sophinator

I have been sitting here reading posts about people wondering who to tell...who not to tell....people with doubt over whether to get the band or not. Two questions I've asked myself numerous times over the last few months. I go from being excited about the prospect of doing something to help myself and my self esteem to being scared to death and wondering what the heck am I thinking! I am a person who very rarely spends money on herself or does things just for me. I often think of others before I think of myself...not just because I am a caring person but because I have never been taught to put myself first. When sitting tonight thinking to myself what on earth am I doing? I came to the conclusion many people go out and have boob jobs and say this is for my self esteem, I just never felt good about myself before...or they have a face lift to take away the lines that their life has given them to make themselves feel younger. HUNDREDS of people do this each year and people don't bat an eye about it. I want to have a surgery that will make my life better because it will extend my life. It will help lower my blood pressure, colesterol, and chances for diabetes. Why oh why am I thinking twice. This is not an elective surgery (not that there's anything wrong with those don't get me wrong...feel we all deserve our own choices) but at this point is a much needed intervention between me and my stomach! So...without looking back I will move forward with my decision knowing I am doing what I know to be better for myself and my quality of life. As far as who to tell and who not to tell ...for now that will be on a need to know basis...we'll see if I change my mind later!

I am so glad you posted this! everyone on here seems to get appointments right away! I hurried and got all my appointments done pre consultation in the beginning of Nov and they didn't have a consultation appt until Dec 29th...got approved the next day and they haven't received their ' copy' been trying to get a hold of them to bring my copy to them but no calls back...frustrating...just know that when they finally call they won't have surgery opening til April...praying I'm wrong!

Stacy S...I'm assuming you are talking to me...I have told them I have the letter and she told me I have to wait for them to receive their copy...not sure why...that is a very good question!

I got my approval letter in the mail the weekend before last and called the dr's office the following Monday. They told me they usually get their copy of the letter a week later. They STILL haven't gotten it!! Has this happened to anyone else?

I HAVE approval via a letter from my insurance in the mail...however my dr's office hasn't received their copy yet so I have been waiting almost 2 weeks for them to get it!! Grrr!! Best of luck to you!

Well that would be very nice...but mine keeps telling me they will call when they get it. So I guess it is just sit and wait!

Adrea...If I'd known it was coming via mail I would have too LOL...I had it in my head I would get a phone call so I was waiting for that!

I just opened a letter of approval from my insurance company!! I hadn't opened my mail in a week and there it was. I kept waiting for the dr.'s office to call and they still haven't. It looks like the approval was made the day after my original appointment! So I guess I will call tomorrow and find out the details...excited and yet nervous!!!!

Thanks everyone...still waiting to find out. I just had my appointment the 29th of December so we will see! My bmi is 39.3...so I am close and I have borderline high blood pressure too. Isn't it sad that we look for things wrong with us in this case! I will do anything at this point so that things don't get worse!! Thanks again and best wishes to all!

I am 'kind of' in your same boat. I have always been 5'4'' tall (have always said I was anyway)...went to the dr. the other day and I am 5'5'' which puts me 7/10ths below the 40 bmi I am currently waiting on the approval/denial. I have no comorbidities but have borderline high blood pressure with a family history of heart disease. I am just praying all works out the way it should as I am at my wits end with my weight and do not want my health to start diminishing! Best of luck to you on your journey.

Okay...after waiting a month and a half for my consult appointment I go in for a 2 hour appointment where they take my picture, the dr. spends tons of time explaining the procedure to me (most of which I already knew because of this board and watching the surgery on youtube...but I listened patiently because every dr. is different and I need to know what he does) they sent me up for an ekg .....................after all that.....................I am 7/10ths under the 40 bmi. I am 3lbs away from what I needed to be. I have always said I am 5'4" and the nurse measured me at 5'5"! So now I am in the waiting portion to see if my insurance will pay for it...and hoping I have not gotten my hopes up for nothing. 3 lbs difference!!! The dr. said since I have borderline high blood pressure and acid reflux he will add that in his report but I don't have any comorbities other than that. I have already done the nutrition appt. and the psych appt....Will they really reject me for 3 lbs...that I could have drank water to gain before my appt? I have Anthem Blue Cross Sisc ...needing postive insight...feeling a little frustrated

Thanks for your replies...I'm not getting my hopes up but am definitely hoping for an approval. Best wishes on the surgery Kathy...may I ask...did you have other issues that helped with your approval? Mattie...I'm hoping you are right. I even said to the dr...if my appointment had been later and I'd had coffee and Breakfast this would be a non issue. I had the stomach flu two days before my appointment so that definitely didn't help. I just wonder if I go back and weigh in 5lbs more in a month would they approve it or would they say no based on they know I gained it just to make the limit...grr. I guess I will just have to wait and see. Thanks for your replies and best of luck to you both!

