I'MREADY

Cathy, thank you so much for your support. This is a life decision, like it is for anyone considering surgery so I will really weigh all the facts before I make my decision. I know I can come here and get honest answers to my questions. thanks again.

I attended my first semminar yesterday and I'm feeling a bit overwelmed. I have researched this for many months, lapband vs. gastric bypass and now I don't know. When you can hear a doctor talk about the pros and cons of both surgeries, I now have questions if the lapband is what I want or if bypass is. I know in the end the doctor and I will make the decision together. Did anyone else first chose the band then change to bypass? There are lot of pre op requirements that both surgeries require so I've been making calls to set up appointments.Lots to take in and to read all the info they passed out. All in all the semminar was very informative and I enjoyed it. I was also glad to see I was not the smallest there or the oldest!!

My first semmiar is also 7/7. It's the beginning of my journey too. I'm just hoping I get approved.

I go to my first seminar on Tuesday 7/7. I'm excited to get this process started. good luck to you.

My pcp told me two weeks ago, everything was okay except my cholesterol was quite high. Yesterday I go to my therapist that had ordered the blood work and she said my glucose was high. After a 12 hours fast my glucose was 104 (I guess normal is 74-106) She said if it was that high after a fast that during the day it probably is spiking very high and is known as pre-diabetic. Anyone have this or can tell me anything about it. also my cholesterol was 285, trig 210, hdl 57, ldl 186. Will these numbers help or hurt getting me approved. I would say these are both comobities.

Thanks for the info. Don't want to be breaking it the first time I use it. If you put fruit in it, is that considered a liquid and suitable for post surgery?

I crochet and scrapbook. I have tried just about every craft out there but these are the two I still do. Use to do alot of sewing(had my own bridal business for years) I'm teaching my two grandaughters to crochet right now.

Do you have one and are they really worth the money? I just bought one on sale at Khol's for 40.00. Now I just have to convince my husband that I REALLY need it!

I haven't had my surgery yet but I do take pristiq. If I remember right I was nauseous the first week or so on it but then I was okay. It might just be your body getting use to the new med.

You look wonderful!!!!!!!!! congratulations on your success. You must be so proud of what you have accomplished. You certainly are an inspiration to all of us.

Reading these are so inspiring. I've never been smaller than a 12 back in 1969 when I got married. I'm just starting the process so if I'm approved I hope to have my surgery this year. Here's a story about size perception. My grandaughter was down last week, 15 yrs old. I had two boys so no one to wear my wedding dress! Just for fun I asked her to try it on. She put it on and had trouble zipping it but did get it zipped finally. Now in 1969 this dress was a size 12 and I never saw myself as small back then. My grandaughter wears a size 3/5 jeans!!!!!!!!!! and it fit her...... At first I was really depressed but then I realize, I had been that size one time and I sure can try to get there again. I will be thrilled to actually get in a size 14 misses!! Thanks for sharing your success stories. They keep us in the beginning of the process something to look forward to.

Good question. I'm in the same situation. I'll be interested what the answer to that is too. I am just starting the process and have my first seminar July 7.

my appointments:

seminar #1-July 7

seminar #2-July 23

pa...........-July 27

nut...........Aug 17

dietician......Sept 16

surgeon.......Sept 30

Does the surgeon give you a surgery date and then you have to start the 10% weight loss or maybe the pa gives the date so you have time to start losing before you actually see the surgeon? I'm getting excited since my appointments are getting closer, even though Sept 30 seems like years away. My insurance has to have a recommendation from the surgeon's office before they will approve or reject you.

thanks for any info you can give me

Deb

Hi, I'm also in the very early stages. I have my 6 appointments set and have my first infor seminar July 7, lots inbetween and surgeon appointment Sept 30, Lots can happen between now and then and hope I don't get kicked to the curb along the way. I have a lower bmi so very unsure about getting approved. Hoping for the best. I'm 59 and wished I had made the decision a long time ago. I just know I can't continue on this path of weight gain. I have had weight problems for the last 40 years. pm me if you want to talk about our journey. good luck.

