kat72

Well, everyone, I just had to share my exciting news with you all. My whole process started in early August. After orientation, support group meetings, meetings with therapists and nutritionists, I finally saw the surgeon a few weeks ago. During my second visit with him, on Thurs. Oct. 13, he put in the request for authorization for lap band surgery , and I just found out today that I was authorized!!! Is it really possible to be authorized so soon? (I guess so). It has only been a couple of business days. This is unbelievable! I'm excited, but I'm scared too. I had been holding back from telling my best friend, because of her attitude towards the surgery, but, with some prompting from my mother, I decided to tell her today. She had positive things to say about the surgery, but they did not seem to come from the heart. I think that she is a bit bothered /envious of my having surgery. I can't really blame her; I would probably feel the same way if the tables were turned. Her reaction caused me to feel bad about telling her, but I just felt that it would be extremely difficult to continue to hide it from her, seeing as how we speak to each other and see each other 24/7. I informed her that I did not mind her telling her husband (she's one of those that CANNOT keep ANYTHING from her husband; it's so sad), but I do not want her to tell anyone else. She was a bit confused and offended, so I explained to her that some people tend to view weight loss surgery as an easy way out and also tend to judge us harshly, and I do not want to deal with that from anyone, (if I can help it). Usually we talk on the phone forever and ever, but after I told her my news, she was quick to get off the line. I felt Awful! But, back to the exciting news---My surgery date is scheduled for November 7th. I was so concerned that my insurance would not cover the surgery, and now that they have, I'm so scared and nervous!Heartfelt thanks to all of you for all of the encouragement, support, and vital information that you all have provided and continue to provide. I truly appreciate everything (negative and positive).

Stephanie-in-al, good idea asking this question. I too will be having my surgery in November, and I cannot think of a 'good' way to explain my days off to the teacher I work with. I DO have problems with fibroid tumors (similar to glitterqueen) as well as pcos, maybe I can mislead her into thinking that I am having a procedure done for that. I dunno. It's a bit dificult, but I do not want her or anyone else at my job site to know that I am getting the band.

robinem, just wanted to let you know that the time period varies. I was concerned that I would have to wait 6 months or more according to info. that I read and what the surgeon's assistant told me, but I started everything on August 8th, I was approved yesterday, and my surgery is scheduled for the 7th of November. So, it only took 3 months for me. I'm guessing that it all just depends on your insurance coverage and where you live. I could be wrong, of course.

From what I was told at the Information Night, theoretically, it should last forever. But because its such a relatively new procedure, they don't have the research to back that up yet. I was told the same exact thing on Thursday.

Chichigirl, I have Pacificare HMO. The dr. told me that even though they tell the carriers that they do not cover the lap band, they usually do. Isn't that interesting? Thanx soooo much to all of you for the positive thoughts and well wishes. I need them!

I had my appt. with the surgeon today, and it was just the most positive experience. He completely feels that the band is the way to go for me. He did not even consider the RNY. After going over my health history and doing a minor check up, he concluded that the band would be my best bet. I did not even have to go in and support my belief of why I would rather have the band than the RNY; he did all of that for me. He answered all of my questions (which I thank all of you for providing) and really put me at ease. So, now all I have to do is get a letter from my therapist Monday to take to the surgeon Thusday, and he'll put in the request to my insurance co. He told me that it usually takes about a month to hear from them. I'm so excited, but a bit afraid as well. I'm hoping that my insurance company will approve the band for me. I can't believe it. I could possibly be banded before the hollidays!

I just wanted to know if anyone with Pacificare (HMO) has had the lap band surgery approved through this insurance. I called them and was told that only the RNY and the vertical banding are covered. I was just wondering if anyone has been successful in having them cover the band even though they say they do not.

