shonette

I normally shy away from meats outside of fish due to it not going down well. I have tried to eat it very slowly with very small pieces at a time. It still continue to be a very difficult items in my diet. I will try some of these suggestionis. I have been band over 2 years now so I have had a lot of experience with different ways to eat meat!!!!!!

I have CIGNA as my insurance carrier, so I have the 6 month requirement to go to weight loss classes under a physician's supervision. While this is a bummer because I really want to get going with the lap band surgery and not wait 6 months, I have an additional concern. I am exactly at a BMI of 40. If I lose so much as 10lbs, I won't qualify for the lap band. I am sure I could go to a 6 month supervised clinic and lose 15lbs - and then regain it as soon as I stopped. Or keep it off and continue to struggle being 85lbs overweight instead of 100. Sure, I would love to go to a 6 month thing and lose 50#s and not have to have the lap band, but I've lost 50lbs before only to regain it. It wasn't physician supervised, though so I don't think it counts for CIGNA.

I also am unsure of what I have to do to have it count as 6 months supervised. The university hospital has a 6 month program (in the same division as the bariatric surgery program), but it costs $1,000. And of course, CIGNA doesn't cover it. I feel so stuck. I really thought the Lap Band was going to be an option for me, but now I feel like more roadblocks are up in my way. I am not trying to be a size 4, just to be "normal." I want to wear clothes from normal stores, to be able to spend the day at the zoo or shopping mall without having my feet and knees hurt for days afterwards, to sit on the bleachers and watch my daughters' games and not have my back kill me because I don't really fit on it, and on and on.

Does anyone have any advice?

My insurance was with Cigna as well and the only weight and BMI they considered was the one at my initial visit with the surgeron. He actually encouraged me to lose as much weight as possible during my 6 month documented weight lose visits. He stated it would only help me in the long run with having my surgery. I just did my weight lose supervised visits with my family doctor. Every cigna plan is a little different but I looked up on the internet about Cigna's weight lost surgery requirements, and the 6 month supervised period most likely will not be waived. (I tried to summit my paper work early and -yes, I was denied) However, after that time frame was fulfilled my surgeron was given approval within that week. He only did his lapbands every 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month, therefore, I had to wait for one of those times. Most people don't like to hear this, but that 6 months is a good time to read, read as much as possible about having a band and adjusting to the life style changes that you will have to make. I promise you there are a lot of them. Having a band is not an easy fix, but adjusting to a permant barrier to miminize your food intake.

Good luck!

Don't get frustrated because every single person lose weight at a different rate. Always remember that you did not gain your weight in one day or even a month. Just be constant with Portion Control and doing so type of workout. Find something that you enjoy doing and stick with it or change things up if your are easily bored by the same things. I really don't write down my food or count calories like a lot of other people have suggested you to do. Maybe that works for them, but honestly, I don't have time for all of that. I just make sure that I cut my portions in half whenI do eat and I drink as much Water as possible. You want to eat your Protein first , veggies, and so on it you have room.

Please don't judge your success based on the things you read or see about other people on this site. Each person on here have a different story and no one story is the same. (We are all different and our bodies are too)!

Just stay focused and be honest with yourself daily. I know when I have good or bad days with my food choices, therefore I can work really hard not to make the same errors the next day. You just need to figure out how to make your band work for you. Don't give up because all of this was not for nothing.

Good luck and it will kick in before you realize it. Don't focus so much on the scales- pay more attention to your inches lost and how your clothes are fitting you. Remember if you are working out muscles weigh more than fat and the scales may change due to your body structure changing.

On this site you will get so much input, you just have to figure out what's best for you.

I was banded on July 21, 2011 and my BMI was 39. My starting weight was 325 pounds and at surgery I had lost 315 pounds. I was told by my surgeon I had to lose enough weight to shrink my liver down or my date could be set back. I really got very nervous and I became somewhat angry with myself. I turned that anger into motivation to have something I really wanted more than anything. I started doing a lot of research on the web about food portion and foods that fueled the body. I also learned that my Water intake had a lot to do with my body holding on to the excess pounds. I really started drinking more Water because my body retains Fluid really bad. I have had a problem with my lower extremities swelling for several years. I ended up having vein surgery to repair some of the weak and inflated veins in my legs. I am very tall for the average woman (6'1) and several people did not believe I was over 300 plus pounds but I was.

