BeckyJane

I decided to just "check" the status of my pre-certification with insurance only to find out that they are waiting on more info and "lost" the requested materials that were sent 2 weeks ago. Glad I checked! In the meantime, I am frustrated by the fact that I can do nothing as it is my medical group that has to follow up and all I can do is wait patiently. I am still penciled in for Sept. 19. I did check to see if that was still valid and it is. I'm told I can choose to start the 2 week pre-op diet even without pre-certification [at my own risk of course] and have requested the specifics on the diet so that I can be ready to go, should the insurance come through. I've read all of your posts and know that this is a bit common. I thought I had all my ducks in a row so that when I made the decision to get banded, it would all go smooothly. NOT. So I wait. I guess I shouldn't count on the surgery for Sept. 19 until it actually happens!

I'm penciled in for September 19, awaiting insurance approval. I would start my preop diet on Labor Day. Right now, all I can do is 'practice' not eating and drinking at the same time, continue to track and keep to the diet I've been on, and check up on the insurance company every week to make sure the paperwork isn't "lost". I've just found this site and forum and have been learning a lot about the day-to-day issues for banding, pro and post-op.

My doctor has recommended the surgeon I'm scheduled with - but the hospital isn't a 'center of excellence' and since the surgeon is new to Illinois, he's not showing up on any 'list' of surgeons with feedback. I trust my primary care doctor, but have started second guessing my decision. How did you choose a doctor? Is the Center of Excellence necessary? Once you look at training and education, the selection process used by the medical group and a primary doctor recommendation, is there any other way to find out about the doctor's experience?

I am scheduled for surgery September 19 - well, penciled in until the insurance company approves the coverage. Now that I've decided to have the lap-band, the wait seems a bit long. I did all my preliminary tests and procedures to qualify before I decided to go with the surgery. Medically I qualify, my primary doctor says I'm a good candidate, but I'm waiting. So how can I best use the time while I wait? I've tried to separate drinking from eating - biggest problem is with those that can't contemplate NOT having Water with their meals - like family and waitresses. I've been trying to find non-dairy options for post-surgery as dairy does NOT get along with my digestive tract. My latest attempt: Tofu chocolate banana pudding. Without sweeteners, but using a banana to conteract the bitterness of cocoa powder. So is 1/4 of a banana in a serving 'too much' sugars for post op? I'm trying to develop more discipline with exercise. Very hard behaviors to break and change! I'm seeing a therapist for eating disorders - to try to understand my relationship with food. What else would you suggest? Becky Jane