Hello from a New member

Hello and welcome. I have the lap band. I am 10 days post-op and have lost 13lbs! Doing great! Came back to work on day 4. I use Dr. Byars in Oxford, MS (Dr. King's) partner. I love Dr. Byars and could not have found a better surgeon. I am 100% happy with my decision! As far as insurance goes I decided I wanted to have WLS in February. My insurance required a nutritional eval, phsy eval, summary of diet plans that I have used in the past, 5 years of medical records from my PCP and a 6-month supervised diet program. Luckily I work for my PCP so I had no problems getting the 6-month supervised diet program without actually going through one as that would put me off 6 more months. I got everything else together and set it to the WLS coordinator for Dr. Byars and she submitted it to my insurance and I got an approval about 2-3 weeks later. Needless to say from the time I decided to have WLS to my actually surgery day was about 6 weeks! Good luck!

Thank you all again for taking time to post and answer my questions. Congratulations to all of you on your sucess! This probably sounds crazy, but the main concern of mine is the wait time before surgery. I just don't think I could wait 6 months if my dr or insurance requires me to do a 6 month diet. I've already been dieting for well over 6 months! HA I'm going to go to Dr. Woodman's seminar in Memphis this weekend since I am so close, but I am also going to take your suggestions and check into the drs in Oxford. I've been reading about them and they all sound wonderful. Thank you again for all of your help! Melanie

I used Keesler, so my timeline was real short - ONCE I got to Keesler!!! Prior to that it was rather L-O-N-G! I am so glad you decided to come and join us. Keep us posted on your progress and remember, God LOVES to teach us patience - whether we like it or not!!! smoochies Arlies

Melanie, I am the new member *****plied that I had done everything and was waiting on a date. I just wanted you to know I went to a seminar held by Dr King and Dr Byars that was very informative. I think they like for you to attend seminars because it shows that you really want a better understanding of what is ahead of you and that you are not expecting a quick fix or a miracle cure. But you can also be successful if you use this as a tool for a healthier life. They were both wonderful and caring Doctors. I have chosen Dr King. Not really for any particular reason though. He spoke more at the seminar than Dr Byars. I think they would be equally good doctors. Becky Wilson is the Program Manager at the hospital in Oxford, she will help you get your insurance approval. I called the Drs office they took my name and number and had Becky to call me. She tells you what your insurance requires after determining that your plan covers the WLS, then you do all those thing which can be frustrating. You make sure she gets a fax for all those involved and she takes it from there and sends everthing to your insurance company. I hope this helps you. And I hope you and I both get to have surgery very soon. I'm sure there are several wonderful doctors in Memphis and you would be fine to use them but if you decide to check on Dr King and Dr Byars you won't be disappointed. Cindi

Oh! I forgot to say, HI, Arlies!! I look forward to getting to know everyone on the boards. It helps so much to have others out there who support you. Thanks, Cindi

I can't thank all of you enough for taking time to answer my questions. This is such a wonderful resource for me. I look forward to being a part of this board. I do have another question if you don't mine me asking. Who in the end decides which procedure is the right one for you. I have made a list of the pros on cons of the lapband and RNY and both lists are equal for me. Do drs ever suggest one procedure even though you might be thinknig the other is the way to go. I know all patients have different needs and after I meet with drs I will have more information. I was just curious to find out if any of you expected to have one procedure, but in the end had another. Thank you again for all of your help. It is greatly appreciated! Melanie

Like you I had weighed the pros and cons of Lap Band vs RNY and I chose the Lap Band for myself. I thought I would be better for me since I worried about RNY being a permanent procedure. The Lap Band can be reversed and it is controlled with the fills. I guess it just seemed less invasive than the other. I think the Drs want it to be your decision too, unless the find a reason one vs the other should be done. You know it's such a personal decision and a hugh life altering one. I have only told my husband and my mother (and ofcourse OH members). Some may find that strange but I just want to get through the approval process and then maybe I can share more. I think I am afraid that if I tell my whole family and something goes wrong it would be such a let down. I have a son that is so fit, which is great thing, and he loves to share his tips with me. He lives in Kansas City so I don't see him as often as I would like. We talk on the phone almost daily and I always get a tip! But I know he loves me and wants me healthy and that is his way of sharing his love. His wife wears a 0, yes a 0. It's hard to make them understand I have a problem I can't even fix unless I have this tool, the WLS. I will tell them all soon, maybe after the surgery when they ask what I am doing to lose so much weight. What do you think? Cindi

Hi Melanie and Welcome! I started this journey about five years ago. I've been post LapRNY for 4 years now. Lots of research and lots of prayer. I haven't regretted the decision at all. I started out at 288lbs, leveled out around 165 for 3 years and now weigh 185-90 (there, I said it and boy did it hurt) due to decreased exercise and less than faithful adherence to the pouch rules If you have any questions, fire away. I'll be happy to tell you the Good, the Bad and the Ugly...and the plastics (not sure which category that falls under, could be all three!). Elesha LapRNY 2/26/02 Former size 24 now 12-14 Dr Amy Rose, Biloxi