Had my appoint with my PCP on monday. She said that i would have to start a 6 month weigh in and classes.

She said she would send in a referral to a dietician. So now I have to wait for that, then take classes. I feel like just starting the 6 months is gonna take forever.

Just thought I would get an approval right away since I have a BMI of 45 and have battled with hypertension for 5 years.

Just wanted to vent a little.

Seriously 6 months goes by quick and before you know you are right at your date. I started back in November and had to see the nutritionist for 6 months. I am being banded tomorrow morning. It feels like I just started this journey. Good luck to you.

Wait... do you need her referral to go see the bariatric practice? She's making you do all of this before you can seek out surgery? I'm confused...

I'm sorry...I know it feels like forever. just know that yoru journey has already started, and you will gain valuable information from this 6 months to only help you succeed!!

i think insurance companies do this as a way of trying to weed out people who aren't seriously ready to make a life style change. that's one great thing about being self pay i dont have to jump thru their hoops. downside is i will have a $12,500 bill to deal with!

You guys gave me exactly what i needed. Just a little boost to get me through.

Rachel, my med group and insurance want me to take some classes and check my weight for 6 months then send me to see a surgeon. I qualify, just insurance things that they have control of.

Yay Kristen! Tomorrow is a big day for you. Keep us posted and good luck.

Thanks again guys.

Don't worry! I didn't have to do it, but i'll be a good learning experience, and you will be all prepared to diet after your surgery I think I almost would have liked a 6 month diet prior...

Don't be bummed.

I did my own work for 3 months while I was researching lap bands. I even called the insurance company to get the info. When I finally made my decision and made the arrangements to see the surgeon my insurance company changed policies and I had to got through the 6 month waiting and nutritional classes. I was pissed.

Well, my surgery is now on the 12th and I am SO GLAD I went through the 6 months. I think I was able to grasp what all the changes where going to be and I think I handled the ALL liquid diet the surgeon put me on for 2 weeks before the surgery alot better than I would have.

It's different for everyone. Just try to make the best out it and soak in all the info you can.

Good Luck on your journey.

~Kris

Thanks Kris and Heather!

Now that i think about it, it is a good thing. It will help me when it is time to get to the actual surgery. I will have all the tools I need. I'm even starting yoga today. That way I can have my routine in place after the surgery.

Good luck Kris!! I am so excited for all of you that are having your procedures real soon. Keep us posted

Thanks again.

We've all been there. It will go alot faster then you think. Many Health Insurance company's rquire it . Then comes your appointment with the Surgeon and the physicolgist, tests and maybe a upper GI if your Dr. requires one. Try to set up your test as much together as possiable, it goes faster. Your big day will be here before you know it. Good luck and much sucess.

Had my appoint with my PCP on monday. She said that i would have to start a 6 month weigh in and classes.

She said she would send in a referral to a dietician. So now I have to wait for that, then take classes. I feel like just starting the 6 months is gonna take forever.

Just thought I would get an approval right away since I have a BMI of 45 and have battled with hypertension for 5 years.

Just wanted to vent a little.

I had to do a six-month diet and was really irritated as well. As it turned out, w/ all of the testing my surgeon's offices required, it would have taken me almost that long to have my surgery scheduled anyway. Luckily, my surgery was scheduled less than a month after I finished the 6 months of supervision which was great. I used the 6 months as a time to read up on the surgery and find boards like this.

Good luck!

I took me four months from initial orientation meeting with the surgeon to my actual surgery date and I was self pay! It will fly by.

Six months goes a lot quicker than you think!

It's an insurance thing...if you were self pay, you'd be done quickly. However, I went through the six months of weigh-in's and it will be here before you know it. Those 6 months helped me get prepared for my changes and honestly, I was still considering cancelling because i was scared of the changes ahead. I"M THRILLED that I didn't. I've only been a few weeks with my band and I love "her" already. I don't have restriction but the thought of my band really keeps me under control. I guarantee you will be on here about a week before your surgery wondering if you are doing the right thing, talking about cold feet etc.....it is the best thing I've done for myself. I can already see a difference in my face, my clothes and how I feel. The six months will go by quickly and use the time wisely. Good Luck and it is totally worth it.

Be glad it's not 12 months......

I remember that feeling! It sucks. But, I can promise you, those 6 months will FLY by. Try to use it as a time to really mentally dedicate yourself to the battle of weight loss and band-eating. Even with the band, a good portion of what makes you successful or not is the mental dedication, and yes, will power. I used the 6 month + time to really get myself in the mental zone.