buffettchick1

I am having the exact same experience as Jeepygirl, I lost little weight with the band because I would slime practically everything I attempted to eat. I did the rules and ate time portions, chewed my food, didn't drink for 30 minutes. It got to the point that I would slime cottage cheese! (WTF) I recently lost 70 lbs doing a protien-sparing modified fast but had to puree all the meet in the diet. For the past 7 months, I haven't eaten in a restaurant because everything got stuck. I had my band drained two years ago but the problems have never gone away. I'm mentally ready to have the band removed and I'm PRAYING that insurance with cover the reversal. I meeting with the GI doctor on Thursday. Any advise from those who are in the removal process would be greatly appreciated. I am also praying that my life with food will return to a health level of respect instead of a constant battle.

Thank you for your honesty. I was banded in 2/2007 and have had nothing but problems. I PB anything except ice cream and it's is so demoralizing. I have been coping (ignoring) it but it's now time to get it out. I feel like a failure.

I'm having the exact same issues and the pain goes away when I "slime" it all up. My boyfriend is telling me to call the surgeon but I do not want to get unfilled. :-( I am OK with shakes and liquids but I "slime" on mushies. I am going to email my support group leader. Keep me posted on any good advice you get. I will try to drink hot tea before I eat to see if that will cut the thickness of the saliva and "open" up the band.

Hi Bergdorf: Did the guy who didn't like that you got the band have any other suggestions on losing more than 100 pounds? Does he prefer Type II Diabetes, GERD, Hypertension, etc. One of my favorite mantras is: "What comes out of their mouths is about them. What comes out of my mouth is about me." I would be curious to know what kinda baggage that guy is dragging around if he is not supportive of the most effective weight loss technique that is researched by the medical community. Good luck with dating - it's a battlefield. :confused:

Thanks for the encouraging words. I meet with my surgeon's insurance specialist on 1/9 & will find out exactly what my policy covers (or doesn't). Good luck with your journey as well.

Hi all - I am just starting the process. I was hoping there is someone out there with Aetna PPO insurance who was able to navigate the insurance hell and was successful. I would love any words of wisdom to get me through this process. I really want the surgery and know that Aetna is not great about approving it. HELP! :help::eek:

I am at the starting line... I have been thinking about gastric bypass or lap band for years and am finally ready to get it but I have to jump through the Aetna hoops. From what I gather, I need: 1. 5 year history of ??? BMI (My weight has fluctuated within 40 pounds for the past 5 years - all over a 35 BMI). 2. Comorbidities??? I have acid reflux. I was put on Metformin by one doctor to see if it would help my "insulin sensitivity" but have not been dx'd with high blood pressure. I know I do not have sleep apnea but will I still have to get the test? 3. 6 month supervised diet. Can anyone tell me about this? Is a diet that Aetna recommends or my PCP? My PCP wanted to send me to a diet doctor that used the Atkins approach but it was going to be about $3000 - $5000 out of pocket. I know my PCP will not rx me diet pills as she is anti-Ambien, etc. I have so many questions and want to prepare myself to do battle. Any prayers, suggestions, personal experience, etc would be greatly appreciated. Congrats to those who have been approved and who have had the surgery. :eek:

I am at the starting line with Aetna PPO. What kind of loopholes should I expect? Any guidance from successful Aetna people would be very appreciated!:help:

I am new to the forum. I have Aetna PPO and have heard nightmares about different insurance companies. Naturally, I have been reading all I can on Aetna and it looks discouraging. I am going to an info forum on the day after Christmas and will be starting the process. Any words of wisdom. I am not good with rejection but have a feeling I will need to get thick skin and fight, fight, fight.... Anyone with helpful hints on getting approved would be really appreciated. What do they need for the 5 year weight history?:eek: