Mystyblu

my insurance paid for everything but my psych eval. It was well worth it.

I know for the first couple of weeks after my surgery #2 was few and far between. I realizes most of what I was "eating" was liquid so there wasnt a whole lot there. Now that I am back on real foods everything is moving nicely again.

I think your secret is one of those “Oh! So I’m not the only one” which I thought I was the only one that use to do that. It didn’t happen often but when it did, it was bad. I remember a dozen donuts going by so fast it was scary. I don’t know why we do these things to ourselves. But what’s most important is that you are taking steps to help yourself become healthy and happy. Keep up the good work. Your worth it.

Don't fear just yet. I too had a cold a few days befor my surgery. I was all conjested. My surgery went on as planned. It made sucking on that awful breathy thing a little tougher. Get lots of vitamin C

My surgery was done by Dr. Powell. He is kind of quiet but and excellent doctor. He usually does surgery out of SCOR but because of my Insurance company, I had to have my surgery done at Renaissance Hospital in Dallas June 20th. What a great experience. My blood sugar spiked during surgery and I had to stay overnight in the hospital so they could keep an eye on it. Dr. Powell came back to the hospital at 11pm just to check on me personally. Great man!!!! DH and I recommend him 100%

About six months ago I decided to give myself a second try at getting approved for the lap band surgery. I knew that my ins would be difficult. Aetna POS (piece of sh!t). No one told me they change the rules in mid stream. When I first visited AIGB they gave me a list of all of the tests and documentation I needed to have in order to get my approval. I completed them all except the 6 months of Dr. supervised weight loss. I visited my PCP and she was more than willing to assist me. In November I called AIGB to let them know I had 1 month left for the dr supervision and they let my know that I had been approved by Aetna and I need to schedule with Dr. Powell’s office. I was so excited that I could possible be getting my band by the end of the year. I called the dr’s office and let them know what AIGB said and they stated they would have my file faxed over to them from AIGB. I called a couple days later to insure they had gotten my file which they had and the insurance coordinator was getting all the paperwork to the ins company. November came and went with no word from the Dr’s office. November is also open enrollment for insurance. I didn’t want to change my coverage because I had already been approved. I thought why change and have to start all over. I started calling Dr. Powell’s office to see where we were on getting my appointment scheduled. I was told my file was with the insurance coordinator. I called and left several messages for her and after 3 weeks today I was finally able to talk to her. She started listing several co morbidities I had never heard of before. And said without one of them I would probably not be approved. I told her that no one had ever told me about these before. She said that I should call Aetna and find out what pre-qualifications were needed for lap band surgery. (isn’t that her job??). I don’t want to say that she was disinterested but that’s the way I felt. I felt like I was alone in this. I called Aetna and talked to a very nice member assistant. She told me that my company’s policy did cover the lap band surgery. She also gave me an 800 and said that the dr’s office can call that number and get all the information needed. She also looked at my file and stated that no one had called or sent any information regarding surgery or pre-qualification. So the ins coordinator had not even tried to get an approval. What exactly has she been doing for over a month and a half?? I called the Aetna 800 # to see if they would give me the info. They wouldn’t. She just directed me the www.aetna.com. To my discovery their guidelines have changed. I have met, or exceeded, the requirements for RYGB but in order to get the lap band the following is required. Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG) and Laparoscopic Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding (LASGB or Lap-Band): Aetna considers open or laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) or laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB, Lap-Band) medically necessary for members who meet the selection criteria for obesity surgery and who are at increased risk of adverse consequences of a RYGB due to the presence of any of the following co morbid medical conditions: Hepatic cirrhosis with elevated liver function tests; or Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis); or Radiation enteritis; or Demonstrated complications from extensive adhesions involving the intestines from prior major abdominal surgery, multiple minor surgeries, or major trauma; or Poorly controlled systemic disease (American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) Class IV) (see Appendix). http://www.aetna.com/cpb/data/CPBA0157.html I DON’T have any of these. These were NOT listed 6 months ago. This information had defiantly let the wind out of my sails. The woman in the Dr’s office seems unwilling to even submit the request let along willing to help me fight for approval. I qualify for RYGB but that is not the surgery I want. Do I try another Dr’s office that is more willing to help?? Would that require starting over again? Open enrollment doesn’t come around again until November 2006. Where do I go from here? I feel like I am so close but I don’t know what I can do next or where to look for help. Just feeling rather defeated and outdone, Oh gosh, didn’t mean to talk so long. Thanks for listening to my rant. Any words of encouragement would be grateful.

