PSJ71

LOL Kari, I was in your shoes last week!! My doc submitted my paperwork on the 11th and I found out on the 17th I had been approved. But Precert didn't get it until the 16th, so it took 1 day after it reached precert to get an answer!! Good luck, hon!! I know what you are going through.

You know, I wondered the very same thing about the band. I asked my doctor a couple of months ago, if he had ever had anyone get to their maximum fill and never get restriction and he said one. So, it seems that the odds are that it is not likely going to happen. I was a bit nervous at that thought of being a person who had fills and never had any restrictions. But, now I'm not so nervous about it anymore.

I started with a seminar in September. Bariatric coordinator appointment in November and then an actual visit with the doctor in December. My surgery is set for July 7th. So, right almost 10 months. My insurance changed, which is why I think mine took a little longer. My new insurance required a 3-month or 6-month supervised diet, and I opted for the 3 month. Good luck to you! :sad:)

Hi All, I am still reeling from the insurance approval and surgery date, but now I have to decide on which band to get! It's funny, because I have read and researched and read some more about each band, but I am still totally on the fence! I have to make up my mind by Tuesday, as this is my preop nutritional class and my preop appointment with my doc. So, I know this issue is definitely going to come up. Also, the insurance girl at the office said she will have to know so they can order it. I was set on the lap band at first; then when I saw the Realize C come out, I liked the look of it, almost decided with that until I asked my surgeon about it. After he said he and some other of his colleages didn't like it, then I was on the fence again. So, back to square one again on which one. I heard some people with the realize band don't have as many things get stuck, but is it really true? I am just so confused and will keep reading posts and such and maybe I can make a decision before Tuesday. Wish me luck! :sad:)

Hi Tena, As with any weight loss surgery, there are risks involved. Yes, there is always the possibility that the band can slip. There is always the possibility that it can erode into the stomach. Weight loss surgery should never be thought of as a "short-term" fix for obesity. Once the decision is made to have weight loss surgery, it has to be understood that it is a permanent decision. Theoretically, yes, the band could be removed after you lose weight, but if it were to be removed, you would end up gaining back all of your weight. It is scary undergoing a drastic procedure such as this, but like many people here, I have yo-yo'd with my weight my entire life, and have tried just about every method to lose it. Yes, I succeeded a few times only to have it come back plus a whole lot more. I decided on the band, beCause I am 37, with no real comorbidities, except for the weight and sleep apnea, (thankfully), but I also know that the older I get the chances for other things to develop are so much higher. My husband and I also want to have another baby and with the band it would be safer than being pregnant with the RNY. I don't like the thought of my insides being re-routed, so I have opted to have the band surgery. I know that if I continue to try to lose weight on my own, I will not be successful. So, in a nutshell, yes the band is A LOT safer than some of the other weight loss procedures. In the event something should happen, it can be removed or reveresed, whereas the other procedures cannot. I hope this helps! Good luck, Paulette

Hi Cherri! How exciting!!! I am betting you are not able to sleep a wink. I know I will be the same way. I wish you a smooth surgery and quick healing!! Come back in a few days and post your surgery day story! Would love to read it!! ) Bless you and take care :sad: Paulette

Thank you so much! :sad:)

It sure will and I am looking forward to seeing your progress!! :thumbup:) Good luck to you!!

