Chickadee

Hi again Maurine, I'm so glad your surgery's still on. I was so thrilled and relieved to get insurance approval that I never looked back. I started the whole process in January of 2003, messed around with Kaiser for too long, researched having surgery in Mexico, changed insurance companies and finally had surgery in April 2004. I obsessed about it for so long that once that letter from UHC came, all I felt was joy and relief. Don't talk yourself out of it - it's the best, most life-changing decision I've ever made. My surgery was really easy and I had very little pain afterwards. I'm 46 years old and my only regret is that I couldn't have this done in my 30's. If you need some hand-holding let me know! Becky

Hi, Maurine, I hope you got the good news you were looking for yesterday! Like I already said, I was really pleased with my experience at Dr. Johnell's and even more pleased that I decided to be banded. After doing lots of research I felt like it was the only surgery for me. I thought dealing with UHC was a nightmare too, but at least they came back with the answer I was hoping for. Denise, We are nearly neighbors! I filled in as editor of the Berthoud Recorder for one summer as a favor to a boss/friend. I spent a lot of time up there - loved your police chief. As a matter of fact, my daughter is playing competitive softball on a Berthoud team this summer. Small world! I hope you've heard something by now. I wish insurance companies could look at the long-term instead of just immediate payment out, but I know that's not the way it's done. If there's anything I can do to help either of you, please let me know. I really, really hope you're both able to have this done. It's giving me my life back - dramatic, but very, very true! Becky

Hi Hopeful and Barelythere, Hopeful, you sound like you're doing great with the band. Sorry about the unemployment situation, but hopefully it improves soon! Denise, I'll try to answer your questions the best I can. I was also really worried that I'd be the patient who didn't lose a single pound with the band. I think it's very common to worry! 1. It hasn't been that difficult to change my eating habits. I am a dedicated non-dieter though! I know a lot of people follow diets after they are banded, but that just doesn't work for me. I eat what I want (always following the Protein first, veggies second, everything else after that rule). If I want some ice cream I have a little. The great thing is that I just don't want very much crap anymore. 2. I lost about 5 pounds before surgery. Dr. Johnell was not really specific on how much I was supposed to lose, but did say not to gain any. 3. I think I was on liquids for two weeks following surgery. It wasn't that difficult and I was surprised. I bought unjury Protein powder (which I highly recommend) and had a lot of shakes, juice, broth, etc. I thought the pureed stage was harder than liquids in some ways. 4. I live in Lyons, which is a small town about 17 miles north of Boulder. 5. The tests! I had an EKG, full blood tests, pulmonary function, AGB (arterial blood gas - which is probably the one you've heard horror stores about) and somethine else I can't remember right now. The scheduled them all in one day and it wasn't too bad. Even the AGB wasn't as bad as I feared. Trust me, it was definitely worth it! I hope the insurance nightmare comes to an end soon. I thought 8 weeks was horrible. Hang in there! Becky Banded April 6, 2004 Dr. Johnell -55 pounds (two more!)

Hi, Just wanted to introduce myself. I am very interested in lap band surgery and this place is definitely a wealth of information. I've been everyplace on the web I can find, talked to my PCP and attended a seminar given by a bariatric surgeon's office and have discovered our insurance probably won't pay for a thing. So, I'm interested in going to Mexico. I'm very encouraged by all I've read. Thanks! Becky

Hi Denise, I haven't been to this site for a while and just happened to click here and found your post. I guess it was meant to be! I was banded by Dr. Johnell on April 6, 2004. It's the best thing I've done for myself in years - maybe ever! I am very pleased with the program they offer. I don't know how far you are in this whole process, but I felt like the education I received pre-op was outstanding. I read this and other boards and realize how great the information and classes I took were. The nutritional info they give you is really good and the notebook you'll get is packed full of stuff too. Anytime I had a question, the information was at my fingertips. To be honest, I had very little contact with Dr. Johnell. I met with him before surgery one time, saw him immediately after surgery and then again the day after when he released me from the hospital. Most of my other contact has been with his office staff. His wife, Patrice, is a nurse and does some of the pre-op classes. She's great. Paula, a Nurse Practitioner, does my fills. I also like her very much. They did have a PA who was wonderful, but when they moved from the medical center into the hospital, they had to let him go. Insurance approval took forever! I have United Healthcare and they took about 8 weeks to get back to me. I called them and Dr. Johnell's office about once a week. They were pretty good about it, but the waiting was hell! Dr. Johnell's philosophy on fills is to be pretty conservative, which works pretty well for me. I have had three so far and am at 1.7 cc and feeling very good restriction. Paula was going to add .4 last time, but after talking to me added just .3. At the time I was worried it wouldn't be enough, but now I'm glad she was conservative. They get you in quick too, which I like since I am such an impatient person. Speaking of quick, once I had insurance approval, they scheduled surgery in two weeks. Be prepared! I know this was long, but I wanted to give you whatever info you're looking for. Please contact me if you have any questions or just want to talk. It's a pretty intense time and it's always good to know that you're not alone. Becky Banded April 6, 2004 Dr. Johnell -53 pounds

Hi, I'm with Jennye. I think the unjury Protein powder is the best. I am enjoying a shake at this very minute made with orange juice, a few frozen strawberries and some unflavored Unjury Protein Powder all blended into a smoothie. Delicious! I also like the vanilla and chocolate versions. I look forward to Protein shakes now. Good luck! Becky

