I'm going to a lap band seminar on 3/6/08 as a first step in my goal which is to get the band. But from what I'm reading and hearing, you have to go through months and months of mental and physical testing. This worries me. I am overweight and have been most of my life, but I'm a scared they're going to tell me that I didn't try hard enough at my diets and my stress level is too high to get the band. I don't exactly know what to say to make them understand that this is more than likely my only hope to a happy life.

I would like to hear from ya'll about the types of testing that is required and about how long all this takes.

Also, if some of ya'll can tell me what they frown on or what can prevent me from getting approved for the surgery I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

First, I did like you attend a seminar. Next I made an appointment with the surgeon. After that initial meeting, he said I was a canidate. Yeah!!. Next thing is 6 months (continuously, with no breaks) of medically supervised diet. That meant I had to see my doctor every month for 6 months and tell him I was on a diet and exercising. They document your weight and that's it. Then after I needed a Psychological Evaluation. After that I needed to see a Dietician/Nutritionist. Then I was complete. Next step was to tell my surgeon I completed the 6 months. My insurance requested 5years of medical history with weight documentation and list co-morbidities. Once my surgeon received all that which took about a month, they submit to my insurance and it took 5 days for the first denial then 2 days after my appeal I was APPROVED!!!. I have been on Optifast since 2/19. Preop testing took avout an hour, which included bloodwork, EKG, & Chest Xray. I see the surgeon on 3/3 for my preop visit and on TUESDAY< MY LIFE WILL BE BETTER.

All in all it took almost 1 year. Only because I had a break of the 6mons of visits, which I didn't know I did until I completed the first 6 visits and they advised me that on month 5 the doctor didn't write that I was there for weight management. SOOOOOO, I had to start my 6 months all over again....it was a bummer, but look at me now.

Hope this helps you. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR JOURNEY!!!!

:thumbup: Hurray! Yes I had to do the six month diet thing all over again. The nurse never wrote two of my weights in, so here I go again. But now my insurance only requires a 2 yr, and I have that! So check with your insurance company to see what is required. I hope I get approved right away. If not I will appeal also. I am soooooo thankful for these boards, they have provided me a wealth of information.

my insurance requires 6 months of consecutive supervised weight loss with pcp, and in that time there was EKG, stress test, echocardiogram, pulmonology clearance, and the most fun a endoscopy with the GI DR. My medical clearance is scheduled for 3/3, pre op on 3/6 ans surgery on 3/19,,, as long as insurance says yes...