Hi,

I'm new to this forum and have been busy reading a lot of the different threads. I'm starting down this journey and am a bit nervous but I know I'm doing the right thing.

I'm currently waiting through all of the pre-insurance items to be completed before my insurance approval is submitted. Per my carrier, the only requirement is to have a BMI over 40, which I'm at 44.5. I've been overweight every since graduating college. I'm looking forward to eventually getting back down to a reasonable weight, keeping up with my kids, enjoying my hobbies again, and being able to sit in any chair without thinking of how much of my bum is sticking out from the sides :smile2:

I decided to go down the lapband route because I felt it was more realistic to have the weight come off slower than RNY patients. Plus, I really was afraid of having such a drastic surgery.

Thanks to all who have posted in the past week or so as I'm been eagerly reading thru the threads. I'm an Analyst during the day so I'm big into gathering the info and facts. It makes me feel better about my decision.

My family is behind me and supporting me. My mom, well, she says I should try Weight Watchers - which I have - many times - loosing weight and then regaining it again. My friend says the same thing - she doesn't even realize that her words hurt. So, besides 2 other friends who support me, I haven't told anyone else - not even my brother - as I'm just not wanting to have to defend my choice.

thanks!

Laura

Welcome. Actually since you are an analyst you probably know that the best statistics for successful permanent weight loss are from weight loss surgery. Not other diets. WW is a great "diet" (though they call it a lifestyle) but I personally went insane losing a pound a week (or less) and counting out 100 cal worth of baked chips, and writing down every bite I took after I weighed it and so on. That type of bean counting grates LOL

I figured if I needed a pacemaker for my heart I'd grab it! And I know I can't keep weight off on my own (I have tried and tried all my life) so the band is a wonderful opportunity for me to regain and retain my health. I just wish they'd had it when I was much younger! :smile2:

I love my band! I hope you love yours, too!

I'm still here, but not as much of a newbie after reading lots of posts and website information about the band. I was down last week as my surgeon had all of my information (finally) and I called and they said it could be 2 weeks or more before they reviewed and submitted, due to the end of year backlog.

But, then I decided whatever happens happens. One of my reasons to push this for yet this year (and it still may or may not happen) is that my short term disability pay goes from 100% paid down to 60% paid (as of 1-1-09). That is a chunk.

So, I called my doctor's office this afternoon, to get a status as to where I was on the list. I was pleasantly surprised when they said that I was submitted via fax to my insurance company on Tuesday, 11-18. I then called my insurance company to see if they had received the fax and entered into the system. The first person was an idiot so I dialed back in and got a much more knowledgable person. Found out it was logged into the system on Tuesday the 18th. Assigned to a reviewer on Wednesday the 19th. And it is pending review.

My next step is to call the insurance company on Monday afternoon (the 24th) to see what the status is then. The sooner they approve it and fax the approval to the doctor, the sooner I can pay my program fee and schedule my surgery.

So, I'm optimistically hopeful again. I've tried my Protein supplements and found the ones I like. I've increased my Water intake and found chewable Vitamins (they taste pretty darned bad <yuck>). I've started to exercise a bit more. So, I'm trying to get my duckies in a row as I move down this path that is a bit unnerving at times.

Talk to you all later.

Hugs,

Laura