Greetings, My name is Kimberly and I am headed to my first seminar tomorrow. I have three friends who have had bariatric surgery and all have reclaimed their lives. Their bodies are no longer a burden, a prison. I've lost weight in years past, over 100 pounds, but somehow I found it again. So. . .I believe the lap band is for me. Insurance won't cover it, but between my HRA/VEBA, my medical Flex Spending account and a second job I believe I can make it happen my mid year. I have read your posts, drawn on your stregnths, noted your advice and now I just want to say I am so glad that this community exists. I will have to be patient and persistent to make this happen.

Welcome! I'm relatively new here too, and like you, I'm also ready to reclaim my life.

I understand having to jump through hoops to get the procedure done. About 3 years ago I was looking to get it done, but my insurance required a 1 year supervised diet, and before the year was up, I had lost my job and my insurance!

So here I am now, with a blue cross blue shield coverage and my first appointment with the surgeon is December 8th. I hope to have surgery around the first of the year.

It's daunting, all this waiting, but like you said, in the end it'll be worth it!

How has your relationship with your friends changed - if at all? It must be hard seeing them having lost all this weight.

I have been thrilled for them, but it has been hard to play the role of spectator. Ironically, they all sat on the sidelines and watched me lose over 100 pounds a few years ago. I have watched and supported them while they reclaimed their lives. I can't imagine waiting literally years. Great job for hanging in there!! I have only just begun. Thanks for being the first to respond to my first post.