Esther54

After receiving all but the last medical clearance from my doctors and having been attending my bariatric group appointments and going to support group for almost 2 months, NOW my insurance company informs me that before I can have a surgery consult and have a surgery date set I must go on the pre-surgery diet and go for monthly dietician and psychiatrist appointments for the next 4 months (total of 6)! At my first visit to the office I was told that I might want to try to GAIN 10 lbs, I suppose to please the insurance company and convince them of medical necessity--despite the fact that I had a 35.5 BMI and have sleep apnea. At the next visit, however, I was told to start the pre-surgery diet (two shakes, one small snack and 3 oz Protein, 3 oz veggie and small salad for dinner. From having been on Medifast, I can remember starving all day with the shakes for Breakfast and lunch and would have a headache by late afternoon. I can't believe that you have to fight your willpower and appetite for 4-6 months prior to surgery just so that you will be ready for surgery and know how to eat right. So I went crazy and ate tons of junk food for the past 3 weeks, only gaining maybe 3 lbs. Not to mention at this point I was feeling discouraged anyway and went on a major binge after the call today when I heard the discouraging news. I really hoped I could have this surgery in the winter and be well on my journey by the time I have to fly from NJ to NC to spend a few weeks with my daughter after the birth of my grandson (first grandchild for me!) in early April. I'm 57 years old and I am more than ready for the lap-band. Will I be able perhaps to go for frequent checkups after surgery at Duke, assuming I'll have been banded about a month before? Will have to ask my bariatric group. UGH!!!

The best thing about lap-band is that if you want to reverse it further down the road, this is a viable option. I would go for the surgery and gain the confidence that you can keep the weight off for years after surgery. I have heard from too many people that getting the lap-band was the best decision they ever made, that it was less risky than staying obese.

Anyone else who did binge-eating and making every bad food choice possible prior to starting (and delaying starting) the pre-op diet? I feel disgusting and actually am getting turned off to the sweets and junk. What predicated the bingeing in recent weeks was my bariatric group telling me I might want to GAIN 10 lbs prior to surgery (to be over 200 lbs)---really crazy. Was this just to increase my medical necessity in the eyes of the insurance company?

Esther54: I can't wait to be able to see not only my feet but my crotch again! To see hip bones! To not have to wear maternity pants and shorts to be comfortable. To wear belts and tuck my shirt into my non-stretchy jeans! To have young guys wink and smile at me at red lights or crossing the street in front of my car. To be able to run, not strain to take off or put on socks and shoses. To get rid of my granny panties and wear the cute tiny ones again. To regain my balance and do yoga again. To wear youthful bathing suits again. To feel truly sexy and foxy again. To not live to eat but eat to live. To not use food when I'm bored, procrastinating, upset or feeling unloved. To be able to breathe easier, to bend at the waist without painful constriction. To be able to twist to the side without getting muscle spasms. To regain my confidence and rid myself of weight-related health problems. To reduce my risk of breast cancer recurrence. To be able to dress more youthfully and fashionably. To be able to get up from a crouching position or up from the floor without assistance and without getting stuck. To reduce hip, feet and knee pain, sciatica. To turn heads again. To extend my life, for I have a lot of living left to do as artist, writer, mother and soon-to-be grandmother. To have more energy. To be the slim person again who I was most of my life. To be satisfied with eating less and making better food choices. To be able to wear bras that don't hurt or bind. To be rid of rashes in the skin folds and chafing. No more thighs rubbing together! To have a waistline again!

This was the second Center of Excellence I've been to, after the first one took my insurance copay upfront and I had my introductory meeting with the surgeon--then I got a call when I got home, it was the office saying that they're not providers for my insurance. There are no other Centers of Excellence in my region. Tri-State Bariatrics came highly recommended to me by a close acquaintance, who got banded Aug 31 and is doing fabulously, no complications either. She has been very supportive and informative, otherwise I may have been convinced to look out of my area for a new surgical group. I hope to remain positive about future outcomes and take what I want from the doctor's statements and ignore the rest. The support groups at his center overflow with glowing success stories, so I will try to remain hopeful about losing 65-70 lbs by next summer and will be devoted to changing my lifestyle. Mind over matter, I guess. I am really desperate and determined to do what it takes to lose the weight, using lap band as a tool.

Hi Everyone! I don't have a surgery date set yet, waiting for approval and clearances but I've attended a couple of my bariatric group's support group meetings and met with the friendly staff. Did my blood work and had the first upper GI. I've been mostly thin all my life till breast cancer treatment and surgery in 2003, after which I've gained almost 10 lbs each year. Ideally I'd like to lose 70 lbs, but my doctor says it's unrealistic and I can expect to lose about 35 after banding. I'm also a little concerned because he declares a 25% post-op complication rate. I am eager for reassurance, support and to hear success stories from this group, particularly from those who have (from the outset) less than 100 pounds to lose. Thanks!

Hi Everyone! I don't have a surgery date set yet, waiting for approval and clearances but I've attended a couple of my bariatric group's support group meetings and met with the friendly staff. Did my blood work and had the first upper GI. I've been mostly thin all my life till breast cancer treatment and surgery in 2003, after which I've gained almost 10 lbs each year. Ideally I'd like to lose 70 lbs, but my doctor says it's unrealistic and I can expect to lose about 35 after banding. I'm also a little concerned because he declares a 25% post-op complication rate. I am eager for reassurance, support and to hear success stories from this group, particularly from those who have (from the outset) less than 100 pounds to lose. Thanks!