I've made a decision that when the surgeon's office calls to set up my surgery date in the next few days or weeks, I am going to push for February. Preferrably the 11th, because where I work that would give me two Holidays off, plus one of my Friday's off. I have the 9/8/80 schedule if anyone out there knows what that is, or has it. I plan to take full two weeks off. Why not? I have plenty of time on my books, and I want to be sure I stick to my liquid diet 100%! That can be hard to do if you're stuck at work and end up not bringing enough to keep you satisfied during the day.

So, anyone else out there with a date that month or trying to push for it? I'd love to hear from you and see how it's going.

Here is my journey, I hope your up to a long read...

I began looking into the lap-band surgery about three years ago when I first heard about the surgery. Not very intently at first of course, and I always said I'd never even consider bypass.

Not long after hearing about it my PCP told me I had chronic hypertension. Well, I was only 30 years old at that time! I was blown away. I was a chubby child (not bad), but at about 12/13 I lost the weight and was able to keep it off until about 19. It was about 2 years later I met my husband and we married shortly afterward, and it was at that time I made the most of my weight gain. It was like I was sleeping all though it and I never realized it happened. My eyes were really opened that day my doctor informed me of my disease. Well, needless to say I hadn't even stepped on the scale in many, many years. I was wearing a size 28 at the time of my diagnosis. I made a conscious effort to lose some weight on my own, still not fully supporting the idea of surgery. I did pretty good. I did it through good old better eating and exercise. I lost about a pant size before making that ultimate step onto the scale. It said 315!!!

OMG! :faint:

You know, I knew I was pretty bad off, but still - even then - I didn't imagine it to be that bad. Keep in mind I'd already lost some weight. I've come to terms with it now, and can easily say I was probably at my max upwards into the 330's.

Well, I continued to lose a little more weight in the same way - but somewhere betwee 270 and 280 I'd stopped. I've been yo-yo'ing the last ten pounds ever since. I've been this weight for probably the better of two years now. It was at the beginning of this year I realized I needed more help. I figured I needed a little something to keep my portions in control, as I noticed by journaling my intake I tend to "overeat" especially during dinner hour. Breakfast and lunch are perfect, as always. I do great when my mind is busy at work.

It took a lot of courage to ask my PCP about bariatrics. It was almost as if I was admitting to myself especially that yes, I'm fat, and yes - I can't lose it alone. My travels from there have been long and arduous. But one moment of it, I do not regret. I am so thankful for the six month dietician appointments, as it prepared me a great deal and in so many ways. I don't think I will be as successful had I not done them.

I am so close now, I can see the Bandland gates from here!

So, anyone still going through the toughest part, HANG IN THERE!! It is, and it will be SO worth it.

I simply can hardly wait!

Crystal-Congrats on your earlier surgery date(I'm jealous) but happy for you. You can still be a honory February bandster!

Heeellllo Everyone,

I am new to this site and nervous. I have made a conscience decision to schedule my surgery in Mexico on February 8th. No one knows this......My husband is still stating he does not think we can afford it, but I can not put a price on my health. For those who are self payers, how does the cost impact your finances?:help:

I have been researching this surgery for @< 2-yrs & @ the same time trying to figure out a way to privately pay. I have Kaiser insurance & they only cover RNY.

My husband turns 59.5 on Feb 8th. I thought he wanted hard wood floors. When I mentioned the surgery and the reasonable cost of getting the surgery in Mexico; he said, "I could care less about hard wood floors! I care about you getting healthy"

So, off we are going to Mexico & we are both excited!

Happy New Year to everyone!

Karen

Have you checked with Kaiser recently? I have a friend who just had the band done in the middle of this month by Kaiser.

I just got off of the phone with Kaiser in Southern California and the customer service rep stated Kaiser does not cover the lapband surgery and the gastric bypass can only be done for patients whose BMI is over 40 and have other medical conditions AND all other programs that Kaiser offers has been tried... I was sad, so it looks as if I am back to thinking about self pay.

Glynda,

I am so sorry, my condolences. I recall how heartbroken I was when I learned that my insurance excluded all WLS. As soon as I learned about lapband I just thought, surely my insurance will cover it! Mine didn't, my husband's didn't, so The End of that dream. And here I am more than 2 years later finally with a surgery date and self-paying. I hope that you're able to find a way to make it happen, and faster than I did (I am financing part of the surgery). Don't give up yet! Keep us updated!

Viri

I just got off of the phone with Kaiser in Southern California and the customer service rep stated Kaiser does not cover the lapband surgery and the gastric bypass can only be done for patients whose BMI is over 40 and have other medical conditions AND all other programs that Kaiser offers has been tried... I was sad, so it looks as if I am back to thinking about self pay.

