Luv2scuba

Hi Pam, My BMI is around 42 right now. I'm 5'4" and 245 lbs. I'm about 115 lbs over my ideal weight. I can only lose about 12 lbs, before my BMI drops below 40. And at this time, i don't know that i have any comorbidities. My insurance won't cover it if i fall below a BMI of 40 unless they discover some comorbidities. So I'll drink a whole lot of Water before i go to my first appt with my PCP, and try to lose about a lb a week, and i'll be ok, i think. I've chosen the Hamot bariatric center in Erie, Pa, which is almost 3 hours from my home. My surgeon is Dr. Ali. He comes very highly recommended too. We don't have any surgeons in our area, there is one closer, about 2 hours away but its not a center of excellence. My daughter has to go to a COE for her insurance. Are you going alone to Mexico? Do you have to do a pre-op diet? The Clear liquids are only for short time after surgery aren't they? What age and subject matter do you teach? Hope your evening is pleasant. Pat

Hi, Sorry, I didn't get back to the boards last evening. We can support each other regardless of where we are in the process. Maybe we can find someone who is already banded to help us too! I have 2 grown children who are still at home. They both work 3-11 at the same place. I work 9 - 4:30. I'm a disaster specialist, sit at a desk most of the day, paperwork and computer work. I'm a widow, so i don't have to "worry" about that type of support. My daughter is also looking to be banded, so i have her as a support but we really only see each other weekends. My son doesn't know yet. I'm not planning on telling him until i know for sure, probably after i get a date, if i get a date. Here is my biggest fear so far, that my BMI is going to fall below 40 while i'm doing my supervised diet and i won't qualify. Hope you have a great day.

Hi, I'm not banded yet, going for my initial consultation on 11/20. Starting my supervised diet on the next couple of weeks with my pcp.I am doing a 3 month supervised, so will almost finished when i have my consult. My appts with the nutritionist and psychiatrist will be made at the time of my consult. My daughter will be doing this me, so i have some support here at home. Do you have support? I'm looking for a band buddy too. You can PM me or IM me if you want. Looking forward to hearing from you. Pat

Welcome to LBT! Just dive in and ask your questions, there is a wealth of info here. If you need any help with the forum, you can pm me or a moderator. Have a great day!

Every insurance has their own policies on what they will approve. I would call them and ask if your situation would be covered. That being said, my insurance requires 6 consecutive month supervised or two 3 month consecutive months with in the past 2 years. Good luck.

Welcome! Congratulations on having a band date! Lots of good info here. Pat

Hi Martie, Welcome to LBT! I haven't had the surgery yet myself so can't answer that particular question for you. There is a board just for us who are in our 50"s. Bet someone there can answer you. Here is the link. Fifties - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum Pat

Congratulations on your loss! That's quite an accomplishment! Pat

i have national bcbs plan and mine requires a six month supervised (weight watchers & jenny craig count) or 2 -3 month supervised within the past 2 years. The Dr's staff i have spoken to have a hard time beleiving me too. They say, "I know this is what you thought you heard". I have it in writing (email). I can't get an appt with my surgeon until November, so to be safe, i'm going to start a medically supervised diet with my pcp in sept. that way i'll have almost another 3 months just in case. I don't want anything to hold me up. But i know what you're going thru. I'd get it in writing and give it to your surgeons office. And maybe start a supervised diet at the same time while you are waiting for appoval. Better to be safe than sorry.

obesityhelp.com has a sample letter and lots of good information about what you need to do in regards to your insurance co.

Thanks Stephanie, those are things i will make note of. Actually the meeting was quite disappointing. They had a guest speaker about smoking, not an issue for me, and there was very little time for questions with the surgeon or his staff that were there. I went ahead and made an appointment (11/20), as his only requirement before seeing him, is attending his pre-op support group. His office is sending some more paperwork to fill out to bring to the visit. I have an appt with my pcp and am going to do start a med. supervised diet with him even tho my insurance requires only a supervised diet and i've met that requirement with Weight watchers. but am afraid the time frames will not work out. So trying to be safe rather than sorry later. Is there anything else i can do to prepare?

Hi all, I'm going to my first informational session this evening. I'm excited to go but a bit nervous also. Because i have to drive almost 3 hours to find a surgeon, i'm going to this meeting alone. Are there any questions that you would have wished you had asked but didn't? Really excited to take this first step! Pat

Hi, I'm not yet banded. I'm going to my first information/support session tomorrow night. I could definately use the support of someone who has been thru the process. I am looking to lose over 100 lbs too. Hope you all have a wonderful day! Blessed Be. Pat

Hi and welcome to LBT! Congratulations on taking this important step to a new you! Good luck on the pre-op while in Las Vegas!

Welcome to lbt, Amy! Everybody needs support at some point! It really helps having people who have been thru this to share with. Good luck!

Have you checked him out on asbs.org? There are lists of questions on obesityhelp.com. After you meet him and if you feel comfortable with him and his staff, that is what counts. Let us know how you make out.

I have no advice for you, as just getting started on the process myself. Wanted to say welcome and congratulations!

Congratulations! Let us know how you are doing.

Thanks for the link! I watched it tonight and had seen it before also. Now that i've decided on having surgery, it took on a new meaning. I'm not telling many people about this decision, but will share it with those i am telling.

Welcome! I'm from the other end of the state and will be attending my first session in 2 weeks. Good luck~ Pat

I think everyone has those kinds of thoughts at one time or another before surgery! Have faith in your surgical team you'll do fine! Pat

Congratulations! You must be sooooo happy! Pat

I'm not planning on telling very many people. My daughter knows cause we want to be banded together, well not banded together but at the same time. My BFF knows and is very supportive. My parents and Brothers and Sisters won't be very supportive as i have a younger sister who had R & Y and has had a multitude of problems and subsequent surgies. I'm hoping i don't have to tell people at work, waiting on that one.

Welcome to the site! It is a wonderful place to learn thru others perspectives! Lots of collective wisdom and support, too! Pat

Hi there twiley, I agree this is a great site, so much information and support! Good luck with your appt. next week! Let us know how you make out! Pat