Today, I am 55 pounds down and the swelling and excessive pain in my legs has mininized greatly. I continue to suffer from plantar fasciitis, but I do pray that too will continue to get better over time. I said all of that to encourage you to take control of your life. You have to start making slow changes in your diet daily, the portions that you are eating. and most of all do some type of physical activity every day. I too have a membership at the gym, but I workout better at home. I invested in a kettle bell, hand weights, resistance bands, an electric stepper, and several DVD's. By having all of my equipment handy at home it takes out the excuse of not going to the gym. I have my own personal gym right at home. I sometimes workout before going to work, before going to bed, and anything I have a spare moment. My workout times vary from 15-20-30 minutes, and sometimes an hour. I feel like any workout is better than nothing at all. When I am at work, use my potty breaks to do a couple of squats before leaving the bathroom.

Always remember, start small and build on the good things you have learned to do. It's called a life style change because diets have never worked for me. I pray GOD will open up a door for you to have your surgery. I know people who have had the bypass and several years later have gained a great deal of their weight back. It all depends on the person and their self well!

Hello all Ga. banders,

I too felt a little lonely not being able to identify with anyone from my area. I live in Valdosta, Ga. and I know very few people who have been banded or who’s getting band. My doctor is Kevin McCowan at Smith Northview Hospital. I will have my sleep study done this Sat and all my paper work will be turned into my insurance company. I have met all the requirements Cigna initial told me I was required to meet. I am praying to get an approval around the middle of June. I am glad to be able to chat with some local banders. Good luck to very one in their road to being banded or currently losing weight with their band.

My heart goes out to you and your boys. Just pray and ask God to give you the strength and wisdom you need to make the right decisions. Until someone has walked in your shoes it is impossible to know how you are feeling. I have been in a similar situation like yours in the past. It's hard and it hurts! So many people will tell you what they think will be best for you to do. The only person you have to be pleased with is yourself and your boys.

Every single person's experiences are totally different, and how you chose to handle your situation is yours to make! I pray things will get better for you and your family. You will be in my prayers.

Sorry btrieger,

Your math is incorrect. Her starting weight was 349 and she lost 102 which make her 247. Her goal weight is 170 and it means she needs an additional 77lbs to meet that goal. Therefore, she knew exactly what she was saying. She looks great!

Hello afosterchild,

I hope these words will bring you some encouragement. Almost 6 months ago I started my long journey on becoming banded. There were so many things I had to do before my insurance company would approve me for the band. The longest part was my six month diet. I really hated that more than anything in the world, because I just wanted to get banded and start my new life. However; things were not that easy. Therefore, I had to find positive things to focus on while I waited for the different stages to happen. Thank, God I can now say that my time will not be long before am banded. The very last thing I have scheduled is my sleep study. My insurance company does not require this, but my doctor does. My sleep study is scheduled on May 15th, and I will be scheduled for a date to be banded. I really never thought this time was going to come, but it is really here for me. I took the six months to read up on as many things relating to the band. I have already started changing a lot of eating habits that are not good. I really think am really mentally and physically prepared to be banded. I promise you the time will fly be before you realize it. I do wish you all the success you want and hope for. Good luck!!:confused:

Sparta

I read the reply from Spartan who made a personal attack on all the opinions who opposed the Psych Evaluation. Maybe I have the wrong ideas or opinion about the individual post made by the Band members, because I did not know there was a Band Police who was standing at the door dictating what individuals were allowed to feel and say on this site.

First of all who died and made you God! Absolutely, no one did and therefore you don’t have the right to critic everyone’s remarks. What authority do you have to point out to anyone what they are entitled to feel concerning their personal choices? I do not respect any single thing you had to say concerning your reasons to have a psych eval. I really do believe that you have some DEEP, DEEP ROOTED EMOTIONAL ISSUES THAT DEFININATELY REQUIRE ON- GOING THEREAPY! You continued to make comments that included other banded individuals. That is very small minded because no one can speak on the behalf of every single person. All of my remarks were about my personal feelings because that is the only true opinion I can share.

