I'm researching my options, going to meeting on Monday. Lap Band looks like the way to go, need to do something, just watching life go by is not acceptable! Great infomation from postings, important to hear from the "real people" not just statistics.

Thanks

Good luck with your decision, Sue. This is a great place for information and support.

Hi, and welcome. I am new too, was banded on the 14th. Good luck to you, and yes, it was quite a decision, one that I am glad that I made. Hopefullly you will be glad too!

:clap2: I was bannded on 2/15/07! I'm so excited about it. I've already lost 17lbs thanks to the full liquid! Woo hoo!

Hello, I was banded a little over a month ago and things are going great. The band does not fix the head hunger, and I know you will hear this, but it is only a tool. We (you) will have to work hard, it is not easy! But, the work is so worth the results you get!

I am loving my band, and I love the progress I am making.

I just recently made the decision as well. I'm loving the information and support here. Word of advice, you have to participate or you will get lost amongest the multitude!

Doc's officce called today, insurance won't cover, stupid exclusions!!! :angry

I need to explore other means of covering te cost, don't want to give up. With a kid in college we just don't have a spare stack of $$$ sitting in the corner. Really feeling discouraged.

Time to pray!!!

I know where your coming from. I have been trying to get this surgery done since the fall of 2005. Then in Jan of 2006 I lost my job and insurance through workforce reduction. Took me 8 months to find a job and another 90 days to get insurance and now I'm starting the process again. I have Cigna now and I had BCBS before. The Staff at Team Baratrics are telling me our state (IN) has a 6 month medical/weight management you have to do in order to have this surgery with any insurance. So I'm looking at July/August before they even consider trying to get me approved. I'm not giving up. What is the average length of time a person goes through the whole process? Before I lost my insurance I had everything done except the approval. And at that time I think it was 12 months They said our law had changed. So hopefully these few months will fly and I can finally get a date. I have been veiwng this board for a long time and I thank every individual that has posted, You have given me great knowledge on what to expect, feelings , diet, exercise, recipes etc.

I'm 5' 6", weight 292 lbs with a BMI of 49.1.

Beverly, you have my every sympathy and you have terrific persistence! It took me almost a year to get my insurer to cover my banding back in 2003, and I'm here to tell you it was well worth it. Good luck and keep at it!!

I have Cigna now and I had BCBS before. The Staff at Team Baratrics are telling me our state (IN) has a 6 month medical/weight management you have to do in order to have this surgery with any insurance. So I'm looking at July/August before they even consider trying to get me approved. I'm not giving up. What is the average length of time a person goes through the whole process?

Hey Beverly,

I too have Cigna and I have been jumping through their hoops since August 2006. My surgeon submitted my paper work last week and so I am now playing the waiting game. Advice: make sure you have all of your ducks in a row before you submit for approval. They want everything that they ask for, no exceptions. I wish you the best in your journey...

Peace Out,

T~:hippie:

Answer to prayer...a loving husband. I wasn't sure how willing he would be, I was nervous to even approach the subject. It's hard for him to understand the weight issue, he couldn't gain 5 pound if he tried. I guess I need to trust more, his response "We'll make it happen" Thanks for your support honey...and i'm not talking about the money!

Hello Everyone,

I am new here and I am learning a lot from all of the posts at this site. I am meeting with my surgeon on next Thursday. I am hoping that I will learn what I will have to do in order to get the band. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I start out on this journey.

Lindsay47