aemh

Hi everyone! I was also banded on 4/20/12. This has been an interesting process. As of right now since April 11th (pre-op diet) I have lost 18 pounds. I am trying to set goals for myself to help motivate myself. As far my surgery, I do believe I had a perfect experience. The only pain I experienced for 2 days was from the port, the gas pains hit me that Sunday. I was back at work that Tuesday. I had no appetite for over a week and was constipated. I am still trying to get my energy level back to normal and I still have pains from my port when I stand up. As far as the food, last week I went through the depression of I’m never going to be able to eat normal again. This week I am on chicken and tuna salad. I did cheat this weekend and had chickfila chicken nuggets. I felt very guilty, but it tasted sooooo good. I am back on the right track now. I go for my first fill on Wednesday, I am very very very nervous, but excited at the same time. I do feel like my appetite is back and this weekend I kept testing myself to see what I could have i.e. the chicken nuggets. A suggestion for any kind of constipation is to use Colace. This is what my doctor told me to use, which was a life saver. This was not a heavy ex lax that made me stay home all day.

Just found out today that I was approved!!!!! My surgery date is April 20th. I only have to do a 7 day pre op diet and the last 2 days is a liquid diet.

Hi all! I have now completed everything and waiting to hear back from the insurance company. My fingers and toes are crossed. I am really hoping to join the March Bandsters! I am sorry, I need to tell about my recent experience during this process. Recently I had to completed my Psych evaluation (the very last thing). The very first person I went to (approved by my doctor) was a woman who had her masters and licensed counselor. After meeting with her 2 different times she proceed to tell me she would write the letter, but she had reservations about me having the surgery and would state that in the letter. It was obvious you didn't know anything about the lap surgery, I had to explain what the surgery was. She told me in her heart she felt that if I felt good about myself that the weight would come off. She referred me to the medi weight loss center. If you don't know anything about Medi weight loss they have a very strict diet that you take like 10 pills vitamins a day, B12 injections and Appetite suppressant. She felt that the 6 week diet after surgery (liquid diet, mushy food) was not enough time to learn how to eat better and that I would just end up back at square 1 unlike the medi weight loss that is teaching you healthy way for the rest of your life. I walked out crying. Thank goish for the support from my family I started calling other doctors as soon as possible. I completed last week and they were faxing my recommendation this week.

Today I will finish my 7 month diet!!!! I started this whole process in July 2011 and I am really hoping to get approved for surgery for March. I am starting to freak about the whole approval process. Since I am filing for approval in 2012 do I have to have records of my weight for 2012, 2011 and 2010? or since I started the process in 2011 do I have to have records of my weight for 2011, 2010, 2009? I read on the BCBS website that my BMI has to be over 40 for 3 consecutive years. I believe in 2009 I was under 40. I am also freaking out because everyone told me to "try" to lose weight during the 7 month diet, but not really try. I wanted to keep my BMI around the same so I really didn't lose any weight. Do you think this will hurt my chances of getting approved?

I am really hoping for a March surgery date. I have my last visit with my doctor today! I have my Psych evaluation at the end of the month and then I get to file with my insurance for approval (BCBS- AL). I am really nervous because I really didn't try to lose weight during the 7 month diet because I wanted to keep my BMI around the same. I am scared that it will hurt me now. I just REALLY want to get approved.

I hope your consult went well today. I had my consult yesterday!!! I'm so excited, but very nervous. The doctor approved that he will do surgery one me, he agreed I did need the lap band. The only things I have left to do is an EKG, finish 5 more doctor visits, and meet with a psychologist. Once I have all that done they will file with my insurance to see if I am approved!! He said once I am approved he can have me in the operating room in 2 weeks. So I am looking at having surgery in March!

Hi everyone! I am super excited, I go for my consultation on Oct 11th. I am trying to get everything together so I can go through my insurance. So far, I have the proof of weight for 3 years, 2 of the 7 sheets that my doctor is required to fill out and all other paperwork filled out. If the doctor approves me for surgery on Oct 11th when does he actually file with the insurance? I will be done with all the mandatory doctors visits in Februray, I know he requires other test but, does he file everything once I have all 7 of the doctor sheets filled out? I know I will have to go on a 2 month diet, but I was hoping to start the diet in January and have surgery in March.