Brandy~

Even after losing that weight you should be just fine with insurance. I have BCBS of Minnesota and was told they use the weight from your initial consultation. The fact that you have a comorbity helps... it's not reassuring to have a health problem but it is a plus when getting approved for the surgery. I too have done what you did I had the money for the surgery but decided to go through wtih the insurance hoops I am almost done with the hoops!! Then I will use the money to reward myself when I hit my goal weight :tongue_smilie:

I have BCBS of Minnesota and I had to do all of this too.

The band is a tool and only a tool. If you can't help yourself then the band cannot help you. Thats harsh but we all got here for bad food choices and for some bad life choices.. Put the brownies down, pick up the phone book call a therapist, then go for a walk (without food). Helping yourself starts now not the second the bands on. You will be a sliming and PB mess if you try this once you're banded and have restriction.

Thats awesome and congratulations :ohmy:!! I can't wait to get my date :huh2:

My sons karate instructor said that he went 39 days without food just drinking Water and on about day 6 he wasn't really hungry anymore... I tried those shakes at walmart the generic ones just to help lose some before the surgery because my surgeon said I didn't have to do a preop diet if I lost 10 pounds! But those are actually good I am not kidding... But even tho I am not hungry after drinking one I am trying to keep from thinking of real food like stuff you chew thats my problem :ohmy:

Oh man thats awful and I am so so sorry :huh2: Hit it hard with Zicam and lots of rest :lightbulb: Make sure you're taking your Vitamins :bathbaby:

You made it this far so you obviously were serious about considering it or even having the LB done. I say go for it you have NOTHING to lose and everything to gain and this time it won't be pounds you're gaining. Even if you're happy in your marriage the weight loss with bring better health and more confidence which will help to make your life so much better. You will be able to be around longer for your kids and be much more active in their lives. Don't let anyones negativity even if they think they know whats best for you to get in the way of you, your life, or your childrens future. Love, live, be happy

When I started researching GB and LB I hadn't ever seen it advertised and most that I talked to had never heard of the LB... The last month in my town they have been running tons of commercials about it. Have they had this commercial all along or is this new?

I would go for the younger doctor not because the other might retire but because the medical field changes so fast and so many new things come about. Someone who is younger and more into building a career might keep up more on these things. I have found with my kids pediatricians in the past you can't teach old dogs new tricks so I just use that as a rule of thumb.

If I was you I would take a stool softener not a laxative.

You're very lucky... my doctor wont schedule or send the papers in until the 6th appt

Holy cow are u serious? I take meds for both so that would make me have a comorbities when before they considered me to have 0 lol I told them I was nuts but they marked sane.

The counting backwards is cognitive to see if you're able to concentrate well enough to count back :eek: That's great you passed and that yours was easy! Alot of people didn't have it so easy like my test... I think in total I answered over 1k questions. Horrible and many hours wasted to find out just like you that I was sane..

Ok so Target and Walmart brands to try

Ok when I began this adventure 6 months ago I had never heard of crystal light and if I had I didn't remember it. I got so tired of hearing the dietitian talk about it and how you should use crystal light and put unflavored unjury (Spelling? ) in it for Protein.... I finally went and got those to go packs. It was love at first taste. Before I never drank Water EVER... Now I can't stop. I only use about 1/2 a pack tho in 24 oz or else its so sweet I can't drink it. I have found tho I get heartburn something fierce with it when normally I don't... anyone else have this problem?

haha thats funny and true!

Oh that's odd. I have BCBS of Minnesota and my doctor said he is sending it in by 4/2 and I am not getting banded till end of april or may.

This should help you out BVI - Body Volume Index - Home The BVI Scanner is a new medical device created to develop a new anthropometric measurement for healthcare; The Body Volume Index. BVI has been created from a pool of experience gleaned from scanning over 23,000 men, women and children using 3D white light Body Scanners. The BVI Scanner is specifically designed to calculate the risk factors associated with a person's shape, gleaned from where the weight is on their body by part body volume analysis. Using camera & light technology, our scanners are non-invasive, quick, safe to use and do not use radioactive means to obtain the measurements.

Same for the center I am using but the fee was almost $700! I don't have to travel out of my town though, my surgeons office is located in the hospital, all fills are 5 minutes from my work

In the end I would do whatever your doctor recommends but... there is no reason you should only have to drink 1 thing. I plan on stocking up on a Protein shake, Vitamins, broth (low sodium) cystal light etc.

:thumbup: WOW I am proud of you! Were in the same boat :bored: I too have the 6 month diet thingy.... I didn't lose an ounce either until the 5th weigh in. I made every excuse I could think of to dine on last suppers for 5 months! Those excuses are over now though :tt2: I have lost 11 and my last weigh in is on 4/2. We can do it... Both of us just hang in there. Once you get your band on and see the scale victories we will have the power to make the right decisions!

First... Most insurances use the weight you were at your consult. If you have to I would put a roll or 2 of quarters in your pockets and drink 32 oz of Water without peeing before you go! LOL The monitoring doctor visits normally means you do some type of diet or nutrition and visit the doctor 1 x per month to be weighed in and discuss what you have changed and what else you plan on changing to be successful. Mine was a 6 month journey that is almost over! 9 more days.

I can't wait to get this call! Congrats :wink:

The commercial doesnt give any doctors names or anything but I think lists the bands brand name so probably the band companies. I have been researching them for years weird to see it all the sudden when im about to do it! :wink:

First I would call your insurance or pull out your hand book. All of the companies will tell you if they cover it and if so what the requirements are. I had to have a BMI of 40 or more and 0 comorbities or less than 40 with 2. They also required me to complete 6 appts with a dietitian over a 6 month period (Last one in 9 days!), a phsyc eval, blood work, and surgeon required me to lose 10 pounds. I have BCBS of Minnesota (even tho I live in oregon) So they are all different you just have to look into it.