juliansmom2003

Hi! Congrats on your surgery date! How exciting! I too am 5'1 and 230 (about 6 years older than you though). May I ask how much you'd like to lose? I'm hoping and praying for 80 to 90 lbs, but I have been reading that the average results are about 50% of the weight overage? I'm trying to figure out if that is the case with 'real' people though LOL I'm so glad I found this board. Even though I have a great support system, none of them are going through it with me. To have a whole group of people going through the same thing to chat with is just such a blessing! Lots of luck on the surgery!!!

Hi Bobbie! I'm new here too! My seminar is scheduled for July (doc is going out of town or else I'd be in there next week). I've been researching the surgery for so many months that I'm just raring to get started! You gals are very lucky to have supportive husbands! While mine will support me with whatever I decide to do (duh! I'm having the surgery! LOL), he doesn't feel like I need it. He says that I'm perfect the way I am and he doesn't want me to change a thing. The issue is I don't like myself the way I am and if I don't change, I don't think I ever will, so that trumps how he feels LOL. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to getting to know everyone and having the support I need from people that are going through the same thing!

Tizzylish, did the insurance company give you a reason that they wouldn't cover it? Is it that they just don't cover WLS or would it make a difference if your doctor wrote a letter of medical necessity and a surgeon was able to confirm that you are a perfect candidate for this? Perhaps they have other weight loss/healthy lifestyle programs you can try before taking this step? I did a search online and here is a great reference resource I found. Maybe it will help you: http://www.lapband.us/lap-band-insurance.html ITA with the previous poster. Go somewhere that you know no one, put on the suit and a t-shirt. Your kids won't care one bit and they are more important than any idiots out there that make you feel ashamed. ((HUGS)) Don't give up. This is a great forum and honestly, surrounding yourself with positive people and getting support like this while considering taking this step is major. DON'T GIVE UP! There is always a way.....

I must say that I am thrilled that I found this group! It's been great researching the surgery and all the details from an informational standpoint, but I think I need to hear about 'real' people's experiences, since this is such a big step in my life. That said, I want to introduce myself. I'm Karen, 35 (will be 36 soon) from Philadelphia, married with 2 kiddies (ages 5 and 3). I have been on a serious weight loss/gain rollercoaster practically my whole life and have been researching Lap Band for about 2 months now. I saw my primary physician on Friday and she is very supportive of my decision to have the surgery and has agreed to write the letter of medical necessity so my insurance will cover the procedure. I go for my seminar on July 2 and from there, I am able to make my initial appointment with the surgeon. I am 5'1 and 230 (BMI of 43.5). I have been reading through these posts and I must say how thrilled I am at how supportive everyone is. I feel like I've found a great place here!! I have so many questions, so I'm just steady writing them down for the surgeon, as I can see from reading these posts that doctors can be really different. I do have a question that I was hoping someone could answer about insurance-paid procedures. Are the fills also covered or are these out of pocket expenses? I currently have my benefits manager looking into it, but just wanted to see what the consensus is here. I'm really looking forward to this amazing journey and getting to know everyone better! Lots of luck to everyone pre-op, post-op or even if you're just considering getting banded! Karen

Well, I've been researching this surgery for a few months now and have finally accepted it has become a necessity. With my kids being so young, I want to do something now so when they get older, they won't be teased about having a fat mom. The prospect of having this surgery has brought me unbelievable hope. My doctor agrees with my decision and will provide her approval for insurance to cover the surgery, and I have a tremendous supporter in my mom. I just wish my husband agreed with this. While he is supportive of whatever my ultimate decision is, he feels that I don't need to do this and he loves me exactly the way I am right now. Well and good, but I don't love me the way I am right now..... Let the journey begin....:w00t:

Well, I've been researching this surgery for a few months now and have finally accepted it has become a necessity. With my kids being so young, I want to do something now so when they get older, they won't be teased about having a fat mom. The prospect of having this surgery has brought me unbelievable hope. My doctor agrees with my decision and will provide her approval for insurance to cover the surgery, and I have a tremendous supporter in my mom. I just wish my husband agreed with this. While he is supportive of whatever my ultimate decision is, he feels that I don't need to do this and he loves me exactly the way I am right now. Well and good, but I don't love me the way I am right now..... Let the journey begin....