???????

Does the age of your fat matter? I think sagging has more to do with how long you skin has been stretched in a certain area and how elastic your skin is...I may be wrong. Your fat cells are always there, always in the same place even since you were a baby. When you lose weight, those cells are just decreasing in size. The fat cells themselves aren't disappearing. They're just getting smaller. The only situation when fat cells are permanently removed is with liposuction or some other similar method. I don't think you're allowed to put links to other sites on here, but google "Skin Elasticity Test" and see if you can find a test that will help u determine how elastic your skin is. I'll see what I can find too :eek:

Hey guys! I'm just stopping by to ask what Premera in WA requires for approval? It seems like they put you thru more hoops than MS insurance down here in Texas. My FTE friend was approved in literally just a couple days after doing all of her testing (chest xray, sleep study, etc..) Do you have to have obesity history documented by a physician over time? If I do end up having to move to WA, there's nothing like being super prepared :eek:

Thanks for the info! We don't know anyone personally enough up in WA to ask what kind of insurance they have up there. It would be like asking where your desk will be before you even get an interview, LOL! Now, I can start looking into docs up there and "get in the know" ...Thanks so much for the good luck wishes :eek:

Yeah, my stretchmarks are mainly on my stomach and around my sides from being pregnant. I think there are a couple on the backside of my arms close to my armpits. Other than that its hard to tell where they all are because I'm so white, LOL! I carry the majority of my weight on my gut. I'm wayyy out of proportion. I have quite a bit of muscle under all my fat, just always been that way. I'm pretty sure that all my sagging will happen in those areas :eek:...

Are there any Microsoft FTE here that live in WA (work in Redmond, Sammamish, etc...)? My hubby is possibly up for a position there and if he gets it, we plan on taking MS insurance. I heard it's BCBS...is that true? If so, have you had problems getting your surgery? What were the requirements? TIA! :teeth_smile:

I know there are different types of skin and different levels of elasticity. Is there anyone out there that lost 50-75 lbs or more without much need for surgery afterward to get rid of super saggy skin? Or..is it pretty much inevitable that if you lose 100lbs you're going to be flappy?

My OB/GYN told me that most people stop ovulating once they hit the 200lbs mark...which makes sense because when I got pregnant with my daughter 8yrs ago I was about 180. When she finally got here, I was 250 and didn't have a period for a year. They were irregular up until the end of last year then they completely stopped. Last month, it came on its own after about 30 days without Provera (synthetic progesterone). This month it seems like same ol' same ol'. Just about time to break out the Provera just to "empty out".

Does anyone out there have PCOS, no matter the severity, and have trouble losing weight even with the band? Not everyone with PCOS have weight trouble, but what I've experienced, most do. To your knowledge, has PCOS made it tougher for you? Thanks in advance!

I was just curious how many people out there have battled thru "head hunger" and how did you get thru it? Did your fills help it go away or is it just one of those things that just passes with time? :thumbup:

Wow! I didn't expect such a turn out on this thread! This is great! It sucks that there are so many of us "crunchy" folks out there...LOL! This is seriously the first day I've started looking into supplements for my knees. I wanna save what I've got...however much that is. Elations has 1,500mg of Glucosamine and 1,200mg of chondroitin. I can't find out how much is in Osteo Bi-flex. Anyone out there know? I found several more supplements that are rated really high as far as support for joint repair. They are Phosoplex, Flexcerin and Cosamin DS. I'll be checking into those as well.

Wow...I guess that goes to show everyone is so different. I hope everyone can get to a point where they feel better. I saw this drink that you take once a day that is supposed to help your joints. I can't remember the name but I'll try to find it then I'll post it back here. EDIT: OK, found it. It's called Elations and I think you can get it at Walgreens, CVS, etc.. Here's a link... http://www.elationshealth.com/categories/elations-and-you/faqs.php

I'm not banded yet, but I lurk here from time to time to get general advice and info. My knees are not so good I think. Anytime I put pressure on them like climbing stairs, they crackle and crunch. It doesn't really hurt, it's just disgusting to feel and hear. Did that used to happed to anyone else before you lost weight? Did losing making it better or is it irreversible? Thanks in advance for everyone's input

Who is your doctor and when did they allow you to have your first fill? Also, what was your overall experience with your doctor? Did everything go smoothly? Was he/she a good communicator? Thanks in advance u guys!

