DetroitJenny9701

Thank's to you I found a wonderful Doctor. Scary that people can be treated like a number. I am glad that you have moved on and got yourself a good Doctor Good Luck !!!!

Thanks Yeah I ended up choosing Dr. Keith Norton Marshall.

I am excited to get my process on the way. I am hoping to have

my surgery by July or August. I just started my healthy weight loss coach

call and have my appointment with the dietician schedules. My Seminar

is on Monday So excited. My Insurance requires that you have to

be 18years old, have a psych evaluation ,6 months recorded diet and

that's it. I am sure there will be things that the surgeon will want me to

have done for hi knowledge. Other than that excited for a new me.

Thanks Jen

I 'interviewed' a lot of doctors before picking mine. I also went online and did a search on each doctor. I found a medical related site where people could leave feedback on their surgeons and the followup care. I ended up choosing Barix, a bariatric treatment clinic, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. My surgeon was Dr. Nunn and I've been very very pleased with my followup care. They only do fills one day of the week, but I've called the day before and they were able to get me in for a fill or unfill. They are very supportive and non-judgmental about how slow I've been losing (about a pound a week).

The main reasons I chose them had to do with their pre-surgical requirements. Most of the other surgeons had presurgical requirements that included a required 6 month supervised diet, a weight loss of at least 20% of my excess weight, weekly visits to their nutritionist, a 30 day presurgery liquid diet and a host of other stuff that my insurance company didn't require. With Barix, I went to the seminar and 6 weeks later I had my surgery.

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Glad to here that you surgery was pretty easy. Just make sure you take it easy and drink lots of liquids. Today was a good day Good night!!! Look forward to your post .

So I was wheeled into surgery just after 7am and I woke up in recovery just after 8am. By 9am I was in the car coming home. The post-op pain that I've got right now is really better than I was afraid it could have been and I'm doing really well considering I've only been home a few hours. Definitely glad that I didn't let my nerves get the best of me. From what I've seen so far this recovery isn't going to be that bad at all.

Thanks for all the wonderful info 6 months does seem like along time! I am sure your right..that it will go by fast. I cant wait to get my dates in order and have something to look forward to.Good luck to you and your journey!!! Have you done all the blood work and stuff? keep in contact I would love to see how your doing when you start to go through pre op and post op. Chat Later Jen

I met with my surgeron and scheduled my surgery for May 11, 2011. Starting Dec I have had to see the nutritionist once a month until April. They have us in a group and they just go over healthy eating. You also look at how to read nutrition labels. They have discussed changing eating habits now and eating habits after the band. You try to set goals for yourself now. For example, working out 3 times a week, taking a multivitamin, and chewing your food fully. It really helps seeing the nutritionist and the 6 months fly by. In the beginning it felt like it was going to take forever, but now i'm less than 3 mothns away.

So sorry to here your new's I know it must be upsetting to find that out after getting your hopes up. Try to focus on a better you! Sorry about the INS Good luck with your weight loss journey.Keep your head up I know it must be hard. Love Jen

So I have considered WLS and banding for many years now. I finally decided to get serious about it and spoke with my family Dr. He was all for it and told me that he believed my insurance covered it. I was ecstatic. I have researched everything there is to know about WLS, the bariatric surgeon was even impressed. I've been to a seminar and group support meetings and everything keeps telling me that this procedure is my answer to a better life. Well I spoke with my insurance about it and I come to find out that Regence doesn't cover it. I am so heartbroken. I haven't cried this much since my son was in the NICU for six weeks. My family doesn't understand why I am so horribly sad. They are all obese as well. This is killing me. I don't want to have all of the health problems and die when I'm 40.

Hi there My name is Jennifer I am 31 years old and I am married and have three kids.I have been in the same boat with you about dieting.It's very exciting to here that our insurance will cover a procedure like this.The only criteria my insurance requires is that I have to be 18 years old, Have a BMI at 40 which I am 41,have to have a phyc evaluation,and 6 months of nutrition via telephone. I go to my seminar on Monday so I am excited about that.After that she said that a nurse coordinator will contact me and set me up with the rest of my appointments. It sounds like you and I might be banded around the same time I am keeping my journey quiet for a few reason's so other than my husband this will be my support on here. Good luck with your journey and I look forward to seeing your post. Have a great day.

