The Icy One

I am so sorry for your loss, Kespy. Losing a cherished pet is so hard. They aren't just animals, they really are members of the family and when they leave us, they leave a huge hole in our hearts and our lives. (((hug))) Give yourself time to grieve, to mourn your furry friend's loss but don't abuse yourself in the process. Try to find healthy ways to express and deal with your feelings and sense of loss. Ice cream may help you to numb out temporarily (boy do I ever grok that!) but it isn't going to ease your hurt and in the end, it is only going to add guilt and self recrimination on top of your sadness. You don't deserve that. I know that you can't conceive of feeling better, right now but in time, the pain does ease. We had to say goodbye to our Aussie, Sabryna in March. She was fourteen, we had her for eleven years and it was the hardest thing. The house felt so cold, so empty, my days so lonely and my heart ached so badly. But the ache has mellowed, the pain has eased and while we still miss her, it doesn't hurt like it did. I can think about her with a happy glow and look at her pictures and smile. We are talking about adding a new dog to the family, soon. It gets better. just give it time.

Hi Sue, Welcome. I'm also pre band. Doing the Insurance Company hoop-jump-hop. I have one more check in then I should be good to go. *fingers crossed* This site is packed with great information and everyone is so welcoming and supportive.

I researched all forms of WLS, weighed all of the pros and cons and decided that with the less invasive surgery, the fact that I can adjust the band to work with me, personally and, if it is absolutely necessary, I can reverse it, Lap Band made sense to me, for me. Justjackie, in the end, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of all of the different options available to you, assess your health, your needs and decide what is going to work best for you, for your body and your lifestyle. Only you can make that decision. There is no "right" or "wrong" answer.

I have Aetna. My plan doesn't require a referral so I just went directly to True Results in Scottsdale (the Lap Band practice that I chose), made an appointment and they took it from there. Most established WLS practices have working with various insurance companies down to a fine art, know what each company wants and can guide you, step by step through the process. My advice is to do a little research online, find your local WLS practices, choose one or more that interest you, call, talk to a patient adviser, ask questions, he or she can tell you what your insurance requires to get you started and will guide you into beginning your process. Some will book you right in for an initial appointment, others may require a seminar, first. I didn't have to do a seminar. I just went in for an appointment and we were off and running. Some places let you make the initial appointment online. My practice did and followed up by e-mail.

You will blow it out of the Water, Aetna will pay and you will win. It's crazy how one minute, it is all don't worry about it, no loss/gain required, the next, they change it up and if you are just days away from your check in, too bad for you. More time and more hoops to jump through and what do they care? They are heartless, it is all about the bottom line. I think that that part if it is the impending roll out of the ACA has them running scared. It should. Insurance companies have run roughshod over us long enough. It is time for them to learn their place.

Well said. We all have to do what is best for us. I read about people with bypass who are putting bands on top. Bandsters who are adding plication, bandsters who are revising to bypass or sleeve, sleeved people who are revising to bypass... And others who have their initial procedure and sail and thrive. We don't know until we know. Judging others for their choices is small minded.

I wish you all of the luck and I hope for you that you are one of the rare, great ones who can succeed completely on their own, reach their goals and beat the odds.

I also have Aetna and I received a phone call from True Results yesterday telling me that they had changed the rules and that rather than a maintain/small gain they want me at least one pound under my start weight at my last check in. That is on the 23rd of September. I have a few pounds to lose, because I was told not to worry about it for the four months I was going through this. I should be able to do it without too much trouble, I've already started. I am just so... Sneaky, sneaky insurance company. Sneaky! Pull this sudden rule change to postpone and cancel surgeries to save money. Sneaky. Well, they are messing with the wrong woman. :ph34r:

I Googled Lap Band Discussion Forums and this one popped up among a few others. I sifted through a handful, this one suited me best so I lurked a bit, then registered.

As long as I am stable and medically suitable for release, I prefer outpatient. I had abdominal surgery in March (not a band) and it was outpatient and I loved it. I went in in the morning, home, chilling in my big, puffy recliner in front of my TV by lunch time. When I have my band surgery, I'll request the same, as long as it is medically appropriate. I just think that recovering at home is better. I can relax, the danger of infection is actually lower and I don't have to worry about roomates.

You need too document the things this jerk has done and file a complaint with the medical board. Also, see if you can find another practice somewhere in your area. Even if you have to drive a ways, you do not deserve to be treated that way, dump his loser ass and go somewhere else.

Nerves are normal. WLS is huge. And getting through the process, even with a surgical center that knows their stuff can be nerve wracking.

Depends on the reason for the cough. As long as you don't have a fever and your lungs are clear, there probably won't be a problem. If you have an infection or a fever, they will postpone.

What Missy said. These WLS practices have the process down to a fine art. They will handle everything, let you know exactly what you need to do, what documentation you need, what tests you need and when and expedite everything. I am in the third month of my four month insurance company mandated hoop jump and so far, the process, while tormentingly long, has been nearly effortless and very smooth.

Congratulations on your great progress, so far. This band thing is really working for you.

I'm glad that you're okay.

I am also going through True Results in Scottsdale. I had my third of four hoop jump kiss my insurance company's ass visits, today. Just one more. Yay. I don't know when I will meet Dr. Nirmul. I imagine I'll have my consult after I get final insurance approval. I am well researched, prepared and ready to do this. c4cathy and I live in the same area. Hi Cathy.

Word.

Missmonaaz, I commend you for having the courage to post your story in such an open and honest way. I have learned so much from reading what you have to share. I can identify with so much of what goes on in your head. Let's face it, we don't get to the point where we need WLS because we have perfectly normal relationships with food. I applaud you for seeing the damage you were doing, getting treatment, healing and beginning again. You have not given up. You are strong and determined and I hope that you will keep posting as you progress and share how you are doing. When you hit your goal weight, you seriously need to write a book about your entire experience, beginning to goal. There are a lot of bandsters who would benefit from your experiences. I am a pre bandster and I have learned much from you. Thank you.

Danell, are you okay?

Holy crap! Was it necessary for them to be that rough on you?

I am also pre band, in the four month insurance Hell Zone (insert deep, echoing voice, here) and reading and learning as much as I can in this period. This is great information. Thanks for sharing it.

The monthly check ins are the worst! I have number three of my insurance company mandated four coming up, tomorrow and it is driving me crazy! Enough of the fiddling around, already! I know that I want to do this. Stop torturing me, let's get it on. I am not supposed to loose or gain much weight during this process. Wut??? Of course, since I am not supposed to lose weight, suddenly, I want to but since I am not supposed to, I am eating like a horse on fire and am afraid I will gain too much and... I'll find out how I'm doing, tomorrow, I guess. Aaaarrrgh!

You need to call your surgeon's office and get help and advice. Now. You should have had a movement days ago. Also, if you don't normally have headaches, suddenly getting one can be a symptom of a problem. You could be dehydrated, or there could be a bigger problem. I am not kidding, here, You need to be on the phone to your surgeon's office. If the headache suddenly intensifies, get to the ER. Please don't wait until September 13. Not taking care of this now could compromise your recovery and you don't need to be miserable while you are healing.

Good luck to you!