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So to make a long story short, I was originally getting the sleeve but the insurance will only cover the lapband. Due to that, I had to go back in to see my bariatric doctor to resign consent forms for the band. That whole office has been pushing the sleeve so I was, of course, disappointed that I couldn't have it. However, today he said that he believes I will be successful with the band. That because I'm "young, don't have much to lose, and have a low BMI" it should work really well for me. First off, I have 100 pounds to lose and am at 43-44 BMI. Last time I checked, that's the weight of a 10 year old. Anyways, that kinda just grated my nerves a bit. He also does both bands-Lap Band and the Realize Band. I didn't know this and had automatically assumed I would be getting the Realize band as I've heard that's a tiny bit better. However, he told me that for young people such as myself (I'm 27 btw) do better with the Lap Band...so I guess that's what I'm getting. Have any of you heard of that before? The good news is that my doctor has had only ONE patient with a complication. Also, she said they have a patient who has lost 100 pounds on the band. That made me feel better. Anyways, just thought I'd share my experience! Surgery is only 4 whole days away. Also, I've lost 8 pounds so far on the pre op diet. The diet sucks.

I did NOT say he had "one" patient who lost 100lbs. I said he had only had one patient with a serious complication. The nurse was giving me an example of one of their current patients that has lost 100 pounds...I'm sure there were others. She was trying to make me feel better about the procedure.

I'm on my pre op as well. They've been making me nautious as well although I think for a different reason. Someone suggested to me on here to try carnation instant Breakfast. I had some today mixed with skim milk and I really liked it! Plus, with the skim milk, it has 14 grams of Protein. Good luck!

Are you going to be pureeing the tuna and chicken salad? I did hear to make sure to use light mayo when making those. Also, with the soups, make sure to check the labels. I believe non lumpy Soup is good for the mushy stage but make sure it's worth the calories (i.e., check the Protein and fat). Are you pureeing the baked Beans? I would check the label on those as well. I wish I were at that stage! Haha. Good luck!

Thanks for your response! I am extremely motivated to use the band just as I would have the sleeve. If I sounded cynical, it's not because of the amount of weight I would have lost with the sleeve versus the band. I actually oringinally wanted the band before I found out about the sleeve because I would much rather lose the weight slowly. The complications involved with the band freak me out more than the complications involved with the sleeve (which I researched for 6 months so I can say that with confidence), the idea of a foreign object inside of me also is unnerving, as well as the constant upkeep. I live on a limited income, and going back to the doctors every 4 to 6 weeks will be another bill for me. That all being said, I am 100% confident with my decision to go forward with the band. I believe that I was prevented from getting the sleeve for a reason. I'm still a little pissed at the insurance company, and that the last 6 months of my life I have been preparing myself for a procedure that's not going to happen. But I am moving on. You made a lot of good points in your post. Thanks again!

Today is the second day of my pre op diet. I was put on a diet of 5-6 protein drinks a day and that's it! Nutritionist said I could have non starchy vegetables if I was starving. Yesterday was great with no problems. However, today has been a disaster! I've had a headache all day (kinda expected that), threw up twice, light headed...uugghh! Okay make that 3 times throwing up! I caved and had half a cup of green beans, and I guess my tummy couldn't handle that either!! I don't know what to do! I've had 3 protein shakes and some water. The thought of another protein drink right now makes me nautious! PLEASE tell me this passes as I have 7 more days of this to go! Has anyone else experienced this? I'm feeling really defeated. I've always had a pretty sensitive stomach to begin with. I also have zero energy which is not cool because I'm working all next week. I need to be able to focus and do my work! I don't know if it matters, but instead of mixing the drinks with water, I've been mixing them with skim milk. The nutritionist suggested it and I figured it would fill me up more. I've never had a problem with lactose before so I can't imagine that being the problem. My guess is that my blood sugar dropped. Anyways, any suggestions, ideas, and/or encouragement is much appreciated! Thanks1

Well today is day 5 of my pre op diet. Things are better today. I switched to Carnation Breakfast and I believe I'll be able to handle that. It tastes good and has about 14 grams of protein when combined with skim milk. I also had a slice of cheese. It's not what the doctor ordered, but I had to have my pre testing done today and almost passed out after giving blood. I needed something substantial. No nautiousness today! Yay! Thanks for all of your advice! Only 4 more days of this, then a day of clear liquids, then surgery day is here! Oh btw, as of today, I've lost 8 pounds!

It's stories like this that make me glad my insurance wouldn't cover the sleeve. I really hope I can work the band as well as you do. I'm getting the band on Monday and I'm extremely nervous but reading this helps. Thanks for posting!

I looked at the Slim Fast shakes and they only have 10 grams of protein in them. The ones the doctor wanted me to have has 21. But if I'm overdosing on protein, maybe I need to have something with less in it. Thanks!

Thanks! You are probably right about my body just not being used to that. I will follow your suggestion!

I was given a choice between 4. I chose the GNC 100% Whey as the other 3 I can only get online. Bariatric Fusion was one of them. I went to Walmart and got the Pure Protein Shakes. I'll try those SF Carnation Instant Breakfasts though. Do you know how much protein they have in them? Thanks for the help!

