HopefulVA

Has anyone gone through approval with BCBS of RI? I am trying to figure out how long it will take them to approve me for surgery. I just finished my 3 month supervised diet in which I lost a little and gained back the same amount (the story of my life that one), I am finishing up my 4th month right now while waiting on my consult with the surgeon. I am hoping to be banded sometime in mid to late September but it's all based off of how long it takes for the approval process. Any info on personal experience would really help!

Hey all! I am a 32 yearold newbie who is waiting on her first appointment with her surgeon on August 16th. I have already completed my three months of supervised dieting, have written my letter to the insurance company and have about two years worth of receipts that I can submit to the insurance for my approval. I am hoping for a date sometime in mid to late September. This entire process is rather daunting though and I would love, love, LOVE to connect with someone that I can share my hopes and fears with. I would love to learn from someone who has successfully gone through surgery and is on their own journey, or is close to completion of it. Although, I'm sure nobody really completes this journey, we are all in for the long haul. I am currently at 340lbs and know that I will probably have to lose a good ten to twenty pounds before I have surgery. So, in an attempt to comply I am trying to just...be more healthy. I've cut down on my diet soda intake and have not been stopping at the drive thru's. Those two things alone, plus Water increase, have made me feel better already. My goal is to hit 160lbs and see how I feel when I reach it. I would love to have more friends here too! So, if you just want to chat and have a supportive friend you can always add me! Thanks, Vanessa

I am currently getting off of it to make it easier for me post op. The surgeon told me no caffeine because by the time I get out of the hospital and drinking a little liquid, I'll have a huge withdrawal headache. I would rather not have that so I am down from four diet sodas a day to half a cup of green tea. Am going to stop with that in the next couple of days so I'll be caffeine free within the week.

Ohhh I knew the day would come, when one of the very few friends of mine would say something about me getting lap band surgery. This morning I got a private message on Facebook, asking me if I wanted to join her in a new diet called the Raw Diet. So I'm thinking 'Ok, let me take a look at the link she sent'. Yea, the video was all about how this guy lost a lot of weight on the Raw diet because he considered gastric surgery, did all the insurance required testing, but then had an epiphany and decided not to get it ('something just told me not to do it'). This friend is like a size 6 at the most, and for some reason I can't shake the feeling that she doesn't want me to get the surgery. THAT'S why I hardly told anyone. The people I did tell I thought would support me 100%. The Raw Diet sounds interesting, but I don't have the money to buy only fruits, veggies, and nuts that are ALL organic. Not with the volume of food that I can consume at this point. UGH! People just don't get it. You can explain to them your condition, but they just don't get it in the end. (Just like when I tried to explain to a girl that weighs about 110lbs what binging is and she just says to me "oh I know what you mean'. Really?! You REALLY know what I am going through? That voice that tells you that you can eat it? The psychological warfare that happens while you have a binge attack?) Anyway, first rant post. I just had to get it off my chest. I feel better now.

Thanks for the replies you guys. I have cooled off a little today and I told her that I wasn't interested in the diet. I really can't afford to do all organic stuff right now. I am focusing on my surgeons appointment tomorrow, and moving forward with the process. I agree with Dave that she was probably just very very clumsy in her response and will keep everything quiet from her for now. Thankfully the people that matter most, like my immediate family, are all behind me. So, as long as they are nobody else really matters. I'll try to find my inner Zen and watch her do that diet for about two weeks, because that's as long as she will last on it...if that.

I am just hoping that I don't have to do the whole thing over after being denied. I have a huge letter written up for them that I am bringing to my appointment next week. I have records of money I've spent on weight loss related items. Just about everything from the last two years. I just hope it's enough. Only waiting on my psych eval and my nutritionist meeting for everything to be submitted. I will ask the Doc about a tentative surgery date though.

*hugs* I am waiting on approval for surgery as well and I needed to do 3 months of supervised dieting. Then after that I have to wait even LONGER for approval. Right now I am just continuing with the supervised diet so I can get in six months worth JUST IN CASE I get denied the first time around. Make sure you ask your PCP office if you can just come once monthly in the early AM to be weighed and to leave your paper work to be filled out. I found out AFTER I payed a bunch of copays that I have that option. It just takes fifteen minutes at the most out of your day and they fax your papers in to the surgeons office for you. I hope this helps a little! Just keep positive!! It's a journey to reach the surgery, take the time now to find out as much as possible about the surgery and post op nutrition on this site. *super hugs*

That's so inspiring!! I hope I can get surgery soon because I have about 180lbs to lose. Congrats on being over half way there!!

Congrats!! I'll stalk my insurance customer service reps too when the time comes. Only have my nutritionist and psych eval to do before submitting everything. LOL

WOW you guys!! These are all such great comments!! Thank you for them all. I've been ordering samples of a few Protein powders so I can try some and have already found a couple that I like. I have a list going of things that I can tolerate for when I need to order/ buy stuff pre-op. I love the Listerine strip idea for those funky breath days! I have problems with gum anyway because it really messes with my jaw muscles, so this is a wonderful substitution that I'll make sure to have on hand. For now, I've been trying not to drink during meal times which is already very difficult for me. I am so used to drinking one or two glasses of Water with each meal to help the food go down (probably because I'm not chewing?!!!) . So, that will be hard for me. The bread is going to be bad too. I was RAISED on bread. Forget potatoes and other starchy veggies. Sandwiches and just bread in general have always been a huge staple in my diet. I'm going to have to cut down on that too. And on the carbonated drinks.....*sigh* I will probably have to write a farewell ode to the Coke Zero. This is SOOO helpful you guys! Thank you bunches!

I am a little apprehensive about the liquid diet I'll have to start before surgery. I don't have a date for surgery yet, but I was thinking about slowly weening myself off of some foods/drinks BEFORE I have to deal with all liquids. Do you guys have any suggestions for me? What do you think will make things easier later if I work on quitting them now?

OMG this is awesome!!! I can't wait to go through these tonight after work!!

OMG I actually groaned about the carbonation, gum, and carb reduction comment....I know it's the right thing to do, but MAN!! I love my coke zero...and I know it's bad for me lol. I've been trying to drink less of it. Thanks for the input!! Very sound advice.

Thank you so much!! Knowing me I'll have loads of questions, lol. Thank you for offering your expertise!

Kokie, I sent you a private message asking you who your surgeon was! Yes, it's with Dr Lucktong. My PCP said he is the best in the Valley and I decided to wait anothe two weeks for my appointment instead of seeing Dr Long at the beginning of August. I am so excited too!!! I can't believe I found a local buddy!!! V

Thank you so much! Yes! I am going to add you both as buddies ASAP and will write a letter to you guys in the next day or so (when work stops holding me hostge). I'm in Roanoke, VA so a ways off from ND and a hop and skip from NC. V

I say measure yourself and go by what the sizing chart says online. Make sure you give yourself a couple of inches allowance with tops and pants so they aren't skin tight!