I read how so many people are upset about "having" to do the 6 month classes before Insurances will even think about covering the surgery. I am from the Pittsburgh Area and just found out that i am accepted into the more intense program for pre and post lap band surgery. I will have a more intense version of what is normally done, instead of 6 classes, i will be getting 24 classes. I will be going weekly. I will be assigned a "coach" to specifically work with me, as well as a nutritionist, exercise psycologist etc..... they will also closely monitor me 24 months Post op. It is a new study... to see if this can help make the surgery even more successful. I look at it this way. I am here to change my life, and I will do what it takes to make this work, Heck i've tried for 25 years without much success. Sure weekly trips to the city, and lots of homework to do, and lots of forms to fill out, can be a pain. I am not putting a time frame on my life, therefore if it takes 6 months or a year..... it's all about making the changes and preparing the best way I can for the surgery..... to help the surgery become MY success story. So a word of advice to those who just want IT done now. use the time wisely, learn to change your behaviors, learn to help yourself in the process, remember the surgery will fail if you don't make it work. So you have only 2 choices, learn from the 6 month wait. Or be miserable the entire 6 months.

I also had the 6 month diet along with a center of excellence pre op dietary class similar to the program you're doing. Like most I wasn't thrilled with waiting 6 months... But I ended up being thankful for all the knowledge I got out of it and how helpful everyone was.

I had surgery on 4/23 and since surgery have lost 41 pounds and I think it's because I was informed and able to use my band for the potential it has.

Nice post thanks

that sounds sort of like mine cept I have 12 sessions 1 every 2 weeks. But I always meet with the nutritionist etc I just started month 4 out of 6 and I am down 20.5 lbs.

Today I was finally told that I had to do the 6 months. Only problem is no one at the insurance company is telling where I can go. I was on the phone the better part of today and the only answer I got was "Medically supervised". One RN said she thought I had to do something like OPTI

sorry hit enter too soon! I was saying Optifast. I did that over 15 years ago and lost 60 lbs but have no records since it was a clinic. I faxed in a letter asking them to reconsider or give me the details of what is need. My insurance is Horizon Blue Cross of NJ. Also the insurance contact in the doctors office said I have to be careful not to lose too much or they wont okay me. I feel like I fell into a black hole.