OK, this one is gonna be a bit long...I have been so depressed and discouraged that I have not logged on to the site since Wednesday evening. I had my appt. with the surgeon Thurs. and everything was going wrong. There was a bad accident on the freeway, so I was running late. To make matters worse, after hustling to be on time for my appt., I finally get there and they tell me that the doctor is away visiting his father (who happens to be VERY ill), so, of course, I feel terrible about being upset that he's not available. In walks his 'assistant' who was about 4'9 and weighed about 98 pounds. I had a feeling that she was not going to 'understand' my 'situation', and, boy, didn't she!!!! She was the most negative and discouraging person I have ever met. For starters, she had ABSOLUTELY nothing positive to say about the band. She praised the RNY and went on and on about how its better because you lose weight 3 different ways opposed to only losing 1 way with the band; she demonstrated this by drawing 2 different diagrams on the white butcher paper that is on the little beds. Isn't that soooo sweet of her? She stressed (over and over again) that I would have to wait 6 whole months before surgery. I asked what would happen if I lost about 60 pounds by then since I would no longer qualify? Would I have to wait until I regained all my wait back (and then some) and start the whole process over again? She was not happy with my sarcasm, so I explained to her that I have lost that much weight several times before and regained it. She told me to look on the bright side- at least I would be thinner and healthier. I guess my question just went right over her pretty little head, because she had NO CLUE!!!!! Furthermore, she was not able to answer most of my questions (that you all provided for me, thank goodness). And the ones that she DID answer were not really answered. She also answered those questions as if I would be getting an RNY. I was SO offended and frustrated, and I am sure that she could sense it. Believe it or not, the appt. actually lasted for close to an hour. I needed answers, so I kept trying to get them. I asked her when the papers would be turned in to my insurance co., and she could not help but tell me that it would be "a really long way down the road, seeing as how you just started the whole process in the beginning of August". I'm not DUMB! I know that they are not going to be turned in now, but I wanted to know if I could get an approximation, to encourage me to keep goin' strong. What a waste of MY time. I finally told her that I would just make another appt. with the ORIGINAL surgeon, and, hopefully, he could answer my questions better than she had. She told me to make the appt. for a month from our meeting. Of, course, I ignored her and asked for the receptionist to make the appt. for 2 weeks from that meeting. So, if all is well with the surgeon and his father, I will be seeing the surgeon on the 6th of next month. I've actually spoken with the surgeon, and he seemed really positive about the band. I left the office feeling dissatisfied and sooooooo let down. All I wanted to do was cry and throw in the towel. My therapist tried explaining that the teams' job is to try to 'hand pick' the people that 'they' feel will really succeed with weight loss surgery. I can understand that, but I cannot understand her being soooo negative. Thanx to every one for allowing me a vent session. I actually feel a whole lot better

You guys never cease to amaze me with your support!!! I REALLY appreciate all of the advice that you all offer. I do not know what I'd do if I did not have this support group. I also LOVE the fact that DrHekier is a member and offers great advice and encouragement. Thanx soooo much for the info. as well as the words of encouragement. I really need all of the support that I can get at this time.

Congratulations!!!

lapbander, thanx so much for that important health info.!!! I have Robitussin cf, and as I am reading the ingredients right now, it does not contain PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE. The listed ingredients are as follows: DEXTROMETHORPHAN USP GUAIFENESIN PSEUDOEPHEDRINE And thanx to you also NJ CHICK!

CONGRATULATIONS Beth!!!

Today during a conversation with my therapist, she informed me that another one of her patients had the band a while ago. She looks awesome and is doing great right now, but apparently, some time after her surgery, she discovered that she had a flipped port. My therapist told me that the woman was in intensive care for 2 WEEKS!!! and almost died from a terrible infection that was brought about due to the flipping of her band/port? It flipped and caused a rupture in her colon (OUCH!!!). She also told me that the woman was in excruciating pain. Is anyone familiar with this? Is it a rare occurence or what?

I attended a weight loss support group meeting yesterday. The surgeon who performs the band as well as RNY led the discussion. Afterwards, I asked him if he had any patients who were covered for lap band through Pacificare, and he told me yes. I explained to him that I have Pacificare, but the band is not covered, only RNY, and he told me that the problem does not lie with my insurance company, but with my employer. More than likely, my employer purchased a less expensive 'package' from Pacificare that does not cover the band. I was not able to ask him what to do about this problem, because so many others wanted to ask him questions. I have an appt. with him on the 22nd of this month, but I just wanted to know if anyone here is familiar with what the surgeon told me. Does this mean that I would have to contact and discuss my individual case/needs with my employer through the benefits dept. or does this mean that if my employees benefit package does not include coverage for the band that I simply can't have it unless I self pay or change my insurance carrier? I would hate to leave Pacificare, because all of my other coverages are AWESOME!!! But, from what I've been told, Kaiser DOES cover the lap band, and what happens if I am told that I could either have the RNY or nothing at all?! I don't know that I would be emotionally capable of handling that answer. Any help/advice would be GREATLY appreciated. THANX!!!

