New in 2012

You can appeal the decision. Be sure to document everything, including the call information that you made prior to the 1st dr. visit. It's a long shot, because policy exclusions are an industry standard to get out of coverage (they often are not listed in the fine print, in fact.) If you are still denied, I would recommend looking at the fine print of your policy, and if bariatric surgery is not a stated exclusion, I would write a letter to the state board of insurance to lodge a complaint. This kind of practice won't stop until/unless enough people protest it. That being said, I encourage you to go ahead with the surgery. There is no better investment than in your health. It will be dollars well spent with a return you will reap for the rest of your life!

Congrats! You're doing amazing, an inspiration to those of us following you. Keep up the good work!

Hang in there, girl! You are so close -- and before long you will be really seeing the fruits of your long journey. We all have felt the exact same way at one point or another, of that I'm sure. I have knee problems, and after a surgery for a torn meniscus, I realized that I'm on the edge of my future, that if I didn't do something now my weight would continue to interrupt my life. That's what got my attention, more than anything else, is the realization that I don't want to continue to carry this weight -- literally and metaphorically. You have made the decision have been doing the hard work. Don't let this get in the way of the final goal. You can do it!!

Way to go! What a wonderful Christmas present for your life.

I would agree that she needs to have a complete work up. It must be so frustrating for her. I live in Austin and would be happy to talk with your mom about my dr. Of course, I haven't had the surgery yet, but I believe him to be very good at what he does. You can contact me by e-mail if you like.

Thank you all for your input. It really helps to hear others stories. I talked to my dr. who said that it is really an individual thing that varies and is based on several factors. So age can matter, but it is really not a big part of the equation. He did tell me one interesting thing. Apparently statistically people with the lower BMI have a higher percentage of loss of extra weight. That surprised me. I'm inspired to see the progress you have all made. Wow!!

One thing that I wonder is if people who are younger -- 20's and 30's -- lose more weight and lose it faster. After reading boards for weeks -- months -- I've noticed that many of the people with the most drastic weight success stories are younger. I know that when I hit 45, my weight redistributed. I had about a 12 pound weight gainover the period of about a year without any change in my diet or exercise (which was highly frustrating); in fact I actually started eating less. But then the gaining stablized and my weight has been very constant for the last several years. But where the weight is has changed. There was a subtle but definite thickening of my mid-section that I have never had before. I definitely eat less and exercise more than I did in my early 40's but I don't lose weight. Grrrr! So, I wonder if this middle age spread will make it harder to lose the overall weight. I see people who have gotten down to small sizes and am so impressed. But I have to admit that seems completely impossible for me. Don't get me wrong -- I will be thrilled to loose any weight, but the dream of really reaching my goal weight after I have the surgery in a couple weeks still seems like that -- a dream. But there is that little voice that says 'If you are willing to do something so permanent and drastic, it sure better pay off!' Of course, the same voice often tells me that it's impossible, that I'll be the one person that the sleeve doesn't work for, that I would lose weight if I would just try harder, etc. (So I'm working to ignor the little voice, which is continually so negative!) Any thoughts? Observations? Experiences?

I know a few people who have had bypass surgery and every one of them has had some major complications requiring further hospitalizations and significant weight regain. I know that many people have great success with the surgery, but there seems to be more risk. Good for you for doing your research!

Way to go!! I'm seriously impressed. I'm definitely in the category of 'I'll never wear a size 6' -- and I might not (I think I was bigger than that at birth). But I love that you are!!

I think it makes sense to screen the gallbladder. Why end up having two surgeries if it is a problem? I actually have had a few gallbladder attacks recently (very painful and unpleasant), so I will likely have to have mine out. At first I thought it was just really bad indigestion, but then I had other symptoms and almost went to the ER. It resolves after a long night. But now I'm very wary of what I eat. Yikes! I wonder what will happen if my ultrasound does indicate gall stones or inflamation, as far as insurance goes. They don't cover WLS, but they pretty much have to cover gallbladder surgery if it is indicated. We'll see soon enough!

IslandGrrl, sounds like we live very similar lives! Thanks for sharing your experience. And way to go on your progress so far!! I can't wait to be in your shoes. Sometimes I'm organized, but not always. : ) How have your kids dealt with your surgery and weight loss? Your co-workers? I'm hoping to have the surgery after finals in a couple weeks, which will give me the holiday break to recuperate.

Thanks for the insights. Unfortunately my insurance doesn't cover WLS, so I'm self-pay. That will definitely streamline the process. I ran a medical office for several years, so I know the ins and outs of how to get things done, even with insurance. Excited for the next visit in a couple days! And a little nervous. I have a list of questions for the surgeon, many of which have come from reading comments on this and other sites. Thanks for the support!

virtygirl and Lissa, Thanks so much for your responses!! I can't tell you how encouraging it is to hear your stories and see the amazing success you have both had. Wow!! What do you guys do as far as Vitamins? Protein intake? I'm guessing that vitamins and protein are the keys to keeping energy and to not loosing hair, etc. Is that right?? One thing I've noticed in myself is that I feel reticent to tell lots of people that I'm going on this journey. Maybe that is why a board like this is so helpful. Somehow, I feel like people who know me will be judgmental or critical. What do you tell people when they ask about your WLS? Is it just me who feels a bit private about it? Thanks again for the kind words and encouragment. It really helps!

Well, here we go. Or here I go. I just joined the forum, although I've been reading various posts for a while now. I just turned 49 years old, weigh 232 and am between 5'7" and 5'8", and I think I'm finally ready to get rid of this weight I've been carrying around for the last 25 years. Initially I went to the surgeon to investigate the lapband. I didn't tell anyone I was going -- not even my husband -- because I was scare? embarrased? I really liked the surgeon, Dr. Ganta in Austin. I've read a few reviews that his staff is somewhat disorganized, but that is really secondary to me. My main concern is getting a doctor who knows what he's doing. Dr. Ganta seems very competant, was articulate, addressed all my question, and was well acquainted with the current literature. (My husband is a physician, and I've worked in the medical field, so I know my way around things overall.) After doing some thinking/reading/praying/etc., I'm leaning toward either gastric sleeve or gastric plication. Right now I think sleeve is the way to go. If I'm going to go to the trouble of having surgery, I want it to work. I've read several mixed reviews of the amount of weight loss with the plication. Of course, the information is just annecdotal because there isn't really much good research in the US at this point. I read the Brazillian study, which was informative. I'm in graduate school (second career) and I'm wondering how the surgery will affect my stamina. The coursework is demanding, and I have three kids and a busy life, so one concern is keeping my energy up. Of course, the extra weight I have drains my energy. I've had lots of knee issues, as well as back and sleep issues. My health is the main reason for me to take this step -- I want to be around for a long time, and I want to be able to keep up with my kids better and with my grandkids when they come someday. Plus I'm starting a new career when I finish grad school, so I want to be healthy and fit and ready to go. I welcome any thoughts about the journey. It's truly inspiring to read the stories of others.