lopete421

Noura I have to say that I had the same reaction from folks I told...you aren't that big. I am 5'2" and weighed 202. So not hundreds of pounds to lose but enough to know that I would only have gained more and more to 300 lbs. My husband did go to the seminar with me...it was our wedding ann. so I shamed him into it...but was encouraged to stay on board with me which he has. I was banded on 10/20 and I am getting a little sick of Protein drinks...but what of it. I am 61 years old and I want to live a lot longer. As of this morning I am 181 and I have lost 7 lbs since surgery. Not a lot but enough for me to know that this was the right thing for me. The pain was tolerable and I would do it over again in a heartbeat. Just follow the steps and see where they lead and make an informed decision for YOU not your friends, family or husband. About smoking, I would rather be thin than smoke my 3 packs of Marlboro's a day. And with the money saved, I can buy a new wardrobe lol Cheers Lois

I am being banded on Tues and I am happy excited and scared to death. I am struggling with having my "last meal" of a fried seafood platter lol Lois

I just had my 2nd visit with the nutritionist...I have lost 8 pounds. My BMI was 38 before I lost this weight and I worried that I may not qualify. I was told that they pass in your original weight to the insurance company. They only want you to lose some pounds to help with the liver not being so inflammed for surgery. So don't worry :crying:

HI I just wanted to wish you good luck with your banding....I am thinking you have prob. already had it done. In any event, I am still quite a ways away ...the psy. gr. meetings are full already for Aug. so I prob. won't get those done until Sept. Also, I was told that they only band once a month. Well good luck with your surgery Lois

That is wonderful!!! Good for you. I am just starting my journey so I have months to go before I reach that stage...but I am so happy for you!! God bless Lois:thumbup:

Oh OH...I have been reading that some folks are having to do an endoscopy as part of this preliminary stuff? That makes me a little nervous.....is this true for Harvard Pilgrim does any1 know?

My paperwork doesn't go to the insurance company until I meet with the nutr. a few times and the psy. a few times, loose 10% of my weight and then they send it...boy what a drag:thumbdown:

I am wondering what is the normal time frame before the seminar you attend before seeing the surgeon and the actual surgery date. I have done the seminar, seen the surgeon, have 2 different appoints in June, 1 with the nutritionist and the other with a nurse in the surgeon's office. I still haven't heard from the psy. about setting up the sessions with them. So all things considered, maybe a Sept. surgery date? Thanks for any infor:confused:

Hi I am also 61. I went to a seminar and had my first visit with the surgeon on Monday. I will need 2-3 psy. cons. sessions and 2 sessions with a nutritionist before they can schedule the surgery. I "only" need to loose about 80 pounds...but they want me to loose 10 before the surgery. See as they won't pass my paperwork into the ins. com. until I complete all the above, I am afraid I won't qualify as my BMI will be much too low. I guess it's an adventure, but I hate to spend $600 for the psy. cons. and then be turned down. My surgeon listed his age group at the seminar...ages 18-66 so I am thinking age is the least of it. Good luck. This waiting is for the birds Lois

Ok, so I had my first visit with the surgeon. My BMI is 37.5. but I have medical issues like high blood pressure, etc. which necessitates the lap band surgery. I really have only 70 pounds to loose. My problem is that they want me to lose 10-15 pounds on my own...not a problem in itself. But the surgeon doesn't pass in the request to the insurance company until I pass the psych. test, dietician and 4 wkly group sessions. If I lose that weight them my BMI will be even lower and possibly that will put the surgery off as they might feel that I don't "need" it. On the other hand, if I don't loose any weight, then my numbers don't change and the surgery will probably we okayed. I can loose weight ok, but put it back on right away as I just can get portion control on track and I never feel full. So, with only a lesser amount to loose what should I do???? :crying: Lose the 10-15 pounds and chance the surgery no happening or try to maintain and have my liver in an uproar. Of course if I don't loose some weight on my own, then I understand that the surgeon won't do the surgery either. I feel like I am between and rock and a hard wall... Anyone else have this issue?:wub:

I went to the preliminary seminar on Tues. with Dr. Streeter and I have my appt with him on June 1. I hope I will qualify for the surgery. I am leaning more toward the lap band but then I worry about the plastic in my system and what happens down the road with it. Then I switch to the rouex y procedure. I am not sure which way I will decide. I am about 80 pounds or so over weight. Maybe we will meet up during a group meeting

I am just starting my journey with Dr. Kruger although at this point I don't know if I fit the criteria. I will be going to the seminar next week. I am 61, 5'1.5" and weigh 200 pounds I am so set on having this done but I don't know if HP will cover it. My bmi is 38 What do you think?