PSJ71

Hi Mamacj, I went to my seminar on Wednesday, but it isn't for the doctor you asked about. I will be going with Dr. Ronnie Keith. I am just waiting to see if the insurance approves me and hopefully go from there! I just wanted to say hi! Good luck to you! :biggrin2:

Well, I went to the seminar today.:thumbup: I must say I am really excited to get this thing going. They said it will take about 2 weeks to hear something from the insurance, but there were a lot of people there, so I am sure it could take longer if they are checking with the insurance. They said the quickest would be about 4 weeks that is if everything is smooth sailing with the insurance and they approve. My only thing is some of it is going to be expensive. The psych eval will be 200.00, the dietician will be 200. I will have to buy THEIR supplements and Protein foods for the preop will be 150.00, for the postop part it will be 200.00. The 400 dollars for the psych eval and the dietician has to be paid on the day you meet with them. One good thing though, the fills will only be 87.00. I was expecting it to be much more expensive than that. I just hope I can come up with the out-of-pocket money. If not, then it will make everything slower. They have a diet class that is held on Thursdays and is 4 hours long. Anyway, I didn't mean to ramble, but I'm excited and please keep your fingers crossed I will be one of the lucky ones that will get to have it done in a month!

It's a diabetic medication.

Hi :scared2: I have been feverishly researching all of this since I deciding to get the Lap Band. Learning more from all of you each and every day. The more I read, the more I feel this is definitely the best possible thing for me. I do have to ask though, after surgery the band has nothing in it, correct? How long after surgery do they fill your band? Also, how is it decided what size of band the doctor will place? Thank you all, and Wednesday is the seminar. So, hopefully things will go quickly from there! :biggrin:

Hi again all :mad: I thought of a question I needed to ask. I am wondering what the actual proper steps are as far as from insurance to the initial surgery. I called the doctor's office to see if they accepted my insurance, which is Blue Shield of California. I live in Oklahoma, but I work from home for a company in California so I have their insurance. I was advised to call the insurance, which I have and was told it is covered, but there were some things they required. I have to have a BMI of a certain amount, which I know won't be a problem, because my BMI is greater than 45. The lady at the doctor's office told me they have a seminar scheduled for the 23rd, which I am going to. My question is, should I go to the seminar, then make an appointment with my PCP for a physical? I just had blood work done back in January or February with my GYN, which showed slightly elevated cholesterol, hypothyroidism, but I don't know if I would qualify for any other comorbidities. My BP seems to be okay. I don't have diabetes, but I am insulin resistant. I was diagnosed with PCOS about 4 or 5 years ago. I do have lower back pain a lot. Anyway, what are the exact steps should I go through first. Is going to the Seminar first a good idea then getting appointment with primary care and so forth? Sorry if this is confusing and please let me know if you are confused, and I will try and clarify. Sometimes my mind works quicker than my fingers. :biggrin:

Hi Grama, Thank you for the info. When I called the surgeon's office they told me to go to the seminar, bring the packet with me, which was asking about my history, diet history, weight, weight loss attempts and doctor info. They told me after the seminar, they would contact me to schedule an appointment with the surgeon. I went to see my primary care physician on Friday and told her what I was planning and she just said if the lap band doc needed anything, then she would gladly comply. So, now I guess it all rests in what the surgeon wants. I hope it is soon though. I hope you get yours soon and good luck to you. :crying:

Hi again all. :thumbup: I was wondering once banded, how long do you have to wait until you can really start exercising? thank you

This is good! :wink2: I'm glad I won't have to wait forever. :smile: Thank you for responding! :scared2:

Thank you for your responses. I definite want to do this. The worst surgery pain I have ever had was when I had surgery as a kid on my hips a year apart from each other for a slipped capitellum of the femoral head. The muscle spasms were excrutiating!! My C-section wasn't so bad. I likened it to doing too many situps or crunches. Thank you again for making me feel much, much better.

I started gaining weight at around the age of 6. So, I had an aunt who was only related by married, who EVERY TIME she would see me would say, "Paulette, you are such a pretty girl, but there is just too much of you." I remember how I felt at such a young age and I ALWAYS dreaded going back over there. In high school, there were these 3 jerks that were about a year older than me, and mind you, I really never had anyone make fun of me in school until this. But, this guy was in my home ec class and we were in the kitchen area and he told me to look out "big mamma" They also used to pass me in the hallway and say really loudly Jabba, jabba, jabba. Because they were tell me I looked like Jabba the Hut from Star wars. Man that hurt and it still does when I think back to that day. I finally had to go to the principle and tell him about it so they would leave me alone. They harrassed me most of the year.

Wow!! that IS awesome!!! Good for you!!! I hope I am as lucky. :confused: I still have a long way to go yet. I haven't even gone to the seminar yet. Soon though :thumbup:

I was wondering what type of anesthesia was used in the surgeries you all have had. Was it gas or IV? The reason I am asking is because I have had to under go many surgeries, as I was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. I had other surgeries too, but I do remember a certain kind of IV anesthesia that was used and I could actually smell it and taste it when it went into my veins. It was soooo yucky. I was a little kid and STILL remember how it smelled/tasted. I just hope they won't use the same stuff. :frown: Also, how long did the procedure take? Thank you, Paulette

Oh!! This is WONDERFUL news!! I am soooo glad to hear this. I was really apprehensive about it. Funny, the thing I remember the most about the surgeries is the darn anesthetic. Thank you so much for easing my mind!

