kimmi5207

Thanks! You answered one of my concerns, which was how it would work, especially the aftercare, with him being based in Dallas and flying down here. I didn't realize that he also flies down during to see his patients during the month, and not only for surgeries. It's great to hear about his Houston staff being easy to work with. I assume you are happy with your results from the lap band and have no regrets? Do you remember the names of anyone you worked with on his staff? I've been to the building on main street (AIGB) for my medical evaluation. Is there another part on that floor set up for surgeries? Does it look like an actual surgical place? Is there a good waiting room? Did you feel that if something would have gone wrong, they were equipped to handle it or could get you someplace quick? From the outside, the building looks like a regular office building. I don't want my parents (who are taking me there on the day of surgery) to panic because it doesn't look like a hospital! It's taken years to get over my fear of dying on the operating table and leaving my son with no parent(that's one why I'm not doing bypass). But after attending Dr. Felts seminar and seeing the video of the actual lap band surgery, I felt much more at ease. Now my only concern is adjusting to eating so much less after the surgery! Thanks again for your opinions!

Got the news I was approved today. Yeah!!!! Now the scariest part to me is the thought of trying to change my life long eating habits permanently. I've honestly been scared to death these last few days as I've been eating - yeserday was eatng a plate of spagetti, and I realize that after surgery, there is no way I could eat a whole plate of spaghetti. I couldn't even eat 1/4 of what I was eating. So of course there is this urge to eat everything I can now, before I start my preop diet because I think I'll never be able to have it again (I know that's not true, but that doesn't keep my mind from telling me that). Don't get me wrong - I want to not eat that big plate of spaghetti. I want to be able to eat a small amount and be full., instead of always being hungry and eating several times trying to get that feeling of being full I want to be healthy, get rid of the back pain, not look horrible in clothes, etc. I just don't know how I'm going to mentally handle the thought that I am only supossed to eat a few spoonfuls, and that I will live (logically I know I will-it's just games my mind is playing with me) I've been paying more attention to the way I eat these last few days, as I was waiting to hear whether or not I was approved. I realized that I don't really chew my food - I take large bites and chew a couple of times and swallow and take the next bite. And I eat fast. I guess knowing what I have to do post surgery is making me more aware of my habits now. So the band is going to help me do what I need to do. Force me to stop or else I throw up - which I hate, so I think after it happens once or twice I'll probably get the picture. I know the band won't work if my mind isn't right and I don't make the lifestylel changes - and I know I've made them in the past - exercising 5 or 6 days a week and eating less (although not as little as I'll be eating now). Just wondering how others are preparing themselves mentally for the change. Thanks

I was wondering if anyone went thru Lapband Solutions/True results/AIGB in Houston (goes by diff names). They have a large network of doctors, it appears. Their texas base appears to be Dallas. How efficient were they in submitting your request for preauthorization and letter of medical necessity to your insurance company? How friendly and easy were they to work with? Were they willing to answer questions, if you called to check on the status of your "case"? How long from when they contacted you and said you had benefits and they would submit the info, until the time you heard back from your insurance company with either an approval or denial? At this point in time, I'm planning on using them, and they have submitted the letter of medical necessity to my insurance company, although I'm not sure of the exact day. I called insurance company last Wednesday and they did not have anything in the system yet. I want to call and ask them when it was sent off, but I don't want to be a pest. I also would really like a copy of the letter for my file, but I don't know if they would give it to me. Thanks in advance

Great! It's nice to hear from someone who worked with them. And it was really nice of them to find you another doctor! Thanks

Thanks everyone! It helps to know that I'm not alone or "crazy" and that others are or have been in the same position and made it thru. Hearing your personal stories really helps alot. And Edie - your picture looks great!

