janie3867

Hello - been over 4 years since my lapband. I initially lost 95 lbs (did not reach my goal) but then gained 20 lbs and holding for 2 years. I eat what I want, as MUCH as I want. Sometimes I have trouble getting the food down but lately, I have no trouble at all. I'm almost embarrassed to go back to the doctor for a FILL. I cannot believe the doctors office does not reach out to it's 'former' patients' but I guess there are so many - it's too hard. Anyone else out there???

I have Bcbs of alabama....they require you to attend a 6 month physician monitored program for 6 months (7 total visits)......Get this... Last visit on Dec 4th ... I have everything lined up to get approval/deny letter....but they want 3 years prior weights......guess what? I don't HAVE proof of 3 years prior weight. Just 2006 and 2003 - NOTHING from 2004 or 2005. Has anyone had this issue??? Please help if you have. i do not want this to be the reason for me not getting the surgery

I talked to the insurance specialist at my surgeons office. She said that they will take pictures if she puts dates on them. Also, she DID say we could count 2007 since I started the program in June. I only have to find something for 2005 now, since we have 2006 and 2007 but if I can't find 2005, we can find pictures

Insurance hell IS hell, isn't it?? I went shopping at the Avenue and if ONLY I was two sizes smaller - everything would look soo good and I wouldn't feel so gross.....I can't wait until the band is in and I'm on my way to MY victory. I love hearing everyone's stories....and cannot wait til I visit my doctor for the LAST visit in December.................time time....time time....time time....!

Are you allowed to drink anything? I cannot remember.

I'm not sure about where to post this but ....... does the lapband cause any thing to go off at airports?? I just thought about this!

I'm a little confused (Not yet banded)......does the band itself, with or without fills, not restrict your food intake anyways?

Please tell me about your medifast journey? My doctor didn't recommend me doing medifast after my band - said that it wasn't necessary but i thought it would be perfect to help me lose more weight - (not banded yet). Thanks

I hate to tell you this, but BCBS of Alabama started paying in April - but you have to go through a 6 month physician monitored time period before they will even look at your case. I freaked out at first because I did NOT want to wait that long, but I'm almost there - hoping that my surgery will be in December and I'm sure I'll be asking you a lot of questions. I was going to self pay as well, because our policy said "NO WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY INCLUDED IN THIS POLICY" but they changed it - I am using this time to get my testing done, focus on chewing and rethinking my habits for when I do have the band in place. My next step is beginning an exercise routine - ugh!! Please keep us updated - and thank you

Ok the "unbanded" fat chick in me noticed bread and rice in the "after" foods mentioned above. I have heard that you can't eat bread and rice like you did before, and rice is my favorite food. I guess it depends on each individual?

I am, too, wondering about Lactoid or a soy milk that may help with the gas pain. What about Gas X pills? Do those help? Are they allowed after surgery? I'm not yet banded, but curious. Thanks

I was curious to know how well you did with the lap band since 2004? If this is a personal question, please forgive me. I'm trying to get an idea of general amounts of weight loss. Is there a thread for people with high BMI's and the results that you know of? I have a high BMI and I've seen the thread for the lower BMI folks. Again, if you prefer not to share your results, please forgive my intrusion. Thanks

You can't schedule the nutrition class until you have your surgery date scheduled. I went ahead and met with Dr. Schmitt, some of the nurses and the finanicial person. She gives you everything you need to do before they will schedule the surgery. Blood work required, the forms that your physician needs to fill out the 6 months required by BCBS (they need those in your medical records), whether or not you need a sleep apnea test, and the psychologist appointment. I would go ahead and schedule it but be sure you're having your visits to the dr documented for BCBS.

