Surgery

Hello everybody!
I am a new member, 50 years old, female with type two diabetes. I used to be 235 but I am at 218 now by eating right and exercising. I am at the current weigh for the last year now... I am not able to lose anymore and I have done my very best... 2 hour walks, weight training, spinning and even becoming a vegan. So I finally gave in and signed up for the initial seminar which is in 2 weeks to get more informatin about the lap-band.

My understanding is that in order to do the surgery you have to go through series of classes... my question is that is that a must? If yes, how long does it take to go through all classes?

Thank you 
Farrah

Depends on what your insurance and your doctor requires.

My insurance approved me right away and somehow the doctor's requirements got overlooked and I got in and had surgery without ANY classes.  This would not be good for most people, but it worked out OK for me as I have more support than most.

If I weren't self-motivated and pro-active, I think at least two or three months of classes would be a minimum to learn what you need to be prepared for after surgery (this is assuming that the class meets once or twice a month).

Even with all my research, I still felt a little lost during the immediate post-op.  Classes are a good thing.  :)

It does depend on your Dr and insurance requirements. It took 6-8 mos from start to finish for me. I had to go to the seminar then go thru a 3 mos Dr supervised diet (for ins) then go thru all the nutritional ,physical app,psych stuff required by both Dr and ins. then submit everything to ins and wait on a reply (average seems to be around 2-4 wks on here some shorter some longer. Mine was 3 ish weeks) then more tests and scheduling of surgery etc. Most Dr's will require several nutrition appts, a psych exam , and physical app. test as well as various other tests before they will operate. If you self pay you may can skip the 3-6 mos diet  though. Check with your Dr and insurance and see what they require. :)

Hello,
My insurance requires 1 class. The Dr wants me to see 4 specialists. They might want more tests so they said plan on 2 1/2 to 3 months. I am 33 and healthy other then being very obese.

Thank you all... It's not that I want to rush or skip procedures. It's just that I have already tried every alternative to lose weight. I have participated in Biggest Loser three times at my gym in last two years while working with different nutritionists and finally becoming a Vegan since Dec 2010 just because I feel much better on no meat diet. For some reason I just can't lose anymore.. don't know why. That's why I was hoping I could skip the classes!!! :)

BTW I love this forum.. I am so glad I found you guys! 

Thanks again
Farrah