Thanx a bunch, la-madam,and with the band, I'm sorry about freaking you out. I too was freaked out when I heard this story, but I had to ask about this issue. I'm trying to find all of the info. I possibly can (good and not so good) related to the band.

Alex and Dr.Hekier, thanx a bunch for the info. The only reason I asked the question is because I read one of the threads on this web-site, and someone mentioned that although they were overweight with a high BMI, they were not covered by for the band because they had no health problems, just "a healthy fat girl". It made no sense to me, so I thought I'd try to get a bit more info. on it.

Dr. hekier, thanx so much for your input. It is greatly appreciated!!! I also wanted to ask you: If a person is overweight with no health problems, what are the chances of ins. not covering WLS, especially the lap band?

Alex, your words are sooooo encouraging. I took your earlier advice and decided to call my insurance co. one more time to ask about my specific policy. I was finally able to speak to someone who was actually able to give me some meaningful info. I explained that I was interested in WLS surgery, but I had been told that only RNY or the vertical band was covered, and I was not interested in RNY. I did not want to 'waste' my time going through all of the pre-surgery stuff only to be told that the lap band is not covered. She kept me on hold for about 10 mins. and had some pretty good info. for me when she returned to the line. She explained that if the surgeon were to request that I have the lap band, my medical group (Scripps) would then review his request as well as my medical history. If I meet the 'criteria'/'requirements' and the medical group deems it to be a necessary procedure, then they approve whether or not it is to be covered. I made sure to get the name and badge number of the woman I spoke to. It has taken me over a month and several phone calls to get this small but necessary piece of info. I don't understand why I could not have been told this before. I know that this is not a definite yes, but it sure beats what I was told earlier, that the lap band was not covered at all.

Alex and Thinkthin, thanx for the info. as well as the encouragement. Alex, as of 8 weeks ago, my BMI was 43.7. However, I have been losing weight since then, so I am not quite sure what it is now, but I am sure that I still qualify for bariatric surgery. Treatment for obesity is not excluded from my plan. I was told that weight loss surgery IS covered through my plan. However, only the RNY or the vertical band. This is wherein lies my problem; I would like to avoid the RNY if at all possible. I've been hearing some horror stories! I would love to know how 'whoever is in charge' makes the decision that I get an RNY, vertical banding, or nothing at all. Is this decision based on the fact that I have an HMO? Is it because the band is still considered experimental? The band is no longer considered 'experimental' by the FDA, right? Does the insurance company also have the authority to decide if the band is experimental? As far as speaking with someone at Pacificare who is familiar with my particular plan, every time I call (I have called several times), I have been told that they do not have 'that' information. I'm thinking to myself, then what in the hell is the purpose of your job if you can't answer any of my f-ing questions? I have gotten so discouraged when speaking with them that I don't call anymore. If I do, it might get really UGLY!!! Now that I am done venting, I'd like to say thanx again, and I will try to call Pacificare to ask them some questions regarding my particular policy when I cool off.

Thanx so much for all of the info.!!! I do not have any health problems-YET!!! Right now I am just overweight, but that is what makes me wonder...will it not be covered because I do not yet have any health problems related to being overweight? I don't mean to be a bugger, it's just that I am so afraid that if I request the band, I will be denied, and it FREAKS me out!!!

Daniela, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I know that you are having the hardest of times right now, but just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care.

I mentioned to a friend that I was interested in researching weight loss surgery several months ago, and she was extremely supportive and upbeat about it. However, the more appts. I get dealing with the surgery and the closer I get towards having this become a reality (hopefully), all of a sudden, she's telling me that she thinks that I shoud just try to do it with OA and without surgery. We had a conversation yesterday and she was not so supportive anymore. It bothered me A LOT!!! I tried to tell her that the OA and the weight loss surgery would be best for me (working them together) and she said that I should just do it the SLOW way with OA instead of jeopardizing my health. Then she got really negative and told me about how a woman shared her story at one of the meetings that I had missed. Apparently this woman shared that she had RNY a few months ago, and my friend told me that everyone immediately started giving her dirty looks as if she had done something wrong. She told me, "Yeah, you could tell that no one liked the fact that she had done that". I felt offended and replied by saying that maybe those people were just jealous. I could tell that I had hit a nerve, because, all of a sudden, there was silence on the other end of the phone. I feel so bad that everyone at the meeting was so judgemental and that my friend has turned a bit negative/jealous that I no longer wish to attend my meetings any more. I am having a hard time, because I want all of the support I can get. I feel as if she is trying to tell me that I am taking the 'easy' way out. Am I being overly sensitive because I am craving support at this time, or what? Have any of you experienced any situations similar to mine? Any advice would be greatly appreciated at this time.

