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I guess I had my facts right...Aetna PPO Open Access approved me the first time around. And on my last weigh in, I actually lost a few pounds (not on purpose)...201lbs, 36.8BMI with HBP. Surgery with Dr. George Fielding is this Friday, June 14, 2013 @ NYU Langone Medical Center.

My surgeon, Dr. George Fielding tells us over and over again...to be patient, follow the post op eating plan and just heal...three months is not much time compared to how long we have worried about our weight/health and no time at all compared to a life time of a healthy and active lifestyle (I am typing this out more as an exercise for myself so I can read it later as a reminder when I am doubting his words)!! He's very good, but very casual and laid back, so when he does give advice I try to trust that he just might know what the heck he is talking about (pretty sure he does...he had the Lap Band himself 13 years ago). His other big piece of advice when you can eat...eat what you like, eat what you can tolerate, but just eat as slow as you can.

I have a low BMI, I have no intentions of losing 100lbs or more....having a stroke is just as drastic as any surgery or lifestyle change you can put me through.

From the Lap Band website: Indications: The LAP-BAND® System is indicated for weight reduction for patients with obesity, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40 kg/m2 or a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2with one or more obesity-related comorbid conditions. Lower than 35 BMI is allowed with comorbidities, but insurance would probably give you a hard time. Many doctors will do the Lap Band with a lower BMI, but the good surgeons want to be sure it is for the right reasons. For me (and many banders with low BMI), it is more about the improvement of health than the weight loss. In my mind, I always think of my health first and think of the weight loss as an amazing side effect. To look at me, most don't understand why I need surgery, but my surgeon, Dr. George Fielding looks at me (and my family) and knows he is giving me my life back. It seems like although Bariatric Surgeons can make plenty of money (so I don't think they expect to get rich approving all those low BMI patients for surgery), for most of them, it is about helping people live a happy and active life. It is up to us the patients to be sure we have our ducks in a row and are doing the surgery for the right reasons. Remember the surgeons are just the guys qualified to install the tool....it's up to us to understand how to use the tool for the most benefit.

Does anyone have questions, even silly ones or ones that might not seem important, that you wish u asked the surgeon, dietician, psychologist BEFORE you had the surgery??

Read Dr Huberman's book - Through Thick & Thin....it's a very quick and easy read. The subtitle is The Emotional Journey of Weight Loss Surgery, but u could almost take off the word surgery. I think the book is good for anyone trying to take charge of their weight regardless of whether or not u have the surgery or even those without weight problems who are trying to support you but just don't get why you are not losing weight. Dr. Huberman is my Psychologist so I might be a bit biased, but he is far from me and its not practical to see him on a regular basis. I am finding the book very helpful in getting my mental house in order.