How long did you take off from work? I have a desk job, so no issures with lifting. My biggest fear is of getting sick at work. My office is glass enclosed and kinda open to the world! I'm also nervous about getting enough Protein and eating stuff that won't make me sick. I'm a gulper when it comes to drinking Water, better start practicing sipping.

What a sense of humor!! Loved it. Congratulations on your progress. I am just starting the journey and hope to be banded this fall.

I just called and was told to not start loisng any until I see the pa on July 27. She will do my first official weigh in and that will be my starting point. If that's the case I will need to lose about 20lbs in 2 months.( I would like to have my 10% done before I see the surgeon on sept. 30) I've done it before so I think I can do it once more. My problem is I can't keep it off. Like probably everyone here..

According to Albany Med website he does require 10%. Since I am borderline with my bmi (38-39) and weight at 216 at my pcp appointment. I was unsure if I lose weight that puts my bmi lower if I would be turned down. Maybe I'll call them today and ask. Since I would have to lose about 20 lbs, it would give me more time to lose that amount before the surgeon appointment. thanks Deb

I am set to see the nutritionist on aug 17 and the dietician on Sept 16, surgeon on Sept 30. When does the first weigh in happen and is that when they tell you to lose the 10%? If they tell me on August 17 to lose 10% and I lose it by the surgeon appointment will that get me surgery quicker? My 10% will be about 22 lbs. Hope this isn't a stupid question. thanks

Well finally have appointments set up starting with the information session on July 7 and ending with surgeon appointment on Sept 30th. Now if I don't get told my bmi is too low, I'm hoping surgery will be early fall! Now I'll have a ton of questions for all you people in the know here. The light at the end of the tunnel is very dim but at least I can start to see it!!!!!! wish me luck. I am going to Albany Med in Albany NY, Hoping I get Dr. Sighn(?) not sure who my appointment is with I was so excited when she was setting up all these appointments I never asked her.

ponyexpress....out stats are pretty much alike. 5'4" 216.5 ! I haven't been approved yet but ope to know something by the weekend. My pcp office if contacting the surgeons office to get me an appointment. Hope it's soon. good luck on the 12th.

Deb

You look fabulous!!!!!!!! I am still waiting approval and a surgeons appointment and seeing your pictures I want it so bad. I need to put your picture on my fridge!!!!!

Don't know if all protien powder is created equal but my son lifts weights and he uses Body Fortress super advanced whey Protein from Walmart. He is VERY fussy and he said the vanilla and the choc are really good, He didn't like the strawberry. I think hw said it had 52 g per 2 scoops.

Band-groupie...

Thanks for your reply. The first thing I did was contact the ins. co for their policy. They mailed me a copy that same day. I have mild sleep apena bp and very high cholostrol, inconidence(spell) all of which the surgeons office said didn't count. Guess I'll just in a holding pattern on the runway waiting for takeoff!!!!! I'll pm you after work with more questions. thanks again for listening, just needed a little reasurance today. btw I have cdphp insurance. Deb

Yesterday at my pcp appointment my bmi was 38. I'm 5'4" and 216.5 I convinced my pcp to get me the letter of med neccesary and then I called the surgeon office to sign up for the semminar she said my insurance wouldn't cover me and won't even let me attend the semminar. I called my insurance and they told me to have my pcp send for a prior authorization and send his letter to the insurance co. It takes 48-72 hours to get approved or turned down. I'm at a brick wall now. If my insurance won't cover it, no way can I be a self pay. I'm really upset now. I was really counting on this. It's not like I have gained 20 lbs and want to lose it. I have been overweight all my life with a 40 yr history of loss and gain diets. I don't want to wait until I get so overweight that the surgery would be a huge health risk to even have it done. With a low bmi did you all have to go through all the 6 months of testing and appointments? Or does that depend on the doctor. Did your insurance cover the appointments and testing? thanks for listening and pray for me that the insurance can see in favor of the surgery for me. Deb