mrsteacher

That is what the doctor said also. I also ease my tension by realizing that many surgeries have various implants and those objects have no "for sures" either. I went shopping for clothes today. Of course I became frustrated because it seems the cute clothes are for smaller women. Then I became excited to think that in just a few months I might be able to start looking for smaller outfits. I have my CPAP test tonight. Hopefully I will be cleared for surgury. That is all that insurance is waiting for.

I wish you continued success. I have had to learn not to get upset with myself for letting myself get to this weight. I have always been thin up until age 30. That is when I started gaining tons. I found out that I had Hypothyroidism. My weight continued to climb eventhough I am at the right level of synthroid. Basically, I have to eat very little to lose the weight. I am hoping with the band, that will help me in the long run. I have been able to lose weight by will power, but after so many months will power is hard to come by. I am not an all day snacker. I just need to eat smaller portions. I know it is a matter of calories in vs. calories out. My calories out is much slower. :tongue2: My biggest worry isn't the diet, but how will the band last throughout my life. I wish there was more information about the lifespan of the device.

I am like most. I am getting close, and I ask myself "Can I do it myself?" It is scary to think that i will be so limited to what I can eat. this is my response to myself. If I was to try it one more time on my own what would I have to do? Well, I will have to stop eating high calorie food. I will have to limit my portions and I will have to excersize. I will have to curve my cravings and have great self control. I have to follow the same guidelines with the band. with or without the band, I have to do this to lose weight. I sure could use the help. Lapband will help me with what I would have to do to lose the weight anyway. Okay, I just reread this and it sounds repetitive. But since we seem to be thinking the same thoughts, you probably understand. :biggrin: I have a lower BMI. I am 232 at 5'4"

I have tried meridia at least 3 times in the past. It worked wonders for the couple months that I would be on it. After a couple of months I would lose about 10 pounds and then get nervous because of taking a drug for weight lost. Merida didn't necessarily limit what food; I had to do that on my own. What it did do is limit the amount of food that I wanted to eat. I am hoping that the band will work the same way. I know that I will follow the food guidelines, but I guess I am looking at the portion control as being my tool.

I also am from Davenport. I am sure that we might meet at a support seminar. Maybe we even went to a class together.

I am also from the Quad Cities. Dr. Phelps is my surgeon. I am a little nervous, but am excited to get started. I am just waiting for a date, so I can get my mind really focused. I have practiced small bites and chewing tons. It just seems silly at this point until I get the date. The sleep apnea issue has slowed things down just a bit. Oh well, it will help with the approval process. I don't think I have to wait the 6 mo. That is good news.

Hello, I am still waiting for a date. My insurance said that I had to have a pulmonary and stress test done. When I went to my pulmonary, of course they wanted me to have a sleep study. Well, I guess I have mild apnea. and I also have asthma. Now I have to go back for round two for the sleep apnea. The weather has been horrible and I have had to cancel both and reschedule. I am hoping now for sometime early Feb. The longer the process, the less it feel real.

I would be absolutly thrilled to lose 70 pounds. I am 5'4 and 230 pounds. to be 160 again. Wow. I have a pretty high lean muscle mass. At least that is what I was told by the nutritionist. I plan to work out to continue to build my lean muscle mass. I coach volleyball and live on a farm, so I guess all that lifting and moving has kept me in shape (on the inside, under all of the fat, I am told that I am lean :rolleyes2: It is okay that the weight will come off a little slower. It seems like a more natural way to lose weight then having bypass surgery. However, to each their own. I have my visit with the surgeon next week. Hopefully a date for the lb will be discussed then. thank you all for giving me something to look forward to.

I am also from Iowa. I live near the Quad Cities. I have my first appointment with the surgen next week. I have passed my eval. and am waiting on the insurance approval. I think that it will basically boil down to following a 6 month diet. Although that is not for sure, since I have two good insurances through my work and my husband's (At least that is what I am told.) I am ready to get the ball really rolling. wouldn't even mind being on the liquid diet throughout the holidays. Have a great holiday season.

I have also turned in all of my medical records. I have two insurances (Family through my husband, bcbs Federal and individual through my work.) I have a BMI of 40. I do not know if this will be enough. I was told by word of mouth in this area that the only comorbid conditions that are looked at are type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea. They won't look at my significant family history of diabetes and they aren't too worried about "bad" knees. I found that if I completely relax my posture, I can go from 5'4 to 5'3". That will help when they are caculating my BMI. That will push me closer to 41BMI and a better chance. I never thought that I would be excited to be at a 41BMI, but when I am always stuck at a 39 and can't go down, it is a relief to know that help might be on the way. I will cross my right hand fingers for you, and my left fingers for me. :crying:

I have two different policies. I know that the district I work for has approved many surgeries in the past. I also have a second policy through bcbs federal. I am hoping that one will approve. I also worry that after my initial appointment and I lose a few pounds it will take me under the 40 BMI. I am one that is right on the edge. I can't lose it, but always on the brink of being at 40 BMI. I would hate to wait until I develope diabetes. I am sure that is in my future because of the family history. Thanks for your help.

I hope everything continues to go well for you. I am just starting the process also. I am a little worried with having a BMI of only 40 that the insurance will not approve. Good luck with everything going as planned. I will be reading about your progress.

Hello, I guess this is the first step that makes it a realization that I am ready for a significant change. I have been fighting my weight for about 10 years now. It was found that I had hypothyroidism about 4 years ago. (5 years after gaining all the weight.) I have been on meds. and my THS is controlled. Well, the weight still is out of control. I am right at 40 BMI and am afraid that it will not be dramatic enough for imy insurance company to cover the lap band. I have a significant family history of diabetes and cancer, and am nervous that these things might await me if my weight continues to be a factor. A year ago I was 30 pounds lighter due to excessive dieting and workouts. Also, I used Merida for extra help. Well, I stopped Merida and the weight came right back on. I have my initial appointment in a week. I guess I will see what the nurse's thoughts are regarding my qualifications. Are there others out there who were approved based on a 40 BMI?