Rainydayz

Quite impressed. Although he didn't seem as enthusiastic about the sleeve as the bypass he still said it was a great and safe procedure that showed excellent results so far. Has anyone used him or Dr. Hart in Atlanta? I have an appt. to talk one-on-one with him in a couple of weeks. That's good. The other program I was going to wasn't going to let me have an appt.with the dr. until right before surgery. Anyway I probably have to start over my 6-month diet because I started out with a lap band dr. and he ONLY does the band. Now I know I want the sleeve. So I have to drive almost 1 1/2 hours but it is a very nice facility (center of excellence if that means anything) and the coordinator called me today after just getting my information last night at the seminar. She seems very on top of things. However, at the lap band place they seemed like they were going to handle ALL of it for me (make the appts for me, do the nutrition counseling etc. ) This place wants me to do all that with providers of my choice. In a way that's better because I know I'm not getting suckered into a bunch of appts. just so they can charge me more. (Like the last place referred me to a psych and I found out they wanted to make it four appts. at $200 each before they would give me a clearance letter. So Bogus!) But it does make it a little more work for me. But I have my checklist and am on my way! Excited and a little nervous.

I'm one month into my pre-op supervised 6-month diet with a band surgeon's office. I have decided to switch to the sleeve. That probably means I will have to start over with the diet right? Also, has anyone done the 3-month multidisciplinary program? I have Aetna and they say either a 6-month supervised diet or a 3-month supervised diet and exercise program where you have to prove the exercise. I'm wondering if going to a gym counts for this or would I have to actually hire a personal trainer? Any experience or insight is appreciated!

So you actually only saw the nutritionist for 2months and they still approved? Hey that sounds great. I hope I'm so lucky.

It's good to hear that there are those who get tested and don't have it. I still haven't heard from mine so keeping my fingers crossed! Hang in there Lilu! We'll make it yet!

I have a seminar tomorrow night and I will ask the coordinator then. Since I'm really just one month in it's not that big a deal if I have to start over. At least I will already have the sleep study and psych eval done. I just hope I like the dr. tomorrow night. It's Dr. Johnson in Atlanta. If anyone knows anything about him I would love to hear from anyone! Also my insurance allows a 3-month diet as long as you can prove exercise. I'm guessing this means a personal trainer? I don't know. So I need to find out what that means exactly.

Here's a tip I read on the band board: keep a glass of ice by your plate. If you feel like you just have to drink suck on a piece of ice for a second or two or just drink what has melted. I will be trying this one.

I agree - find another pcp. I think I would have to ask for the studies that doctor was basing her opinion on.

Yes, the band surgeon only does bands. I wish he did both. I'm sure having a trainer is great but I'm mainly curious about what the insurance requires. What with all the tests and dr. visits right now I'm just trying to keep expenses in control. I will probably just do the 6 months diet. There is no requirement that I lose a certain amount of weight unless the surgeon requires it. The band surgeon didn't. I was just doing the diet because it's what my insurance requires.

I feel for you. I just had a sleep study Friday as well but don't have the results yet. But seriously, is there ANYone here that has had a sleep study and NOT been told they have apnea? I haven't seen anyone say that their test was negative. I'm wondering if it's just a racket to soak the insurance companies for the cpap machines! (I'm only slightly joking).

I had my sleep study Friday and don't know the results yet. The tech told me that a cpap machine would speed recovery from surgery because it allows more oxygen in while you're sleeping. So if they tell me I need it I suppose I'll give it my best try. But I really really hope i don't!

"Hey nineteen That's 'Retha Franklin She don't remember the Queen of Soul It's hard times befallen The sole survivors She thinks I'm crazy But I'm just growing old LOL! Steely Dan lyrics. Just couldn't help it. Showing my age! But really, who is Jennifer Hudson?