Thanks Alexandra! I was banded April 6 and feel really great. I am so glad to be on this journey. Becky

Hi Mickey, I'm your bandster twin, as I was banded April 6 too. Everything's going pretty darn well and I'm so excited to be on the losing end of things. Hopefully we'll both big losers with our new tools! Becky

Hi Melissa, I was banded last Tuesday, so this is all very fresh in my mind! You really don't need much. The lip balm is important, because they won't let you have Water. I thought I was going to dry up right there in the bed. I bought a couple kinds of Protein powders before surgery. The one I like best is the unjury brand (available online). I also bought some Carb Options (or something like that) and found it almost intolerable after surgery. Remember, you're going to be consuming very small amounts at a time at first and it's really important to be able to get the protein in. The wierdest thing I've found is that sweet things tend to taste too sweet right now. I had a popsicle last night and almost didn't eat it because it just seemed overly sweet. I'm sure everyone is different though. I also agree on bringing comfortable clothing to go home in. I wore some comfy sweats and said to hell with the bra (which I never, ever do). I figured no one really cared if the girls were well-supported on the walk out of the hospital, and it was more comfortable for me to be a free woman. Good luck! It really wasn't bad at all and you'll be on the losing side in no time! Becky

Hi Darcy, I recently bought some unjury unflavored Protein, and am really impressed with it. It doesn't add any flavor at all to things and doesn't have that nasty smell that some Protein shakes do. I've only tried it with juice, but their website says you can mix it with all kinds of different things. I'm going to try one of their flavored versions next. Becky

Shelly, All I can say is "WOW!" Simply amazing! You're a wonderful inspiration for this soon-to-be-banded girl. Becky to be banded 4/6/04

Hey Al, Congratulations! That is so cool. UHC finally approved me too. The funny thing is I'm having surgery on April 6th. Are you my evil twin or something? I'm pretty nervous right now, but also very excited. I bet you are too. Good luck to both of us! Becky

Wow! That's such an amazing accomplishment. I'm sure the next 54 pounds will come off too because it sounds like you're willing to walk the walk and use this tool to it's fullest. Congratulations! Becky to be banded April 6!

Wow! I've been following your progress for a while and am amazed at how much you've lost without restriction. I'm so thrilled for you that they finally found an answer. Woo Hoo! Becky

Hey Al, I just wanted to know if you've heard anything from UHC yet? Do you have a date or (hope against hope) you're already banded? Post if you can. I'm still waiting, not patiently and it sounds like I'll have to continue waiting based on my call to them this morning. Inquiring minds want to know! Becky

Hi Willo, Welcome! I'm hoping to be banded by Dr. Johnell soon. I'm on week seven of waiting for insurance approval, so it's gotta come soon, right? I'm going nuts! Anyway, I've been lurking at the Coloradobandsters group and have seen you there. I promise I will come out and say hello someday. I don't want to get too active until I know I'm actually having the surgery. Later, Chickadee

Al, I'm going through the same agony you are. I've been waiting almost six weeks now for approval. I have UHC too. My surgeon won't set a date until I get the insurance approval, so I'm slowly losing my mind! I've called once and guess I'll call again today, but this is driving me absolutely nuts. UHC, give me an answer! Hang in there! Becky

Wow, that's so cool that your surgery is happening soon. I'm still waiting, waiting, waiting for insurance approval. I'm hoping to get it scheduled for the first part of April, but am just sitting here quite impatiently! Did I mention I hate waiting? There's a Yahoo group of Colorado bandsters that I found really informative. Just go to yahoo and search for Colorado Bandsters. It might be helpful in choosing a fill doctor. Good luck! Becky

Hi Sara, I'm from Colorado. I'm still waiting to be banded. There are a number of docs around here. What part of Colorado are you moving to? I've heard great things about Dr. Johnell (the surgeon I've seen) in Greeley and I know there is a group of doctors in Canon City and a new one in Thornton (near Denver). Becky

Wow, what roller coaster ride you've been on! Congratulations. I'm so happy for you. Please let us know how everything went when you get back. Becky, (Uncrossing all the parts that have been crossed!)

Oh Anne, I am so sorry you're going through this. I hope your doctor's office can get this ironed out quickly and that this will prove to be just a little bump in the road to a new you. I don't post much, because I'm still sitting here in limbo waiting for insurance approval, but I do read your posts every day. They have been interesting and help me imagine how it will feel when I'm finally close to surgery. I will keep my finger, toes and anything else that will cross, crossed for you. Hang in there! Becky

I will have to pay $750 out of pocket once my insurance is approved. The $750 won't be covered by insurance at all. They say it's for "administrative costs". I'm not real thrilled with it, but if I get the surgery it will be worth it. Becky

Hi, Your blog looks great. I will bookmark and keep reading as I'm (hopefully!) soon to be banded and it will be inspirational. But, my question - what on earth is a blog? Becky

Hi Nichole, I had plans all made to go to Mexico to have the surgery done, when my husband walked in with United Health Care papers too! We signed up and I'm waiting, quite impatiently I might add, until January 1, when the policy takes effect. I called before we signed up and gave them our group number to be sure they cover Lap band surgery, and they do! Give the 800 number a call to see if your plan covers it. Becky

Pass along my best wishes too. As a pre-bander, I've really enjoyed her posts and look forward to her posts from the other side! Becky