my journey to a new life has begun...

Hello all. I have so many questions that i don't even know where to begin. I came to the site looking for answers...and decided to sign up.
I've decided that i want to live. I'm 32 years old. I have 2 beautiful young daughters and a amazing finacee. My BMI is 59. I'm 5'1" weighing 309. I have my very first appointment in about 2 weeks. I decided that i wanted to take this route because i have a very poor quality of life and i want better for myself and my family. I have Aetna PPO insurance and was told by the rep that they cover 50% if i heard correctly. I'm sure the doctor will better help me understand but im wondering just about how much out of pocket will i have to pay?  This really worries me. I've also been MO for atleast 8 years so i will have no problem proving that. I'm nervous, anxious, scared, excited, fearful, and very afraid to get denied although im already trying to mentally prepare myself for the worst. On a brighter note..i'm a beautiful woman with great fashion sense..lol.

hmmm ive been doing alot of reading since i posted this. With my BMI being so high is it possible that i may have to loose weight before surgery?
Is lap band not an option with my BMI being so high? Iknow my doc will answer these questions, but im so curious..lol

My screen name is a combo of my daughters names. I decided to use their names because they are my inspiration.  I'll be here alot. Thank you.

First of all welcome to the forum! I look forward to getting to know you. 

I'm not sure of your coverage and would ask for some more details. There is an 'insurance forum' that also may be helpful, but I've never heard of one that just pays at 50 percent. I'm sure that they insurance specialist at the Dr's office can help you with this. 

To be honest, I doubt that you'll be denied because you have BMI that qualifies you. They may need you to do certain things before they approve, but that generally depends on your policy and whatever stipulate. For example, mine required a 6 month medically supervised diet; some do, some don't. Don't worry, they will be able to tell you what the requirements are and find out about the details regarding copays. 

Re: surgeries... You are right, you Dr will be the best one to talk with re: surgery types, but generally restrictive only surgeries are not considered most effective for patients with high BMI's. Most surgeons use a restrictive/malabsorptive procedure for people that very high BMI's such as the RNY, Duodenal Switch or Fobi Pouch. The malabsorption will help you maximize your weight loss potential and help you keep it off in the long term. Restrictive only surgeries, such as the lap band, Vertical Gastric Band or Vertical Gastric Sleeve are normally reserved for those who are known as 'lightweights' and have about 100 lbs or so to lose. Many people that want a LapBand want it because they think it can be 'reversed', but you should know that none of these surgeries are intended to be temporary in nature and while most can be 'undone' you shouldn't look at them with that in mind. Statistically, if they are reversed, they weight and health issues return. 

Also you didn't mention if you have Type 2 diabetes, but if you do, the malabsorbtive procedures create a metabolic hormonal change that causes them to have a very high rate of resolving Type 2 Diabetes with in days to months of surgery. It doesn't happen for all, but does more more than 87 percent. 

Wishing you all the best... 

Welcome, welcome, welcome!  This is a FANTASTIC forum, and you will receive a lot of good, sound advice from people who've been there (Barb is just awesome, by the way, and I "second" everything that she said in her post).

If you have the time, you might want to read my profile, since I was just like you......wanting the LapBand procedure vs. the RNY procedure.  After I attended the seminar, I totally changed my mind and am SO GLAD I did.  I have been really successful, and haven't had many setbacks at all.  I am below goal weight and am about 15 months post-op.

Please let us help you with any questions you might have.  The NC forum is THE BEST!!!!

Betsy

Welcome to the NC boards!
I had a very BMI also and I knew that weight loss surgery was something I had to do to save my life.
OMG I cant begin to tell you how my life has changed.
I am loving life completly!!
I have no regrets with having my surgery and if I had to do it again no questions I would do it in a minute.
                                                                       Annie