GREATFUL

Hello Everyone, Count me in, I found out yesterday I will be banded MAY 2nd. SOOOOOOOOO very excited. I started the pre-op diet today. My doc requires 4 weeks. Two weeks low carb and two weeks Protein shakes. Glad to part of the MAY BANSTERS!!!!!

I found out today, I am being banded MAY 2nd!!!! I am so excited. But it seem like it is still a dream to me, has not sunk in yet I guess. I start my pre-op tomorrow. Doc. has the pre-op diet in two stages. First stage is two weeks, one protein shake in the AM and low carb meals for lunch and dinner, no snacking. Then last two week is all liquid. We will be May bandsters together. Let me know how you are doing, okay!!

I got to thinking about this and just did'nt want to take any chances with the insurance. So, I call the Surgeons and asked them to move up my appointment, and they were able to. So that is great. I now go Monday instead of April 10th. I am so happy. It also had my visit with the psycholist yesterday. I guess everything went fine. Now I have to say that some of those questions were strange. But have that behind me. I visited with the Doc. office, and she told me that after my appointment Monday they would submit my paper work to the insurance and start the approval process. She said my insurance company (Unicare) was fast about getting the approval back to them, she said I might want to consider starting the pre-op Monday also. I am so excited I can hardley sit still. Thanks for letting me spill this out, or I might have exploded. LOL

Okay I know this is going to sound like a silly questions but........ In order to qualify for my insurance I have to have a BMI of 40 or above, without other conditions. That is where I am out now. I went to my PCP today, my BMI is 40.8, he is sending the letter of medical necessity to the surgeon. I go to the dietition on April 4th and the surgeon on April 10th. The dietition wants me to keep a diet journal for 3 days before I see her. My question is, what BMI number counts, the one when I visited my PCP or what ever it is when I visit the surgeon? I know that this must sound silly, but I would just hate to loose a few pounds, make my BMI go below 40 and have my insurance reject paying for the surgery. I am just so excited. It looks like it could happen as soon as the end of April or the first of May. Don't want to do anything that might mess this up.

Thanks everyone for your response and advise. I called the Doctors office and they told me they thought it was the BMI that was on the letter from my PCP, that would be the 40.8. But, she added that it was up to the insurance company in the end. In not so many words she recommended I do my best to maintain my BMI over 40 until I see the surgeon and he documents it. I called the Insurance company, well my head is still spinning from that, did not get a straight answer. So, I do not have a guaranteed answer. So it look like I will do all I can not to dip below the 40. I am hungry for pizza all of a sudden.LOL

I just love this place. It is great just to read and soak up all of the experiences that everyone has been through. It also helps me to know what I am experiencing is just part of the process. I made up my mind that the Lap Band was for me. I got a copy of my insurance Benefit Pland and looked to see if Bariatic Surgery was covered. It said it was with this additional wording "In determining if there is coverage for these operations, specific medical necessity criteria may need to be met". That should of been my first clue that I was going to have problems. I called them and asked them what these requirements were. They told me to be covered I need to have a BMI of 40 or greater. I do, so feeling all good about that. I would need to use a surgen in my network. I found one, now feeling real good. Be insured by them for 2 years, I have been. Thinking this is going to be a breeze. Go to the seminar, give my insurance info to the surgens office to pre cert me. SUPRISE SUPRISE SUPRISE.... they tell her that I have to have a letter from PCP, 1-3 years of medical history and TSH clearance (if anyone can tell me what that is I would love to know). Getting all of this done is no biggie. It is just that they tell you one thing and it turns out to be totally something diffrent. OH WELL..... I am at least on my way. Made my appointment with PCP on next Tues, have my appointment for Psychological Eval. next thurs. So next week will be very busy. Reading this site has helped me not to go crazy. Thanks Guys!!

Hello, Hey bkwalling I noticed your surgen was Dr. Westmoreland in Murfreesboro. That is who I am thinking about using. He is covered by my insurance. What can you tell me about him? Did you like him, what pre-op diet required etc.? Anything you can tell me would be great. I am going to the seminar tomorrow. Look forward to hearing from you, Thanks Laura

Hello Everyone, Fairly new, been looking around for about a week. The more I reasearh this, the more I am convienced that the band is the best option for me. I have enjoyed reading all of the threads, and appreciate all of you sharing your experiences, pitfalls and successes. I am glad I found this place. I am starting the process. I have call my insurance, looks like it will be covered, have requested that in writing. I have scheduled to attend a seminar on March 21. I have an appointment with Gyno Doc today, so will get his opinion if this is for me. Will make an appointment with my GP after that. I just have one problem and was wondering if anyone else has any suggestions. My husband is not 100% on board with this. Has anyone else had to convience a reluctent spouse that this is what needs to be done? I know I will need his support in order to succeed with this. I know it is a life changing event. We have only been married for 2 years, I know he loves me the way I am. I know he is hesitant because he is worried for my safety. I know I need to do something, have tried diet after diet. Heck, been on 4 diffrent ones since we married and am 20lbs heavier, shows what a yo-yo problem I have. I am 43 years old, I am now at 220 lbs and just want to be healthy, and feel good and enjoy the rest of my life with this wonderful man. Any suggetions?

Hey, Thank you all for your words of support. I did sit my Hubby down. We talked about his fears and concerns. They were all valid, but he had not researched as I had. Come to find out they were a lot of the same ones I had when I started this process. So, we went online, looked up alot of things. Now, he is 100% on board. YEA YEA YEA. I am insured thru his work, he offered to talk to HR to make sure I had all I need to get the insurance appproved. He also talked to a lady at his work who had WLS, and she told him that it was the best thing that ever happened to her. I found out that talking is the best thing. He wants the best for me, and me being healthy and feeling better about myself is also best for him. It feels great knowing now that he is on board becasue I know that I will need his support to make this a success. I go to my seminar next week. And will make an appointment with the surgen after that. So I am on my way. Can't wait, so excited!!!

Thank you all so much for your support. God I just love this place!

Hello, new here and seeking information. Have not had any WLS yet, but thinking it is the option for me. I am registured to attend a seminar on the 21st of this month. Just wanting to know if there is anyone out there who has any info about Dr. Westmoreland. Doing lots of research, any help would be appreciated. Thanks