2nd Time Karen

AGAIN, what is wrong with going through the process? if there for a reason that you don't want to jump through the insurance hoops, then self pay in Mexico. Surgery is only the beginning, there is the REST of your life on the other side.

I bet they approve you Rena.

2 thoughts, now you need a new online support group (for bypass) and maybe that's what happens with Halloween surgery dates.

Get a copy of the denial letter and then maybe a 2nd opinion. I went through the same thing and the 1st doctors office did not go to bat for me, Although all of the tests that he ordered showed problems. When I went to 2nd doctor, she pulled all of the information together and made my case, even TO ME, because i was about ready to BUCK UP and forget about it. You need to KNOW the reason for the denial.

Bee, my heart goes out to you, but this thread is disturbing to me. You are getting pressure from your family AND the chat line. I hope you find peace in whatever your decision is. For me, it would be a HUGE red flag if my total support system was pressuring me to WAIT.

BEE. I have followed this all day. The only response I think is worthy of repeating is WAiT and get some balance. Will it be so bad to wait a little. This is causing so much stress for you.

RELAX!!! you will just notice more in your brush, or during a shampoo. IT's not like cancer treatment.

YAHHHHHHHH!!!

don't PICK at them!!!! (spoken like a true nurse)

Dear BEE, Having a support system is so important. Clearly your family is not supportive of your decision. WHO IS? your DOCTOR? Consider your REASON for surgery Health? Prevention of other chronic illness? or is it to be thin and wear a certain size. I hardly think that any of us actually enter into this for thinness, it's a perk, but it's not the main reason. I am nearly 60 years old and I have no family to support me, my friends tolerate my decision but they also think I have lost my mind (just quit eating!!!) I even had to change doctors to discuss this surgery with someone who will support me. My only concern with surgery out of the country is who is going to followup with you later? Bee, I know you are in a tough position, I honestly don't know what I would do. But it's gone on too long. I vote to make an effort to get your husband onboard. Your mom and dad will understand in time.

I am a nurse too and they ALL have opinions and medical rationales about the consequences of it all. I have told my co-workers and right now I don't care. But I was like you, I didn't tell anyone when I got the band.

We all could have written your letter, it's a complicated, yet simple story. I don't know WHY the insurance companies throw in so much hurdles, and then we have to deal with the social stigma and OPINIONS of just about everybody. My advice is to find 1 or 2 people that you trust and tune out the rest. NO one, believe NO ONE understands even your doctor. I think that people who have also had the procedure may even have 100 different reasons, Mine was thinness, now it's health I can not control diabetes with diet and oral medication, so I am back for the sleeve. welcome to our world. k

They ALL do the procedures in the late afternoon, it is so annoying. I asked the doctor if he was calm and rested, I could definately come back at another time, if he were tired or out of sorts. Sounds like you will get good care and VIP treatment.

I have insurance approval for the sleeve too, now I am more concerned about what she will find upon surgery, I know I will wake up and say "so, what did you do?" I am uncomfortable with that, I have a hitial hernia too since the band, there are parts of this that I don't want to think about.

Having 2 surgeries means 2 co-payments and 2 of everything, the up side is that you don't need all the bariatric pre-op requirements for band removal, just schedule it and have it done and over with. A great deal of surgeons feel that 2 different procedures are the best.

This is so funny to me, the minute I saw your posting, all I could think was, "great, he met someone special and they are going out" Then I had to remind myself of where I am , secretly, I am hoping to meet a nice guy when this is all over. Karen

I'm sorry, I didn't see that you were denied. If I was going to go out of the country, I would get some references from others, like you have here and go for a pre-surgery visit to scope out the town, hospital and hotel. On the flip side, who is going to monitor you after surgery?

do you have COBRA????

I love it when they want a PEER to PEER, that means that they are not fooling around with looking at reports, but willing to get the surgeons view and medical plan. these usually go in favor of the patient..

P.S. this was my 3rd opinion, and each one of them said the same thing. It really does depend upon what they find on the EDG. It's a stupid thing, you have to have complications to get the BAND out, but not enough to limit you to what they can do next. Karen

Hello KMB, I have the same issues that you do, and my surgeon wants to do the bypass too, she explained that the condition of my esphogus and stomach would determine IF the sleeve could be done, she said it's a HIGH PRESSURE area and the connection between the esphogus and stomach may not "hold". I have approval for the sleeve, but I have my fingers crossed that she will be able to do it. It's not always what we WANT, it's what is possible under the circumstances. That BAND did horrible things to me, I wish I would NEVER have done it, but then again, it was a time when I demanded it and even fought with the insurance company about it. I have decided to go with what the surgeon tells me and PRAY, pray alot for wisdom and protection. k

Hello, I had the BAND placed 12/2009 and now it's coming OUT May 22nd and they are doing the sleeve at the same time. I think we all get to the place where our desires are overtaken by what is REAL and what MUST be done. blessings everyone, Karen

I just have to ask, what is wrong with a 6 month wait? take this time to go to the support groups, get involved in an exercise program and explore all of the protein powders to see which one suits you, it will take a good 3-4 months to get through the whole process that we all have to endure and believe me, It's worth it to things right. I am back here, after 4 years of dealing with the stupid BAND, and I wish I would have taken MORE TIME to get it right, follow the rules and know exactly what I was getting into. I know you that you want "the fix" , but the truth is, there is a lot of work on the other side and it dosn't stop with surgery, that is just the beginning. don't worry about your BMI, begin to walk and enjoy life. Look into the support groups for real, they are wonderful and very supportative. just saying, Karen