I've been lurking for a while now. In fact, I was on here in 2008 as well. At the time I checking into getting banded by December of 2008, but my parents insurance ran out 1 month too early and my new insurance didn't cover lap band procedures. So, I am now at a full-time job that I love and just found out (don't know why I waited this long) that we cover it with strict criteria to meet over a 6 month period: BMI over 40 (mine is like 47), 6 months of documented nutrtional counseling, ect ect. I am going for my 2nd consult (had one back in 2008) this coming Thursday, Feb. 24th at 3pm. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. I have done my patient info page, 4 day food/activity journal. If all goes well in the next 6 months, I could be banded by August/September of this year.

General info: 26 years old, female of 284 lbs (recently gained 10 lbs). Been maintaining this weight for about 5 years. Had all tests known to man to make sure it's not my thyroid/ect. and in fact, my GP checks it every year just to see. I try so hard to be healthy, but I honestly do not understand nutrition to the extent I probably should. I often get VERY overwhelmed with all the information I find or all that I'm given. I workout at the gym 4-5 days a week for atleast 33 mins (elliptical), usually do free weights (legs, arms), also take a class here and there (fave: zumba) and walk on occasion and would LOVE to get into running at some point.

Highest weight as adult: 284

Lowest weight as adult (as far as I can remember): 220 (2003, I was 18)

I've tried Atkins, low cal, low fat, cut this, cut that. Nothing sticks. I need help. I'm hoping with a bit of help I will succeed.

Blog: http://onlybrightstar.blogspot.com/

Will def. keep updating as the process moves.

Great Thank you !!! I think Saginaw is alittle to far for me I live 20 minutes South East of Detroit. I found a Doctor he's about an hour away from my house but the man has 21 years experince and has alot of great reviews. I am going to attend his seminar Monday. Wish me luck I cant wait to start my process and get things going. Thanks Again Jen

Dr. Chad Ringley in Saginaw Michigan is fabulous! His staff, and both pre and post op care is magnificent. He is with the Mid Michigan Surgical Group. 989.790.3268 , ask to speak with Kelley for a free seminar. Good luck!

Thanks everyone I have united health and they require you to go through Optum health. I have to use a Dr in my net work. I have to go through either Henry Ford Hospital Downtown or Macomb County hospital. After a little research I am choosing to go meet Dr.Keith.Norton.Marshall. He has been doing these surgerys for 21 year's. I have read his reviews and sounds like he has alot of good reviews. How many surgeon's did you all go through before picking "The One" ?

Depends where u live. I went through dr. Matthew weiner out of DMC. He's a center of excellence surgeon, great pre and post op care and guidance! Highly recommend

I am going through the processes of starting the lap band process. I need to find a good surgeon. Help Please!!!!

I am glad you have a good attitude about it.! We don't expect people to agree with what we are doing but to be sensitive to our choice. Most of the people that make those kinds of remarks have no idea how it works. They will continue to say what they want to say just keep your head up and you will be shining soon. This is not the easy way out. Just because it didn't work for someone else doesn't mean that it wont work for you. March 8th will be here before you know it!!! Congrats and I look forward to seeing your post and progress. Add me to your friends so I can follow your journey I am just starting out on mine. March 8th the case manager calls me and discusses the plan with me. Then on March 25th I go for my group consult...after that I need my appt with the surgeon. My insurance requires that I have to do a 6 month nutrition via phone.They said my surgery would be late July or in August. I was thinking August because that is 6 moths. I am married and have three kids. The reason why I am doing this is number one to be healthy and to rid myself from pre diabetic. Also my Brother died on Mothers day May 10th 2009 he had a heart attack. My Brother was 34 years healthy and fit and also a Fireman. Loosing him was a major eye opener to get my but in gear. I am choosing to no tell anyone because I don't want my parents to worry . they have been through too much and I dont want them to worry about me. I cant tell my husband side there wouldn't understand and make remarks. So I am saving myself the trouble and not saying a word. My husband is extremely supportive and will be there on the important day's. Belive me I wish I could tell people but it's kinda like being over weight and getting critized all the time. Just how they said you ate too much!!! That is just wrong. We know when we have this surgery that we cant go back to our old ways. Listen to you heart and do what it tells you to do.I am excited to here from you when you rocking that band and people have there foot in there mouth lol. Good luck and best wishes. Thanks Jen

