<p><p>Hello i am new here my name is Robbie I am from TN. and haven't been banded yet. have to wait a while on my insurance. So was just checking on this surgery. Pretty excited about it. My doctor said that is shouldn't be a problem for my insurance to pay since i am 5'1" and weigh 263. My BMI is 49.7. Any advice would be appreciated, I am also scared about it. But i need to do something I have diabetes,high bp,neuropathy in my feet,gout,kidney failure,acid reflux, and she said this weight is killing me. Well it is nice to meet everyone.</p></p>and also have severe sleep apnea.

Robbie,

I think that everyone here knows exactly how you feel...I couldn't wait to have the band put on, but I was so nervous...The surgery was a breeze...I did have a few days of being uncomfortable, but that soon passed...I am four weeks out and feeling really good....I am so glad that I had the band put on....I would do it again, tomorrow...

oh, I forgot to say...I had acid reflux so bad...once they got in to band me, they found a hernia...the doctor said that was what was causing the reflux....she repaired the hernia while doing the lapband and I have not had reflux anymore...so nice to not have to take pepcid ac......

Hi Robbi! I saw that you are a newbie from TN also. Just wanted to say hi and wish you all the best on your journey. Hope it won't be long until we are both on the losing side!

I know exactly how you feel! I have wanted this surgery for a few years but my insurance didnt cover it and self pay just wasnt an option for me. Good luck and I hope things move quickly for you!

Dear Robbi,

I am also a newbee. I am currently waiting on the simanar and the psy and dieticine appointment. Then the daunting task of jumping through hoops of the great insurance. Hope all goes well, keep us posted of your progress.

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful support, I hope we all get slim and trim and rid of these health problems. I will be adding more as my journey furthers itsself, and I will have more questions, and its just nice to know other people who are going through this too, it makes you feel so not alone in this, and just better about it. Thanks again.