I have the appointment with my surgeon on Tuesday. (Dr. Elizabeth Salzberg, Norfolk, VA.)

Most of the posts here are by people who have 100 pounds or more to lose.

I have 60-65 pounds to lose and was wondering if anyone else is in the same boat. When I tell people I am considering the surgery, they say that I don't look like I weigh enough to get it.

Is it worth it?

Linda

yes, linda, it is definetly worth it. I too was told by everyone that I didnt "need" it . I was weighing 214lbs and wanted to lose down to 140.

I had the band put on on july 14th and I weighed 169 this morning, down 45 lbs in just a little over 3 months. i am averaging 2-3 lbs a week, seems like not much , but i am keeping my muscle tone and skin tone in good shape. I was very clever, ( and i suspect you are too) at "hiding" the extra weight. I feel soooo much better and now that the weight is coming off and you know what? its not hard, i had always weighed 130 or so and then up to 214 i went after i hit 40 . i tried every diet in the book and this is the only thing that has worked. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Please email me if you need any help or info. :cursing: Doris

Thanks so much for responding and your encouragement. I went to my dr this a.m. On the way up to her office, a woman in the elevator noticed by "weight loss surgery" info folder they had given me.

She said, "oh, you are on a weightloss plan?" I told her I was getting the surgery. She then said, "You? For what? You are not that big! They are going to let YOU have it?" I told her that I hoped so and to "please not say that".

I weighed in at 208 this a.m. That was with a little help from extra clothes,etc. To be honest, I have actually put on like 12 pounds to get to a qualifiying BMI w/ morbidities.

Then the doctor, who is fabulous tells me that unless they can determine that I have sleep apnea, that I don't qualify. I have never thought that I had sleep apnea, so I am a little discouraged.

Did you have trouble qualifying? I have to gain another 25 pounds to have a 40 BMI. I don't want to do that. Kind of crazy, you know?

Thanks.

LINDA

Thanks so much for responding and your encouragement. I went to my dr this a.m. On the way up to her office, a woman in the elevator noticed by "weight loss surgery" info folder they had given me.

She said, "oh, you are on a weightloss plan?" I told her I was getting the surgery. She then said, "You? For what? You are not that big! They are going to let YOU have it?" I told her that I hoped so and to "please not say that".

I weighed in at 208 this a.m. That was with a little help from extra clothes,etc. To be honest, I have actually put on like 12 pounds to get to a qualifiying BMI w/ morbidities.

Then the doctor, who is fabulous tells me that unless they can determine that I have sleep apnea, that I don't qualify. I have never thought that I had sleep apnea, so I am a little discouraged.

Did you have trouble qualifying? I have to gain another 25 pounds to have a 40 BMI. I don't want to do that. Kind of crazy, you know?

Thanks.

LINDA

I also had sixty pounds to lose. I have heard of people gaining weight to qualify; but its not just that easy. Once you gain the weight, almost all insurances put you on a diet plan and there are a lot of pre op requirements. Most people with low BMI's self pay because trying to get insurance to pay for WLS when your BMI is under 40 is a big run around. I went to Mexico and my surgery cost 8,500 because I had a single incision surgery. But if you arnt afraid of scars and dont mind having five small incisions instead of one it is only 7,500. There are also places in the US that have reasonable prices for self pay. Also know that if you are starting out with a lower BMI your weight loss will be slower than others. Good luck. And I absolutely say it was worth it.

I am about 55 lbs overweight and am going to have the surgery. My surgeon has it scheduled for Nov. 30th but I think I am going to wait and do it the 1st part of January because I will be traveling alot during the Holidays. Yes, my BMI is not high enough,so I am going to be self-pay but my surgeon is trying to work it out so my insurance will pay some of it if I have a hiatal hernia which I will find out about after my endoscopy this Thursday. Good luck to you on this journey. I know I have been going back and forth with my decision for a long time and a lot of people have told me that I don't look like I need to lose this weight but I KNOW I do , so it's me that counts!!

Really glad to hear from you all. Makes me feel somewhat better.

I hope I have sleep apnea. Isn't that crazy?

I can't self-pay. I guess I could, but since we've been paying 13,000 for health insurance for years, these folks can pay out!

I have anthem b/c. Anyone else have this insurance and what was your experience with it?

I called them myself and they said there was no waiting period and I needed a doctor's authorization. Sounded easy, but I am sure there is a lot more involved.

Was hoping to get banded the 2nd week of Dec., but may be Jan.

I want all the input I can get! Thanks.

Linda

ConB--

Does a hiatal hernia qualify you?

I have a endoscopy scheduled for nov 16th--I may have that.

Linda

Hi Linda:

I only had about 70 pounds to lose and I was banded with 100% insurance coverage.

I'm 5'1" tall and weighed 198 at my consultation so I had a BMI of 37.5 or so.

When I went to see the doctor, I initially only had a slightly elevated blood pressure that was controlled with a Water pill. They did some bloodwork on me that indicated that I was pre-diabetic and that's all it took.

I have Blue Shield of California insurance and everything was approved at the first request.

So...anything is possible.

Linda, I don't think having a hiatal hernia qualifies you for the lapband. The reason my doctor is doing it (endoscopy) is if I do have one then he can turn the amount over to my insurance for the operating room and the anestigiologist. He says he will put the reason for my surgery as a hernia repair first and lapband as second. He is really good at trying to help you save money!! Where do you live and what surgeon are you seeing? I live in Jacksonville, Fl. and I am going to one that 2 of my friends have went to, they have both done great. Good luck to you and May God Bless.