Ive been doing a ton of research and have been scheduled for my seminar in November. Im just wondering how long the process will take before I get to actually have the surgery. I know there are a lot of different tests and appt I have to have first but Im so ready to get my healthy life started. Ive done so many different diets and have yo-yoed forever. Also Im really nervous about whether to go with the lapband and have surgery and possibly face complications or possibly be severly unhealthy in like 20 years. My boys are 1 and 3 and I want to be around for them and not just to be sitting on the side lines watching instead of doing, if that makes sense. If anyone has any info I would appreciate it so much. I just need to know Im going to be doing the right thing. Thanks for any replies:)

I went to my first seminar 9/13/07. I agonized over which surgery to have. I am now scheduled to get my lapband on 11/13/07 which is only 2 mths since the informational meeting. I got "all my ducks in a row" very quickly. I am excited and nervous about the surgery which I think is only normal. I don't know how I am going to get through a month until my surgery without losing my mind. I wish it was sooner. My kids are older and I have lost a lot of time I could have had with them. I also was a yo-yo dieter which is so unhealthy. Go to the seminar and take in all the info. Find out when the support group meets and attend. The support group is a wealth of information. Good luck!

Thanks so much for replying, I was wondering if you had the chance to of had the surgery sooner would you....for your kids?

cblair6271- I agree that you should not waste any more time. Your boys are still small and you will be able to give them so much more of yourself when you get your weight under control. You also owe it to your boys to keep yourself safe. Please let the fact that the lapband is less dangerous play a factor in your decision. There is risk in any surgery but please be informed and evaluate the risk and chances of complications. The band is much less invasive and reversible. There are no malabsorption issues. It is also a tool that you will have to work WITH to lose weight. Goodluck in your journey!

Good Luck, since I am downunder the process is a bit different here so I can't offer advice. The only thing I can add is I wish I had done it earlier. I sat for far too many years watching from the sidelines.I'm glad you are doing it while your kids are young so you can enjoy them.

Make sure you have help with the kids those first few weeks. My youngest ins 16months. He wantes to be picked up and cuddled. Dh and the older kids can feed him and change him but there's nothing like a cuddle from Mum. That had to be the hardest as he needed to be comforted at times. He had gastro last week, 10 days of banding for me. It was a nightmare.

Cheers

THis will depend on what your insurance company and the doctor requires. Has the doctors office sent you the stuff they are looking for? Have you found out from the insurance company as to what they require. Once we meet with the doctor and went through the pre-op testing (he does one stop shoping) did it all in one day, and gave him all the items the insurance company wanted:Letter from PCP Ie: Min 5 years of weights, heights, BMI etc. a list of all medical issues you have. THe hard part for us was getting all the weights together and having the doctors write the letters the correct way for approval. We had both approvals for surgery within 30 days. We did have to call UHC several times and refax things but we got it done. Then it was about 3 weeks after approval that we had surgery. If you would like to see the letter e-mail me at vcw61@excite.com and I will forward it to you.

Chris

I had surgery 3 weeks from my consult - I was a self pay. I am 9 days out and feel great - definately wish I would have done this sooner.

It depends on who is paying...Insurance or you??? I went in on Monday and sched. surgery for two weeks later...