My insurance required that I have 3 nutritional consults and several tests done prior to having the surgery...if I did these things, they would pay for the surgery.

At first I was really frustrated because I just wanted to have the surgery and begin my journey. However, I have to say now that I am almost there, I am very very glad I have had these hurdles.

Over time, questions have come up, I have done lots of research, I have listened to success and non-success stories. The company I am going through is called True Results, and they have taken extreme care to make sure I am 100 % prepared for the surgery and the after care.

I say all of this because I can't help but wonder if the people who have not had success did not have such amazing preperational guidance. Maybe they weren't really told all of the ins and outs about the surgery and how to eat and what to eat. I pose this question because I am taking every bit of advice and knowledge my doctors are giving to me and I plan on following it verbatim, and I hope, I truly hope this surgery will work for me.

I feel exactly the same way.....only I had to go to 6 nutrition classes over a six month period to get my insurance to pay. I was very frustrated at first, but glad I waited. My surgery is in 3 days (Friday) and after all of the research and lurking on this site, I feel I am more prepared now than if I had jumped right in. It's definitely a lifestyle change and not a quick fix.

congrates on your date minds is the end of april. this site has been very helpful. can't wait to hear how u r doing after surgery. best wishes on lossing lots of lbs.

Thanks for the encouragement. And same to the both of you!

I'm on the other end of the spectrum. My insurance approval was insanely quick. Just a telephone conversation with a nutritional consultant and a psych evaluation. My surgeon's office is committed to giving me as much support as I need, but I do feel I kinda missed out on a good opportunity to really, really educate and prepare myself for the rest of my life. So while the impatient side of me is relieved, the worry-wart side of me is concerned.

PerryJoyce: Put it off a month or two or ten. You're in charge. Also suggest reading Dr. Robert Sewell's book about the band,

Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band: Everything You Need to Know Before and After Surgery to Lose Weight Successfully

There's also a hospital web site that shows an actual Lap Band laprascopic banding. You can Google and find it.

Good luck!