Sonia

You're right, I know you are. I guess I will feel a bit better about it if/when I get it done. And it being elective surgery is also a factor. I mean, I don't need this surgery as a dire emergency at this point. The only thing wrong with me, besides the obvious MO, is my high blood pressure. I am afraid that I will have it, and then people will say afterward "well, she wanted to get better, but what a shame that she had to die this way". and some other melodramatic scene playing in my head. I mean, I am a person that goes to "the apprehensive patient" because I am so afriad of dentists (pathetic I know). Of everything to do with this surgery, I am jsut afraid of that, to the point of ridiculous probably, but it is there jsut the same. I did speak (via email) to deborah and am attending the new patient seminar next wednesday. It is at the Old Mill Inn. Have you (or anyone else) attended it there? What can I expect? THanks! Sonia

Thanks, I plan to take all of you up on your offers. Believe me, you will regret it!!n You don't know what you are all letting yoursevles in for. Sonia

Thanks for adding this, Alexandra. Very helpful to hear this. I have been following this thread and since I am still in the research phase, was kinda getting nervous. Sonia

That does give me hope. You had the surgery a week ago? Are you back at work yet? Are you in the classroom or a support person? From all the success stories I have been reading, I am confident that you will be 100% pleased. You already went through with the surgery. TO me that is the biggest thing. I am abolsutely petrified of the whole surgery thing. I really have nto had any major surgery in my life. I was put under a few times, once for dental surgery and 3 other times for various reasons, but never for major surgery. When I was younger my parents did all the worrying. Of course, now that I am older and know the risks I am going crazy with them. I had just gotta stop watching ER. LOL Anyway, did you feel the same pre-surgery? I mean, I can picture myself going into hysterics right before the surgery. How did you deal with it, if you did? I know if I could just blink my eyes and have the band inside me I would do it in a heartbeat. It is the actual surgery that has me holding back. Sorry for the long post. It is just something that weighs heavily on me and I feel I can share with you guys since you can definitely relate. Thanks for listening. Sonia

I jsut RSVPed online to attend the new patient seminar. It is on 12/15. My hubby will come with me. Hopefully we will get more information and see if this is something we can do. Thanks. I gotta get off this computer today. Been reading all about the lap band all day. My eyes are crossing!! LOL Sonia

No, I haven't gone to their intro meeting. I think they are having one this week, from what I remember seeing on their website. Is the meeting open to anyone (i.e. can my husband come along as well?) I know it will probably take a couple of weeks to get an appt with my PCP, hopefully I can see her during holiday recess. If I attend the intro meeting at least I will have info to give her. I am a teacher, so my insurance coverage is through the district. From what I remember when I signed up, the did cover WLS, as stated in the book they gave to everyone. Thanks for responding so quickly yet again. I am getting psyched. Do you know I acutally had a dream last night that I had the surgery and everything went ok? I know I am obsessing about it, but it was reassuring nevertheless. Weird huh? Sonia

Hello all, I have been reading the psots here ofr a few days and psoted on another thread. Ifigured I had better introduce myself. My name is Sonia, and I am currently researching the lap band for WLS. I had considered WLS once before, about a couple of years ago, the duodenal switch, but was too afriad of such major surgery. A coworker mentioned the lap band, and once I found otu what it was online, I became excited about the possibilities. I am currently just reading everything I can get my hands on, and am planning on making an appt with my PCP tomorrow to get the ball rolling. I am absolutely terrified (that word doesn'e begin to express the fear) of having surgery done. I have been put under 3 times when I was much much younger and had no adverse effects, so am telling myself that at least that part of it is no problem. I am going to apologize in advance, becuase I will probably bombard everyone here with questions, and I hope you don't mind. I am kind of a worry wart, and just think of crazy thigns to ask about. If I ever go overboard jsut give me a loud yell and I will back off, at least for the immediate. LOL. Thanks, and God bless! Sonia

DeLarla, I am just started to research the band, and have been reading your posts. You have made such awesome progress. I hope all goes well when you go down to Mexico and that you can keep your band. God bless! Sonia

Hi, I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield POS (point of service). I have no clue whether WLS is approved, I belive so. I remember looking in the book they gave me when I was researching WLS before, and it was included, but not sure if Lap Band would be. Dr. Abkin and Bertha are both in my plan, which means if my PCP would give me a referral it would all be covered. TO me that would be too good to be true, but who knows. I would appreciate any information you may have. I plan on calling my PCP tomorrow to make an appt. I gotta be honest, I had been avoiding going to her because no matter what was wrong with me she would put me on the scale, then proceed to lecture me about my weight. I hated going to her. I do know, however, that she is pro WLS, specifically RNY, because she mentioned that surgery many times at a time when I would never consider it. Now I am hoping she is open to Lap Band. I don't see why not, but I don't take anything for granted. THanks again, Newbandster and Alexandra, for responding. I am part of many lap band groups, but this is the first one where I have been able to get local precise information. Thanks!! Sonia

Thanks, Alexandra. I appreciate your response. I gotta tell you, I relate to you since you started at about what I am now. I am 5'11" and about 350, so when I see your numbers I feel hope. Thanks!! Sonia

I do have one question now that I found Dr. Abkin's website. I was reading about insurance approval, and it specifically mentions providing proof of being in a program. I was in WW a few years ago, and Jenny Craig twice many years before then. But I don't have any of the paperwork. Does that mean I ahven't got a chance for approval? Also, it mentions starting a supervised diet NOW before the surgery. Now if I do that, and I lose weight (which I always do, I jsut have a problem with keeping it off) then won't they deny me? Maybe I have been getting myself psyched about this for no reason. I may have to go on diets for the enxt twp years, and then somehow prove to the insurance companies that they really don't work? How do the insurance companies decide? Sorry if I am going on and on, but as I know you can relate to, now that I have perhaps found the one tool that I think can work for me, I am thinking that I may have to starve myself for the next 2 years to prove to the insurance companies that I deserve this. Oh well. Thanks for your response, and sorry for the long post. Sonia

Hi Alexandra, How do I find out about the meetings? I definitely would like to go to one. And I only have about a million questions to ask you, but I promise I will pace myself. LOL Sonia

Hi, No, I haven't been banded yet. I am currently in the research phase. I was researching doctors and trying to find a good one that is also on my insurance, and Dr. Abkin's name came up. How are you feeling?

Hello, I am new to the forum, and am researching the lap band. I have been looking for doctors and Dr. Abkin has come up. I noticed that you were a patient of his and would just like some input. Thanks!! Sonia