Last night I attended a mandatory information session at the local hospital where I plan to have my surgery. These are held only every two months (rural area) and I missed June, so I've really been waiting for this first step. I turned in my forms and got a phone call today to meet with the Program Coordinator. That date is 8/21, so another little wait. I'm hoping things are going to go quickly as my insurance company has only one restriction: BMI must be 40 minimum. I just called once again to verify this. Co-morbidities such as high BP and sleep apnea, which I have, can sometimes qualify a lower BMI, but this can only be addressed through appeal. I don't want to take that chance, so I'm keeping chubby until that first weigh-in. The absurdity of this is not lost on me. I am plenty fat, believe me (5' 6" -- hovering in the 240's but must be right at 250 to qualify). So, 240 not fat enough for something -- can I hear a big guffaw, please? Next step is the Psych evaluation, then Dietician, then the Surgeon. Apparently there is a second meeting with the Dietician a few weeks prior to the surgery to address the pre-surgery diet. They use the HMR 800 liquid diet. I would prefer to do a juice fast as that's something I'm very familiar with (probably one of the ways I gave my body the message to store up for a famine). Anyway, I'm very excited to have some kind of course plotted at last. Can't wait to be on the other side, the banded one!

Last night I attended a mandatory information session at the local hospital where I plan to have my surgery. These are held only every two months (rural area) and I missed June, so I've really been waiting for this first step. I turned in my forms and got a phone call today to meet with the Program Coordinator. That date is 8/21, so another little wait. I'm hoping things are going to go quickly as my insurance company has only one restriction: BMI must be 40 minimum. I just called once again to verify this. Co-morbidities such as high BP and sleep apnea, which I have, can sometimes qualify a lower BMI, but this can only be addressed through appeal. I don't want to take that chance, so I'm keeping chubby until that first weigh-in. The absurdity of this is not lost on me. I am plenty fat, believe me (5' 6" -- hovering in the 240's but must be right at 250 to qualify). So, 240 not fat enough for something -- can I hear a big guffaw, please? Next step is the Psych evaluation, then Dietician, then the Surgeon. Apparently there is a second meeting with the Dietician a few weeks prior to the surgery to address the pre-surgery diet. They use the HMR 800 liquid diet. I would prefer to do a juice fast as that's something I'm very familiar with (probably one of the ways I gave my body the message to store up for a famine). Anyway, I'm very excited to have some kind of course plotted at last. Can't wait to be on the other side, the banded one!

Although my insurance was the same a bmi of 40+ or 35+ with weight related issues, I fell in the first one, having brought my bmi down from 66. However they went by what my starting bmi was when I first entered the program and it was 40.25 a year ago. I could not make up my mind at that time so I did not see the surgeon. I went to see her in June, my bmi was 37 had me worried because my weight loss of 176 pounds had taken care of all of my pre-morbid conditions. However she said it was based on my starting weight when I went through weight loss management clinic so I got my surgery date that day. You might ask if your insurance works the same as mine did. Just a thought.

Thanks so much -- I am really trying to nail this BMI thing down. I want to lose weight in advance of the surgery but not in advance of the official weigh-in. Guess that will be answered on the 21st, not long from now really. Meanwhile, congratulations on your tremendous success! You are doing so well -- it is very, very encouraging. Best wishes!

I started the process on 12 June and I am getting banded on 12 August, two months to the date. Hang in there, I don't work during the summer so I was able to get all of my appointments quickly and insurance only took 4 days to approve. I feel like I've been on a warp drive ride, can't wait until next Monday.

I started the process on 12 June and I am getting banded on 12 August' date=' two months to the date. Hang in there, I don't work during the summer so I was able to get all of my appointments quickly and insurance only took 4 days to approve. I feel like I've been on a warp drive ride, can't wait until next Monday.[/quote']

Good luck for Monday, how exciting! I was banded on July 15 th- already the health benefits have been amazing, the difference in my skin from both weight loss and dietary changes is so very encouraging! Best wishes to you, come back and let us know how you're doing :-)

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Although my insurance was the same a bmi of 40+ or 35+ with weight related issues' date=' I fell in the first one, having brought my bmi down from 66. However they went by what my starting bmi was when I first entered the program and it was 40.25 a year ago. I could not make up my mind at that time so I did not see the surgeon. I went to see her in June, my bmi was 37 had me worried because my weight loss of 176 pounds had taken care of all of my pre-morbid conditions. However she said it was based on my starting weight when I went through weight loss management clinic so I got my surgery date that day. You might ask if your insurance works the same as mine did. Just a thought.[/quote']

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Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using LapBandTalk

Sorry .. hit send before replying - just wanted to say well done as well, you're doing so very well, best of luck to you on your continued journey

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Last night I attended a mandatory information session at the local hospital where I plan to have my surgery. These are held only every two months (rural area) and I missed June' date=' so I've really been waiting for this first step. I turned in my forms and got a phone call today to meet with the Program Coordinator. That date is 8/21, so another little wait. I'm hoping things are going to go quickly as my insurance company has only one restriction: BMI must be 40 minimum. I just called once again to verify this. Co-morbidities such as high BP and sleep apnea, which I have, can sometimes qualify a lower BMI, but this can only be addressed through appeal. I don't want to take that chance, so I'm keeping chubby until that first weigh-in. The absurdity of this is not lost on me. I am plenty fat, believe me (5' 6" -- hovering in the 240's but must be right at 250 to qualify). So, 240 not fat enough for something -- can I hear a big guffaw, please? Next step is the Psych evaluation, then Dietician, then the Surgeon. Apparently there is a second meeting with the Dietician a few weeks prior to the surgery to address the pre-surgery diet. They use the HMR 800 liquid diet. I would prefer to do a juice fast as that's something I'm very familiar with (probably one of the ways I gave my body the message to store up for a famine). Anyway, I'm very excited to have some kind of course plotted at last. Can't wait to be on the other side, the banded one![/quote']

Hi Bandista, just wanted to say hello and wish you well as your start out on your Lapband journey I had a BMI of around 38 when I started consultations ... I was approved for a BMI of as low as 35 due to diabetes. I was banded on July 15th and it's great to be on the other side. Good luck to you I'd love to hear how how get on

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