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Will do!! Thanks again for your help.

Thank you very much for your response. I tried calling BC/BS , but talk about a run around . I never got anyone on the phone just referred to 1 # after another that referred me back to the previous recording. I am still sitting on the fence about the surgery but I will make an appt and go to the seminar. I really hate thinking that I have to resort to surgery. If they tell me I have to do a 6 month diet like I haven't done that before :thumbup: maybe I'll lose enough to do it on my own.

This is exactly me. My PCP referred me for lap band through Dr.Fielding at NYU. I rejected it at first because I would like to be able to do this on my own. However, I'm getting heavier . I'm 52, 5'2 and 250lbs. I can't believe it :eek:. I also have HBP and now high cholesterol. I have GHI and Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield...anyone else with that coverage that got approved? I'm hesitant to start the ball rolling just to be denied after a long haul. Aprrox. how long does it take to be approved? if at all I know everyones case is different , just looking for avgs.

Thanx Rosie Red for the encouraging info. YOu and I have the same insurance so maybe at least I won't have a problem with that. I wonder if one of the other Docs takes GHI or I guess I can pay for my own follow ups if I have to but I guess I'm a long way from that. I have to venture into other threads to see about how long the process takes from beginning to surgery. Can't wait for my PCP to come back from vacation so I can see what he has to say. I hope I don't have to go over him . D

Thanx for the info guys. I'm at the very beginning stages. I am so tired of gaining , losing , regaining, I'm getting too old for this. I mentioned to my DH today that I was seriously considering this and his thing was "you think you eat enough to need this?" well I used to think that way too because I am not a binge eater. I can go all day w/o eating and then I eat the wrong thing and you all know the story. I got a Wii fit when it came out and got on it yesterday and my BMI was 43. I'm almost 1/2 fat !! Just so tired of this. I have an appt next Wednesday with my PCP and even though he is very overweight , I mean like 400lbs he doesn't believe in much other than the regular, so I'll see what he says. I'm going to go through the process though and see what happens. Kristen it seems crazy that they will have you go through all this and then submit your paperwork. I guess they are pretty sure you'll be approved . Gigi, Leslee thanx for the tips and the welcome. Let's stay in touch. D

Thanx for the response Kristen. Were you approved by your insurance and if I may ask what type do you have? I have GHIand Empire BC/BS, my DH is a city employee so I hope if my PCP gives approval I can be easily approved . I am going to go online to see if NYU is having seminars now. I checked into a local hospital here in BK but NYUis superior. Thanx again, Dee

Hey everyone, I've been considering Lap Band for a couple of years now but I didn't want to believe that I am not able to lose this weight and keep it off on my own. I am 52 yrs old and at 5'2" I'm 230 lbs. I have always been overweight but I'm now in my heaviest range. Last year I lost over 50lbs as a result of having an injury that left me immobile and I decided that if I didn't do something I'd get even heavier at that time I was about 248. I got down to 196 at the lowest doing strict low carb. Now that I'm back on my feet, socializing and stressed out , well I'm back to 230 and I'm so afraid that if I continue this way, I'll surpass my last high weight of 248 and be 260-275. I'm miserable and I feel my life is passing me by fighting this life-long battle. So, I'm here researching the beginnings of considering LB surgery. I have an appt at my Dr. next Wednesday and I'm considering going to a LB seminar next Tuesday. Any advice , suggestions, experiences would be appreciated.