Becca29

I want to be a runner too!!! I am still waiting for a surgery date as of right now and cant wait!! I was also pretty athletic growing up , cheerleader and softball player. Never ran though! But I D-R-E-A-M of being a runner and running a 5k 10k and half marathon. My brother and his fiance are big runners and they say the feeling you get when you complete one of these is the MOST amazing and gratifying feeling you can ever experience. I cant wait to start training. Let me know how you are doing...good luck!!!!

Hello I am from southern illinois!! There is a new Dr. in town Dr. Sidney Rohrschieb out of Crossroads hospital in Mt. vernon. He has offices in Clinton Champaign and Chicago. He is part of the Illinois Bariatric Center...and hes AWESOME. If you need more info just message me. good luck

Congrats on your decision! I just told my family after I started the process and theyve all been pretty much supportive. I know it can be hard for some but we are very close so it wasnt an issue. LapBands done in the United States have certain requirements on BMI. I believe its as follows. 100 or more overweight. A BMI over 40 or a BMI of at least 35 with weight related health conditions (co-morbities) I have insurance and my BMI is a 36 and I qualify for the band. Good luck to you. This website is full of alot of great information.

I think you look amazing as well. But like she says, I too have heard lots of negative things on here. If you search this site enough you will find them. Good luck

Im yet to be banded as well. I know exactly what you mean about the chat...seems like i am lost when i go in there. lol. I love love love this site, so informative and I too am looking for people to make connections with. So far I really dont have any. PM me anytime and I can give you my facebook also if you would like. I love to talk and learn as much about this as I can. Good luck and your not alone!

Well let me start off by congratulating you on making the decision to do something about your weight. I am still preop and am due to have surgery soon. I have done an emense amount of research on both of these surgeries. I have decided to go with the lapband for so many reasons. Now, this is strictly my opinion so here goes. My Dr. reserves Gastric sleeve for super obese patients, which I am not. Gastric Sleeve is a fairly new procedure and a lot is not known about long term effects. I dont not have a tremendous amount of weight to lose so the band seems perfect for me. The surgery is done laproscopicall y and is the least invasive and least dangerous and easiest recovery of all the procedures. It is the only reversible procedure. It is adjustable to suit your needs. No cutting or removing of part of the stomach. These are all the reasons I decided to go with the band. I know that the band does have issues but all these pros for me make my decision easy. Best of luck to you and I hope you find out what the best surgery is for you~:thumbup:

I do not believe its normal to have to wait 3 months. It all depends on where you live and how mandy Dr.s are in the area. I had to wait 1 week for my appt. and my Dr. is very well known surgeon. I would explore some other options and check out other surgeons in the area. It definitely would not hurt anything.

My Dr.s office officially did not submit it until June 28th. Which I just found out about last friday. So who knows how long I will be waiting. I have BCBS FEderal. They are supposed to be quick from what i hear ....just saying a prayer! Hope you all hear something soon

I hope you both get approved . Im still waiting and its very scary!!

Hi! Girl we have the same BMI and are pretty much the same age! AANNND I too am waiting on approval. My stuff was submitted over a week ago and I am sick everyday just waiting hoping and praying. I am so ready for this . My insurance covers at 100 percent and it doesnt require a preop diet or anything , seems pretty lax compared to some insurances. Good luck to you and keep me updated on your progress!

I have Federal Blue Cross and there is No better coverage than it. Its 100% all i pay is 100 to the hosp. and 100 dollars to the surgeon. I dont know if yours is the same. Good luck!!

Congrats all you guys!!!! So excited and happy for all of you. I am due to be banded sometime this month..do date as of yet!!! Good luck and keep us updated!!

If you go to the LAPBAND website it states that criteria for lapband patients should be a 40 BMI or a 35 with comorbities. I definitely think you should run not walk to get a second opinion. You absolutley should qualify ...dont know what this Dr's deal is?? Good luck.

I think its a few hundred dollars if your insurance doesnt cover it. Most insurances do cover it, i had no problem. Good luck

Congrats on starting the process. It seems lengthy, but it goes by fast. You made a good decision in finding these forums. I have learned more than I could have ever thought and I feel I am prepared and very well informed for surgery. May I ask what you insurance is??

Check out verticalsleevetalk.com . I did some research on that site when I was deciding about procedures. I am only a 36 BMI so the best choice for me is the band. You do hear a lot of horror stories but I think that it is not as common as it seems. The statistics are great with the band , I just dont know alot about the sleeve. Good luck! keep us updated!

Love Love Love this site! Cant say enough about it! How did surgery go for you guys?

My doctor told me that the sleeve is reserved mostly for the super obese. It definitely is a more invasive and serious surgery than the band, and is fairly new without a lot of long term understanding. Good luck . Just do your research and hope you make the right decision.

Congrats on your decision to have the band. My advice would be to go to Lapband .com and search for a surgeon in your area. ITs a good way to see whats out there!

Hi all! I have been on these forums for a month or two and have learned so so much. I am still in the preop phase and I hear alot about Pbing, which i know what that is, but can someone please try to explain in detail what "SLIMING" is?? Its kinda freaking me out!...lol Thanks!

Congrats on your surgery!!!! I would love to hear about how you are feeling and the process of surgery day!!!

congrats!!!!!!! so happy for you!

First of all congrats on taking the first step to have surgery. You can lose the weight..you can. This whole process can sometimes seem overwhelming and time consuming and stressful but nothing is easy. I am about to start my liquid preop diet soon and I know that I can do it and I HAVE to do it for the surgery. I hope you can pull through this alright and lose those lbs. Surgery will change your life. Good luck and please keep us updated!!

Congrats on taking the first step~! When I started back in April it seemed that it would take forever till i had the surgery. Now Im just waiting on final insurance approval and shold be banded next month. This site has been AMAZING to me..Im fairly new on here and have learned sooo much I cant even tell you. Good luck with everthing and keep us updated!!!

I also have a BMI of 36 and am waiting on approval from insuranc (which I hear that it shouldnt be a problem) What insurance do you have ..that is what the deciding factor would be..all ins. companies are different. I think its awesome you are considering the surgery. I am just tired of fighting the fight and ready for a permament change. I know its a journey and not easy but Im ready. good luck with everything and keep us updated