Hi I'm Kathy. I am 34 and have been looking into weight loss surgery for some time now. I had been looking towards Gastric however didn't like the way people I knew that had it ended up looking sickly. A co worker got lapband and has done well with it. I love that its not as invasive. I currently have Kaiser insurance and they cover no kind of WLS. So, to get myself started until I can get back on BCBS I have started the 6 month diet w/ my PCP. Started out 3 weeks ago at 321 but when I went back last week was down to 314. Gotta love the bronchitis diet. :thumbup: I figure my 6 month weight loss will be over in February and I can start the rest of the process In January. I'd love to have surgery by March.Still have not decided on a doctor but I am leaning towards Dr. Proctor in Gainesville. My big thing is support. My brother and his wife and my closest friends support me 110% but my parents don't agree with what I'm doing. Anyhow, I've babbled on long enough. Any insight will be welcomed.

Thanks,

Kathy

Hi Kathy,

I'm new here, just joined tonight. Like you, I think the Lap Band is much more safer, and lots of people do well with it. I'm just starting this process and don't know what to expect. I have BCBS of IL, and am hoping that they will cover the surgery. As for support, I can understand where you're coming from. My mom and husband were very upset when I first talked of having gastric bypass a few years ago. I know that they were just scared of me having serious complications or dying from the surgery. So since that time, we've had several talks, and they know how I feel, and that this is what I need and want to live a longer and healthier life. Now they are very supportive, still nervous, but more happy with me deciding on the Lap Band. Maybe your parents are really just scared and don't know how to express that. I'm glad that you do have a good support system with others. Everyone needs support to keep them going!

Lisa

Hello and welcome!

You two sound just like me!! I live in Atlanta and in 2006 I went to an information session with Dr. Scott Steinberg. I told my husband and my parents and they were totally against it! So much so, that I said, okay I will try the conventional way. So in early 2007 I went on WW and lost 30lbs (still nowhere enough as I am currently 269, I went down to about 240), only to gain back 40!! So then I took a break and tried a physician assisted diet in November of 2007. She put me on that phenteramine, which made me super hyper. I managed to loose 10lbs, but that was it.

I then began thinking....what is it that I want? I am willing to make the lifestyle changes, but I need a tool! I have been dieting on and off for the past 25+ years and in the end, I remain MORBIDLY OBESE!!!

For me, I have decided to do things differently, to use a medically safe tool in order to loose this weight once and for all.

Intially, I was 100% for the lapband. However, I went to my PCP last week only to find out I have impaired glucose tolerance....AKA prediabetes. The lap Roux en y is a CURE for diabetes, and since I have diabetes in my family (mother, grandmother all aunts and uncles, brother on my mom's side). I decided what would be best for me is the roux en y.

So, just to let you know, whatever you decide to do, make sure you are doing it for yourself!!!! They do not have to carry all this uncomfortable weight around, we do!! I don't have a date yet, I hope to get one on Wednesday.

One more thing about BCBS, they are very good about approving as long as you meet the criteria. I was approved within 2 days and others in this forum have had similar experiences! They really helped me while I was waiting to hear, this forum is just a lifesaver!!

If you would like, feel free to check out my blog.:thumbup:

I wish you the BEST!!

Thought I would update. Even though I can't have the surgery til after the first of the year I am going to orientation tonight for Obesity solutions. I'm nervous but everything I have heard about Dr. Proctor is positive. Still working on the 6 month diet but after 1 month down 7 lbs still due to severe case of bronchitis when i could not eat for 3 days. Anyone else using Dr. Proctor in Gainsville, GA?

Ok home from orientation. They were awesome.. I was actually the only person there tonight so I got 1 on 1 attention. Got my packet going to fill that out and send it in even though Insurance won't cover as of yet. They are thinking that with my willingness for March/April time frame for surgery that if I start on Jan2nd that I can get everything done with approval and get banded by then. I'm excited bout this.

Edited September 25, 200817 yr by kmays234
update

Hi Everyone,

I'm Sandra and I live in Warner Robins.

I was banded 9-10 by Dr. Titus Duncan.

So I am three weeks out and everything is great. I've lost 27lbs since I started pre-op. (August 25th)

I wish you the best. I thought about surgery for two years before I had it so just be sure to do your homework.

Hello, Kathy! I'm new as well. I'm also 34 and just starting my 6 month program. Maybe we should be buddies! I'm hoping to have my surgery in April or May, though. (I don't know how fast they approve you after the 6 months are up, so I"m mentally saying May so I won't be disappointed after I'm finished! Ha!) My close friends are supportive, but I haven't told my family yet. They all live in other places and we get together at Thanksgiving, so I thought I would tell everyone when we were all together. (Like a shot...get it over with all at once!) I've been keeping a folder of all my info that I collect along the way and plan on taking it with me, in case they have any questions. They only person I'm concerned with reaction wise is my Grandmother. She will worry. My sister has a weight issue, so she'll be inquisitive...I'm not sure how my Mom will react. We'll see!

Anyway...Give me a shout and we can do this together!