Spartan: You joined this site on 1-7-10 and you are trying to do what? Why have you joined this site? Is it to only criticize others and to be an argumentative person! This is a support site and if you don’t like the way another person feels about their own personal opinions tough. “Get a life”. I truly feel so sorry for you. Maybe you don’t have any friends and I definitely can see why not.

Your personal cheerleaders that encouraged you: way to go you told them. How childish is that we all should be adults on this site who should respect the opinions of others even if you do not agree. Come on maybe this site is not for you. Maybe you were not taught: if you do not have something nice or encouraging to say just shut your mouth up!!!!!!!

Every single thing you have said on this site should be taken with a grain of salt. POOR YOU! I reviewed your post and you’re a very, very negative (individual). I see why you advocate so much for therapy. My heart really goes out to you. What you need is prayer and much of it.

My appointment was today and I spent 20 mins completing paper work and a total of 15 in the office. (Joke)! It was a waste of time away from my job and money. My MONEY!

Continue to curl up on the couch because you really need it. Happy banding. I love this site and all the wonderful people who is apart of it and maybe you need to find so where else to vent.

You are in my prayers! You are a JOKE!!!!!!! SAD.

I feel the same way all of you ladies do about my psych appointment scheduled for tomorrow. It really is a waste of my time and money. Why in the world do someone need to tell me what my thoughts or feelings need to be concerning my over weight condition. I know that am over weight and that is why am doing something about it. In my own personal opinion, it is just a money thing. I really hate to feel that way but ladies I do. I refused to do my sleep study because it is not required by my insurance company so absolutely not! Am willing to do only those things that I have to do and nothing more. My doctor states it would help my chances of being approved. When they see my BMI and other weight related conditons that alone will be all the help I need to be approved. Once I complete the six month monitored diet, they will have to approve me no matter what. That is another thing that is truly a waste of my money and time.

OMG. My heart goes out to you in is situation. It makes me really pray for God to be with me in my upcoming band procedure. We want to have faith in our docs and believe that they will do their very must for us. It was be very upsetting for me that you made several attempts to voice your concerns about something not being right with your band. They continued to tell you that every single thing was (okay.) That alone would make me know that these people really have no idea about what they are doing in this field. Thank God nothing life threating occured to you during this period. It is just a blessing the other doctor was open and honest about what he saw. I would get me a very good lawyer and make them compensate you for all the things your have gone through. I Pray you find another good doc to fix your band so you can start to enjoy the real band life. I am so excited that I will be getting my band in a couple of months. Honey, my heart goes out to you and my prayers are with you. Stay in good faith.

Hi Lisa,

What happened with your first band? Hope everythings goes well for you this time. Good Luck.

That is so wonderful to hear, and I am so very excited for you. It only encourge me evern more to go ahead with the band. I really need to lose around 70lbs and 100 would be GREAT!

Keep up the hard and rewarding work. That is was a lot in the short period of time.

I am a 37 yr old mother of two beautiful children. My son is 4yrs old and my daughter will soon be 17yrs old in Dec. :tongue:I have read a lot of materials on the Lap-band procedure, and I really would like to have it done. My husband recently informed me that his health insurance will cover the band, and I became so excited of the chance to have it done.:biggrin: I will not be approved for his health coverage until Jan 10. Then I will make an appt to see a local doctor in Valdosta who have completed several lap-bands. He has actually had the band done on himself. That made me feel really good to know that he can relate to his patients, because he has been in the same place as well. I have lost about 30 pounds since this past Aug 09 but it isnt enough weight lost. I have never been this over weight in my entire life ( my current weight is 305 and I am 6'1). A lot of people don't believe that I actually weigh this much but the scales don't lie. I have been really depressed lately due to some personal issues in my life, and losing this weight will help fast track my life. I hope I don't have to go on a six month weight lost program before I can be considered for the band.