new here a lot of questions....

I'm glad I found this group, maybe you can answer some questions for me. I have been overweight most of my life, even when I ran miles a day I still was around a size 16. I tried every diet and it went up and down. I also had an eating disorder for 4-5 years. It took me a long time to accept who I am a person, and now I love myself. My problem is that I want to be healthy, and I feel so upset that I'm soo far from it. I'm 5'9 and around 300 lbs (man thats hard to type). I'm really unsure of how this whole process goes. I found some surgery places around here and my mom says that my insurance will cover Lap Band. Here are my questions... All help is appreciated... How do i go about this? Do I just make an appnt? how long does it typically take from first appnt till surgery? I noticed some people said they needed a psyc consult, does everyone need this? What would be the wrong reasons for the surgery? Will insruance cover this? Do I have to submit a claim or something to my insurance? I noticed some people had to fight with their insurance for this, but I've never used it for anything but check up's and some perscriptions? I also read that typically people only loose like 30 lbs with lap band, is this true? Someone also said you can't have sex for a year afterward (I'm a newlywed...) is this true? I'm in Denver and have found the following places...any suggestions? http://www.coloradobariatrics.com/index.php http://denverbariatrics.com/index2.php http://www.nationalbariatrics.com/Main%20Frame.htm (I also posted this to the lap band forum)

Hi mandie, I would call you PCP and make an appointment first. While you are waiting for that I would call you Insurance and ask them if it is a covered bennifit, most that cover will say only if medically ness. Ask them what their requirments are all of them. Dont be affraid to keep them on the phone until you understand all of them. Find out if there is a list of surgery centers that they cover. And dont be affraid to call them back to ask more ????? I would not worrie about all of the pre op requirements like psc.eval and blood work your surgen will line all that up in time. attend a seminar. Dr snyder out of rose has a great one. I have Kaiser now so he is out of my network but I attened his a couple of years ago when I first started to look into this. He is very informative on all types of wls. I hope that helps oh ya one more thing keep a note book of phone calls you make who you talked to what the told you when If you read lots of profiles you will see this can be a crazy ride and a lot of paper shuffel keep good notes Lots of luck to you Amy

Mandie, you have asked a lot of good questions. First of all go to your PCP and ask for the referral. Second as Amy said call you insurance and ask what are their requirements as every insurance is different. Third sit down and start documenting the diets and programs you have been on and for how long and what were the results. Also write down any co-morbities such as High blood presure, Cholestol, diabets or elevated blood sugars, pain in knees,back arms ect... any thing you can think of that may have been caused by the years of weight problems. Yes include the eating disorders as well. Is Lap Band all you are concidering or are you looking at other forms of Gastric Surgery? Lap Band is a slower weight loss and you must be sure to keep the band filled or unfilled as needed. You will also want to ask the question to the insurance as many will not cover the fills. I can put you in touch with someone who knows alot about Lap Banding and runs the support Group in Nebraska. Email me if you would like to get in contact with her. As far as the question on Sex goes; no it is about a month or so, just until you have clerance from your doctor. That is just . You don't want to pull on any of the incisions or cause a Hernia. Those are no fun I've had two. In fact SEX gets better after surgery. Have a good weekend and Easter. Jenn Avery Support Group Leader for the CVOSSG in Visalia, CA but my Heart belongs to Colorado Still.