In one phone conversation, my feeling of happiness went down the drain. My insurance coordinator just called and told me that my insurance will not approve the sleeve because my BMI is below 50. Why they didn't know that before, I don't know. Surgery is scheduled in 10 days. She said I could make a member appeal...but it's been 6 months already. I just don't know if it's worth it. She said my insurance will cover the band. As of right now, that's the route I'm taking...although I hate it. I'm super scared of the band, but it's either that or nothing. Any ideas will be appreciated. Thanks.

Thanks! I was expecting some problems (like the headaches) but the throwing up I was not. I'm just glad to know that's normal.

Oh and by the way, I don't have a problem getting the protein shakes down at all. It was later that the nautiousness hit. I actually haven't even been that hungry so far. I'm grateful for that.

Hello! So today is my second day on the pre op diet. I'm supposed to have 5 to 6 protein shakes a day and that's it! The nutritionist said I may have non starchy vegies if I'm starving. Yesterday I did fine. Today however, has been a nightmare. I have had a headache all day (I kinda expected that), I've been dizzy, and threw up twice. I only had 3 shakes. I just ate half a cup of green beans. I hope it works! I just hate that I'm already having problems. I stil have 7 more days of this to go! Has anyone else been through something similar? I believe my blood sugar dropped. I'm feeling really discouraged. Any advice or encouragement is welcomed! Thanks!

Thanks so much for your advice! I was only allowed to choose from 4 types of protein drinks. The one I chose is GNC 100% Whey because the other three you can only get online. I do not drink coffee or use artificial sweetners or anything. I've heard of people going through CARB withdraw, and that could be it, I just didn't expect the vomiting :/ I don't feel nervous or any of that. I'm hoping as you said, that the first three days are the worst. I am going to try mixing my protein drinks with water tomorrow to see if that helps. Also, if I don't feel better by Monday, I'll call the nutritionist back. Thanks again for your help and encouragement!

Well if sweets are your problem, I can say that the sleeve won't fix that either. WLS surgery is just a tool. It can't control what you eat...only you can do that. Ice cream is a slider food and can basically get through anything. I suggest seeing a psychiatrist for your eating problems. Once you get that under control, then maybe you should start thinking about the sleeve. Just my opinion!

She didn't say broth. She said I could have that the day before surgery as I'll be on clear liquids then. She only said I could have the non starchy vegetables. Which I just thew up. I'm trying to drink water, but I've been throwing that up too. This is so upsetting

My doctors have not seemed concerned about insurance approval. I've completed all my tests and I'm set for surgery a month from tomorrow. I'm confused though because I see on here that a lot of people have to prepare packets and they have to wait for insurance approval. I didn't have to go through all that. It seems like the doctor has taken care of it all. I just hope I don't get everything done that the insurance requires, only to find out I'm rejected. However, again, they don't seem concerned about it at all and are acting like it's already been aproved and taken care of. Maybe this just depends on the insurance carrier. I use Highmark Blue Shield. I'm just curious if there is anyone else who had a painless insurance experience. I want to make sure that my experience is not completely abnormal. I wonder if this is something I should be worrying about? I have my last appointment before surgery on November 3rd so I will ask then, but figured I'd ask your input first. Thanks!

Hey Jessica! I feel so bad that you had to go through all that! I'm getting the band on the 21st and am really scared about it. I have heard similar stories to yours about the lap band. Insurance won't let me get anything else. I can only pray that it works for me :/ Anyways, I wanted to know if you have ever looked into the vertical sleeve? It's a lot safer with fewer complications than the gastric bypass. Less than 1% complications. My sister had bypass and ended up with a lot of complications. Just an idea! Good luck!

Hey. No comorbities. My doctor did do a peer to peer session with no luck. I told them I would get the lapband even though I'm freaking out about it. My BMI is 44. I'm currently trying to concince myself that this was supposed to be happen. That for some reason, I wasn't supposed to get the sleeve. Now I have to rewire my brain so that it starts believing the lapband is a good thing. Uugghh. Thanks for your response.

Has anyone received an approval from their appeal quickly? Like, within 10 days? Or over the phone? I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it...

Just found out today that Highmark BCBS denied me for being under 50BMI as well. Wish I had known this. Wish my DOCTORS had known this. What the heck. Now I'm getting the lapband. Sucks!!!!

So today I was told by my insurance coordinator that my insurance will not cover the sleeve (which is what I have been planning to get for the past 6 months). Surgery is scheduled 10 days from now. However, she said that my insurance WILL cover the band. I have heard a lot more horror stories about the band than the sleeve. Also, the idea of having a foreign object inside of me for the rest of my life, gives me the heebie jeebies. Even my doctors tend to push the sleeve and is actually where I heard most of the horror stories from. I told my coordinator that I will get the band instead. I could do a member appeal, but it's been such a long road already, I don't want to drag it out even longer. So basically, I need some encouragement. I've been crying my eyes out and I'm extremely scared of the band now. I hope I made the right decision. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you!