Ohhhh, you guys are all a blast!!! Hodegard-thanx a bunch for your personal experience. It makes me sad to even think that I would have to lose a good friend. She and I have been through so much together. Hopefully, my plan of not mentioning it to her any longer will work, and maybe she will just get over it. Who knows? jqpublic- I totally agree with your comments, and thanx for the well wishes. alatina-I appreciate your advice, but its so hard to think that I could simply let a good friend just go without trying to salvage our friendship. Besides, she recently had a couple of children, and the children and I have a really AWESOME relationship. I would hate to think that I would not be able to see them again, which is what would happen if I terminated the friendship between my friend and I. We've known each other for over 10 years! I think I will give her another try and see where her head is. If she offends me in any way, I will let her know about it, and depending on her attitude/response, I will decide what to do about her. Whatever the case, I think that I now know where I stand with her as far as weight loss/weight loss surgery is concerned, and I know that THAT is a subject that I will just not be able to bring up in her presence. Thanx so much!

heather, I am experiencing a similar situation with one of my best friends. For some reason she thinks that I would be taking the 'easy' way out if I chose weight loss surgery over doing it the 'old fashioned' way (which she as well as myself have done before only to have the weight creep its way right back up the scales). Everyone on this site has given me the most support and encouragement than I could ask for. You do what you have to do, and worry about the rest later. At least that is what I'm trying to do. I have decided that I will not mention weight loss surgery AT ALL to my friend any longer; it is now off the board, and when she brings it up, as she always does, I will simply tell her that nothing is really going on with it. I've always told her that I was considering it. I am hoping that she either gets the hint that I will not share info with anyone who I consider to be a negative influence, or maybe she will think that I have given up on surgery altogether. I'll worry about the rest later. I am grateful that I have my mother's support since hers is the only opinion that really matters to me. Be happy that you have a wonderful hubby who supports you 100%. Take care, and keep your chin up.

alatina, as a matter of fact, my friend IS overweight, and as soon as she saw me working on my weight (OA meetings and surgery info.), she, all of a sudden, decided that it was imperative that she too join OA and start trying to lose weight, as if we are in a contest. I love the fact that she is working on these things, but I am not big on her whole attitude about things. I do not view it as a competition to see who can lose the most weight the soonest. Besides, it is not just about losing the weight, it's about keeping it off as well. I asked her something about having an ice cream cone the other day, and she just went ballistic about how that is junk, and she would not dare put THAT in her body. She had not even been doing the OA program for a week at that time. She's already going a lil' nutty and too extreme. Angiebell, I appreciate your point of view that my friend may actually be concerned about me. I personally feel that it is a mix of both concern and envy. I try to put myself in her shoes and she in mine, and maybe I would react the same way. Who knows? I think that I will definitely consider talking to her about my feelings, which will be difficult, because she is a very defensive person by nature. We have been friends for a long time, and I would hate for something as trivial as me losing weight to be the cause of an end to our friendship. Thanx to all of you for your advice and experiences, and I agree, I actually get more support and encouragement from this web site than I receive from the OA meetings. I have told a handful of people about this surgery, and I think I will stop talking about it to anyone else. Also, my friend is constantly asking me for 'updates' regarding surgery. I mentioned to her that if my insurance would not cover the band I would have to consider getting it done in Mexico. She reacted as if I had said something gross that might make her puke, as if she was offended! She wanted to know if 'it' was so serious that I would actually consider having surgery in Mexico! She was appalled! I told her that many of the people on my support web site had surgery in Mexico and they were just GREAT. She thought that THAT was crazy. She reacted the same way when I told her that although I do not like the idea of having the RNY done, for financial reasons, I would probably have to consider it if my insurance was willing to cover it and not the band. Why should or would she be offended about something that I am deciding to do to and for MYSELF?! I don't get it. Maybe I'm just overreacting a bit, i dunno. She DID, however, tell me that the band sounded better than the RNY. I guess that's better than the negative mumbo jumbo about weight loss surgery altogether. From now on I will discuss 'things' with all of you, the friends that I have told who are supportive, and my mom (she's been supportive since day one, THANK GOODNESS). If my mom was against me, I think I would have some SERIOUS problems. Once again, thanx to everyone here! I don't think I would have made it as far as I have thus far without you guys. You are all special, remember that