I'm a teacher and am having the same dilemma...I asked my dr. about it and he told me he only does surgeries at the surgery center I have to go to (because of insurance) on Fridays...so I am hoping to do it on a holiday weekend and go back by Wednesday...we will see. Best of luck to you!

I so appreciate your post as I have had the same thoughts. I feel like I have been crying for at least 30 years over my weight for one reason or another. Please know you are not alone. No shame needs to be felt. The weight has served its purpose (whatever that may be) and now you are ready to move on. Best of luck to you on your journey. Thank you for sharing! <Big Hugs>

Just reading your post made me a little teary eyed...hope your surgery went well and that this is everything you wish for!

Great thread idea! Can't wait until I can add some on there myself

Hi there, I am not yet on my pre op diet but I so relate to your feelings...as I'm sure lots of people do. I have spent years listening to thin people tell me how they need to lose weight and feeling like I can't really say anything for I am the 'elephant' in the room. Nobody says how do you feel about your weight for fear of humiliating me or hurting my feelings. Thus I say things about myself, putting myself down, so they know I'm aware of my size. I am so eager to begin this journey...have a little fear of what lies ahead but know that this is the right choice for me. Know that you are not alone and that good things are coming. As the saying goes...this too shall pass. Best of luck to you on your new journey...you're almost there!!

Thanks qtney...I know myself well enough I will probably do it. My husband is a little apprehensive about me doing it that way but I have always recovered easily from most things. We will see when I have my consult what the dr. says. Thanks again for your reply!

Grrrr....impatient I think is my problem! After the nutritionist appt. and the psych appt. I can now meet with the surgeon. They called with the appointment today..................................Dec. 29th :smile: I'm a teacher which means I will either have to wait until spring break to get my band or do it during a holiday weekend. I'm just not sure the latter would be wise. Any input out there? I could take a few days off during that time but certainly not two weeks. Just not sure if Thursday to Tuesday would be long enough??? Also, she said I need to watch the Emmi videos before my consult. How long are these videos and are they just more information about the surgery? Ho Hum.....

Actually it isn't my choice that is my problem! The December 29 date is my consult...that was the first available appointment...it isn't for surgery. I would do it if it was December 24th at this point but unfortunately that is not the case

Well that is a bummer!!! Keeping fingers crossed for you!

I feel the same way. On one hand so excited about starting a new journey I know will really help me...and on the other hand not being able to believe I am really doing this! I just had my psych appt. and so now I am on to my consultation with the surgeon Best wishes to you!

Thank you! Isn't it funny how we can imagine ourselves not looking so bad and then something catches our eye and we get a really good look and ooooooh noooooo really? LOL Psych appointment went well today. Was completely painless and can honestly say I was in there for no more than 10 minutes max...really think it was closer to 5. Not completely sure why we have to do that if it's just a 'formality'...luckily ins. paid for it because I know some don't!!

Tomorrow I go for my psych evaluation and then I can FINALLY make an appointment to see the surgeon. I'm hoping something opens up before the 20th of December as that is the date I was told was soonest available last time I talked to the liason. Keeping my fingers crossed that that one isn't taken! :scared2: I saw someone else's blog or post about how they were fat in their mind but thin in the mirror. I find myself with the opposite problem. While when I look in the mirror I do see a very overweight person (even have a hard time recognizing myself at times) in my mind I am much thinner. When I see pictures of me I am soooo much bigger than what I see in the mirror! Which brings me to another thought how many people out there, deep down, worry that they will be turned down for the surgery (because they are not heavy enough) but then find they are approved because the really do actually need it. In my heart I know I need it but somewhere inside me I keep expecting someone to say why are you doing this? You don't need it...they don't however...so I must be on the right track LOL When your bmi is 40.7 I guess that is pretty much a sign isn't it??

Just trying to think ahead. Can you wear regular clothes during the weeks after surgery? Do pants bother your stomach?