I am impulsive! I have done all the research I can. I have made my decision. I want the Lap Band. And I want it NOW! I have only been to the Informational Seminar. I have to turn in the rest of my paperwork next week then wait for the surgeon's approval, and then the insurance approval. Even if they do approve I have to do the 3 month behavior mod program. (I do plan to try get a visit with a dietician next week to get it rolling)

I have read that so many have had to wait a year or even several years to have this done. :thumbdown: I don't wanna wait! I wanna start that liquid diet now! I am ready for this--as ready as I will ever be! Best case scenairo it would be late summer or in the fall before I can have this done. Worst case, who knows.

How do you wait???

Hi! I was at the point you were a year ago and was FURIOUS that my insurance wouldn't waive the 6 month supervised diet. Well, after months of fighting the system (unsuccessfully, I might add), my mother became very ill and I had to put off my lap band plans. I did, however, start the 6 month supervised diet, making it a priority to go to the doctor come hell or high Water and I just finished up recently. I'm awaiting approvel right now.

Let me just say that I posted on this board last year and I was so angry when I got responses like the one I am about to give you. The thing is, the 6 month period gave me time to calm down my enthusiasm and to realistically look at the situation. I feel that this time to keep researching and to seek out people that I knew who had the surgery and to find out the good the bad and the ugly helped me to get prepared for the inevidible let-downs that are a part of the process.

I was 45 years old at the time and did not want to spend one more minute being overweight. I have always been overweight and missed some things in life that I regret, like marriage and my own family. (I'm one of those with a "pretty face" who is never asked out). I felt like that I was not getting any younger and that it was grossly unfair to be kept waiting.

After waiting this past year (my mother has since passed away), I have gained some clarity about the furor to get banded immediately. I am a good researcher (I am finishing my doctorate degree in education so I know how to research:-), but the extra time to see so many different stories about banding has helped me to go into this realistically. I even know someone who almost died when her body rejected the band, but I have decided the band is still a better option for me and so does my doctor.

Don't give up if you and your doctor feel this is a good option. However, do give yourself time to get past the "honeymoon phase" of your research and desire to lose weight. You will be glad you did.

Best wishes on your journey!

I agree...the six months gives you time to reflect and prepare. Trust me, I think most of us go to that first seminar and get PUMPED to get the Lap Band and want it immediately. I feel like I have had time to really learn about what to expect from the band, what real expectations to have, and how to prepare for your life to change.

I just turned in my paperwork to the insurance coordinator on Thursday, and I'm DYING to know when she submits it so I can just know my insurance has it to look at. And so I can start calling them to bug them to approve me...

I got very patient during the six month diet phase, but now that I am done with that I am PUMPED again! Trust me...if you are meant to do this and be dedicated to it, the motivation and excitement level will NOT wane one bit!

I am in the very same place as you, WDW -- anxious to get rolling! The clinic coordintor at my surgeon's office also told me that best case scenario for me would be late summer, early fall. All I do is just keep plugging away at all of the prerequistes. I am a non smoker now (surgeon requires that his patients have not smoked for 3 months prior to surgery.) I smoked for about 15 years (excluding the 9 months I was pregnant with my youngest child who is now 13). I have tried to quit many times, this time I feel like it will be permanent! So, that is one non scale victory I am savoring while I move toward getting banded. I also have given up caffiene. One of my doctor's requirements, which was almost as hard as giving up the cigarettes. But, I have found that the insomnia that has plagued me since I was a teenager has greatly diminished. I don't toss and turn for an hour or more when I go to bed at night! Another NSV to savor! I've also gotten a jump on eating healthy, which has resulted in some weight loss. In short, what I am trying to do is focus on each step of the journey ....from the sounds of many of the posts I have read on this site....this is a life long journey and you have to pace yourself. Best of luck to you!

Edited April 15, 200917 yr by TSB
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