I have a lot of questions..I am 6'2" 360lbs..I've gotten approved for Insurance to pay for the lap band...I go on Dec. 15th to see the surgeon( I cancelled the 1st time because i was afraid)

what should I expect.I am 39 yrs old and I'm struggling with getting my mindset right to get the proceedure?

I guess my struggle is the fact that I use to be fit, I always thought I can still get back in shape...somehow I fooled myself to thinking I'm better off than i am....I did an inventory of my health and it doesn't look good...

High blood pressure, sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, and depression have all taken a toll on me, plus I'm turning 40:scared2: in a few weeks.....I know I need this..I've steadily gained 10 -15 pounds a year for the last decade..I need to wrap my head around this so i can feel like I'm making a good decision and not taking an easy way out....

I don't know, just thinking out loud... any support or information would be greatly appreciated.

If you think getting banded is the easy way out, you still have a bunch of research to do before deciding.

Don't be like me and wait till your 60 to get some real

help with the weight. But it is a long term commitment

so you are right to think it through.

/mike/

09/07/2009

Your situation sounds like mine. Except I am 10 years older. I know longer am on blood pressure medicine, no more sleep apena, as for the depression, its definitely better. It was a great decision for me. Good luck.

You mention being afraid, I certainly understand Looking back, there wasn't much to be afraid of. The only advice I would give, if your blood pressure medicine includes a diuretic, they will probably tell you to keep taking it, including the morning of surgery. I think that is a big mistake. Dieuretic's are not the most critical of medicines and missing a day or two usually isn't a problem (I AM NOT A DOCTOR) But I strongly believe the less you get out of bed the day after surgery the faster you heal. They were filling me up with fluids and giving me my dieuretic, they had me coming and going.

Edited December 8, 200916 yr by BillOh

Thanks for the input..I guess my fear of comittment has been kicking in as well. I need to focus on all the positives and i really am ready to make a change in my life..

I don't think anyone has answered you original question yet. It will be 5 to 8 months from now. Plenty of time to think about and make sure you are ready.

What you are calling approval is probably only the fact that you fit the criteria for approval.

After your initial consultation with the surgeon, his office will set you up with an appointment to see a nutritionist or dietitian.

From that day on you are on what is referred to as a supervised diet. Most insurance companies require 3 to 6 months of supervised diet.

During this time, you will probably have to get a psych eval and sleep test done. They will probably also be looking for any proof of wight you have for the last 2 years like doctor visits or whatever.

You'll find out a lot more during the consultation. Don't be shy, ask the surgeon or his staff all of the questions you can think of.

My surgeon's office got my approval from insurance on Feb 16th I had my surgery on Apr 10th. I could have had it a week or two earlier but my otherhalf was out of town. After approval I ahd to see oulminary and heart Dr's, have a group orientation specificaly about surgery day and I had to do preop testing at the hospital.