Ashley_june

So I called the insurance company last night.... Turns out they won't cover it..... I had a long discussion with the girl on the phone and she told me that they don't even cover it if you have medical or psychological necesity... So now I have opened up a savings account that is my "LAP BAND" savings. I put 500 down and and enrolled in them to take 200 from every check. Well like I said before this isn't my miracle cure all and it is going to take work... just like paying for the surgery.. so I look at this as just another part of my journey to be healthy.... I figure that I should have enough (god willing) in 3 years to actuallygo through with the surgery. As for now I am trying to better myself in other ways...... I have recently joined a gym and have began drinking nothing but water or the high protien shakes and eating much smaller portions... kinda trying to get my mind to get used to it and see if I can't at least maintain wheight instead of gaining more. If anyone can provide me with a mock plan of how you eat on the band I would appreciate it... I know it will be a lot harder as I am not banded but I would like to try!!

I can't thank you guys enough!!! I have printed a lot of information that I gave to my mom to read.. she had read it over and agrees that it isn't as bad as she thought, we actually ended up having a great discussion about it and her main concern is that its not going to work and that I am getting my hopes up. That is when I told her that this is not my "MIRACLE" cure.... I understand how much hard work it is going to be to get the weight off and maintane it.. I explained that I know this is just a tool to help me along the way.. I really think i got through to her and she understands how important this is to me... Making a call to the insurance company today to see how much if any of it is covered..... Everyone please cross your fingers for me as Im not sure I will be able to do this if my insurance won't cover it. Im trying to stay posotive and keep my head up but this is pretty hard... Im really nervous but hopefully that will pass I'll let you know how things go with the insurance company!!! Ashley

Mary, I really appreciate the advice. I can use all the help I can get. I have talked to family friends about the lap band and they are all a bit skeptical... especially my mom, who is a very thin woman. I guess my one problem is explaining to them that this is something I feel that I need to do not just to better myself but also to help get healthy... I have neices and nephews who I love more than anything and it breaks my heart that I can't go run and play with them.. that all I have energy to do is play for a minute then watch from the sidelines. Its not the lifestyle change I am worried about. Yes I do understand the "eating your feelings" part and I know that will a little hlep I can overcome that. I read on another post that a lot of people use this as an induced bulimia, and thats not what I want but i think thats how my mother feels. How do you approach your family and friends and try and get their support? I have been on numerous depression meds and been in hospitals for it... I just want to be healthy and happy again, and I feel that if I loose the wait and gain a little support from them I will be able to do this!!

I am a 22 year old female. I currently weigh around 250 lbs and have a BMI of 45.7. I have been significantly overweight since I was about 10 years old. I have tried everything including diet excersize and even not eating all together. Nothing so far has helped long term, I can loose a few lbs but gain it back within a month or so plus some. This is my heviest weight and i am a bit discouraged. I heard about this procedure from a family member and have read all I can find about it. I am scheduled to go to a free seminar in september, but wanted to talk to some people who have gone through it that might be able to give me some insight before I make the plunge. I'm pretty sure this is the direction i want to go but just need some support along the way!! Thanks Ashley