Ya know you can totally customize your profile page, right? I've only seen a handful of people that seem to notice it's there. It's a fun way to build a network of people on LBT that share your interests and all of your pictures and a way to keep in touch regularly with your LBT contacts/friends. Also it's a way to express your personality in how you decide to customize it like changing the colors to your favorites and adding a custom background with any image you want. I haven't been banded yet but I still love coming here to see how everyone is doing. Just thought I'd lecha know :smile:

Wow, how did you get BS of CA when you live in GA? lol :cursing:

Cool...thanks for the info guys! I might be getting a new job but I don't know who they have they're insurance with just yet. I'm just trying to get an idea of who has dealt with what company and what their experience was like so when I get my new insurance I might be able to have an idea of what I'm up against again. I just hope this new place doesnt have a dang exclusion like my current job does. Dont even get me started on that....lmao!

Who's you're insurance company and what were their approval requirements for the surgery?

I knew you'd hop in here, Wheetsin...LOL! I haven't had much time in the past few days due to a death in the family, but I'm up now and can't sleep so I figured I'd come in here and try to find some direction of some sort. That was just about what I figured. What insurance company would want to take on someone with immediate health risks. Yeah, I may not currently have any health problems related to my weight, but that doesnt mean I never will. My main issues are crackling knees, an achey back and just plain tired of looking at my lumpy butt in the mirror now. I guess I should just be considered lucky and join a gym...

The short story is.... I no longer have insurance through my employer and have no way to get it back right now. Which in regards to the lapband surgery, doesn't even matter anymore because my employer has a weight loss surgery exclusion written into the policy. So I can never get the surgery as long as I work for this company (Yes, I already tried to get them to waive that exclusion with no luck) I called United Healthcare the other day and they told me my height to weight ratio disqualifies me from being able to purchase an individual healthcare plan from them. Luckily I was able to get my 7 year old daughter a plan with them or Golden Rule (that's who their individual plans are written under). Does anyone out there happen to know some good insurance that isn't going to take my weight into consideration when trying to get a plan with them? If there are any, do you know if that certain company has a waiting period before you can make a claim for a surgery like LB? Thanks in advance!!!

Just trying to get a broad view of popular, effective insurance plans... 1.) Who's you're insurance company? 2.) What state do you live in? 3.) Was your plan provided by your employer or do you pay for it out of your own pocket? 4.) Are you banded yet, waiting for approval, denied...etc? Thanks for all of your help, guys!

Sweet! Thanks, Chrisann! I'll definitely check that out too :sneaky:

Thanks for the info Anna :sneaky: We're the plans you were looking at just supplemental or did you look into full insurance plans?

Hey guys.... I'll make this as short as I can because I'm so ADD, LOL! Do any of you pay for your own insurance plan out of pocket? If so, did being obese cause you any problemswhen you bought your plan or attempted to buy your plan? Did any of you have it easy when buying your own policy being obese or overweight and also have an easy time getting approved for your band surgery? What companies did you attempt to get coverage under and failed/suceeded? What company did you choose? If you're in Texas, your input is even more valuable because I'm sure the differences in coverage varies by state. However, everyone's input is greatly appreciated!

I contract at Microsoft as part of a project team for Xbox, but unfortunately it's not Microsoft that's providing my insurance. If they were, we SO wouldn't be having this conversation, lmao! The company that actually pays me is pretty huge. Our contractors make up about 75% of Microsoft's employees in the U.S.. So, your point earlier makes sense. My actual plan is to prepare myself on break enough to get hired at Microsoft permanently and have the best insurance plan I've ever seen...finger's crossed.... My employer offers 2 UHC plans. Both with the same "exclusions" or whatever. Our open enrollment is April, but so is the end of my contract...so it really doent matter if I cancel or not. I'll just be saving myself..get this...$600/mo for my last month employed there! I guess it's all the principle behind it.

Wheetsin- Thanks so much for the info...it does make a lot of sense. I know I was told that cancelling my employer offered insurance may not be a good idea, but luckily, I'm currently on a contract job. We're on contract for a year, off for 100 days and then hopefully back on after the break. I think on my break, I'll be looking for another job with another insurance plan that way....it seems like the only way around it.