I just want to let you know that this is an exciting, scary, frustrating journey in the beginning that will turn out to be the most wonderful thing in your life. I can only tell my story,but when I looked at the calendar this morning, I remembered a year ago this month when I picked up the phone and made an appt. to begin the process. I went to a seminar on Oct. 15th of last year. I was so disappointed that I had to do a supervised weight loss diet and exercise program that was to be 3 months long. How could I ever make it! It sounded so long! Now, here it is a whole year later almost, and I barely remember those three months. But at the time, I thought time was standing still. I was scared that my insurance would deny me. It was all I thought about. It consumed me. I gathered paperwork like a crazy person, not trusting anyone to get it right but me. So much hung in the balance. I wanted that better, healthier life and I was so frightened that someone would forget to do something, or not turn in all the paperwork, or not use the right language to persuade the insurance company that I really needed to have this done. When I think back, I was a mess. But everyone I dealt with was so patient with me, so perhaps all of us act a little desparate in the beginning. When the nutritionist dragged her feet in getting my report in (2 months late!) I went nuts and called her directly and told her the rest of my life depended on that report. She sent it immediately, probably was scared to death of the crazy woman on the phone! Then after everything was sent to my insurance company, they sent me a letter saying that they had not received ANY of my health history. I hit the phones again, calling everyone in the universe, checking and double checking. Then my insurance company took exactly 30 DAYS to give me an answer. All the while I am reading on here that people are getting approved in one day or one week, and here I was sitting, going on a month. I was so depressed. I was sure I would be denied.

Then the call came that I was approved. So don't give up hope if "Suzy" gets approval in one day and you are still waiting. The time it takes doesn't mean you won't be approved. Just hang in there. Then came the surgery. March 14, 2008 is my new birthday. I will always celebrate it as the beginning of my new life. I am not a young woman anymore, so it took me a few days to bounce back. But at the one week mark, I was good as new. I have been so fortunate. I reached my sweet spot after only two fills. I have lost 63 pounds as of today. My pcp says he only wants me to lose 19 more. I cannot put into words how my life has changed. It began to change me the day of surgery. I felt so good to be back in charge of my own life. Every day since then has been a transformation of me into the person I have always wanted to be. Confident, healthy, strong, and not too bad looking for an old broad either. People listen when I talk, they look me in the eye, the seat on the airplane is now comfortable, booths in restaurants, my knees don't hurt doing stairs anymore, my lower back feels much stronger, my blood pressure returned to where it was when I was in my twenties, and the best of all, my doctor has taken me off of my diabetes medication and I am doing so good. So almost six months after surgery now, and I just wanted to share my story with those just beginning. I remember that it seemed like an impossible dream back then, but six months post surgery it is my reality. Hang in there, it can be yours also.:thumbup:

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement. I am at the stage of my 2nd consultation with the surgeon. I go Friday Sept 12th. I already had my tests done and had it submitted to insurance and received a rejection letter because I haven't been on a physician supervised weight loss program for 5 years with monthly check ins with my dr. When you think about it, it would be 60 monthly copays of $20. So there is $1200 I could put towards self paying now. So, that is what I am planning on doing. I am lucky to have a savings put away, so I am going to do this for Me. Right now, I am scared and anxious but definitly excited to start a new beginning.

Lonestar - it was great (and encouraging) to read your story. When you see yourself go up and down with the same pound or 1/2 a pound for a week, it does get frustrating, so it makes me to really want to keep at it. I'm looking forward to my six month surgery anniversary as well!

Congratulations! You've done so well!

OMG! Your post was music to my ears! It put a lump in my throat. :blushing: In a good way though. :cry_smile: The emotions that you described, are the emotions that I am experiencing as of now. I am so anxious to get my approval and yet so scared that they will call me with a denial. It messes with my mind and emotions so much, I can't wait to get an answer. I get sad, just like you mentioned, when ieveryone else is posting their stories of being banded already. I know that I will be standing in the postion that you are and realize that everything REALLY did go fast. Meanwhile, I am here in limbo, waiting...... Thank you much for sharing your story! I really enjoyed. It gave me hope and encouragement.

Thanks again :thumbup:

Thank you for posting this!!!

I'm just starting on my own journey. I had a consultation with the program nurse, and I've scheduled all my lab/psych/nutrition appointments. The tough thing right now is, exactly like you said, trying to get over all these little hurdles so I can get to the finish line. The paperwork, the appointments, and the anxiety of "will insurance cover me??"

It's so incredibly reassuring to hear stories like yours. Thank you for taking the time to post!

Hope all you beginners are still hanging in there. I think of you often and can't wait for you all to be on this side of banding.

Well thank you for this post.

I had surgery Wednesday(feeling good) and I appreciate the encouraging words. I want to feel the same way.

Thanks for sharring and congratulations on a New You!