justathing2me

I had my first visit with my PCP today since making the decision to have lap band surgery. It was for a routine physical which I really didn't think I needed considering all the extensive testing I've had in the last couple months, but I figured it would be good for me to see her to discuss my surgery and such. Well it turns out the comorbidities are multiplying, I'm now borderline diabetic and the home sleep apnea test suggests sleep apnea, so I will have to do an overnight study. My liver enzymes are slightly elevated due to obesity and fatty liver and I'm deficient in a bunch of minerals. On the bright side my urine test was negative, whoo hoo! My question is, she asked me during my visit if I wanted to take medication for weight loss (metformin) and I told her no, because I'm trying to get away from medications ( I also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol). She also informed me that I may or may not get rid of this medication once I lose the weight and of course she said she wasn't trying to "talk me out of" my surgery. Needless to say, this appointment has me all worked up! When I left there, I headed straight for the gym! So I wanted to find out what the experiences have been here. Were you able to stop taking your medications? Have you ever taken metformin for weight loss?

Congrats!!

Fingers crossed! Good luck!

*can't

Same thing here! I press "more reply options" and then it let's me post from there, but I've noticed that I quote anyone either.

Good for you loreebyrd! I have told my friends, family and several co-workers. I'm not ashamed of doing what is right for me! One of my co-workers said to me "Oh, you're still going to do that?" and one of my friends spoke up and said "If you knew her, than you would know that once she sets her mind to something, she's doing it!" It's that comment that has stuck with me and it will after surgery. This is my decision and I know it is the right choice for me.

That's great Mis73, I'm hoping I have the same results...never vomit and can still eat anything within reason as long as it's thoroughly chewed. Although, I am realistic, I've read here that is not the case with everyone. I have gone through all my testing and am now just continuing my monthly physician visits (my insurance requires 6 months). I hope to be banded and have a tentative date scheduled for the end of July (Can't wait!!). Good luck chrishalas on your journey!

Hello there! Good Luck!

I finished mine too! Other than going to see my Dr. once a month until my 6 months (insurance requirement) is up, I'm done with the testing part. It was very extensive! Upper GI, chest Xray, abdominal ultrasound, pelvic ultrasound, 2 psych visits, pulmonary consult, pulmonary function test, cardiac consult, nuclear stress test, ekg, echo, lab tests, and a nutritional consult. I still have a one more nutrition visit and a pre op class but my surgery is tentatively scheduled for the end of July.

Congrats!

My doctor's office called my insurance company (Connecticare) and basically I will need to have a Bmi over 35 at the time they submit for approval. They do not submit your original weight, so basically I can not lose more than 20lbs before my surgery is approved.

I emailed my Dr. and his response was that it shouldn't be a problem but he doesn't know. They are going to contact my insurance company to find out. I find it a little strange that I would be the first person to ask this question.

Wonderful news!

Wonderful news!

Good Luck!!

I'm now waiting to hear back from my Drs. office. The medical assistant doesn't know the answer and said she would get back to me. I'm hoping that they go with your original weight too.

I've been searching the forum and couldn't find an answer to this but what if you drop under the required BMI before surgery? I began my journey last month and have finished all of my testing for surgery. My insurance requires that I have a BMI over 35 instead of 40, because I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. My insurance also requires 6 months of visits to my doctor. At my first visit with my surgeon on Feb 20th my BMI was 39.1 and I weighed 235. I now weigh 228 and my BMI is 37.9, losing 5lbs just this past week! My surgery isn't until the end of July and according to the BMI calculator, if I lose 20lbs, my BMI will be under the requirement. Again, losing any weight is a positive thing but I still think I need the lap band to reach my goal. Has this happened to anyone else? What did you do?

Hello, my name is Holly and I have finally started my journey today! I had my first surgical consult on 2/20 but it seems official today after all of my radiology tests. Today I had my chest x-ray, upper GI series, abdominal and pelvic ultrasounds! I feel like I should be done but this is only the beginning. I scheduled all of my tests rather quickly as my surgeon suggested. Do most people just get all of their consults and tests out of the way? I still have all of my consults to do, psych and pulmonary consults are at the end of the week and the rest are in the month of March. In order to obtain approval from my insurance company I need to have 6 months of appointments with my Dr. in addtion to the consults and tests so I'm hoping to have my surgery in July or August, can't wait! I'm glad I found this forum, it seems like a great place for any questions I may have along the way.