I just got off of the phone with Kaiser in Southern California and the customer service rep stated Kaiser does not cover the lapband surgery and the gastric bypass can only be done for patients whose BMI is over 40 and have other medical conditions AND all other programs that Kaiser offers has been tried... I was sad, so it looks as if I am back to thinking about self pay.

It has to be that Southern California Kaiser does not approve the lap band, because my friend did get the lap band through Kaiser. We are in Nor-Cal however.

I am so sorry to hear that! Is there another insurance you can switch to?

Viri,

When is your date and what dr are you going to? I am talking to my husband about financing. I continue to tell him we can not put a price on my health. So he said he will think about it. I still have a date, February 8th.....with Dr. Aceves in Mexico.

It has to be that Southern California Kaiser does not approve the lap band, because my friend did get the lap band through Kaiser. We are in Nor-Cal however.

I am so sorry to hear that! Is there another insurance you can switch to?

Yes, it is is Southern California Kaiser. They are recommending I try a Optifast Program, which I have to pay for myself....I am sick and tired of being sick and tired of Kaiser. I can not change my health insurance for a few months. I think I have settled to self pay...(just waiting for my husband approval of the financing)

Hello there..

I just got my date today!! I'm scheduled for February 5th!! So excited!! Definitely a great New Year's gift. I'm working on getting my ticker loaded. Can't wait to see that sucker moving in the right direction. Would love to stay close to this group since we're all in this together. I'm 245lbs, 37yrs old, and my goal weight is 140. Look forward to seeing you on the boards.

Amy

Welcome Amy-glad to have you on board. This is a great place to be for support and information.

Hello February Bandsters. :wave:

I am hoping to join you.

I am currently waiting for insurance approval. I thought it was all taken care of but because of an insurance name change, my paperwork got lost so I am waiting again.

First available pre-op appointment with my surgeon is Jan 30 but I can't even make that appointment until I have my insurance approval.:ohwell: I feel like I am running around in circles.:violin: Glad to have such a wonderful support group here.

Are you kidding me? This is probably the best thing you could do for yourself. Your son is not the one who is living your life as an obese person, you are. Does he not want his mother to be around in the future. Does he not understand the ramifications of obsity like diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Does he know that 95 percent of people who loss weight on a diet regain that weight and more? Do it for you, not anyone else!

Hi all!! I just spoke to my surgeon today and I have a date. February 8th!!

I, like many of you, have researched this method for years. About 4 years ago, my best friend and I went to the surgeon and had a consult with him. She really went as my support, and she wound up having by pass. She has done awesome! But I backed out. Then I decided that I wanted to do the lapband, and my insurance company said no! Our insurance changed, and I tried again. This time both insurance companies, mine and hubby's, said yes.

I was never really overwieght until I started having kids. At one point I was about 260 on my 5'4" body. I took Phen-Fen and lost about 90 lbs. But then I got pregnant and got right back to over 200 after the baby was born.

I have always come up with a million excuses why I couldn't lose the weight. And then I had a million more for gaining it. (Mom died, Dad died, career change, illness) But a couple of years ago I found out I have an inoperable tumor in my hip and it is really painful. I can't excersise and the heavier I get, the more pain I have. So I decided that if I couldn't lose the weight on my own, there is no shame in having help. If I had another illness, I wouldn't think twice about getting help.

So here I go. Taking this huge step in my life with the rest of you. I am excited for all of us. I can't wait for the days when we can tell each other how much we have lost!!

I'm so excited, I just got the call that my surgery is scheduled for Feb 11:) I can't wait. I'm not even nervous, i'm totally excited. Even though I still have to have an endoscopy done and I may have to have an open surgery, that all pales in comparison to the end result.

Got the phone call yesterday that insurance (BCBS Kansas) wouldnt cover it. We knew they wouldnt, but as of Jan. 2nd they made "some" changes, they just didnt have anything to do with Weight Loss.

My surgery date is Feb. 2, 2008 with Dr. Stephen Malley in KC. No hospital stay but he wants me to stay "in town" over night just in case, so they furnish a motel room across the street from the center.

I personally dont think I eat alot but when he told me I could only have an 8oz shake for Breakfast, one 8oz shake for lunch and a diet plate for dinner two weeks before the surgery . . . . . HELL, I'm hungry already and I havent even started the "diet".

I spent New Years Day watching the full "season 2" rerun's of the TV show "The Biggest Loser". Thinking I could watch what I eat, I found myself starving all day, going to the fridge EVERY comercial. This is going to be challenging to say the least. I might need to rent one of those Iron fisted Catholic Nun's to slap my had everytime I stray!:phanvan