elle

My husband had an appt with Dr. Huberman mid February and will have his nutritionist and nurse appt mid March - 5 weeks later. I think they are very busy and that was when they could give him an appt. Then you make an appt to meet one of the surgeons. If all your paperwork is in order and you qualify, they will schedule your surgery at the same time. My surgery date was 6 weeks away but I met Dr. Fielding right before the holidays so I'm sure my date for surgery was a longer wait then usual.

I have Aetna and they are also strict about documentation. I had to start a new weight loss program with my doctor. Go every month to get documented weight, blood pressure, exercise program for 6 months. I also had a letter of recomendation from my doctor why I was a good candidate for the surgical weight loss program. Also I had to have a letter documenting my weight for the last 5 years (basically one weight per year to prove that I was Morbidly overweight for last 5 years). I think i was approved within 4 weeks. I had the psych eval, medical check up, blood work already done. My doctor's office has a check list of documentation that you have to provide before you meet the doctor. Then they tell you specifically based on individual insurance companies, what else you have to provide. I did not deal with the insurance company at all. The doctors say that the insurance wants you to jump thru these hoops with the hope that many patients will give up. Hang in there because you will get there. Good Luck.

I was banded by Dr. Fielding on 1/31/08. Everyone at NYU is so efficient and professional. I think Dr. Ren, Dr. Fielding and Dr. Kurian are really the best doctors. Dr. Ren founded the NYU Program for surgical weight loss Dr. Fielding alone has performed over 4000 Weight Loss Surgeries. The whole team are really compassionate and care about the patients (plus I really like them). The center is recognized as an American Society for Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. I wouldn't go anywhere else.

I think you have been given some good advice. I also feel a little overwhelmed and have set myself up with mini-goals. When I followed Weight Watchers, they had goals of 10% of your weight. So for me, my first 10% will be 25 lbs. I will reward myself with a new outfit (not food). From my next starting point, I will try for another 10% which will be less lbs like 22 lbs. And I like to see the BMI change also.

Updated 03-10-08 Dec 31- Chrisann (honorary member of the Jan 08 bandsters) Jan 1- HAPPY NEW YEARS! Starting the year off right! Jan 2- phowell, Megmarie21, Gingerbug(Victoria), jengland, racetrackweary, rainbowme2(Bunny), RT, jojokitty, timeforme(JoAnn) Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3, Mommamare, nancy52,AnneElliot, ovahkummer, Meri, 010308 Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3, Mommamare, nancy52,AnneElliot, ovahkummer, Meri Jan 4- KUgirl, steviegene, SuzanneG, Songinmysoul, sleclerc (shirley), WendyRae, MamaJava Jan 5- texasbandster Jan 6 Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup, NukeChik, mamato3, kintime, Shell, destined2befree, babedoe4, ch4251, ladyroz Jan 8- Fat&thrifty(and husband Joe), itz me, faa31, crackedpepper, flipbarnett, Joanna240, rustymarie, gingydilly, seajules, ttallman, iaasw Jan 9– Redtulips3, FLMan, TachaBaby505, Lillyanne_M, CJV,grandmom4x Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary, Jen25bl, jtag10_4, Char1007, Pizzaman citygirl4616, FLMan Jan 11- brez1015, Tmusicmaker123, Poopsie, Ready2JustDoIt, B-Man, ganigirl6, Ms.BearKat11, yelsnia(Angela), glorybee123 Jan 12- jen6740, Jan_08 Jan 13 Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn, srbanker(Suzanne), grayl, cnukaya, Jessthat, Deedle, thinner-or-bust, gilliebean, greeniiii, mitch, WestCoastFatGuy, maryt, CoreynVA, Jill Talbot Jan 15- Travelology, Dianegoe, poodlecamper, LKM, greeneyez, alfofohio , restrict2008, aprilbene, , jbentleyrn Jan 16- Kathy, Saleel, back2reality, Cherry_Blue, Dazzle, nadean, with his help, Laurinda; Pikedafoe, Ms.Toya, SMR100, thistledo, Lynnbg(Lynn) Jan 17- SJK, Alfie, L.A., lwood, tweenwaters, Laurieloo, kcintx,mia31771, Kalia Jade, bibalitsa, kristinern Jan 18- RuthE?, shanarene Jan 19 utahband Jan 20 Jan 21- mo7293 (Maureen), graham, lee41, Chrisann, gdessus, Joaquin, Sandy Beach Jan 22- purplegoddess, DPJDMOM, bcgates, AmyMT, bcgates, BensonRN, Mistahbue, beth122, sef129, Nor Cal Girlie (Adri) Jan 23- min, Ang1982 (Angela) Tigger_Shorty (Rose), WhirlWinds, awesomemom, Pam-TX, CW_Lady Jan 24- holleyhobby,jst4kel,kimmycrs, Somogyi1, rakes4321, RomeGA3, Road_King Jan 25- Noni(Mary), htay73il (Hope), Thor, rakes4321(Amy), khoffman (Karen), NYGMEN(Pete) Jan 26- Louise (London) Jan 27 Jan 28- kawanabear(Kalonda), crystalcml, blg200200, justtjohn, PeachesPJ, kpoincon, AnewDayForRose, joyross43 Jan 29- diane-south fla, Milton 5a (Lauren, UK, 21), michellepom(Michelle) Jan 30- PortuguesePrincess(Stephanie),Amberwaves(Amber), Tamika(taismommy), jaycee, kat_in_GA, Yikes! Jan 31- SarahT1982, lkgrubb, sexymama, Queb, ugagirl, elle

I lost 5 lbs during pre-op stage. 12 lbs for the 1st month post op. Plus 3 more this month so far. Total = 20lbs down.

I met my surgeon on Dec. 18 and they scheduled my surgery at the same time. My surgery was scheduled for Jan. 31. They sent the paperwork into the insurance co the next day and I think it took it was approved mid January. Prior to this I had collected 6 months of doctor supervised weight loss attempts and had a physical, blood work, letter of recomendation, etc already prepared.

Hi, I was banded on Jan 31. I am so happy. I already lost 17 lbs including the 2 weeks on liquid before the op. I am getting my first fill on Monday - only 4 1/2 weeks from surgery. I am nervous about it. Does it hurt? I am worried about feeling sick and food not going down. How much do they put in the fill? Should I ask them to go slow? Need some advice. Thanks :biggrin:

Susan, thanks for the info. I feel a little less stressed. But what is flouro??

Thanks for the info and the support

I have been considering lap band surgery for a while now. I am concerned that the general percentages lost are reported at 50-65% but I am told everyone is different. I see people have lost more. When you guys started out, did the weight percentages bother you. My BMI is 43 and I really want to lose all my weight. What can you do to reach your goal and be more successful.