Thanks! It actually didn't take very long - it just seemed like it did! The entire process, beginning to end took 17 days. Which to me is an eternity because not knowing causes so much anxiety! I had my initial appt/medical evaluation on Fri, Nov 9th. On Wed, Nov 14, they called to tell me they had verified benefits and would prepare a letter of medical necessity and submit it to insurance. Not sure exactly when they did that. The following week was Thanksgiving week-as of that Wednesday, they didn't even show anything in their system. But when I called the insurance company today, they said it was approved on Monday, Nov 26th! I am hoping your insurance runs as smoothly as mine. I would love to have a banding partner, who is going thru everything at the same time I am! I'm doing it while on Christmas vacation so that nobody wonders why I am off work (we have gossipy people at my job), and also, I will have from Dec 21-Jan 1st to fully recover. I have a stressful job, so I need the recovery time going back. Being a teacher, Christmas Break would be the perfect time for you also. In about 1 1/2 weeks, I would call your insurance company to check on the status. At first I was afraid to, but I couldn't take the suspense!

Thanks everyone for your responses. Sometimes it just helps to know others are in the same boat. I did call my insurance company the Wednesday before Thanksgiving but they didn't see anything in the system. So I'm not going to check on anything until maybe Friday. I would hate for it to be "lost in the system" and to be waiting and they haven't even received anything! Just a girl - I would love to keep in touch. Where in Texas do you live? I'm in Houston. In reading everone's responses, I wonder about the company who checked on my insurance, although I know they do it all the time. Before my appt, I spent all this time looking for copies of receipts, and my weight watcher weight booklets from the million times I tried it. (it's a good program - I just can't keep the weight off long term). I got a copy of medical records from my doctor (which I had to pay for). Looked for old credit card statements from years ago for stuff I didn't have actual receipts from. All that, and the place I'm using said they didn't need any of that for my insurance- that all they had to do was submit the letter of necessity. I would have rather they got a copy from me and submitted it, so that I don't get a denial where they are asking for all that information. I say better to give them too much information than not enough. I don't want any delays. If I don't get it done over Christmas break, my next chance probably won't be until Spring break. So I'm praying. 2 years ago I wouldn't have even considered surgery. This time last year, I was desperate and depressed and talking to someone who had gastric, who encouraged me to do it, but I felt like I still had to try again (so I spent another $4000 for a diet center and personal training sessons). Of course, I'm right where I was this time lst year, although I did lose weight this year - I gained it all back as usual. So finally I realized that nothing is wrong with getting help in the form of surgery (although I prefer lap band to gastric). Sometimes you can't do things on your own, no matter how much you try. The physical aches and pains I experience on a day to day basis are getting harder and harder and its interfering with my enjoyment of life. Last night was a great example. We went to a basketball game, and just walking from the venue back to the car (we were lost and ended up walking in a big circle) my back was killing me and I was sweating and trying to hide my back pain from the others I was with. And I just can't stop eating! Lately I feel like I'm never full. It drives me crazy. Anyway, sorry for going on and on. I'm just really down after last night's experience. It's not the first time, but I'm tired of not being able to do something normal like walk from a stadium to the car with out pain. Anyway, I'll snap out of it! Thanks everyone for you support!

Wow! Thanks to both of you for the advice. After all I've heard, I should prepare myself for the initial denial, and I know I will appeal (because they try and not pay and many give up after being denied). It's just that normally I'm a negative person (i.e. expecting the worse) but for some reason I've been feeling really positive about this and it took me a while to accept that I can't do this on my own. I just hate to go thru the whole appeal process but I will if needed! I have United Healthcare Choice plus (I live in Texas). I wonder if the same deadlines apply to me since it's the end of the year? I may just try giving them a call. Thanks If anyone else has any other advice & experiences, I would love to hear it! Thanks again.

I think it is very scary to think about changing life long habits, such as "pigging out on pizza". But those type of things are what got us to where we are right now. We can't eat what ever we want, in the quantities that we want, and be healthy and not overweight. I battle with this question as well....I am scared at the thought of having to change my eating habits....having to eat slow and chew my food, not sitting down with a plate heaped with food. But I'm tired of the back pain, always being exhausted, losing and regaining over and over. I want to be healthy and smaller more than I want the food. It will be hard adjustment....but everyone I have talked to has not regretted it. But it is a personal decision for everyone. You have to be mentally ready for the changes, in order for it to succeed. By the way, you are NOT CRAZY! You are normal. I think it would be more abnormal if you weren't having these thoughts and questions. This is a major life change, and it is important to think it thru. Good luck to you!

That's great to hear! Thanks!