Hey I was just wondering if Miles and Schmitt did your surgery? How are you doing on it so far? Can you tell us some of the good, great, not so good and horribles that you may have experienced? I know that is alot to ask, but it's nice to hear about. I know that is pesonal information and if you can't/don't share - that is perfectly fine

Wendy - I started my 6 month physician supervised diet in June (I found about it in May). I was upset at first, but I took my brothers advice and decided to use this time to research MORE, start learning how and what to eat and begin an exercise regimen so that it's not so "shocking" to me when I have the surgery. They say it's 6 months - but you actually have to have 7 visits (to ensure 6 TOTAL months). My surgery will be done by Dr. Schmitt - he was great and very informative. Did you make an appointment to see him? If so, you have to go to one of the lap-band support group meetings BEFORE your appointment but that was SUPER informative. I'll go again, just to get information. Also - this site is incredible! I have learned so so so much from people all over the world, but the ALabama area is my favorite cuz it just feels closer to home. Good luck with it all - I am anxiously awaiting my surgery.

Anything and everything. I am Janet, BTW - I live in Chelsea. I went for my consultation in July - the waiting room was PACKED!! I felt really rushed but one of the nurses said it wasn't normally that way. Dr. Schmidtt was nice enough, but like I said, I felt rushed. I met with Naomi, but as far as anything else with their office goes, I'm stuck until I complete my 6 months waiting period with BCBS. Will I meet with him again when I schedule my surgery? Also, once I have my band in, how do you know when you need a fill?

I would like to meet some Alabama folks that have been banded by Miles and Schmidt - anyone out there? I am hoping to be banded in December.

So weird that you ask that because I was thinking the SAME thing this morning in the shower. They say it's not a "miracle cure" but to some that HAVE to stop eating everything in sight, it is kind of a miracle. I agree that its a tool to help you lose weight - and you have to make the choices to make the best of it....and who wants to be operated on, go through the hassle of getting approved by insurance, or financing or even have to "hold back" your food intake if you're not going to use it? I have a question though. I wonder why I can't go on Medi-fast for about 6 months after the band, since the reason most people cheat on Medi-fast is because they are still hungry? It has all the nutrients and Protein we need - is it because once we are off, we will gain the weight back like you do without the band? I guess you have to train yourself how much food you really need to survive rather than try to trick it.....I think I just answered my own question. But ....I'd still like to hear everyone's comments

Keep checking with your insurance company. I have BCBS of Alabama and I'm the benefits administrator for my company. Our policy had a "NO WEIGHT LOST SURGERY" clause, but they lifted it in April of 2007. Of course, they didn't "notify" anyone about the change - I just happened to check just in case, I was planning on self-pay regardless, and when they told me they NOW pay for it, but I'd have to wait 6 months and attend a physician monitored diet program before they will consider paying - I thought about going ahead with self pay. After discussing w/ my brother, he gave me some inspiration that I can mentally and physically prepare myself for the lap band for the next 6 months. The time is going SLOWLY, but I only have 5 more visits (you have to go to the program for 7 visits, a total of 6 months from beginning to end). I guess I'm just rambling now - but my point was - keep checking with them! If not, perhaps you can finance it? I don't know your situation but alot of people are financing now - and your life is certainly worth that extra payment per month. I think of it as the money I used to spend on eating out every week!

What is PB and Sliming mean? I've seen this but not sure what it means exactly - don't worry about grossing me out - I want to know

Wow - thanks SO much - I am not banded yet, but very greatful to have read this! Makes sense!!

Faith MD - when were you banded? June of 2006 or 2007? I am just trying to get an idea of how much people lose (average) in a month after banding.

<p>Hey Season! I was actually at the June 16th meeting -were you there? how have you been?</p>

I've attended the initial meeting at MCE and went to a lap band support group meeting in June. My surgeon is Dr. Schmidtt - I simply CANNOT wait until December....but what if BC rejects? I've had to wait all this time when I could have self paid? - I guess the $13,900 is worth the wait, huh? LOL - - - - Are you banded? When? how have you done? and why won't anyone answer my question about rice? LOL What does rice do to your lap band?

Any other ALABAMA folks out here? I'm so confused by this site! I just stumbled upon this forum - woo hoo! Alabamians! I am hopefully going to have surgery in Dec 2007 - and NOW BCBS will pay but you have to wait 6 months and go to a physician directed program for that 6 months before they will look at you!