol I have dropped 16 pounds but I'm still at 261 and have struggled so much since. I don't really have a problem getting the records of my weight history, that shouldn't be a problem. I'm more than 100 pounds overweight now, I also qualify due to co morbidities but I have myasthenia gravis, it's a rare autoimmune disease, I don't know if it will be a hurdle for me or not. I am disabled, I have UHC right now and will be getting medicare in April, should I wait and have the secondary or does medicare make you jump through hoops too? I'd almost rather pay some out of pocket than put up with the insurance company headaches. Thank you all very much for your advice and comments. I think I need to get a journal started.lol It's kind of nerve racking to think about it all. I think writing everything down and keeping good records is a very good idea..thanks again!

Good for you.. that's an awesome accomplishment! Congrats!