Hi, I was just wondering what your experiences have been as far as when you told people about your upcoming surgery. I feel like if my BMI was in the 50's it would be easier for people to understand and or be supportive of wanting to get this done.

My BMI is 39 as of today and I finally had the nerve to tell my best friend and she was totally not supportive and basically blew it off and said, "just join weight watchers, your not that big to have to go get a surgery". A friend at work told me basically the same thing too, "oh you aren't fat ha ha ha your so funny". But to me I am fat.......... obese......... whatever you want to call it. Just to name a few things, my knees and back hurt, I have no energy and this is so embarrassing to say but if I sit on the toilet to long my legs and feet fall asleep and I know that's from all this weight (242) I am carrying around. If weight watchers would work I would do it but obviously it dosen't nor does/did all the other 20 diets I have tried . I just feel like I have to really explain myself like when I was telling her I kept saying but I'm so unhealthy, if I wasn't unhealthy then I wouldn't do this, my Dr. thinks it's for the best, etc......

UGH, why can't people think this is great, be supportive, and be happy for me?

tweenwaters, you are SO lucky to have a friend thats been through this!! I'm thinking about getting my surgeon's office to start a LB support group in our area. I did fen-phen before it was pulled too....only for 3 months thank goodness!

I am thinking seriuosly about getting the lap band. My BMI is 35.2, but I also have high cholesteral, Gerd and foot problems like plantar fasiitis and swollen tendons. All of it is from being over weight. My insurance Anthem BCBS covers bariatric surgery with a BMI of 40 or above...or 35 with at least one co-moribity. Anyone out there have any idea of my chances of approval? Oh...I was on weight watchers earlier this year and the latter part of last year too. I am hoping I have the criteria needed mostly covered.

It is definitely tricky...it's like we are those who fall between the cracks. It could be a matter of only 10-20lbs and we will not be covered. It's foolish but it is how our medical system works. Only the sick get care and are covered. To get the lap band for you and me (I am developing the same foot problems as you) would be a preventive medical option but that just isn't how it works unfortunately.

I was surprised yesterday when I called a weight loss center in my area that specializes that there is a study being conducted for those 35 BMI and under and the cost for the LB is lower ...much lower. I am seeing them today and will tell you how it goes.

All insurance companies are different also. I have CIGNA they are ridiculously cheep when it comes to paying up for Lap Band surgery. They change the rules everytime they are forced to pay.

It can't hurt to try...good luck

m

Help, waiting on final paper work on bcbs. At 37 bmi don't have major health issue. like sugar or heart issue no sleep disorders. I am obese

can I get approved? restlessleg sydrome and bad knees. Told my parents and do not agree.Lose it by diet I live the oprah diet up and down. The yo yo diet tried everything. I am stressing out :teeth_smile: Please what morecan I do. Anyway thanks mona

Help, waiting on final paper work on bcbs. At 37 bmi don't have major health issue. like sugar or heart issue no sleep disorders. I am obese

can I get approved? restlessleg sydrome and bad knees. Told my parents and do not agree.Lose it by diet I live the oprah diet up and down. The yo yo diet tried everything. I am stressing out :smile2: Please what morecan I do. Anyway thanks mona

Hi Mona,

Been there...have you checked your insurances website for lapband criteria? That is where I started I went by their rules ans sought approveal. I hope this helps, good luck

Lana

Wanna hear something sad? I KNOW I am on the cusp so I GAINED 5# just to be above 35! I have a family history of heart disease, high cholestoral and triglycerides, asthma and even when I exercise like a freak? The weight won't budge. I quit exercising I was so discouraged. I am not round and roly poly...I am solidly built and very active.

I told my friend who is 5'2" and 275 and she went freaky on me. "Come on Shira, we can do this together!" She MEANT dieting. I don't want to diet anymore. I hate it. I want to just live my life and not have food be a ruling factor. I eat VERY heathily...and that's what I want to do. I don't want gimmicks anymore. I have been dieting for the last 30 YEARS!

I told my Dad who has had GB and he was REALLY excited. He thinks it's the best thing since Wayne Newton!! He actually wants a revision TO the lapband since his GB has stopped working. He sent me an article from the Washington Post about it yesterday in fact. If my insurance won't pay (although I think that won't be an issue), he is offering to cover it. He really is a supporter.

