I made the decision to get the lap band at the end of May naively thinking I would have the surgery, oh by say, July? No such luck. There are hoops, and then some, to jump through. I'm in the 6 month pre-op mandatory diet program, although I recently just found out my insurance company doesn't require it. I can't get in to see my surgeon until August 20th, and at that time I'll find out if I can have it done sooner than the December time frame I was initially given. Does anyone else ever feel like it's never going to happen for them? Once I was ready, I was ready! Now it's like the proverbial carrot being dangled in front of me. I know I can't be the only one feeling this way.

If your insurance does NOT require that program, why not just find another "in network" surgeon? I have insurance and my surgery was done in about 1 month...from seminar to recovery in the hospital. I didn't get my band the 1st time but that was my fault, not the process....

Your post made me think of something -- this isn't 100% responsive, but it's not a bad thing to think about.

A few years ago, I saw this great Dear Abby column -- it was of this woman who was in her 40s or so and who was saying that she had always wanted to be an attorney, but now she feels like if she goes, she'll be like 45 by the time she graduates.

Abby was like. . . well, in 3 years, you're going to be 45 no matter what. You can either be 45 and someone who never realized her dream of being a lawyer, or 45 and a lawyer.

I loved that post. Anyway, I know that waiting seems so frustrating and the time seems like it's so long. But, that time is going to pass regardless, and after it does, you're going to be banded and doing great!

I know the Dear Abby thing wasn't exactly on point, but I hope you get what I mean -- time is passing no matter what, and as it does, you're doing something to put you in a better place!

Best,

Catherine

Restless Monkey, there are only 2 surgeons in my group to choose from, and the one I'd go with anyway is the one I've got the consultation with. He only does consults 1 day a week, hence the long wait to see him. I'll definitely have it done sooner if he says it's a go! I just want to be sharing my band experiences, not dreaming about them! LOL There's a thin impatient Gemini waiting to get out of this fat impatient Gemini!

Catherine55, you're Dear Abby reference is very apropos. I'm still in the 6 month diet program, just in case, and I know I will get there sooner or later. I just want it to be sooner!

I often quote that Dear Abby column too. I've always remembered it and it was so right on! I had my band May 21st and I'm 65. I thought maybe I'm so old to do this and I thought of that column and went ahead and did it.

Lotsabirds, that's awesome! I firmly believe we are never too old to do anything. I guess I just want this so much I'm like a kid who can't wait for Christmas!

Oh I know the feeling well. Once I decided to have it done, I was in surgery in 2 weeks. My daughter had it over a year ago and I finally decided enough was enough and I wasn't going to get back up to my high weight again.

Cathy,

I know that this process can seem like an eternity, believe me! When I decided I wanted to get the lapband, it was June 2007. Because of insurance hoops and switching insurance companies, and going through my own programs requirements, I didn't have surgery until two years later. I was banded last month--almost two years to the date. It's quite amazing how surreal things are now that I'm actually banded, because I never thought this time would come. If nothing else, you will be so much more prepared for the surgery than those who have surgery relatively quickly after they decide to have the procedure (at least you'll have a lot of time to think about everything).

Hang in there, it's worth it! December is not that far away!

Cathy S. -

I feel your frustration. I knew it would take a while before I could have the surgery but I'm tired of waiting to get started. The center is having issue with the ins co. so it slowing down the process. I don't have to do the 6 month diet but it would at least give me something to do in the direction instead of just waiting.

Good Luck,

Valerie

Thanks everyone! I'm just so tired of being fat and feeling crappy. I want to be on my new journey, I just have to realize these steps are part of my new journey. Sorry, if I sounded whiney, must be PMS or something!

I SO feel your pain!

I know EXACTLY how you feel! I was referred to the surgeon by my PCP in January. It was the end of June before I had met all of the surgeon's pre-op requirements. Now I am on pins and needles waiting for the insurance company to render a verdict! I was also hoping for a July surgery date when I started this, but it is starting look like it might be September IF the insurance co. approves me right away.

While it is tough to be patient, it is worth it. That time will help you to get everything in order so that you can make this tool really work for you. I had my first consultation visit in June 2007. My insurance company requires a full year of various requirements before they will authorize this surgery. By the time I was approved, it was November 2008 with me scheduling the surgery (because of my schedule) on January 23, 2009. It was well worth the wait and I used that time to study, read, interact on everything I could about the band. It has paid off for me. And like the Ann Landers quote, which I have used from time to time, that 1 1/2 years would have gone by with or without me preparing for this event. Best of luck to you.

Cathy;

Try looking at this in another way.

Your process does not begin when you get the surgery.

It begins the moment you make the DECISION to have the surgery.

It's not all about the actual surgery. The surgery is merely one component of the entire process. What I have learned over the years is that the largest component of the WLS process is the "head" component. Because when you get right down to it, Weight Loss (surgery-assisted or not) is a MIND GAME.

You need to take this time during which you are going through the hoops and begin eating and acting as though you already HAVE the band. This will make it MUCH easier once you actually have it inside you.

Some people complain pretty loudly about the pre-op diet. I see that attitude as an indicator of potential failure. You need to take that time to CONDITION yourself and prepare your mind and your body for the changes that you are about to undergo. The band is NOT going to do all of the work for you. It will help, but it's still up to you, and the sooner you begin living the way you will when you have the band, the more likely it is that you will be succesful.

I suppose that what I am saying is that you should STOP caring about when you are going to have the actual surgery, because it WILL happen, and start acting as if you already have the band. It will make everything SO much easier, and will increase your chances for success with the band. And we all WANT you to be successful!! :thumbdown:

HH