Hi, if anyone has any answers or advice for me about the following that would be amazing.

So I am just starting the process (unless you include the years of research lol) and I have my first consult next month. My only concerns are about the approval process and how it works. I know it depends on your insurance but what are the typical things you have to do before approval?

Any expierences of your pre op are of vaule to hear =]

BMI 35+ co-morbids. That was it for me.

My insurance company was 40 BMI with no exceptions for co-morbidities. That made me. A nervous wreck as I was a bit under -- wish I had slouched to be shorter and changed that formula rather than gaining weight and trying to dress heavily for weigh-ins, etc. Geez, not fat enough for WLS? Ridiculous as I should lose a 100 pounds according to those same BMI charts. Otherwise the pre-op was stress-free -- I was SO excited about everything. Processes vary but I'll tell you mine:

We live in a rural area and the mandatory info session is only every o'er month and I missed June so had to wait for August, but after that things got rolling pretty quickly. Meeting with LB program director, nutritionist, psychiatric evaluation, then the surgeon. After that I got my date -- November 5 -- and had a few more appointments. Labs and a second visit with the nutritionist to go over the two-week pre-lop liquid diet then the big day. I was nervous as I had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before but it was all so much better than I thought it would be. Better than going to the dentist! I was choosing this and considered it (still do) a gift to myself.

I was glad I decided to get a therapist as an independent third party to track with. We really worked on breaking down my triggers plus reviewing reasons for the surgery, etc. as I considered this a drastic step. The other thing I'm glad of is that I upped my exercise prior to surgery. I didn't want to but I did it. This gave me something to step into after surgery, and I mean right after. I walked the hallways up and down and then at home around our driving circle more each day. This kicked my body into healing mode and helped release any trapped gas, kept my spirits high and got me really on track with my new banded life. Finally, this community was very helpful to me (still is). I read so many posts, but I skipped negative stuff. It got to be so I could just tell from the title. I asked all my questions and wrote down ideas in the notebook where I tracked all those appointments. It was fun making lists of my reasons and the things I look forward to being able to do once thinner and healthier. Those goals are great to review. Some one suggested I write myself a letter and I did. It's in my jewelry box and I'll open it when I reach goal. Taking measurements is a good idea as there are times when the scale isn't moving but the body is reshaping -- watch for those pants sizes going down and don't get hung up on the scale!

Best wishes to you -- I am so happy to have done this.