Mike D

My problem is this. I was banded on Jan 22nd, and lost a total of 38 pounds so far. that was in the3 first 2 weeks since the operation, and the 2 weeks prior to the operation. I went in for my fill, and was given 5 cc's in my 9 cc band, and i still don't feel any restriction. I am scheduled for my next fill the 25th, but what happens if that doesn't work? I am worried the band isnt working for me. Suggestions to my predicament if you would please. I eat less, but the scale hasn't moved since the middle of February. What should I do? Mike

So sorry it has taken me so long to respond! I am out of town for work, living in a hotel, and trying to fit in normalcy where it is possible. Thanks for welcoming me, I appreciate the kind words. since my last post, I have seen my doctor, and had my first fill. I had no restriction before, and now I had my band filled 5 cc's. Is that a lot? He watched me drink that Berium under an x ray, so I know it was done right. But seeing as the realize only has 9 cc's, i am already more than halfway there and it makes me a little nervous. I don't want to gain any weight back, and I want to be thin, but how realistic can it be if I am already over halfway filled? Chime in your 2 cents, I'm interested in hearing what you all think. Mike

Whats up everybody!!! I was banded January 23rd, in Joliet, Il by Dr. Lahmann. So far I have lost 15 pounds since being banded. Mind if I join you guys? Mike

Going to my information class tomorrow. I was finally approved by my insurance, now i just need to wait. I'll post how it all went tomorrow. Mike

Count me in, I'm being banded on June 26th, my boy's 7th birthday!!! I'm nervous and excited. I'm worried I will be able to feel the band. Anyone else? Mike

I have BCBS of Il, and I waqsa just approved. However, I have a PPO through the Carpenters union, so I had a different set of regulations. I had to meet a pre-set BMI, have a list of failed diets, be 100 pounds overweight or greater, and have a pre-existing medical condition. I also had to see a cardiologist, Pulmanologist, and a phsyciatrist. I was at first denied, so I had to re-weigh, write an appeal, and I got a written referral from all of my docs. I have since been approved. Good Luck to you on your journey!!!! Mike

First off, Thank you to all the well wishers. I didn't have that hard of a fight. I met 2 out of the three items for their criteria. I'm just glad I have finally been approved. I know my life is going to change for the healthier. As far as the weight gain goes, yes, I do have to gain back what I busted my butt to lose. And to answer the question yes it is for insurance. 43.9 is not the same as 45 as far as BMI is concerned in their book, so I need to maintain 45 or better. I will keep all of you posted, thanks again for the congrats and the well wishes!!! Mike

Well, as of Monday, I was approved by my insurance to be banded. my surgery date has been set for Tuesday June 26th. I am kinda nervous, but excited at the same time. I need to do an upper G.I., a blood test, and then do some education class for a couple of hours. That's not the worst part though. I also have to gain the 11 pounds I just worked off, back. Talk about some garbage!!! Well, enough for now! Mike

Don't think I can answer that. It all depends on the insurance. I know some of them only require 100 pounds overweight with a BMI of 40. My insurance wants a BMI of 45, with at least 100 pounds overweight. Because I was 149 pounds overweight, with a BMI of 43.9, I was denied the first time I applied. So now I am appealing, made a bmi of 45.5, told the insurance I have slight sleap apnea, and am hoping for a better result this time. Check with whoever will cover your surgery, see what they require, and go from there. That seems to be the way people are getting the surgery around here. Good Luck Mike

Well, time for an update. Since the last post, I went back to the doctor and re-weighed. I ended up hitting a BMI of 45.5, and my weight was 149 pounds over medically recommended. I had to handwrite an appeal to my insurance, which I did, and I got a letter of recommendation from my general practitioner. I also received letters from the phsycologist, cardiologist, pulmonoligist, and from the doctor actually performing the surgery. Hopefully my appeal turns the decision to what I want and need it to be. So for now, I am playing the waiting game. Mike

Not sure if this will be read in time, but for my doctor, a seminar was mandatory. I had a friend set up an appointment through her doctor, and was told to not even keep the appointment unless she attended a seminar first. I'm sure if you had to be at a seminar first, you would have been notified. Mike

I was told that I could expect to lose 80-90 pounds the first year. I think what was actually said was 82% of the excess weight. Either way, that is a lot to lose. I right now am still waiting for my approval through insurance. I did all of my consults, and have been turned down once, so I re-weighed, and re-applied. Just waiting for an answer. Good Luck to you on your journey!! Mike

The funny thing for me is, I am a union carpenter. You would think that they would realize if I had the surgery, dropped weight, they would get almost double the work out of me!!!! It just doesn't make sense. I guess we will see if on monday, when i weigh enough to have a 45 bmi, a note from my doctor relating she recommended this 2 years ago, and the letter also stating any medical issues I have now and what they will cost when I am 10 years older, if they will change their mind. I think as of now, one can only hope.