Hello all,

I'm in SE Ohio and it seems a whirlwind already. Providence, really as a coworker started telling me about her lap band last week. Because I considered a RNY 3 years ago I didn't need to do all the mental work to return to thinking about a surgical option. I'd left off with the RNY because it felt wrong to scramble my insides quite THAT much. I have an appointment on 2/8, will have a psych eval before then and possibly in hand for my appointment. I've confirmed my insurance will cover this and possibly not require a 6 month diet supervised by physician. (Anthem BCBS) They told me today that if I show up with all paperwork ready to go, they can submit to insurance for approval the following week, another 1-2 weeks to know if I'm approved ... and if I am, another 2-3 weeks for surgery. To me, that seems a whirlwind and a sum total of 6-8 weeks.

I've tried everything except prescription meds for weight loss and nothing is a long term solution. I get to thinking I've "changed my lifestyle" and get tripped up and return straight away to bad habits.

I'm also already in therapy -- and discussed it with my therapist today. I'm free about why I'm in therapy, too. I'm a midwife and had a pretty bad birthing experience about 6 mos ago and just started down the path of talking it out with someone about 5 weeks ago. To be able to talk to someone about how I feel regarding the emotional baggage of excess weight is also nice. She apparently also specializes in body image therapy -- so that's going to totally rock. I really like her. She is also helping me get the psych eval ahead of time.

I do have some questions for anyone on Anthem BC/BS -- have you been required to do the diet for 6 mos supervised by a physician at all? Was it because BMI was below 40? I'm really worried I will be denied for this reason and I have concerns about my insurance changing before that 6 mos would be up. My BMI is at 46.

I'm doing a lot of reading on this board/site and sometimes it's reassuring and other times it worries me. I feel this is the right path, though. As I told my therapist today, I want to kayak with the Orcas...ride horses with my daughters ... try hanggliding...maybe learn to surf...learn to play soccer and take my kids camping (without getting eaten by bears, of course!) I'd be outdoors all the time if I could, but right now, I'm physically unable. I feel as though -- here I am -- 36 -- and I'm still waiting for my "life, my happy life" to start, even though I've done a tremendous number of things already and am happy otherwise.

Thanks for reading so far!

Boadicea

That's good to hear. Did you have any other comorbities?

I wish insurances could give a staight answer! I just don't want to have to go through fighting with the insurance. Wow...your surgery is in a few days. Good luck!!!