Aliciafl2014

I hope so too fhawkins! Keep us updated. We can walk through this together

That's great Lite n Sweet! Welcome to the July 2014 club! Looks like you're the earliest in the month so far. You'll have to lead the way. I can't wait. I'm tired of carrying this weight around and ready to start getting rid of it. It's encouraging to see the success of people on this forum. It's also helpful to see the honesty of getting through the pre op and post op periods but it will be well worth it!

Beautiful picture! I am looking forward to being in pictures with my new grandson.

Then at the same time we are bombarded with messages of beauty being young and thin. When you step back and see all if the conflicting messages we receive it's overwhelming.

I asked the question when I had my first NUT appointment. I was told 80% of the wls patients will gain "some" weight back. About 20lbs. He said he sees about 50 patients a week and probably sees about 4 a year who put a significant amount of weight back on.....and its always because they choose to eat foods they know full well are not on their new diet plan. You will eventually be able to eat normal foods...just less of it. So you can choose to eat candy and icecream or you can eat healthy foods. Weight gain after surgery is choice of food, not failure of the procedure. And, if you read something about insurance companies saying that wls doesn't work or is a failure, keep in mind that most insurance companies consider a 20lb gain a wls "failure". Really? A failure? In my opinion, that is insane. A severely obese patient.....say 300lbs, who reaches goal weight of 150lbs, then 2 yrs later puts 20lbs back on... how in the world is that a failure?! I guarantee you that once 300lb person would be a happy little camper to be 170lbs when its all said and done! Honestly....do not dwell on the comment/opinion of one person even if its from a doctor or nutritionist. Do your own research. Read the studies and form your own opinion. No one on this site has a doctor or nutritionist who is all knowing.
I absolutely mean all of this in the kindest way possible....typing seems to come across so harsh. I just hope that you, and anyone else on the fence, doesn't take this "failure" talk as an excuse to back out of something that can be a kick start to an amazing change in their lives.

Hi, I'm the one who is on for July 24th. I haven't seen others yet. What state are you in? I'm in South Florida. Dr Wizman is my surgeon. I am counting down the days on an iPhone app. Can't wait to get this done! I am trying to make some adjustments now in what I'm eating, but still gaining.

Hope your doing well weevie. Thoughts and prayers your way. You certainly have a positive attitude and that is a great start!

Thanks B52. I agree. There is nothing more tragic than not getting the coverage you need to support your health. Aetna has a section on my site when I log in. In the site they list me as obese and in danger of diabetes. I thought this would help persuade them if they themselves have me in these categories. And I pay for greater coverage which does include bariatric surgery.
My frustration came as it has been a six month journey and after going through pre testing I do not show any co-morbilities (yet). At a 35 BMI I needed at least one. The centers own patient advocate told me to move forward with self pay if I didn't come up with co-morbilities as it will take months to fight. I did agree however to submit the claim, but after the denial did not see any purpose in fighting. Believe me if I thought there was something we could point to I would have been with them pushing on insurance. I do have RA but not in criteria.
The center did agree yesterday that there wasn't anything we could use as a co-morbidity. I don't want to wait any longer as my body is in pain with the extra weight my sugar levels are rising and I'm not engaging in as many social activities because I feel uncomfortable with my weight.
I am thrilled that I have a date just six weeks out and that I can move forward in this area. Paying stinks but I've wasted money on dumb stuff or run around to do things to help my kids out without thinking twice. This is a new journey for me and I feel so blessed. I'm so thankful for the education I get from this site, and I am so glad you are out there as an advocate in this area. Some people who need this so much either can't get the needed coverage for it and can't afford to pay. I'm so grateful.

I have to go self pay as I don't have co-morbilities. I'm trilled though to have a date. After doing all the research on these forums and other places I feel confident this is the extra tool I need. I know I will need to do my part. I'm ready for that. Can't wait!

Thanks. They couldn't find any co morbilities so I'm going with self pay. If I waited much longer I would have additional health problems, but I got a date now! I'm happy! I wouldn't think twice about spending the money on my kids. This is for me

Thanks industrious bee. It does help as I prepare for lap band hopefully in July.

Hope your doing well weevie. Thoughts and prayers your way. You certainly have a positive attitude and that is a great start!

