hi everybody

Hi guys.  I'm almost 22 and I just graduated from college and I'm seriously considering WLS.  I contacted a surgeon's office and they have my insurance information and I think they should be getting back to me soon to tell me what I should do next. Just thinking that I could have surgery has made me really excited these past few days.  I'm ready, my parents support this, I have little to lose and so much to gain.  I really hope everything works out, but if it doesn't (I have this fear I'll be rejected because I'm only 21 right now and they won't believe I've actually been trying to lose weight since I was 12...or 9, probably), I don't really know what I'll do. But anyway...HI!  You guys seem like a great bunch.  And even if I don't post much, I'm around...reading lots.  I really appreciate how nice everyone is and how much you guys share.   :)

Hello and Welcome, I hope everything comes back well for you. I thought I would let you know that age doesnt have a whole lot to do with determining if you should have WLS. I is more dependent on BMI and health. Good luck

Thank you!  I'm so nervous/excited about this.  Nervous that it won't work out, excited about the possibility that it might.  Ahhh!

Hi there!  I am in almost the same situation as you.  I'm 23 and graduating from grad school in August.  I just got my first appt at Duke for Aug 23 and I'm very excited.  Let me know how your process goes.  Welcome! Ashley

Hi!  It's an exciting time, isn't it?  I just graduated this June too...undergrad.  I don't have a job yet and this would be the perfect time to get the surgery.  I hope everything goes well for you!  Thanks for the welcome!

Welcome Geo and Ashley! Glad you found us in our little hole hear at OH. Stick around and you'll find that this place is full of a lot of people in different stages of their journeys from pre-op, to recent post-ops, and a few who are thriving at several years out. Just wanted to say hay, and welcome. Good luck with your pre-op journeys! I know from my experience that it is kind of a hard time. I wanted so badly to get my life back, and continually became more and more frustrated at the process until I was finally given a surgery date.  Ashley, I had my surgery at Duke WLS too! They seem to take a little longer then average to get you your date, but their are two good reasons: First they take patient safety VERY SERIOUSLY, they will not submit your file to insurance until they have done everything they can to ensure that you are healthy enough for surgery - both physically and psychologically. And second, they are awesome! The entire staff is incredibly well trained and qualified so they have a backlog of patients who are willing to wait to have their surgery done there. If you have any specific questions about the Duke WLS Center that you want to ask somebody on here, please don't hesitate to ask me...

I got frustrated yesterday because it was the weekend and I thought, "Man...I can't call the place...everything's closed." Patience is going to be really hard to come by.

Hey! I was approved by insurance for surgery on 06/29/07 and am getting banded on the 07/20/07.  I'm so excited!  I can't wait to start anew.  I actually work at my insurance company, so things went quite smoothly for me.  The whole process took about 2 weeks.  I knew it would be approved, but I cannot tell you...... the day I got that call, saying I could schedule....... it was like finding out I had already lost the weight!  Good luck to you!

Wow!  You must be super excited!  :D

Hey Welcome.  I know many people have already said this but maybe one more will reassure U, lol When determining if you will be approved for WLS they don't look at you age (Other then that you are over 18) then your health and BMI... I know with my insurance they also wanted you to diet and be around this same weight(+40 to -40) For 5 years.... SHOOOT I weighed about this weight in 7th grade!!!  Holy moly!   And yes alot of people have dieted at a young age, so they will believe you. <3