Long time (mostly lurker) member here I just did the whole seminar thing (again ) and have requested an appointment. I'm hoping I can start this journey by the end if the month. I've finally got insurance that will make it a possibility! I've have been trying for 6 years (actually more like 10 but I was told I was too young 10 years ago) now to have bariatric surgery, however, it just hasn't been in my cards. I'm hoping my surgeon will be able to get me in mid December (though if he tells me he can get me in in October I won't hesitate!).

I am currently 26, I am 5'2" and 325 which gives me a whopping BMI of 59! I don't have any co-morbidities (yet!) but I'm sure if I wait any longer they are just around the corner. I have tried dieting over and over and over agin but always gain back, I've lost up to 60 pounds only to gain back another 80. My weight has gotten to a point where I can no longer do things I want...specifically horseback riding...I've got a herd that I can no longer romp around on. I also love going on mission trips but the flights are uncomfortable both physically and emotionally and then I have a hard time keeping up while on them and being a productive member.

A year ago I was looking at doing the lap-band, my main reason was I am terrified of having my innards cut to pieces but over the last year I have gotten the chance really look at statistics. I don't want a second surgery, I want one and be done with it, looking at the statistics the LB will more than likely require another at some point. The second thing I looked at was potential weight loss. I can loose twice as much with RNY, the band won't give me near as much weight loss potential as I need.

Anywho, wish me luck, send me prayers, and I look toward to sharing my story as it unfolds

Welcome and good for you. Making the decision to have surgery, no matter which you choose is monumental. As long as you're 100% committed and have the right attitude you'll do great. My seminar was in late Nov 2013, first appt with the surgeon was Jan 21st, 2014 and my surgery was March 17th 2014. A total of 4 months start to finish. I've never once questioned my decision, it is by far the best thing I've ever done for myself.

Best wishes for a quick and uncomplicated procedure for you.

Good luck. Even with a high BMI, you can be successful as long as you follow your doctor's instructions and stay compliant. I had a BMI that was over 50 which made me morbidly obese and I am now a normal weight...and I can do anything and go anywhere I want to now.

Wishing you lots of luck, and sending you encouragement. You will be indeed be in my prayers as you begin your journey.

Wishing you the best of luck!

Wishing you all the best!!!

Thank you all for the encouragement. I got my first appointment today, unfortunately not until Aug. 29 just because the facility is about an hour and a half away so I actually have to take a day off for the appointment.

But from the sounds of it...what I've read at least is the insurance I currently have is pretty quick and easy going in regards to getting bariatric surgery approved. So there's hope this goes quickly. I have a vacation in October which is a pipe dream I know but if it happens I'll be elated, if not, surgery will have to wait until December, which feels like years away but would give me more recovery time.

Well see how it all plays out, regardless I'm excited!

Good luck! I'm also hoping to make surgery in October.

Ya'll I could just cry right now! I just got my insurance card and was finally able to pull up my benefits-not just the form that states bariatric surgery is a covered benefit...my surgery is indeed completely covered and on top of that it doesn't look like I'll have a million hoops to jump through! Requirements: Morbid Obesity, performed at a CME facilty and formal request for surgery to be performed.

The last insurance I got stated bariatric surgery was covered but when I finally got the benefit paperwork it only covered a quarter of the cost. I had hoped when I made this thread, but was holding my breath to be told I once again wouldn't be able to actually get it done.

10 years, this time will be different. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm so excited!

Ya'll I could just cry right now! I just got my insurance card and was finally able to pull up my benefits-not just the form that states bariatric surgery is a covered benefit...my surgery is indeed completely covered and on top of that it doesn't look like I'll have a million hoops to jump through! Requirements: Morbid Obesity, performed at a CME facilty and formal request for surgery to be performed. The last insurance I got stated bariatric surgery was covered but when I finally got the benefit paperwork it only covered a quarter of the cost. I had hoped when I made this thread, but was holding my breath to be told I once again wouldn't be able to actually get it done. 10 years, this time will be different. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm so excited!

Congratulations! Best wishes on your weight loss journey and I hope everything goes in rapid speed for you! I only wished that I would've done this at your age!

At my first appointment! Eeek! This is getting real!

Good news! The only things I need to get done are labs, pap, endoscopy, psych and nutrition class. My coordinator thinks there should be no reason why I can't get it done in October!

I can so relate to you. I was a huge yoyo dieter and was never able to keep the weight I lost off for more than a year. My sister had RNY in 2006, and as I watched her become healthy and slim, I knew this was what I needed to do as well. She was and is extremely successful in her wls results.

The problem was, the nonprofit I worked for had a rider that denied wls of any kind (made it more cost effective they said) and I couldn't afford it on my own. Then, in May, our Executive Director announced we were changing insurance companies. I held my breath as I pulled the company up online to see if they supported wls, and everything I read suggested it did. I got more and more excited. I made an appt with my primary w/o even having an insurance booklet or policy to make sure he supported it. Then, I held my breath for two weeks waiting to receive our policy. I had already gotten the referral to the surgeon from my primary. When I got my hands on that policy and read where is was covered, I had to close my office door so the rest of the staff didn't hear me crying. I was completely overcome with joy!

I am so excited that my surgery is scheduled for Tuesday morning! I know without a doubt this is the right thing for me.

I am so happy you didn't give up! I wish you the best of luck in your journey and I look forward to reading about your success!

Carol

I am so happy for you. I am also having my surgery in October (8th). So I guess we will start our journey together. Good luck to you.

It all seems surreal. I've been waiting for this for 10 years and now suddenly it is 2 months away! It's a bit overwhelming actually. I've got to talk to my surgeon still and see if he thinks it'll be a good idea to have my surgery in October as I'll only have a week to recover, or if I should wait until December, where I'll have 2.5 weeks of recovery time.

I have a high pain tolerance and don't think that will be a barrier for me. It's the "side effects" like fatigue, dizziness ect that worry me but I don't know how his patients usually fair afterwards. I want this done as soon as possible so if he thinks I will be able to return after I week I'll get it done in October

Another step closer last night I had my dietician and psychology seminar tomorrow I have my pap and after that I just have to get my endoscopy and psych 1:1 and then I'll be ready for surgery!

I'm getting less and less nervous and more and more mentally prepared. I feel so much better after the seminars as well. They really answered a lot of questions, have me the tools I need for post-op and really made me feel like I'll have a great support system afterwards