Get started??
Here4thePIZZA
Posts: 1 Member
Hey! I'm interested in getting the lapband. sounds safer than the sleeve and scares me less. Main question, how do you get started? did you have to do a weight loss program first? insurance coverage?
Help.
I think this will help my main issue and that is over eating. I have major depression and food was always the comfort for me. I've always wanted to be one of those people who can eat just a sandwich or one bowl of cereal and be satisfied. I don't know how they do that. I'm still hungry after that. I also love the words "all you can eat" "bottomless" and "free food" Haha.
Help.
I think this will help my main issue and that is over eating. I have major depression and food was always the comfort for me. I've always wanted to be one of those people who can eat just a sandwich or one bowl of cereal and be satisfied. I don't know how they do that. I'm still hungry after that. I also love the words "all you can eat" "bottomless" and "free food" Haha.
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Hi and welcome to the group. One thing my surgeon told me is that lapband is not really done anymore. I hear ya about being scared of procedures and I went from wanting the bamd to going full on gastric bypass. Best decision I have made so far!
I get fuller more quickly and some foods are not tolerated as well (ice cream, even some no sugar added ones I have minimal tolerance for. Fortunately for me I can still tolerate pizza (I am a native NY'er..my blood is made of pizza!)1 -
I recommend doing a lot of research on the weightloss surgery options out there. It may be a little overkill, but my husband and I spent a good 4 months reading forums, medical journals, and statistics on the various types before settling on the one we wanted.
Start checking out hospitals that perform weightloss surgery. They should have information sessions that will tell you what you need to know and they can answer any questions that you may have.1 -
What you have to do to get started greatly depends on what your insurance covers and that varies, so checking with your provider would be the first step. My insurance required that my GP referred me for weight loss surgery, and my medical group required 6 months in a program before they would approve surgery. After that it was a lot of testing etc for a few weeks, then I got a surgery date.
Also note that many weight loss surgery centers are not doing lap band surgery any more, because of issues they create, so that's something else to check on, if your insurance and related medical group actually perform that procedure. You might want to consider other options or at least inquire. Get as much information as you can before making any decision on which procedure you get. Your doctor will advise you on that as well.
I also highly recommend that if your main "issue" is overeating that some therapy or counseling would help a great deal. If you don't sort out those issues, you can out-eat any procedure that you get. I think being in the right frame of mind to get a weight loss procedure is critical. It is not a quick fix, it isn't easy, you have to work, and it doesn't erase underlying issues so you will have to deal with them eventually. Most programs require a psych evaluation, but that's just that, evaluation, it doesn't really help long term.
If your surgical group offers any kind of support group, I would suggest checking it out before surgery and see what people in that group have to say, it's usually very helpful.
Good luck to you!!2 -
Agree with everything said above. Start with insurance coverage. If you have to pay cash it could be very costly. This process will most likely take a while. You'll probably have to go through a six month health education class and there will be many other hoops to jump through. And above all keep in mind this is a lifestyle change. To be successful you'll have to change your approach to food and exercise. You'll have to make some sacrifices when it comes to what and how much food you eat. But the benefits to your overall life will be immeasurable!
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I was in the same spot as you. Talked to my surgeon, did my homework, researched the rate of revision from lapband to any other procedure and went with the sleeve. Luckily, my insurance covered both procedures.
The only thing I wish I could go back and change is the timing of my surgery. I put it off way too long.
Good luck!1 -
I'm not sure what the protocol is for you...you will have to start with your doctor. This is what I have had to go thru...prove to my dr that I have attempted weight loss on my own. Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Gyms, Nutritionist/Dietitian etc...I've done all the different plans...atkins, shakes etc...nothing kept it off. Finally since my health has taken a turn...I now have high blood pressure (on pills), I have sleep apnea (use a machine), my bmi is in the range required...so now I have met the criteria to be referred.
Now my dr referred me, and then it took 16 mths after that to get my 1st appt with the weight loss clinic that handles the surgery. They require you to attend a series of classes., I have to see the nutritionist, a nurse, a intern doctor, a psychologist.
The waiting is the worst...I still have another 2 years in the line up before I can get the surgery. During this wait, they expect a 10% weight loss, and make life style changes so I am prepared for the surgery. I am following no diet, but have a calorie goal for each day, and a protein goal I am supposed to make. I also had to buy a fitness tracker (i picked a fitbit)...and show that I am committed to walking everyday. If I gain weight, I am automatically disqualified.
I have to make all the appts, and do the required blood work etc. In the end of this, my surgery is covered by our health plan, it will be free. I will get the sleeve, unless they provide me reason to the full bypass. I know that even tho I can lose weight, I can exercise....I need this surgery. It will not be easy, I will miss out on the social aspects, giving up alot of enjoyable favorites that got me here...having to explain to people why I am not eating a plate of food...I'm sure there will be complications, possible infections. I still know I need this, I am turning 44.
Good luck to you... 1 -
The type of weight-loss procedure to get it totally up to you. Definitely do your research well on all of the procedures before you decide. I've heard mixed reviews about the lap-band (mostly negative as compared to other options).
I started out by attending a weight-loss seminar that was being held at my local hospital. After hearing people's journeys with WLS (Weight-Loss Surgery) and learning about the potential risks and major health benefits, I decided that WLS was something that I wanted to work towards.
The next thing that I did was find out if my insurance was going to cover my future appointments with the specialists/surgeon's office, treatments, medications, WLS, etc.
My next step was going to my primary care doctor. I told her about my struggles with weight-loss and we both agreed that WLS is a good option for me and my health (my BMI is high, blood pressure high, and I was diagnosed pre-diabetic). My doctor referred me to my local weight-loss specialists/surgeon's office.
The next step was making an appointment with the weight-loss specialists/surgeon's office to start my program**.
**My insurance requires six months of a supervised medical weight-loss and education program along with a psychological evaluation, and a sleep study to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea.
I started my program in June, and I'll likely be having surgery in December or January.
It's been a long road, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. We are all here to support each other through every phase of weight-loss.
Remember that WLS is just a tool for weight-loss. You will need to make positive life changes (eating right and exercising) for the foreseeable future! Good luck with your journey!
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