WannaBe1/2TheWoman

Congratulations! Where are you located in Missouri? I am in St. Louis.

Hi Franic, I never tried to reach anyone by phone, prior to attending the seminar. I signed up online for the seminar and within a few days, a packet arrived in my mail. I filled out all the information that I could, and took it with me to the seminar. They will answer all of your questions and more at the seminar. I hope to have the single incision, but I don't meet with Dr. Scott until a week from today. One of the women at the support group meeting I attended, had the SIL and she was ecstatic. She said she had very little pain, no staples, and very short recovery. So, I'm hoping! I don't know if they do surgeries in Kirkwood or not. I live closer to Kirkwood, but am going to DePaul. The first Wednesday of the month, they have a support group meeting, if you're interested. I attended in March and it was wonderful for getting alot of information. About 1/2 the people there had already been banded, and the other 1/2 were like me - gathering information and waiting.... Let me know if you have any other questions and best wishes to you!

I totally agree with you! I haven't even gotten my date yet, but I am doing things now that I haven't been able to do in the past 2 years. I am watching more of what I eat, drinking more Water, and best of all - I think I have given up my addiction to Diet Mt. Dew!!! This sounds silly, but this is HUGE for me, and it was the one thing that bothered me about having the band - was knowing that I wouldn't be able to drink it anymore. Well, I am at least a month away from surgery, and I haven't had a diet mt. dew in 3 days!!! I think what we are all feeling is a renewed feeling of HOPE! Have a great week!

Knewme: I posted this same question on 3/17, and I was amazed at the variety of answers I got. It was wonderful, and after reading them all, it made my own indecision easier. Take a look at it here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/telling-people-you-banded-90101/ I don't have my date yet, but am close to getting it, and I have told my mother, sister, best friend, my son, and 3 co-workers that are close friends. They are all very supportive, but I've asked them not to tell anyone else. I'm not ashamed of having the surgery, and maybe after it is over and things are going well, I will tell people, but I don't want to tell people now, and then wish I hadn't. It's a personal decision, and how we each handle it is up to us. I hope to only be out of work for a few days, and plan to tell the other co-workers that I'm having a medical procedure. That is all they need to know. What I'm having done is no one's business. Hopefully that is helpful - but read my thread from 3/17...I appreciated all the responses I got. Good luck!

Hi Resintx, I don't have my date yet, but I am sure everyone goes through this same thing. Just keep telling yourself that it will all be worth it when you're thin and healthy! Keep busy, stay on LBT for support, ideas, and inspiration. Looking at Before & After pics does it for me! Just remember: Nothing you eat will taste as good as being thin will feel! Good luck and hang in there - the pre-op diet will be over before you know it!!

I shop at Dress Barn & Fashion Bug, and I can't wait till the day I can walk in and go to the 1/2 of the store that has the SKINNY clothes in it, instead of the PLUS sizes!! And, I can't wait to buy my first ever sexy little black dress! :smile2:

I've read similar posts a few times and find it amazing. These surgeries are their bread and butter - you'd think they'd be just as anxious to get you approved as you are! When I started my journey, I was amazed at how quickly they submitted my paperwork. The doctor that did my psych eval and the dietician also submitted their reports for me within 24 hours of my appts. I agree that you might want to go to the office in person and politely find out what the hold up is. It's possible that there is a legit reason for the delay. Good Luck and hang in there!

LOL...don't feel bad, Band-Groupie....I'm a "list" person too! Unfortunately, I don't have my surgery date yet, so I'm trying to keep myself busy with my reading and research. I'm so anxious to get on with it, that I'm almost tingling from trying to subdue my excitement and stay focused on other things in my life, like my JOB...lol. The LBT Web site is such a god-send; so full of information, excitement and entertainment. Since I'm at least a month out from surgery, I don't know what I'd do without this site!

Hi Franic, I haven't been banded yet, but I will be soon. I'm going through the Weight Loss Institute at SSM DePaul Hospital. I attended their seminar on 2/12 and the team that was assigned to me has been wonderful. I meet with Dr. Stephen Scott in about 10 days, and hopefully after that, I'll be scheduled for surgery. Best Wishes to you as you do your research!

Hey Lingling, Nice pics...you'll have to keep taking your progression pics in your pretty little black dress! That is a dream of mine - to actually OWN a little black dress...lol. I want to post pics too, but want to wait till I'm closer to a surgery date. Yours is coming up fast! Woo hoo!!!

