SIPS in Seattle

I was denied twice. Had to get help through Obesitylaw.com with my surgeon's recommendation. I was at like 38 BMI, mild apnea, lower back pain (already had spinal fusion surgery) but they denied me for not having 2 years documentation that i was over 40 BMI.... they said my apnea wasn't enough. Just make sure you have everything documented and gather as much medical information as you can about your weight. Good Luck!

Wow, I hope you find the care you need. My surgeon and clinic is also a center of excellence. Dr. Michaelson is awesome and has the best bedside manner. Two reasons why... when I went to the seminar, I was sitting in the back right hand corner... at my consult... he was like, I remember you, you sat in the back right hand corner. Then once while I was preop there to visit my nutritionist, I was sitting in the waiting room and he walked by and totally remembered this other lady who was postop but still pretty newly banded and he was so friendly and congratulating her on how much she'd changed since her surgery... For a surgeon who sees tons of people to remember the little things (names/faces etc) that's a plus in my book. The surgeon himself does not do the fills, there's several nurses for that who are all banded themselves. So they know what to expect and ask the right questions and give you straight up honest answers when you ask. In fact, the majority of the employees at nwwls are banded...right down to the receptionists. I chose nwwls because I feel like my success is an important part of their success. They want their patients to succeed that's why their cost (for self pay and insurance alike) is all inclusive for the first 13 months. You can get as many fills/unfills as you need at no extra cost. I'm so thankful that they are right down the street.

My heart goes out to you. Keep strong, you'll get back to where you need to be

OMG... when you say losing hair... do you mean like handfuls? I know we lose approximately 100 hairs a day naturally and having long hair to my waist... It's more visible to me to see the hairs that naturally drop off... I'd probably have a heart attack if I grabbed a handful out Long hair became my security blanket when I gained weight...I'd be sad if I had to chop it...

AWESOME!!! Congratulations

$415!!!! HOLY CRAPOLA! Thank goodness all my fills for the first 13months are included with my band. I'd have a heart attack if I got that bill.

I use it, I love this app - LoveMyGoldies

I am addicted to my scale too. Although, this morning my scale was on crack. First thing it was a +1lb then 20 min later it was -2lbs then I shook it (it's digital, but what the heck) got back on and i was +/- 0... I like the idea of daily weigh ins but only recording once a week. I'm gonna try that, great tip

Congrats ladies! I'm still in an 18 I can button up a 16 but... I'm not comfortable in them yet. It's the whole, everything is squishing out way too much and why do I look like I have camel toe thing. No butt/thigh issues here.. I'm more of a rectangle in shape LOL blasted flat asian butt Can't wait til my butt actually sticks out further than my tummy bahahaha Onderland is so close, I can almost smell it! Best Wishes

Since you're up north, there's NWWLS. They're off 128th in Everett. www.nwwls.com Good luck

I was totally afraid of this too.... I'm allergic to everything...right down to the medical tape they used on my incisions. But so far, 2 months out... I'm ok with the band. Day 2 of recovery I started getting a rash... EVERYWHERE... turns out it was yeast which goes bananas because of all the antibiotics. I had to use the topical yeast stuff and my doc gave me 5 of those prescription yeast infection pills that are usually single dose, it took 5 days to kill it all. My initial fear was that I was allergic to the band, which it's great that I wasn't... but the yeast...OMG, that was hell all by itself. Good luck!

May 5th for me I'm down approx. 27lbs. I've had a few fills so far which makes me so thankful that all fills are included for the first year. I have another scheduled today. Not quite sure if I need it, I feel like I'm on the cusp of the yellow - green zone. Glad everyone is doing well!

she's a firecracker.

Just had to say Jessie is awesome She was my nutritionist at nwwls for my 90 day insurance requirement.

ME TOO! My surgeon said it to me, but then he said "but the numbers don't lie." I told him I just got good at hiding it. I was on the cusp of 40 and actually was denied twice because I wasn't over 40 for 2 years. Good luck all

Hiya, did they add any fill to your band during surgery? I had my first fill today and found out I already had 4ccs in my 10cc band Zoebug

Congrats everyone! Today was my first fill... I was more nervous than I was at the surgery LOL How silly is that? My one month will be this coming Sunday. How was getting back to the gym? I just bought a year membership to 24hr fitness yesterday. I'm excited to get going.

YES! I'm experiencing that now... I thought it was an allergic reaction to something...cuz they itch like crazy too...and no amount of vaseline is helping. I cannot use carmex or blistex.... My skin is too sensitive for anything like that. Just pure vaseline. bah!

CONGRATS!!!!

Just checking in to wish my fellow Yay for May folks good luck! Today is day 1 of Mushies for me...oh thank heaven

Hey dawn, Thanks for sharing yor story. Wow! I had my surgery this morning, got there at 6 am was home by 9am. So far I feel good. I don't want to jinx myself. But i woke up from surgery did a lap around the center, drank my Water and was told I was doing awesome. All is well so far, already drinking some broth

Hiya, I did do the sleep study and was only mild apnea which they didn't consider enough of a comorbitity. The only other issues I have is severe asthma and a couple years ago I had spinal fusion surgery to remove my L5 disc. And I dipped below a bmi of 40 during the last 2 years. Good luck I'm getting ready to head in for my band this morning!!

My surgeons office actually told me about them... So if it does happen your surgeons insurance dept can probably give you more info

Hiya, I did the sleep study but wasn't considered bad enough. According to the guidelines I didn't have any others. Although I have pretty bad asthma and have already had spinal fusion surgery when I was 32... If I don't drop the excess I'll eventually end up losing another disc ;( If you are havin problems with approval I totally recommend obesitylaw.com. They're advocates that help with appeals... Best part is Allergan the makers of lap band footed the bill!!! Good luck all

Tomorrow is my big day!!! Have to be there at 6am... today is going to take forever! Good luck everyone!!!