Hi Everyone,

I'm very excited to have found this great community. My name is Edie, and I've been researching WLS on and off for many years. I was on the road to surgery, had all the tests and such, and THEN found out that my insurance had an exclusion. Although I had checked it out before I started everything, several of the people at BCBS told me that if it was considered to be "medically necessary" it would be approved. It wasn't until my doctor sent in the final paperwork that I was told that under no circumstances was it allowed.

Anyway, that made me mad enough that I joined Weight Watchers back in 2004 and lost 97 lbs in about 10 months. I was able to keep that off for about 6 months, then after my mother's passing and a brief separation from my husband I started to slowly gain the weight back.

So here I am again, and this time hubby is interested in having the surgery also. My insurance still doesn't cover WLS, so we will be paying for the surgeries ourselves. Whew! I think that covers it all....lol.

Again, I'm glad to have found this community, and I can't wait to learn everything I can about the lapband.

Edie

EdieT--hello and welcome. I certainly am not the expert; I got my band on August 27th of this year. But, I can tell you that this is a great place to gather information and get support.

I have been on liquid diet since August 13th. It is hard to do, but after the 3rd day, it gets easier. I have one more week on liquids, then I graudate to mushies for one week and then on to solid foods. Since August 13, I have lost 21 pounds. For me, that is great.

So good luck on your Quest for information. Any questions, just post and someone will help you.

I just joined today. I am going to Mexico. I was in the same boat. I had it all planed out and had paid out of pocket for all of the pretests just to be told that my insurance would not cover it. So....I am taking out a loan and going to a very reputable Dr in Mexico. I was so disapointed about what had happened. The day I found out I wasn't covered was the day that I quit looking at anything that had to do with lapband. I thought it just wasn't meant to be. Call it divine intervention, that I just happened to be looking on the internet and found this Dr. Ortiz. I am scheduled for November 21. Good luck to you on your journey and self pay, we are soooo worth it!

Thanks ClaraMae and Andisgt for your replies. I'm very excited and rejuvenated about the surgery again. I too was so disappointed with the denial that I stopped looking at anything that had to do with WLS. Now with hubby on board, we're ready to go.

Clara-congrats on your losing 21lbs already!! That's awesome!!

Andisgt-good luck with your scheduled surgery. If all goes well, we should be on about the same time frame for surgery.

Well it's time to finish up some laundry:washing: before turning in. Have a wonderful evening, and thanks again for your kind words and responses.

Welcome EdieT, This site is very helpful and can answer alot questions. Everyone on it is very supportive. I too am just getting started. I have completed all the requested lab work and tests and now will be going to my orientation on Tues. From what I understand I'll will have other appts to follow before I actually see the surgeon.

I tried Weight watchers and other diets too, only to gain it back and then some.....I researched WLS for over a year and finally took the step to get it started by going to my pcp. I feel that I have made a good choice in getting the LB and after finding this site it only confirmed my decision was the right one.

There are alot of good people out here in Bandster Land as you will learn.

Just wanted to say welcome and good luck.