Brandy~

I have to be the most impatient person in the world... I don't know how I made it. I was a complete nervous wreck... I figured once I did all that I would be told oops sorry you're denied.... I was absolutely over the moon when I got the call. I had to do the 6 month diet and phsyc eval for my insurance... However, the surgeon required an addition 3 hours of food counseling, blood work twice, EKG, lose 5-10 pounds, seminar etc... I completed all these about 1 per month during the 6 month diet to keep me busy and checking things off the list. While I was doing it I really felt like it was going to all be in vain but really the outcome was so worth it. I have a pre op next week and thats it before surgery..... estatic truely estatic. I wish everyone luck I hope their process is as easy if not easier than mine. P.s I don't have any nails left thats my reward for 25 pounds lost after LB haha

I have the Walmart sugar free equate shakes that I put in the bullet with ice and I add 1/2 a scoop of EAS Protein powder to for Breakfast. If I feel like having a thinner one I use carnation instant breakfast sugar free. I think I will try freezing a few in my popsicle molds

I have bcbs of Minnesota and was a cake walk: 1) 6 month dietitian appts 2) Physc eval The rest the surgeon required. took 1.5 days to get approved after submitting pre auth.

BCBS of Minnesota pays for it. I live in Oregon but have this plan from my employer.

I was so worried about this too when I started my 6 month diet. I assumed I would do all this and never get approved or that they would drag their feet. Exact opposite. Alot of people are so quick to complain that their insurance won't pay and drags them through the mud but mine didn't! Hooray. I started in Oct 07 and made sure not to miss 1 appt. While I was going to the 6 appts I did all the other requirements that my insurance and surgeons office required. So that I felt like I was getting somewhere I would schedule each of the extra appts a month or so apart. I went to my last appt with my dietitian on 4/2. My doctors office submitted to the insurance and a day and 1/2 later I got a call from them saying I was approved and my pre op appt is on 4/17... NEXT WEEK!

I didn't do mine with either of them. I just chose a dietitian and then saw her monthly. She would write a short report and fax it to the surgeons office monthly. I have no comorbities and was approved within 1.5 days of submitting pre auth

Thank you for your response. Hmm.. I think Rosemary there is tired of hearing from me.. I think I will just wait until the pre op appt. I have tons of questions that I didn't pose when I met with them before because I had to do the 6 month diet first. I need to find out what size and brand of band they are using and if they put any in the band at the time. I dont have pre op appt till 6 days before my surgery so I am not sure they would have the blood work back in time if thats when they would do it

Will get easier and easier with fills.

I am terribly sorry you feel that way... I am in no way trying to shut anyone out. I normally only respond to things that I have input on otherwise I would have to post something to every person that I read about. We're all here to be supportive of one another and I would like to support you in anyway I can. If you have a question for me feel free to ask. I can't speak for the others on the board but I am sure they are here for the same reasons

Awesome and Congrats! I hope I am reporting results like this soon Keep up the good work!

Yeah it did. I didn't know if he would make me go have bloodwork as well. I dont have comorbities so was just curious... trying to plan the time off work for it hehe. :thumbup:

I couldn't find anyone who had info on OHSU either so I am going with the Bariatric center of excellence in Eugene.

They moved fast alright sheesh. I got the call on Monday and was given a date of 4/23 with pre op on 4/17. Could someone tell me what all I will have to do on 4/17 in their office?

I am very happy that you have your date Pix The May Flowers are a great group too though!

Hmm I make a home made egg drop Soup if thats what you mean and it's really easy. 15 oz of chicken broth 1-2 egg white wisked very well white pepper 1 tsp sesame oil if your post op far enough then use mushrooms and green onions before serving. My kids love it.

That list is crazy... But it's making me hungry think I will have another crystal light haha.

Hi Camnick! Ok while I am not yet banded I do have alot of knowledge from different places concerning the diet and the band. First theres basic rules to follow (off top of my head help me if I miss some.. anyone) Do not drink 30 minutes before or after a meal take atleast 30 minutes to eat a meal chew your food very very well (Doc says 30x) take a couple bites and wait to see if a couple minutes to see if you're full Measure all your food and liquid Be aware of liquid calories get all your Protein from either powder drinks or Lean meats daily Exercise period... If you're not moving you're not burning. Vitamins.. Multi atleast. I take alot more than that though. When you say that you don't think you need a fill because things can still get stuck is this after chewing very well? I am not banded and if I swallow a bite big enough I can manage to stick some. Just a few things that I know is keeping me on the right track even pre banded I follow these rules.

I have it pretty easy right now... I have surgery on 4/23 my doctor doesnt really recommend the liquid diet either. He thinks that as long as I lose 5-10 pounds then that will shrink the liver enough and also show motivation he said. I have exceeded that loss but hope to lose a few more before my pre op appt on 4/17. I really think tho that if you cannot follow what the doctors orders are if they are within reason that you probably need to work on other aspects of the food addiction and such before venturing into a huge lifestyle change. It would be like telling an alcoholic they are switching their booze for Water... same as telling a food addict that you have to hand over the plate of Cookies for a cup of broth :sigh: Thankfully I started my own low carb no sugar way of watching weight before I hit the final stretch here before surgery so I won't be in too much of a shock.

That is so awesome. Confidence is sexy and addicting!

My surgery is 4/23! I am having mine done at the Bariatric center of excellence in Eugene, Oregon with Dr. Umbach. At this time I do not have a pre op diet. I was told by the surgeon if I lose 5-10 pounds that I wont have to do a liquid diet. I am still dieting even tho I went over that and hope to lose a couple more before my preop appt on 4/17.

Hooray! You're the first to be 4/23 bandster hope theres plenty more to keep us company

You had a great outcome though and the hard work paid off :redface: I am very happy for you!

I am totally cracking up... not to mention the bad pictures that I get whne I read this thread haha

Thanks! Off to the store :thumbup:

You have the same insurance company? I had heard my insurance was awesome about not jerking people around but ok course you never really believe it. I will be there spokesperson right now if they need me OMG!