On June 9<SUP>th</SUP> 2008 I began the evaluation process leading to the submission for pre-approval to receive the Lap Band surgery. Today, September 2, 2008 I received notification that the Lap Band procedure was approved. I am now smiling ear to ear and am waiting for the scheduling of my surgery. From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank all of you that post on these forums for helping to make this happen. I have spent many, many hours on-line researching the surgery, surgeons and reading the accounts that you were so generous to share. It was the many lessons learned drawn from your experiences that prepared me so well to cope with the delays, reject the misinformation and overcome the general resistance of the insurance company. Without your help I would have surely been overwhelmed and quit, the frustration at times was mind bending. Your posts unveiled an amazing number of obstacles, big and small that were thrown in front of many of you. In short, your posts kept me from being blind-sided and prepared me to put one foot in front of the other and keep this on track. This should have been a slam dunk at 5’2”, 286lbs, with a BMI of 51 but it wasn’t. I plan to share my adventures with the pre-approval process with you all in the near future. Again, from the bottom of my heart . . . THANK YOU!

I am so happy for you! Good luck, I can't wait to hear more as you go..:party:

Congrats I am excited for you..Keep us posted on your surgery date

Congratulations Phil, I am 4 weeks post op and so very very happy, Every day is an adventure. I am feeling 100% better than I did before the surgery, just the small weight loss has made me feel so much better, so I am looking forward to the future and being a normal sized person again. It's been 20 years since that.

You won't regret it

Congratulations Phil. Keep that same determination and focus along the journey - it is easy to become discouraged at different points, but keep going. The best IS yet to come!

Way to go Phil!