Hi, I am a newbie here. I finally agreed with my endocronologist to have a lapband. He had been suggesting gastric bypass for a couple of years, but I was afraid.

I have been dieting and exercising since I was 13yrs old, with varying degrees of success. I am 54 yrs old, female, BMI 49.9 with co-morbidities, diabetes, hypertension, GERD and hip/knee joint pain. I am an ICU RN working 12 hr shifts, feeling exhausted. I was told with my HgA1C 9.9 and BMI that I have approximately 10 yrs to live.

I am scheduled for the seminar 7/17 in Pittsburgh, Pa with Dr Joseph Colleti. I have a million questions. How long will I be off work or restricted with lifting? How long will it take to get the ball rolling? TIA for sharing information.

SweetSmile

Edited July 1, 200818 yr by sweetsmile

Hi there! Congrats on your decision. Most insurance companies require a 6 month medically supervised diet--although you'll have to find out for sure about your ins. company. I was told 5-7 weeks off work. Recovery wasn't bad at all for me. I am a week post-op and I feel great!

Good luck

The insurance customer service rep told me the diet would be up to the surgeon, they did not require it. The procedure is 80% covered, I have a copay for surgery and each day in the hospital. The rep told me the insurance only required a letter from the bariatric surgeon and my PCP citing the medical need. I hope to get things moving soon after the information class. The surgeons office said usually there is a 2 week waits for an appointment. Now that I have made the decision, I just want to get on with it.