This cruise is going to be such a blast. I am counting the days. Jenna and Elisa I cant thank you two enough for planning this get together. I can’t think of a better group to cruse with. DH and I will be driving from DFW down to Galveston so if there is anyone in the DFW area that would like to form a caravan for the trip down just let me know.

Is that the only location that is having the sale or are they all??

I saw an ad in the newspaper about 2 years ago for a free seminar on how to loose weight. So naturally I threw it away thinking it was another lose weight fast scheme. I saw the same ad a month later and decided to do a little research.

Carol. your weight loss is great but you have to make sure your getting the protien. I will never forget my nurse drilling it into my head that I need get in 60 to 80 grams of protien a day along with a multi vitamin. You may want to add a good whey protien shake to your diet.

A treadmill is great exercise. I had my DH move mine to the living room so I can pop in one of my favorite movies and walk while I watch. Before I know it the move is over and I have walked all the way through it. Also It right there in the room nagging me if try to avoid it. Jachut - I havent gotten to your level of missing it if I don't exercise I still need a few reminders and nudging

My port is on the left side a few inches above and left of my belly button. I didnt have a choice. I woke up and it was there. It works fine for me.

I just spoke with my Dr. today for my two week follow up. He said I could move on to having 3 oz of fish or chicken w/ vegies per meal.

My doctor request that I crush my meds. You just have to make sure that they are not time release meds. Always talk to your pharmasist. I also take a liquid vitamins

Oh my gosh, that story truly horrifies me. My DH would have been in the OR with me if he could have, (bless his silly little heart) So its unthinkable for me to hear of a husband that is so unsupportive. I give that woman tons of credit for going through with the surgery to possibly save her health and posssibly her life alone.

DH and I have been talking about taking a cruise for years. princess_n_thep I have sent you my information.

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am finally banded. It has been a long two year process but I made it. I was banded 6-20-06 by Dr. Robert Powell in Dallas. The surgery went well but because my blood sugar spiked after surgery I had to stay in the hospital overnight but eveything is ok now so they let me come home today. I am still a little sore and I am staying close to my pain medication but everything seems to be doing fine.

8 hours and counting till surgery. After almost 2 years of research, tips to doctors office, waiting and wanting this so badly the hours finally draw near and now I am getting nervious. My head knows what I am doing is the right decision but my stomach is full of butterflies. Was anyone else as nervious going just before your surgery??

Well, my surgery is in about 8 hours from now. I plan on wearing my house coat over a baggy tshirt and shorts with comfy house shoes. Its all about the comfort level.

I have chosen not to tell anyone except my husband about my up comming surger. There have been several other woman at work that have gotten the band or have had RNY and I have seen them asked the daily questions about how much weight they have lost. I have also heard all the other talk that goes on behide their backs. There are a lot of "face fiendly" people at work and I just refuse to contribute to it.

It took my Dr's office 5 months to get the paperwork together and it took Aetna less than a week to approve it. I thought this day would never come. :clap2: My tentitive op date is June 30. I will know more after my pre op appointment on Monday. I am so excited !! Wow its still sinking in.

Congratulations !!!!!!

I have Aetna insurance and they require the same 6 months documentation. Luckly my PCP uses a laptop for all of our visites so it was easy for her to keep track of our visits.

Congrats !!!!! our prayers are with you

Alex~ I am in Dallad Texas. I am still getting all of my info together. Now I need 5 years of medical history. I have to remember every doctor I have visited in the last 5 years and request my medical recored. I think I have just one more to go. I plan to keep going no matter how much stuff they keep asking for. But I have to tell ya, its getting awfully daunting.