Brandy~

Heard it time and time again from people on this board.. In life it seems were always waiting on something! They are right. I have BCBS of Minnesota and I was required to do a 6 month diet with a dietitian or a doctor. I have been seeing my dietitian. I am 19 days away from my last appt!! Believe me it comes faster than you think.. I wasn't able to see the light at the end of the tunnel till a couple weeks ago when I went to my 5th appt it made me realize I was almost there. Everytime you start feeling down or anxious just come on here read the boards and make some posts. I do that to make me feel better sometimes and I browse through the before and afters. Make mini goals for yourself now too I found that helped even if they are small. Remember most of the doctors use the weight from your initial consulation when they submit to your insurance... so while you're going to these appts start making the small changes so that when you are banded it's not instant life altering! I have only lost 10 pounds in 6 months but thats 10 pounds I NEVER have to lose again they are gone forever. Start practicing putting your food on small plates so you eat smaller portions, try getting on a schedule of taking a couple walks a week, replace 1 meal with a Protein Shake, etc. In no time you will be getting a call with a surgery date! Good luck always exciting when you begin the journey.

Yes thats exactly what it's like without it... I really could possibly lose my job if I have to go without it. I will have to call into work constantly because of it and I have to always carry extra clothes it's a horrible thing.

I started looking around reading on it after reading your post.. Here is what I found Benefits of Biotin Biotin benefits include its crucial role in energy metabolism. Biotin acts as a coenzyme and carries carbon dioxide. It also plays a role in fat synthesis, amino acid metabolism and glycogen synthesis. It is suggested that biotin benefits people with diabetes by helping to break down carbohydrates and lower blood sugar levels. It is possible that biotin benefits hair by keeping it shiny and helping it maintain color. Weight loss may be another biotin benefit, as the Vitamin is essential in the conversion of carbohydrates, fats and Proteins to energy. Symptoms of biotin deficiency are hair loss, a red scaly rash, depression, lethargy, and numbness and tingling in extremities. Biotin side effects should not occur when it is taken within recommended amounts. If biotin side effects do occur, they can be reduced or eliminated by lowering the dosage or taking biotin with food. Sounds like it plays a strong role in weight loss. I guess you would have to determine if you are taking in enough with just what you consume or if you think you would need the supplement. Maybe take it during the healing process? The hair part though it sounds like if you have a biotin deficiency this supplement will help you from losing your hair which is the same with Protein. I might consider using the biotin in a small dose along with my required protein just to be sure that I am receiving all the nutrition.

There is no reason to put off being banded. I would be banded asap to begin a new healthy life. You are going to have to learn how to eat properly whether you do the surgery now or later.... The bags wont be a problem I am sure carrying those. You have 2 months heal up before you go on the trip. Go on the cruise have fun... but this trip will probably be different for you and you will find more joy in the things you do with your family than you do with food. It's a whole new love affair.

I had a rant I was gonna post about how you shouldn't do it Tom... Then I found your post about waking up, feeling better, and Being 3 lbs lighter. Congrats on the 3lbs you lost! I have one more appt on 4/2 then I wait to hear from the insurance and then start my liquid diet... I am making it a positive thing. I want to be able to jump start the loss before the band... that gives you motivation going into the surgery. Each time you're tempted just think of how bad you wanted the band and what great benefits this new found life will give you.

Really stupid question I am sure.. I thought the ports were made of silcon and or plastic... I heard a rumor somewhere that it will set off the detectors at airports.. Please tell me this isn't true

Holy cow.. I just had to say I was just looking at all your pictures and that is really awesome. Congratulations to you as well on the new you body

I am not sure where you live but there is a doctor in Coos Bay Oregon that charges around 10k for the band. I however am using a Bariatric center in Eugene, Oregon... Since its in my town and my insurance should pay for it I went with what was easiest. I wouldn't use him if I was self pay though I am sure since the lap band is 23,000 through him and 31, 000 for GB... This is at Sacred Heart Medical Center.

You answered my question while I was typing out my post... Thanks!

Hi. Welcome. Congrats thats awesome!! SO yes welcome to the boards it's nice to meet you. Congratulations on the insurance approval that is 50% of the battle! I am have 1 last appt in a couple weeks then I can submit for approval.. Been a long road but I will be estatic when I finally get the call. When is your surgery? Thats the part I am wondering... how long from the time I get that call till the surgery date :grouphug:

Mine is optional 1 night stay... I will probably opt out since I hate hospitals... atleast I know I have the choice. if I was you i would probably go AMA (against medical advice)

Phew thanks! I am going to be taking a trip to Hawaii with a group of people on the other side of the family... and I didn't plan on announcing to them about my band so that would of been really embarassing.