Hi all! I will start by saying I came into the world at 5 pounds 5 ounces. Sadly, at around age 7, I started to gain weight and have been pretty much overweight my entire life and from teenage years on, mostly weighing in the 200s. In 2000, I decided to get on a health kick and quit smoking (and still successful with that), I obtained a personal trainer and started hitting the gym! I started at 203 and by October of 2000, I was at 165 pounds. Then, I met my husband, got pregnant in March of 2001, and gained over 50 pounds during the pregnancy. Twenty-five of that came off after and then I gained that back plus a whole lot more. My highest weight EVER has been 280 pounds, and I am 5 feet 2 inches. Now, I am at 258 pounds. So, since my first doc visit, I have lost 18 pounds, as I weighed 275 then. I am now 37, almost 38 on July 1. We have a 7-year-old son and have been wanting to have another baby. AFter I had him my body just went crazy. My menstrual cycles went crazy and then I was also diagnosed with PCOS. Sooooo, one reason for the band is we want to try for another baby maybe in the next year. This just made sense to me. I think that kind of wraps up my obesity history and I am so looking forward to sharing in this fantastic journey we are all on together. I have decided to document my journey on Youtube, and if anyone is interested in that, my user name is PSJ71. take care!! Paulette

Mine was submitted on June 11th and I got my approval on the 17th. My insurance is Aetna PPO.

Hi there!! Good luck to you!!! Are you self-pay or will you be using insurance? I think if you are self-pay it tends to go quicker, because insurance usually have certain requirements, as mine I had to have a letter from my physician, and I had to follow a 3-month supervised diet and have a psych evaluation. From the time I started with Dr. appointments, testing, etc. I started all that in November and just was now approved for surgery on the 17th, given a surgery date today.

That would be awesome!! Yes! I just accepted :thumbup:)

Heck! I never look!! LOL No, I will definitely go and start doing posts there. I will see you there!! ) And yes, it would be fantastic to have someone to go through this with. What is your preop diet like? I haven't gone to my preop nutrition class yet, which is scheduled for Tuesday, along with my preop doc visit. I have a gist of what my diet is going to be and mainly liquid!! Will we make it? LOL :thumbup:

Thank you so very much, Jenny :thumbup:)

Thank YOU So much for that wonderful post!! I am about to be banded and I truly needed this!! :thumbup:) HUGS, Paulette

Hi lovelies!! I was just wondering if anyone else is scheduled to be banded on July 7th? I got my surgery date and this is what they gave me! So, preop diet here I come, which will be started on Saturday June 27th! :thumbup:) Take care, Paulette

Yes! I do feel so good!!! :thumbup:) My doctor's office called this morning and they set me up for July 7th!!! I start my preop diet on the 27th!! Next Saturday!! Yipes!!! But, I am so ready!! My birthday is July 1! So, this is like a birthday present!! I 'm so excited. I can't wait to see how things go for you!! )

Congratulations on your band!! I am set up for July 7th!! I know how you feel. I have thought bout the very same things. I think everyone in this forum has! One thing I do know from here is this is such a wonderful group of people here! It's nice to have a place to go where everyone knows exactly what each other is going through. I will be glad to be banded to share my experience as well. Good luck, hon! I know you will do great!!

Hi all :wink:) I just had to post my excitement! I just talked to my doc's office and they set my surgery date up for July 7th!! :sneaky:) 6 days after my birthday. What a fantastic birthday present!! I am so happy1!! :crying:)

Marquia, Congratulations on your weight loss thus far. You have definitely made the best decision of your life. I haven't been banded yet, but I feel liberated in knowing I will finally be in control of something that seemed so hopeless for me. Bless you and good luck!

Oh goodness!! I am excited for you too!! I was approved today as well! Yayyyyyy US!!! :wink:) Just awesome huh!!

Thank you, Linda. I am so excited I just cant' stand it!! lol

Should be working, I had heard that sometimes it is a quick turnaround, but I was totally shocked mine was this quick. :blushing:)

Iris, that is sooo cool!! My birthday is on July 1. I will be thinking of you on July 2nd. :blushing:)

I just had to come share my wonderful information with all of you!! My doctor submitted to my insurance on the 11th. I have aetna PPO and pre-cert got it yesterday. I call about 25 minutes ago and was shocked to hear that they authorized it!! I am approved!!! I almost started crying!!! I am soooooooooo happy!! I will finally be joining all of you on the loser's bench soon!! Thanks for reading!! :w00t:) :blushing: