Quote:
Originally Posted by Dizneycrzd68  Hi All:
I'm going to my first Dr's appt on 7/21 to get this Lap Band ride started. I'm 40 yrs old, 5'11", and need to lose about 133 lbs before my insulin resistance turns to diabetes. I've struggled with this weight for over 15 yrs and I just found out that our insurance will pay 90%.
What usually goes on that first dr's appt? Curious about the process... Lynda  |
Hi Lynda, Welcome to the band club. :biggrin2:
Mostly on the first visit they'll talk about the procedure; what to expect, what not to expect. They'll probably give you a time-line as well; how long it'll take for insurance approval, psyche evaluation, blood tests, sometimes a pre-op diet, etc. A lot of things seem to depend on your insurance company. Some take longer than others and some are more strict than others when it comes to requirements. For me, the most frustrating and stressful part of this whole thing was dealing with the insurance company. The operation and tests were a walk in the park compared to them.
But don't let them discourage you. A lot of times they can be strict to weed out the ones who aren't serious about it and are just going for it because it seems to be the latest fad.
I was insulin resistant prior to surgery as well. I also had PCOS and problems with my right knee because of the extra weight I was carrying. I knew my health was quickly declining and something serious needed to be done. I tried all the diets and fad miracle pills to no avail.
It's been almost a year since I was banded and I no longer take any medication for insulin resistance. In fact, I was off that stuff (Metformin) within a month after surgery. The PCOS is significantly better as well. I will still have an occasional month where my period is painful, but it's not crippling like it once was. My knee will never be 100%. I'll never be a marathon runner, but I can walk up and down stairs now without it causing me pain and without looking like a slow little old lady.
It's been a little tougher at times than I expected. But I would do it all over again in a heartbeat if I needed to. I just know that I'll never need to. It's the first time I can say with any confidence that this weight loss procedure works. It works because I make sure it does. The band is not going to lose the weight for you. It's a tool that helps you lose the weight yourself. You still have to decide what to eat and when. You still have to be the one to exercise should you choose to do so. You'll stumble across foods that will simply slide through your band (usually naughty things like cookies or potato chips) and it'll be up to you to avoid them. There will probably be some "good" food that you won't be able to eat. For me it's white meat chicken, bread and sometimes melons. Also sometimes your band will seem tighter than others. For me the morning is really hard to get any food at all in. I just have coffee and a protein shake. A week prior to my period I will be tighter. And occasionally if I've had a really active exercise day I'll be tight as well.
Listen to your body. Not your head. Your head will be able to make excuses for bad behavior more often than your body will. When your body/band tells you "you've had enough", believe me, you've had enough. Even one more mouthful can send me rushing off to the bathroom to try to get rid of that last bit (and sometimes more) that I didn't have room for. Your head will tell you to eat cookies when you're starving and can't get chicken in without it getting stuck. Your body knows that fish or ground beef or soup is better for you than those cookies. And it'll satisfy your hunger more.
Many people have said they've wished there was a band for their brains as well as their tummies. It would make life so much easier if there were.
Hope this helps. :)
Regrets? Not a single one... 
It quickly evacuates itself from my system.
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