NoMoreYoYo

Well, I am starting at 235-240 but I am only 5' 2" and I wear 22/24 jeans. I would have to get down to 160 to get into 14's. I am one of those who carry thier weight well and most would not guess I am over 200. Everyt time I get weighed the nurse always starts out with the large weight in the 100's and I shake my head and move it to the 200's. I know you are upset with your step mom and when it about ourselves we always assume the worst. But isn't it possible that since you look so good she thinks you have lost that much weight and weigh much less now than you actually do, rather than thinking your starting weight was higher ????

losingjusme - your pic in jeans is just awesome! You are doing so great. How long before you go back for a fill? And where is this Half of Me blog? I love reading other's success stories!

You look great, LJM!!! Glad your surgery went ok and you are up and around. You will be healed up in no time. Sarah

It seems every BC/BS policy is different depending on how it is written for your employer. I have BC/BS and I found out I have no requirement for a dr.-supervised diet. I was also told by our HR department that we are basically self-insured and BC/BS just handles the claims and that is why the requirements are not as strict. I still have a lot of paperwork to gather up to submit - weight records, letters of recommendation for surgery, etc. Good luck, everyone!

I don't want my stomach cut on and intestines re-routed either, which is why I am choosing the lap band route. I agree with the mindset, but it is hard to stay positive when you have failed at so many diets.:tt1: I know this is not a diet, but right now it feels the same to me. Thanks for your encouragement - it is much appreciated!!!

I attended my seminar last night and will finally get a doctor's consult soon and find out if my insurance company will require a 3 or 6-month diet. How ridiculous - I am sick of dieting, that is why I want to get banded!!! If dieting worked, I would need the surgery. Whatever. I will jump through their hoops since they are paying and I consider myself fortunate that I have insurance that covers WLS. Anyway, the seminar was a dual seminar and covered both gastric bypass and lap band. The doctor was definitely a little biased towards GB because he has seen better results with it and has been doing it longer. OTH, when he listed all the post-surgery complications and problems, I know someone who has had GB that has one or all of the complications listed. I know 4 people I work with who had GB and they lost a lot of weight but are struggling with their health - anemic, ulcers, etc. I know I will lose slower with the LB and may only get about 50% of my excess weight off but that is 40-50 pounds and I will feel 200% better. I want to KEEP this weight off, not just lose it. He had some interesting statistics - only 3% of the dieters/exercise group keep their weight off, compared to over 80% with WLS. He said even if patients gain some back he has never seen anyone gain all of it back unless they were unbanded. He talked about the "hunger" hormone ghrelin that spikes when you diet and causes you to be so hungry that you eventually break your diet. The GB suppresses this hormone and the LB does not, but the LB works by getting you to stop eating sooner. I asked about what causes erosion and slippage and he said they really don't know, but he has never had a slipped or eroded band. He uses the Inamed AP band and says he is extra careful to stitch it in really good and he thinks this may be why his patients have fewer problems. He says he has heard of other surgeons who do not put in as many stitches. The doc (Dr. Garth Davis of the show Big Medicine) also said he doesn't believe in filling super tight and thinks some of the problems are from patients with too much fill. They get frustrated when they hit a plateau and get another fill to boost their weight. Sometimes this is what you need (he said 4 fills were average) but it can start you on a cycle of vomiting and irritating your stomach if you are too tight. Anyway, just wanted to share with someone who has been down this road ahead of me. I don't personally know anyone who is banded so you guys are all I got!:biggrin2:

LOL - I wear jeans and polo shirts to work every day and no make-up and only put a dress on a couple of time a year. But when I do, I would like to wear heels and look "pretty" and not feel like a cow.

:rose: I can wear heels for a short time like a Christmas party once I get to ONEderland, which for me is a little over 30 pounds. If I wanted to dance in them at the Christmas party, then another 20-30 off would help! If I don't have to do the 6-month diet thing with my insurance then I think I may be able to reach that goal by Christmas.

Same thing happened to me a few weeks ago - I used to be 5'2" and I was measured at the ob-gyn office at 5' 1-1/2". a 1/2" may not sound like much, but it is when you are only 5'2" to start with! :huh2:

I know BC/BS can differ in how their policies are written for different companies, but it is encouraging to know they accepted your Weight Watchers instead of requiring a 6-month Dr. supervised diet. I have WW weigh-in records from 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006. Our insurance covers WLS so it is just a matter of getting all the paperwork together so it can be reviewed and approved. If they need medical records for the last 5 years then I will have to go to 3 doctors - my ob gyn, my shoulder surgeon and my sleep doctor (I use a CPAP machine). No biggie - it will be worth it if and when I get approved!

Congrats on the insurance approval! :clap2: My insurance covers WLS and I qualify as far as BMI. After my seminar on Monday and subsequent consult I will find out how many hoops they want me to jump through before they approve me. :ponder:

That's wonderful! I hope I am there someday. You have had your band for 3 years and I find that encouraging as I am a little concerned with the viability of the band long term.

Congratulations on getting new insurance that covers it !!! :cool: I also have BC/BS PPO and I am just starting the process - have a seminar on Monday to get the ball rolling. I live in Friendswood, btw - other side of Houston from you. There are several threads on the Doctors forum about Houston lapband doctors. I originally wanted Dr. Spivak but he is out of network with BC/BS. Your coverage may be different, but you need to check. My seminar is with Dr. Garth Davis who DOES take BC/BS and is in-network for me. Dr. Marvin is also in-network and I have a seminar scheduled for Feb 12th with his office. I will cancel if I really like Dr. Davis or keep the appt if I have any doubts and want to talk to another surgeon. Good luck!