tlm1120

I was banded yesterday too! I slept very little; I couldn't even lie in bed. I slept on and off sitting straight up on the couch. Walking around really helps!! I wish you a speedy recovery!!

Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry that the nutritionist was so rude. I love my nutiritionist! She has been such a wonderful resource! Honestly, find one that will give you what you need. I can't imagine going through this process without the nutritionist's help, support, and expertise.

Good luck!!

I'll be banded on the 24th, too!! Let the countdown begin!!

I feel terrible posting this when so many of you are struggling with the pre op diet. However, I am starting to feel like I am alone in the fact that my doctor does not require a pre op diet! Anyone else NOT required to do it?

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I don't eat red meat and have now dipped below the 40+ BMI threshold. Maybe this has something to do with it... I will continue to follow his instructions.

Received insurance approval and my date today!!! Sept. 24th!! Hooray!!

Good luck!!

So, I saw your post yesterday and discussed it with my nutritionist yesterday afternoon. She said that pre-op diets are generally not necessary and that yours (with the extention) was pure torture. She suggested you discussing it with your doctor again...it just isn't realistic.

I'm shooting for September! Everything is being submitted to insurance today and I'll know the verdict sometime next week. Once approved (fingers crossed), my doctor is going to schedule me right away. My insurance renews Oct. 1st, as does my $4000 copay! He's going to try to get me in before I have to pay that out of pocket. I'm very grateful that he's working with me on this!

Jumped through my last hoop for my insurance today--pre-op nutrition class--and my doctor will be submitting it to BCBS tomorrow! I should know something next week. Fingers crossed...

It's a shame that your "team" is not all on the same page. My dietitian is awesome and ALWAYS defers to the doctors. She offers her opinion, but will always preface it with, "If this is a contridiction to what to the doctor tells you, call me and we'll work out another plan." I don't like "know it alls"--in any field!

Congrats!! Your enthusiasm will be contagious!!

I went to my 3 hour nutrition class today and I feel so much better! This is doable!! I was really beginning to feel like it was going to be so cumbersome. Nancy Lum, the nutritionist, gave us so many great ideas and really broke it down into a manageable "formula" for day to day living. I can do this!!

My understanding is that your diet requirements will be dictated by your insurance. My insurance requires a 6 month supervised diet; I'd completed that last year, so Dr. A didn't required me to do more.

I did the online version because there wasn't a seminar offered right before my appointment. I'm sure you'll learn lots at the seminar--more specific info. I'm meeting Nancy Lum today for my initial consult. One step closer!! Fingers crossed for the insurance approval!!

Thanks, Renee! I am very excited.

I'm waiting on approval from my insurance company. I've met with dr. Averbach, completed the psych eval, and I'll be meeting with Nancy Lum, the nutritionist, tomorrow. I live in Carroll County.

So inspiring!! Going through the pre-op process and this is just what I needed to keep me motivated!! Thanks for sharing your successes.

I just had my first appointment with my surgeon last week! It was fairly uneventful. I had done tons of research, so I knew what I wanted already. I was weighed, asked how tall I am, and then I asked the surgeon a few questions. It was pretty quick! He told me the next steps...nutritionist, insurance approval, pre-op stuff, etc... Let me know if you have specific questions about the appointment! Good luck to you!!

I'm in the process of submitting all my stuff for insurance approval. I've met with my surgeon, done the psych eval, and now my surgeon is waiting on one last file from my primary care physician. I just qualify with a BMI of 40 and no comorbidities. I tend to lose a significant amount of weight when I start a new diet...I've done it tons of times. What if I lose so much weight on the pre-op diet the I no longer meet the minimum weight requirement? Is that possible? Or is that once I'm approved, it doesn't matter?

Thank you so much guys!! I have been really worried about it!

Thank you!!

Hello, everyone! I am a 39 (almost 40) year old wife and mom of two awesome boys. I decided a few months ago that lap band surgery was the way to go. I have lost and gained and lost and gained for the last 10 years and I'm over it. I have Carefirst BlueCrossBlueShield and I feel like I've met all of the requirements, but I am afraid to get my hopes up. I go back and forth between a BMI of 39 and 40...of course the 40 is required. I plan to have a big lunch on Thursday before I meet with with the surgeon. I feel like my future is in the hands of someone who doesn't even know me. It is such and uncomfortable feeling.

So glad to hear that the WW was accepted. That's a huge relief! I am seeing Dr. Averbach in Catsonville on Thursday, but I'm hoping to go to Maple Lawn for follow up appointments. The Catsonville office had the first "new patient" appointment available. I'd rather drive a bit than wait any longer! I'm glad to hear that you felt comfortable with the practice! Thanks for the "review"!!