Congrats! I am so jealous. I'm still 13 days from my consultation with the surgeon, but am trying to be patient. I'm also hoping to be able to go back to work soon...like surgery on Wednesday, back to work Monday. I have a desk job and I've heard of others that have done it. But, we'll see.

When I went to attend the seminar put on by the WL Institute, I had already decided on the Lapband. Then, after listening to the surgeon talk about both, I was on the fence and was almost leaning more toward RNY. So, I made a list (I am a list-person) of pros and cons for both and really researched both, and read testimonials on both, and finally decided that the lapband, was indeed better for me. The pros and cons will be different for each person, but for me, I decided on the lapband because: ** It is reversible, if need be (the band can be unfilled or removed) ** Although the RNY has made great strides in safety, it is still a little more invasive than lapband & changes the body's "plumbing" more ** With bypass, I just didn't like the idea of how the body makes it's excretory "dump" after eating. Seems to me there were some other reasons I made this choice, but research it and read up on both - you will make a choice that is best for you. Good Luck!

Hi Everyone, I too am waiting (impatiently). My process has not really taken very long, but after I did all the things my insurance company asked (Dietician, psych eval, etc), the next thing is to meet with the surgeon and the first available appt for that was 4/6, so I've literally been waiting the entire month of March! My nurse at the Weight Loss Institute and the nurse that is overseeing my case at BCBS told me that everything is in place...just need this consultation with the surgeon, where he will determine if I need any further tests, etc. Once he clears me and notifies my insurance co., I can be scheduled for a day-long orientation with the "team", and that is the day my surgery is scheduled. She told me that it is usually within a month, so I'm still holding out hope for an April banding date, but deep down, I know that it might be May. So, in the meantime, I prepare mentally, am making my list of things I want to be sure to do before the surgery, list of things to have on hand, list of foods I want to eat before I can't ... lol... and I get on this forum a few times a day to read, read, read. I'd love to correspond with a couple of people in the same part of the process as me, if anyone is interested....would love to hear from you. Best wishes to those going in soon, and for those still waiting!

Hello, My name is Sherri. I am 44 years old and live in St. Louis, MO. I am divorced and the mother of a 19-year-old son. I have battled my weight for the past 24 years, gaining and losing, gainin and losing, and finally this past winter, after much research and soul-searching, decided that the LapBand is the way to go for me. I am 260 lbs right now, 5'5" tall. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, hypertension, and just last month with hyperthyroidism. It's really sad that I let myself get this "sick" before I decided I should do something about it. I won't know for a couple of weeks if I will be banded in April, but I'm HOPEFUL, so keep your fingers crossed for me. I am really ready and excited to get on the road to being healthy, and I look forward to being in touch with all of you, as we travel this road together.

Yes, you are right...there are alot of different perspectives, and that is what I was hoping for when I posed the question. It is a personal decision and each person's situation will be different. Thank you to everyone for sharing your thoughts and experiences, I really appreciate it. Best, Sherri

Hello - I hope to be banded in April, and I'm so excited! One thing I would love to know from you all - Are you / or / have you told (most) people about your banding? So far, I have only told a couple of very close friends and a couple of family members. And I'm thinking that once I'm banded, and people start to notice my weight loss, if they ask "What are you doing?", I'm just going to say "eating less..". That won't be a lie, but is it wrong? It's not that I want to keep it a secret or that I'm ashamed, but I just don't think everyone needs to know. I also don't want to be the subject of debates/gossip at work, family gatherings, etc. If you've been banded, how are you handling this? If you're about to be banded, how do you plan to handle it? Thanks! Sherri

Hi Sissy and everyone, I'm an April "HOPEFUL".. and love that there is a group of us all in the same place in the process so we can share excitement, anxiety, news, tips, etc! I have a consultation with the surgeon on April 6 and should be approved by insurance prior to that, so I know it's close, but I'm getting so impatient! Sherri

Hi Everyone, I joined this site a week ago and mostly read, I haven't posted many comments. But I'm hoping to be an April Bandster too. So, far, my insurance company has responded quickly to everything, but now I'm waiting to get in to a consultation with the surgeon and April 6 is his first available appt for that. Hopefully once we meet, things will move quickly. March is dragging for me... I'm so happy for those of you that have your surgeries scheduled! I'd love to chat with anyone that is getting close, so I'll know what to expect. Thanks!

How exciting for you both - this week! I am not yet scheduled, but will be excited to read your posts as you get closer and afterwards. Best Wishes!

Hello everyone, This is my first visit to the site and I am excited to meet new people, that have or will be going through the same process that I am. Currently, I am waiting for insurance approval, but am getting close. Hope to be banded in April. Nice to meet you all!