KCbigguy

Gibson, Congrats on the approval! Wow - I hope that it does not take me that long. When will you get your date? Suzi - Thanks for the tips. I am trying to start the right habits now too. I have started exercising and eating better, though not perfect. I still feel like I am in limbo, but I guess that is where I need to be now. John

Sounds like you will be right at home with us :wink2: John

I have that same dream, but no matter how much I lose, I just don't see my wife approving.... :biggrin: John

Mary, Thanks for the heads up The website went through some changes less than a week ago, and I think some of the old posts may have been archived? In any case, I figured there must be some SMMC folks here, the information session I went to had close to 50 people! :ohmy: Who was your Dr.? Any tips for working with the folks at SM? Right now I am waiting and waiting But I am also working on losing weight prior to approval. I am down about 15 so far. I need to lose 60 or so prior to surgery. I do plan on attending a support group meeting prior to surgery, so perhaps I will see you there John

Where did you get banded? Great work so far!! John

Hey - My goal for now is to loose 60 lbs so I can be under 400 for my surgery. I am down 16 so far. I am using blogger to track my progress. What are your goals? John

Not yet - I am in the insurance approval stage. Keep up the good work John

Awesome! 100 lbs in 4 months? That is incredible! Nice job! Thanks for the inspiration! John

Hey all - I am relatively new to the site. My BMI is around 61. I went to 4 seminars before picking The Bariatric Center of Kansas City and Dr. Hitchcock. I am in the insurance approval step and need to lose about 60 lbs before I will be considered a candidate for surgery. I have lost 16 lbs so far, so I am on track for surgery some time in the summer, June perhaps? I look forward to learning from and sharing my journey with you all. John

I got my "blue card" in the mail from the Dr. today. Basically that means my paperwork is in order and they are moving me on to the insurance approval part. One small step at a time John

Hey - I am just starting this process but I am in a similar boat. I started at 465 and need to get down to 185ish. We can do it! John

Wow - a Year and 100 lbs make a huge difference :smile: Great work! John

I need to lose weight before surgery because like most men, I carry most of my weight in my midsection and that makes it hard / dangerous to do the operation until I can lose some of the gut. I thought about doing self pay to help shorten the time, but my company does a 50 / 50 split and I just can't justify the 7-10 k extra cost to my fam if I can avoid it. Sing it Tom. " The waiting is the hardest part." :smile: John

Steve, Yep, I live in Olathe, KS. I am looking into the Bariatric Center in Shawnee Mission. I am just submitting my paperwork, so I am probably 5-6 months away from being banded. I agree it's nice to have a men's forum. The women can be inspirational and helpful as well, but it's easier for me to relate to other guys in the same boat with me. Best wishes on your upcoming banding! John

"On a different note I am curious to find out how many people have applied for life insurance and have been accepted of denied." Hey - I was not denied, but do pay a crazy premium of over $100 / month. I got the insurance 4 years and 125 lbs ago, i suspect I would be declined today. As soon as I get down to 250, I will be applying again! John

Hi all – My name is John. I am 35, married with no kids and live in Kansas City, KS. I am exploring Lapband as an option. I am around 450 lbs right now and am starting to have weight related health issues for the first time. I know I need to make some radical changes if I want to stick on this rock for more than a few more years. Like most, I have tried everything in the past and have even made it to as low as 250 lbs by exercising 2 hrs a day for 18 months. Needless to say, the weight always comes back. My company starts covering 50% of WLS starting in the New Year, which makes me think perhaps this is meant to be. So, I am here to learn, and to make an informed decision. I look forward to your insights and assistance as I go down this long road. John

Sounds like we are in the same place. I am 450 / BMI of 60. I am still interviewing Drs I go on my 3rd meetign tomorow. I already have been told I will need to get below 400 before banding. Good luck - we will make it John

Hi all – I am new here and looking at LapBand to see if it is the best option for me. My BMI is 60 (456 6’1). I am glad to see this thread, because I know we are all on the same page. Speaking of same page – since this post is over 300 pages long, is there any way there could be a separate area for the long journey folks? Anyway – this long post will be good reading for a few weeks. John