I've seen several posts regarding discouragement, doubting decisions made to have the band and/or other WLS's because it was harder than they expected, wondering what they're doing wrong because they didn't wake up overnight and lose 50lbs., I've cheated on my band or on my pre-op diet is all hope lost, etc., etc. So here's a senario to consider when you find yourself in these places.
Stop and look at it this way, if someone were to offer you a chance to win the mega-milions, with no strings attached other than to follow a few simple rules, you would do it in a heartbeat right? Not only would you do it but I bet 99% of us would be successful in following the precise rules laid out in front of us in fear of losing the life changing opportunity in front of us right? Oh and I forgot to mention there are NO limits to the number of winners, every person who follows these rules receives the same reward. Who throws away an opportunity like this? I mean there are so many life events that winning this kind of $$ would change right, like starting a family, buying your dream home, sending your kids to college, paying for a wedding(s), taking dream vacations etc. Life changing right???
For me this journey has been just that, like winning the lottery, the jackpot of all jackpots, the mega-millions!! I can't put into words the transformations that have taken place in my life over the this past year because of my decision to get the band, it's just simply amazing. I'll be able to enjoy watching my kids grow up and not just watching them but actively participating in their lives, I'll be able to one day (waaaaaay in the future:-)) enjoy my kids weddings, the opportunity to be a grandparent and those vacations that are coming up oh yeah, I'm there. I gained all of this because I made the decision to follow the percise instructions that were set in front of me by my doctor. Don't throw away your opportunity to be a healthy millionaire. We've all made mistakes, we all struggle with something along the way but the key is to dust yourself off and get right back on course. No one's perfect so don't dwell or beat yourself up over your mistakes, learn from them and keep moving.
A healthy new you is priceless, there's not another like you anywhere so take care of yourself and remember why you chose this journey in the first place.
Live the Life you Love, Love the Life you Live!!!!! If you can do this you're already a success!!!
Have a great weekend everyone!

Hello everyone! Been lurking for quite some time now and just got my approval for surgery! I am BEYOND excited! When the coordinator called me and told me I was approved I started shaking and crying..I just can't believe that what I've been working on for 6+ months is finally in motion! I know the road is long ahead of me, but I can't wait to begin this journey!!
Insurance: Premera Blue Cross

Pics only...nothing else needs to be said except: Banded 06/19/2013...to goal in about 11 months!!!
I was still 10lbs heavier when my "after" pics were taken, more to come later. Toning in progress!!!

Wow that's great! Great to see. Can't wait to start my journey!

I'm in Coral Springs. Moved down from NE 9 years ago and would not go back. I hope to be banded in June/July. Surgeon is close by. Love it here

There may be other threads like this, but I thought I'd start a new one here, so everyone could contribute no matter which surgery you had. One of my big inspirations is looking at everyone's before and after pics. I've spent hours on Instagram looking at people's pics so. I thought others might feel inspired too so if you feel comfortable share your before and after pictures here.
I'm only 7 weeks out (RNY) but I'll start. My BFF had surgery a year ago. We went to the zoo two years ago and when we went back this weekend we thought it would be fun to find the picture we took then and take similar ones now. I was at my high weight then, and at my current weight in the 2nd pic. I still have a long way to go obviously, but I was pretty happy with the difference so far.

Meaning someone else already had this rant a year ago. You mean you didn't do an exhaustive search to find it, before posting on it again? Tsk tsk
Sorry couldn't resist. :-) ????????

It's crazy to have a requirement to lose weight before the surgery. Aren't we doing this because we don't have the ability to lose the weight unless we have the surgery?

Wow I can't believe it's been one year! I am so healthier now and I feel amazing! Enjoy my before and after pics.

Hi Fabu, I'm not sure which specialist visits but I think if you have to self pay it's all inclusive up to first fill. I read fills after that aren't always covered by insurance even if the cover surgery. Fills look to run about $100 plus. I'm still hoping insurance will pay. I have the coverage but may have tough time meeting criteria. I've heard at insurance company it often comes down to opinion of person reviewing the information. I'm praying it reaches a compassionate soul.

I've decided if my insurance won't cover me I'm going to self pay. I don't think I'll meet the co-morbidity requirements. But who knows. I'll try that route first and have package submitted to insurance after final tests Thursday. If it is rejected though I don't want to spend months trying to get it approved. I really want to have this done and soon. It's a relief to know it's only a matter of time now.

I've decided if my insurance won't cover me I'm going to self pay. I don't think I'll meet the co-morbidity requirements. But who knows. I'll try that route first and have package submitted to insurance after final tests Thursday. If it is rejected though I don't want to spend months trying to get it approved. I really want to have this done and soon. It's a relief to know it's only a matter of time now.

Thank you all for the insight. I was hoping about a week was a good amount of time. I'm finishing up testing and hoped to be approved soon for a June date