I am glad you have a good attitude about it.! We don't expect people to agree with what we are doing but to be sensitive to our choice. Most of the people that make those kinds of remarks have no idea how it works. They will continue to say what they want to say just keep your head up and you will be shining soon. This is not the easy way out. Just because it didn't work for someone else doesn't mean that it wont work for you. March 8th will be here before you know it!!! Congrats and I look forward to seeing your post and progress. Add me to your friends so I can follow your journey I am just starting out on mine. March 8th the case manager calls me and discusses the plan with me. Then on March 25th I go for my group consult...after that I need my appt with the surgeon. My insurance requires that I have to do a 6 month nutrition via phone.They said my surgery would be late July or in August. I was thinking August because that is 6 moths. I am married and have three kids. The reason why I am doing this is number one to be healthy and to rid myself from pre diabetic. Also my Brother died on Mothers day May 10th 2009 he had a heart attack. My Brother was 34 years healthy and fit and also a Fireman. Loosing him was a major eye opener to get my but in gear. I am choosing to no tell anyone because I don't want my parents to worry . they have been through too much and I dont want them to worry about me. I cant tell my husband side there wouldn't understand and make remarks. So I am saving myself the trouble and not saying a word. My husband is extremely supportive and will be there on the important day's. Belive me I wish I could tell people but it's kinda like being over weight and getting critized all the time. Just how they said you ate too much!!! That is just wrong. We know when we have this surgery that we cant go back to our old ways. Listen to you heart and do what it tells you to do.I am excited to here from you when you rocking that band and people have there foot in there mouth lol. Good luck and best wishes. Thanks Jen

I have told basically everyone that I am getting banded and only a few people support my decision. My supervisor said, "You eat too much! Hopefully that band won't bust!" She went on to say that I will gain double the weight back that I lose and my stomach will hang to my knees...blah blah blah. FYI: she's fat! I can use the word "fat" because I fall under the category....lol. Another friend of mine thinks that I won't lose weight with the band because she didn't. She says I will be mad at myself later.

I LOVE the negative feedback!!!! I LOVE proving people wrong!!! My lap band surgery is on March 8th! I will be successful in this journey! I'm not worried about the people who say I can't make it or don't believe in me! This is something I am doing for myself and for my children. I believe this procedure is perfect for me and I believe I will be a success story! I know that because I found this website and there are plenty of people on here who are a success story! Can't WAIT until March 8th!!!!

Get well tell you hubby to leave your port alone lol. Hope that the procedure is quick and easy for you. Get well

the only strainous thing i did was sex and it ripped my stitches. my doctor stabbed my 3 times fishing for it and can't find it now i have to wait for a call and go into the hospital to have the locate it and reattach it. has anyone had to do this? he said that i go home after a hour i dont know how they do it.

Very true glad we have modern medicine to help us along the way. Just glad that I can still proceed with my journey.

Better to be safe than sorry. It was an eye opener for me. I don't want to be on mes for the rest of my life. Looking forward to a healthier me Thanks for your input I appericate it very much Thanks Jenny

I think they want to make sure there isn't another reason you overweight, some other health problem causing it.

Thank you for your reply Yeah def keep in mind when my pre op come's. I loose weight extremly slow ...so frustrating!!! I cant wait for my day to be here but i have awhile. Thank you for your great advice. Good luck on your journey