Now my BF? She dropped 50 lbs last year through diet and exercise. And I really applaud her. I am not sure if she'd be supportive of this or not and right now I haven't told her. Another friend I DID tell. And now she may be interested too. I guess it's just random.

I go to the seminar on the 5th - this Wednesday!!!!! I am psyched. I am hoping my PCP won't object. I also learned what a panniculus is (look THAT one up) and found out I can get MINE removed. If so, I'd like to do them both together...I think that would so increase my self-confidence, my body image and my general health. I am really hopeful nothing FUBARs this.

Edited November 1, 200817 yr by ShiraSimcha

Hi, I was banded Jan 25,08 in Tijuana, Mexico and am down about 50 lbs!!!!!!!!!! It has been the best health (mental and physical) decision that I've ever made. Unlike any other diet etc... it actually works! The fact that I am not constantly obsessing about food is as wonderful as the fact that I physically cannot eat large amounts!

I am a self-pay, but you know what? The cost of the procedure is nothing compared to the benefits I've gained. I have spent soooooo much more on fad diets, programs, food etc.............

Good luck!

I have to tell you Mica your amazing success has given me the confidence to go through with this! 50lbs !! Good for you! You must feel great. I will be 50 in a month or two and I am so afraid that at this age I won't be able to lose too much weight because it's so difficult at this age.

Thanks for sharing your great success!

m

Glad I was of some help Sooverit.

We are close to the same age and the weight came off steadily. I could have probably lost quicker (this was quick enough), had I been a little more diligent regarding the exercise. I do walk alot, but don't do a whole lot of heavy cardio etc... Anyway, it's working!

Like everyone else on this site has been on the diet roller-coaster for far too long! It's nice (it's actually fantastic!!!!!) to finally feel what i think "normal" people experience in regards to eating and food.

The only regret that I have regarding this surgery, is that I did not have it done 25 years ago! How much pain and sufferring would I have avoided!

Just have to report that after two years of extensive research and over a year of battling my insurance company, being denied 3x after being set up for surgery... there is finally light at the end of this long tunnel....there always is.

I found a obesity center specializing in fills for 8 years and I have been invited to partake in a low BMI study (BMIs between 35 - 39 ). The cost is affordable, with a terrific experienced surgeon in a Westchester hospital on an outpatient basis. Going on Monday to set up an appointment and start the tests again. I am still in disbelief this will all be over soon! Also told my daughter finally....whew...:rolleyes2:

I'm so happy for you Mica...I believe in life unfolding the way it is meant to. For what ever reason now was your time for this second chance. I bet you extended your life quite a bit also! Can I ask you if you ever had a time when you missed not being able to eat like you used to? I really love food obviously but I am so done ....I know eating like this is toxic at this age. I'm a big snacker and I know I will go through some food withdrawal?

Hi All, I am new here. I have been reading the posts for the last few weeks and have learned so much. The more I read the more I want to be banded. I sent paperwork to a surgeon in Richmond, Va and was told that I am 10 lbs short of a BMI of 40. My insurance won't pay if it is less than 40. Now I don't know what to do. I am thinking about paying for it without insurance, however not sure how I could manage it. Can anyone please tell me why there is such a long range of cost. I have read between 12k and 30k. I need a cost breakdown. I wonder if the higher prices include fills and the 12k don't??? Any advise would be appreciated. I want this so bad. I don't want to look and feel like this anymore...

Too alll: I am a 36 climbing quickly to 37 BMI and I love the one ...you're not fat enough..you're just BIG...oh thanks for that. I am 96 lbs over my lifetime normal weight and healthy weight. or The experts...."you have to be 100 lbs overweight to even be considered for that operation!" I don't think you could get it even if you wanted it which you really don't need, just watch what you eat. Or your not like that....you not obese....oh yeah?

I don't get too much support either

Let's start with where you live?

If you don't have one already, find a primary care physician who will sit down with you and go over your health in tiny detail. He/she may find things that you do not consider to be co-morbidities, but they really are. My doctor wrote up borderline hypertension, borderline high blood sugar, a history of knee problems, skin rashes, reflux, everything he could think of that I had, as co morbidities, and my insurance paid for my surgery.

I went to Tijuana too, and had a wonderful experience. My BMI was 35-37 before my preop diet. I am now in the "normal" BMI range, a size 6 pants, and thinner than I have been in the past 30 years. This surgery was a wonderful thing for me.