need rational advice (long)

I'm having a "fat" day and am afraid I'm too emotional to think this out rationally. I was turned down for the lap band due to it being "investigational". I paid an attorney to follow it to the end. It's in appeal now and I expect to go through multiple appeals before being approved. I had at first thought that I'd be able to have surgery in February or March. I am a photographer..I wont be busy until May or June. I have to get up and down from the ground, climb ladders and carry about 25 lbs of. equipment. I need time to heal before I resume this work. My lawyer says that it takes about the same amount of effort to get the insurance to pay after the fact, if I were to go selfpay.(Insurance would only pay what they normally would pay the hospital..not what I'd pay). Questions: When the latest that I could get the surgery before my busy season? Should I risk going self pay and hope that insurance will come through in the end? Maybe get a surgery date as late as can in my time frame and selfpay if I have to but hope that insurance will pay? Or should I just be patient and see what happens and just hire another photographer to take my clients? PS I'm finding it harder to maintain weight than to lose. I've gained 9lbs since November while trying to maintain. I'm hoping it's jus****er gain. I don't weigh myself often. Maybe I could take a water pill and go back to bed and wake up and evertything would be fine

I know when I was banded I was told to lift nothing heavier than a milk carton for the first 3 weeks. My Dr. told me that I had no restrictions after 3 weeks. I think I babied myself for another week, but then after week 4 I was lifting and shifting 25-50 pound boxes with no problem. I was able to climb stairs with no problem in my second week. Good luck to you! I'll keep my fingers crossed that your approval comes through the appeal process. Pam

Cathy, This is really a personal question, and if you don't want to answer that's fine, tell me to butt out... I read your profile, and I think you said your insurance covers wls. Is there a reason you have not considered the Roux-en Y surgery? Just curious. Rather than fighting this battle, is it something you might consider looking into? It will take longer to heal than Lap banding to be sure, but I was just curious. I certainly hope you win your battle. You have my best wishes! Take care! Valerie PS I think we've all had those fat days.

Valerie, I guess that the RNY is another option. I like the lapband because there are less serious risks. My mother died a couple years ago from complications of osteoporosis and she took her calcium daily. I don't know that I have that particular gene, but I don't want to push the malabsorption factor. I have some good friends that had the RNY and they're doing fine. It's just not for me (at this point).

Cathy, I am very sorry for your loss. That must be hard for you right now. I can certainly understand your concerns with the calcium absorption and the malabsorption piece of the RNY. I will say that I am doing ok too with the calcium peice as well. I do take Calcium Citrate twice daily and I get a lot of dietary calcuim in as well. Reistance exercise/weight training is also good for your bones!! Have you had a bone density work up done? With your family history that might be a good idea if you haven't already. Well, good lucky sweetie! This is a major life change, and you seem to have your ducks in a row. Now lets get the insurance company to fall in line with them! Hugs, Valerie