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Hi, My name is Lisa and I am starting my LAP-BAND®® journey. I am pre-surgery...one month into my 6mo approval period for insurance. I am still undecided if this is really for me but I am going thru all the steps - hoping the decision becomes clearer. I cannot lose weight on my own. I am hoping having a physical limitation will help me change my life. My first month of "on my own" I have lost seven (7) lbs. I have attended one support group meeting and met with the surgeon for the first time yesterday. I am excited to find this forum because the support groups offered in my area aren't traditional / sharing groups - they are more like informative seminars. There were 80+ people at the last one, not enough seats or handouts, and the guest speaker was not a LB patient but rather a bypass patient (this was a LB meeting). Not exactly what I was expecting. I was wondering what kind of relationship you guys have with your surgeons. His staff is great, but I feel like I am a number / slot on his roster. I thought he would ask me why I wanted the surgery - what I hoped for it to change - etc. Instead he seemed concerned about my paperwork and my insurance approval - that's it. I don't know if I am expecting a rapport that is not typically there with surgeons? My husband pointed out that soooo many people come in and out of his office, some not committed, that maybe he doesn't "invest" at this stage...maybe that comes later? I am anxious to know other's experience with their surgeons. Thanks! LTOT123

I am a straight female and agree with btrieger - you are a hottie! Good for you!

I have been away. We were told we were losing our insurance at work and it looked as if the surgery, that I had not even decided I wanted, was a NO GO. Turns out insurance is staying the same so I am glad I continued with the motions of the 6 month pre-approval. So, I am back on track - with only having gained 2 pounds between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a vacation! Not too shabby. L.

I am really embracing the 6 months. I am using this time to get educated and practice post-surgery habits. For instance, this month I am trying the 15-30 chews per bite. I am amazed at how this lengthens my meal time and makes me fuller faster. I also joined a gym and am trying to get into 3x's a week routine. I am considering this 6 months much needed prep time.

As I tell more and more people about my plans....I hear more and more things. Someone suggested this drug in lieu of surgery. Does anyone here know anything about it? Good - Bad - Ugly? Thanks in advance. LT

Hi, I was going thru the magazine article links and some of them have expired. Here's one I copied... http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f199/post-surgery-diet-bariatric-patients-what-expect-59140/ Thanks!

I'm in - like another user...I am pre-band. But pounds are pounds and I want to play the reindeer games too! LOL Good Luck to all!

EMMI code to watch video on Lapband.com? Realize vs Lapband? Program fee? Fill costs and coverage? Corrective surgery costs and coverage? Restaurant card? Single vs multiple incision? Bronchitis?

That sounds like an anxiety / panic attack. I would take it easy today - meditate - don't fret about it. If it happens again, BREATHE. And move. That is what I have been told...move even though you don't feel like it. It is supposed to get more oxygen to you but it is hard because all I felt like doing was collapsing. I've had three - none were band related though. Good Luck!

Oh Good Lord - thank goodness I saw this post! I would have been FREAKING out! LOL LOL This is why I like this board!:wink2:

Here's the thing....I just saw my surgeon for the first time last week. I haven't even decided if I want this surgery...but have decided to go ahead with the approval process. I would be looking at a Mar-May surgery date if I decide to proceed. However, the Dr.'s office has already scheduled me (this week) for things like EKG, sleep study, chest xrays, etc. They assured me these things were a copay situation. When I got to the hospital I was informed that they are a deductible situation. That is a big difference. I wasn't wild in the first place to have testing for an approval for an insurance that could change at renewals in December. But if it was just a copay - fine. Now that it is a deductible...I put everything on hold until after Jan 1. There is no sense in me paying a $250-500 deductible with 8 weeks left in 2009 - when it is going to start over again in two months and I will have to pay it all again because the surgery is (theoretically) in 2010. I am nervous this is going to irritate the Dr's office but if there is an urgency I am unaware of...they should be taking the time to explain it to me. She called me Friday with the Monday appts...and gave me incorrect payment instructions. Just thought I'd vent. Thanks!

I agree with the others that this is a crock. However, I think you should start with your doctor's office. Give them the chance to fix it. On much smaller scales...I have debated bills with individual offices and had them reduced or resubmitted to a favorable resolution. If this does not work - stop talking to them and seek legal advice. But also seek legal / medical advice on moving forward with your weight loss journey. Don't compound the tragedy by wasting your surgery!

Oooooo - this opens the door to all kinds of things.... birthday / anniversary parties for him/her, etc. As a person who names her cars (Edna the Escort and Esther the Escape)....I love this idea!:wink2:

How exciting for you - congrats!

I am new to the process and new to this site. My advice is to browse, browse, browse...then get on chat. I learned more real life information in my 20 min of chat than I had from all the binders and literature I'd been given to date! Good Luck!

This board is the first I am hearing of this complication - can someone tell me more? How do you know? What actually is "band erosion"? How / can it be fixed? Thanks in advance. LTOT

What caught me most about your post was your photo. Your friends are beautiful - but looking at the group as a whole...them in black, hunched, squished, etc.....and then you - bright purple, upright, proud.... this picture is worth a million words! Congrats on your success.