sweetone

My insurance group uses Dr. Callery or Dr. Mueller. I attended both seminars, Dr.Callery's several years ago before lapband was available here or covered. He was great but preferred at that time to do everything open, not lap.I don't know if this is still true. Also I just couldn't commit to GB, I was too scared. Both of them have excellent records, stats, personalities, etc., but I like that Dr. Mueller has alot of laproscopic experience.

I am going to be banded 4/08/08 by Dr. Mueller. I would love to find some local support or info on groups in the day if anyone knows of any. I can't make the evening ones due to my kids. I like Dr. Mueller so far, but am sorry to here he's stingy with fills. Thanks

My Dr. requires 3 protien drinks a day and one(tiny) meal consisting of 3 oz protien, 1/3 c. grain such as brown rice, 1 c. veges, 1 T. fat and 1 tennis ball size piece of fruit. Its hard, but I'm sticking to it because I want to get this over with already. I am kind of grateful now that I had to do medifast for 6 months prior to approval from insurance. It is helping me now because it is similar plan. Only thing is I could cheat if I felt like it and the consequences weren't too bad. I just didn't lose any weight! Now if I cheat my surgeon will reschedule my surgury.Yesterday I did eat more than I should have at my meal. So glad I get 1 meal a day, especially after reading what others are doing. I'm on day 5 now, grouchy at times, my poor hubby, but feel better overall because I'm losing a few lbs. Hang in there bandsters!:scared2:

My Dr. requires 2 weeks of 3 protien shakes and 1 meal a day. I start tues. and am nervous I won't be able to do it. In the meantime I'm eating everything in sight..........not good.

I found out yesterday I'm approved for surgury, and scheduled for 4/8! I'm scared but excited! Oh, and also can't stop eating since 2 week preop diet begins tues! AGHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Congrats everyone, and thanks for being here.

I too live in san diego, and have pacificare hmo.I think it also matters who your medical group is, and whether your primary care dr. will give you a referral. I belong to sharp community medical group.My best advise is call pacificare and ask them directly what the requirements are and what is covered. There is alot of confusion and wrong info from all the parties involved. The requirements also change frequently! I was found out I needed 6 mo medically supervised diet and a 6 mo healthy roads program, which is basically phone support. One week before completing my 6 mo program, the requirements changed and they no longer are requiring the 6 mo diet or healthy roads. I am finally going for my surgeons consult feb 14th with Dr. Mueller. I initially attended Dr. Callerys seminar, but at the time he was not performing the lapband. Best of luck to you!

Pacificare HMO has changed their requirements and my carrier no longer requires healthy roads for 6 mo. or a 6 mo supervised diet. Of course it happened 1 week before I finished my 6 mo requirements. Oh well. It is a good idea to check before starting and during the process, just to be sure. I have known several people who said pacificare was wonderful, and theit procedures were paid in full. I guess it depends on your group etc.

Hi I am currently doing month 2 of required healthy roads as a prerequisite for surgury. They have a health coach that calls me once a week to check on progress and have sent alot of good info regarding surgury, and nutrition and exercise. It is primarily to get you ready for surgury, teaching how to eat, manage stress, develop an excersise program and learn to live with all the issues you need to deal with once you've had surgury. So far I am impressed with the info and phone sessions. They help set goals primarily. At first I was annoyed that I had to do this, but it has been helpful.Hope this helps!