I don't know why I didn't think of this before, because it was actually humiliating. One day my husband, son and I were on our way in the car somewhere, and I dropped my cell phone in the floor and try as I might I could not bend down to get it. So.....I had my husband slam the break hard enough to get over my belly to get that cell phone. I was so embarrassed and humiliated. My husband didn't say anything and we actually laughed, but really inside I was so humiliated. And this is not the first time I have had to do this to pick something up.

Hi all :tongue_smilie: I called my insurance again just to make sure I understood everything. At first, I thought I was going to have to make an appointment with my primary care physician to refer me to have the Lap band; however, luckily I called and they said all I would have to do basically to get an authorization is to have the surgeon call, which sounds divine to me. :tt1: So, I go to the seminar on the 23rd. I am guessing by what the receptioniost at the doctor's office said from there they will call the insurance. So, for those of you whose insurance worked like this, how long after the seminar did you find out if you had been approved? Thank you, Paulette

Yes, this is true. Life HAS been passing me by. I just hate that it has taken me so long to really decide on this method. I told my husband that when I do this, I don't want ANY of his family knowing, except for maybe his mom. His mom and I get along great. I just want to do so many things with my son and not feel embarrassed or afraid I'm going to hear someone's snide comment that could potentially hurt his feelings if he heard it. I want to be able to take him to Sea World or even to ride rides somewhat and not have anxiety because I'm afraid the bar won't go across me. I think I have been a prisoner in my own body for at least 30 years!!! Well over half my life. I am so ready for this and can't wait to join the rest of you in this wonderful journey. :tongue_smilie: Since deciding on doing this almost a week ago, this site has become an addiction. lol

Dolly, you are so pretty though!!! Wow!! But, I know what you mean though. It's funny, because when I was about 100 pounds lighter and I still wasn't slim, I would see myself as being HUGE. Now that I AM HUGE, I don't see how large I truly am until I see a pic of myself. Worst of all is the fact that I have a 6-year-old and I have refused to have a family portrait made because I am so ashamed at how I look. :tongue_smilie: My little one looked at me the other day, we were watching some lap band videos on youtube, and he looked at me so sad and put his hand on my stomach and said, "Momma, I don't want you to get bigger." I promised him I wouldn't and I would love to have a sibling for him before I get too old, but I don't want to even attempt to try to carry a baby at 280. So, this is for real and I am looking forward to the seminar soon.

I haven't been banded yet, but this was a great discussion. I, too, will have a difficult time after being banded with my diet lime cokes, but I think this will definitely be a small price to pay to become healthy. I wish you well.

Hi! I'm new here, but I had to stop and say congratulations!! I am really happy for you. As you know, people can be really stupid and judgemental, but don't let it get to you. Don't even let it get you the least bit angry. It's an opinion and ONLY an opinion that they have. Yes, it is absurd that they would try to make you feel bad or even imply that you should have your baby taken away over a fill. I have not gotten the band yet, but I hope to soon. I was lucky when I got pregnant with my son 6.5 years ago. Of course, I was a lot smaller than I am now and at the time I was going to the gym and had lost over 50 pounds, so getting pregnant was a snap back then. HOWEVER, during the pregnancy I gained over 50 pounds, lost 25, then regained the 25 pounds plus a lot more, and am now over 100 pounds heavier than I was then, which made me have polycystic ovaries I guess. Anyway, I would love to have another baby and hopefully it won't take too long until I can get the band and maybe be able to have another baby. I am 37 now, so I hope it will be soon. Sorry to make it so long, but I think it's great you are having a baby. Congrats and enjoy your pregnancy!! :biggrin: Paulette

I do wonder though, when one has the stomach flu the doctors will tell you that you can have flat 7-UP. So, what if you let the soda go flat for a little while. I know, I know, the fizz is the reason we drink it, but if you just like the "flavor" of Pepsi or Coke, then I just wonder.......:biggrin:

:eek:Hi All! Well, I have been thinking about the LAP Band for a while, but just now decided to get serious and really start researching it. I have decided that this is just too big for me to keep on like this any longer. I have been overweight most of my life; in fact, the last time I remember being at a normal weight was at about 5 years old. I just turned 37 twelve days ago. I am 100 pounds heavier than I was in 2001, after having my son. I have tried WW twice, lost 17 pounds the first time, then gained back 30 back, lost 13 pounds the last time and have gained back about 10 of that. I have tried Atkins, Southbeach and a few diets on my own. Phen-Phen back in 1997, and lost 40 pounds with that and gained that back plus some. So, I have finally realized I have TO DO SOMETHING!!! I did call my insurance and I know they do cover it, but of course you have to meet certain criteria. I will be going to a seminar on the 23rd. You all are great inspiration who have had this procedure. I admit since starting the research I have fought back and forth about the things I can't have if and when I get it to how much better I will feel after I get and finally start losing weight to keep it off for the rest of my life. I am looking forward to getting the ball rolling and getting to know the rest of you here. The funny thing I worry about most is getting the stomach flu with having the band and also losing weight and having the flabby skin. What happens if you do get the stomach flu with having the band? Well, as I learn more and progress, I will post from time to time. In the meantime, I will probably be a lurker and ask questions here and there from time to time. :cool: Take care Paulette

Yesss! Gooo Sooners!! Thank you for the Welcome! :cool: Looking forward to all of this. Nervous, but excited.