WOW my surgeon fees are covered they just told me I had to pay the copay for the hospital... I think its 1k or 1500 :drool: I am sorry to hear thats happening to you. I would try to call another surgeon.

I have heard it both ways as well. I went safe.. I changed the way I eat.. I haven't lost a boatload of weight but I have lost about 10 pounds. I still have a couple weeks till my last appt and I plan to lose a couple more pounds before I get weighed in for the last time.

You and I are in the exact same situation. I have BCBS of Minnesota. I have a required 6 month supervised diet plan with a dietitian. I have completed 5 of them!!! I also used to do this same thing in 2004 which is too long ago... So what I have done so far is: I went back to the dieitian I used to see in 2004 told her what I was there for... She talks to me about how to eat healthy and what I am doing. She weighs me in while I am there and then sends me on my way. She sends her monthly report to my doctor as well. When I am done with all 6 appts. She is going to write a letter summarizing my visits in 2004 and document the weight loss then and the gains since. Then she is going to document the 6 current months and send a summary of the findings to my doctor.... Once he has all that he is submitting for authorization. I know it sounds like alot... But all I had to do was be honest with the dietitian. I explained to her my long term goal being lap band and she was more than happy to help me. She even looked over the section in my insurance handbook to make sure she was following their criteria so that I hopefully wont have to appeal. Good luck and it really isn't that hard to set it all up... The hard part is finding the patience to wait it all out. Someone else on this board told me once.... were always waiting on something...

I would talk to the doctor first. My doctor weighs you before surgery and he won't do the surgery if you didn't do as requested. I know you have circumstances that made it really hard to meet the goal... But my doc is serious about it so check with yours.

WOW I am suprised they let you schedule the surgery without preauthorization. I have BCBS and my surgeon won't even think about it until I have the authorization... Even though they authorize the surgery over 40 bmi :drool: I finish my pre op stuff 4/2 then Submit to insurance. I can't wait.

I won't tell anyone at my work about my LB... I plan to schedule the time off as vacation so it's none of their business lol. I work in an office with mostly girls too and if they ask I will just say I needed time away from work. I leave my personal business at home when I walk in the door to work.

My doctor will only require the liquid diet if I do not lose 5-10 pounds before surgery. I have lost 9 pounds so I dont have to do it. I might for a few days before surgery anyway to get a jump start. The doctors recommended the sugar free carnation and also the EAS from costco. I tried the EAS as a sample it wasn't bad I would probably want to blend it better tho with some ice.

I am at the end of the process *I hope* for hoop jumping with BCBS insurance. I was required by my surgeon though to lose 5-10 pounds before he would schedule the surgery. I have lost 9 pounds. I am a champ at losing the weight I just can't keep it off. I have probably another month or 2 till surgery so I will just keep ditching the pounds. It's great to get a head start :thumbup: Most of the doctors require atleast a small amount of weight loss because once your body begins to lose weight it triggers your liver and it shrinks... Once the liver shrinks it exposes your stomach more and makes the surgery much easier and has a lower risk rate.

Hey Doc! I have been to support groups, read all over the net, and talked to peopple I know that had the surgery... No one can say for sure. Some people have been known to go back the next day others a week. I am asking for surgery on a weds and will return on a monday.. So I will return on the 5th day. I have a desk job and do not do alot of moving around thankfully.

The bariatric center I am going to required that you attend 3 support group meetings through their office and during those the Dietitian just gave in depth explanations of what to eat post op and explained the life changes, food changes, and the emotional detachments you have to make from food. They lasted 3 weeks. I think its similar to the classes you mentioned. I wouldn't want to do them for 12 weeks though... But also my mother is a dietitian so I have heard it my whole life so even 3 weeks about did me in.

WOW congrats everyone! I have 1 more insurance hoop to jump through then hopefully I get to report good news :thumbup:

I was just curious if anyone took weight loss supplements while being banded? My doctor hasn't said anything about this being a no no I was just curious what the thoughts were on this and if it was beneficial at all.

Congrats P Nut :thumbup: I have yet to be banded. I have 1 more appt for my pre op requirements. I wish you the best in your surgery and a fast recovery. The band isn't a mircale worker.. it's a tool. If you use this tool right you cannot fail :w00t: