jenniferann6

Anne, To begin, I went to a seminar at a Dr's office that pretty much specializes in lap-band. 3 month program consisted of an 1800 calorie a day diet, which was supervised by a nutritionist, recommended by the dr. office. Each visit was $75; I had to go every 30 days, 4 visits in all; she was also the exercise "component" . Everything I ate/drank had to be documented, and what food group it was so that I could take a glance at it and the Dr. and nutritionist could too; and see what food groups I was eating and what I needed more or less of. Exercise was walking at least 30 mnutes a day, and that too had to be written down. Within 5 days of visiting the nutritionist, I also had to visit my PCP (4 visits in all) for them to weigh me and review my diet/exercise log. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE PCP TO WRITE THIS DOWN WHEN YOU VISIT, THAT THEY'VE REVIEWED YOUR DIET EXERCISE LOG AND TO CONTINUE ON IT! AND THEY ALSO HAVE TO WEIGH YOU AND WRITE IT! That was done for 90 days-Nov. 15 thru Feb 15 which was a few more days then 90, but I didn't want to give the ins. company any reason to deny me. I had to have a psyc. evaluation which was $175, she was also referred by the dr.'s office. A 5 year weight history which I think with Aetna has now been changed to 2 year history. I basically had a check list provided to me from the dr. office and I followed it down. And here I am.....

Anne, To begin, I went to a seminar at a Dr's office that pretty much specializes in lap-band. 3 month program consisted of an 1800 calorie a day diet, which was supervised by a nutritionist, recommended by the dr. office. Each visit was $75; she was also the exercise "component" . Everything I ate/drank had to be documented, and what food group it was so that I could take a glance at it and the Dr. and nutritionist could too; and see what food groups I was eating and what I needed more or less of. Exercise was walking at least 30 mnutes a day, and that too had to be written down. Within 5 days of visiting the nutritionist, I also had to visit my PCP for them to weight me and review my diet/exercise log. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE PCP TO WRITE THIS DOWN WHEN YOU VISIT, THAT THEY'VE REVIEWED YOUR DIET EXERCISE LOG AND TO CONTINUE ON IT! AND

I know everyone has mixed feelings of Aetna, I've been a member for 8 years and have always paid in, just haven't used them for any thing major other than having babies or Dr. visits. I did the 3 month diet, had all my ducks in a row and my Dr's office submitted everything on the 28th of Feb, on March 6-six days later, I was called from my Dr.'s office and told that I was approved for surgery on March 28th. I'm excited and have waited for a long time for this day. Good luck to everyone! Hang in there, it goes quick!

I'm APPROVED!!! And am so excited! I thought it was going to take forever, but it's gone very quick! So anyone out there who's just starting, hang in there! I started Nov. 15, 2007, 90 days was up on Feb 15th, everything submitted to Aetna on the 28th of Feb and Dr. Wilkenfelds office called this afternoon and have me on the surgery schedule for March 28th!!!! Skinny Jenni, here I come baby!!!

I'm very nervous about my psych evaluation letter. The 15th of Feb. is when I leave all of my paperwork to be submitted to Aetna. First of all it is very impersonal, and drug all of my past from 20 years ago into the letter, which I think was not necessary. Also, I noticed that her license # is not on the letter-will this affect approval. Second, it was all "good" until the very last paragraph which states: "Client would be a better candidate for bariatric surgery if she took time to prepare for sugery by addressing psychological issues. Major areas of concern to be addressed would be potential for symptom substitution once food is no longer an option and eating behavior that causes reflux. I recommend that client seek psychotherapy prior to and after surgery to address these concerns." My sweet DH says that I can go to a different therapist, but that I should seek out the opinion of other bandsters first. Any insight would be great. I would not reccommend the therapist I used either-she was $75 cheaper, IMHO not worth saving the money though. She's in Kingwood Texas, will give more info, just PM me. :thumbdown: Thanks to all in advance for your help-I love the sight, yall have answered so many questions just by my reading things you've posted!

I STILL HAVE TO SEE ANOTHER PSYC, SHE DID NOT RECOMMEND ME FOR SURGERY-MARY BETH GEORGE WAS VERY RUDE AND COLD-DR'S OFFICE SAID GET ANOTHER OPINION, SAVE YOUR MONEY AND USE CAROL PAYNE IN THE WOODLANDS, SHE'S VERY SWEET, AND THE ONE RECOMMENDED BY WILKENFELDS OFFICE

DO NOT USE MARY BETH GEORGE IN KINGWOOD TEXAS, SHE WILL NOT RECOMMEND YOU FOR SURGERY UNTIL YOU'VE SOUGHT OUT MORE TREATMENT FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES. I HAVE TO SEE ANOTHER PERSON FOR THE PSYCH EVAL, THE ORIGINAL ONE THE DR'S OFFICE RECOMENDED. I REPEAT, DO NOT USE HER, SHE IS TEENY TINY AND COULD CARE LESS IF YOU GET APPROVED:angry:- my nutrst was not covered either-but I was able to do the exercise program with her as well. If your in Conroe are you using Peggy? She's nice; I found a person to do the the psyc eval for $100 in Kingwood, she specializes in the over eating thing or whatever they call it. The only difference is that I only have to do 90 days, not 180. And, yes, I agree, it's alot of money, things have been tighter here too, I've heard it is so worth it though.

I haven't had the band yet, but in my opinion, yes, I would call to get a fill-I've read on this very informative site that most people get one about 6 weeks after surgery.

How have you done? I hear it takes about 6 months to get "mature" with your band?

hey Tabatha, thanks for the encouragement re: Dr. Wilkenfeld-I'm almost thru with my 90 day program! Feb 15 to be exact-

My kids know that I'm going through the process to have it done and are happy for me, they know that I don't want the whole world to know, they are 14, 10, 6 and 5. My mom had it done, so their familiar with the after-effects, i.e. what she can't eat, things like that. We all eat pretty healthy anyway, so it won't be a major adjustment, they just won't see me grazing as much, I hate grazing.....

hey lucyb, I'm in Conroe too, actually, outside of Conroe off 105 toward Cleveland. Congrats on your surgery, sounds like your doing great! My mom used Collier as well, I'll hopefully be using Wilkenfeld. Nice to have someone so close! Will be watching your ticker!

pj, her name is Mary Beth George, number is 281.812.7529, she's right off Kingwood drive, you may want to call Peggy again until you actually get her on the phone, she's not real good at returning messages, or at least she hasn't in the past, usually I call to confirm our appt and she's not called back on them.....when you first meet her, you think "Eat woman"!, that's the way she was described to me and they were right, she's very nice. anyway, let me know if I can help you around.....

pj333, where are you? I'm in Conroe, Dr. Wilkenfeld- my nutrst was not covered either-but I was able to do the exercise program with her as well. If your in Conroe are you using Peggy? She's nice; I found a person to do the the psyc eval for $100 in Kingwood, she specializes in the over eating thing or whatever they call it. The only difference is that I only have to do 90 days, not 180. And, yes, I agree, it's alot of money, things have been tighter here too, I've heard it is so worth it though.

kim, so sorry to hear about your husband losing his job, glad he was able to get one quickly...where are/were you at in your process? I'm almost through, have 3 more weeks of exercise and food journal, will be submitting everything on Feb 15th. You sound very positive, that's great!

Hey Lisa Green, that pic looks awfully familiar! I love it-I'm sure you know who this is, except the one I took was much older than that one. You look great, hope to hear from you soon. Love you and miss you so much..... ps: what's said on here stays on here, noone knows yet of my intentions thanks...

Yes, I am doing a 3 month diet, which is going pretty quick-I have one more appt left, basically 3 weeks to go. Wilkenfelds office is very knowledgeable and the people are very nice there-good luck to you, maybe we'll meet there one day!

Hey PJ333, I'm not far from you, just outside of Conroe. I, too am using Dr. Wilkenfeld and have heard nothing but good from any of his patients and then some. He was recommended to me by my mom who used a different surgeon for the lapband. It feels like it's a long time for all of the things the ins. co want, but it does go fast. We have aetna and am more than halfway thru the process. I'll be happy to help you find your way around if you need help-have been here almost 30 years. Just let me know, and congrats on your baby girl-they grow fast, enjoy her while she's little and doesn't talk back!

Wow, I've learned alot about Aetna and what to submit-I've been working on it since mid November-I'm doing the 90 day diet/pcp thing. Here's my question: We've been insured by Aetna for about 5 years or so-for the last two years, we've tried to increase my life insurance policy. I've been denied for the last 2 years due to height/weight ratio-instead of going for the max amount, we did it just one step higher this past year, and was still denied for the same reason. When I submit my stuff, should I also submit copies of the denial letters from them regarding the increase in life insurance denial? I'll call on Monday and check with the surgeon's office as well-they've been great! Thanks a bunch!

Okay, I've read it all and I have to say DAAAAANNNNNNGGGGGGG! YALL ARE FREAKS! sokay, I'm one too and loved the post. I've not been banded am halfway through the process, my dh thinks that once I get banded and start to lose weight, I'll leave. Did anyone else go through this? I've assured him, I'm not going anywhere, he's been here with me 12 thin and thick years, we have 4 kids. It seems the closer I get to this being more real, the more I have to assure him. Anyway on the sex thing, my DH has always found me attractive, no matter my size and I believe him, he's always chasing me. Last year he bought me a couple of DVD's on strip dancing and the such-Carmen Electra's was okay, but the other one; Erotic Strip Dance, capture his passion, whooooaaaa, I learned so much from it! Size didn't matter either, I watched it when the kids were in bed and started learning some very simple, sensous moves. On the dvd, there were bigger women as well teaching these simple things that drive your man crazy!! For his b'day, I rented a hotel room and I seduced/danced for him-he was bone-shocked! He'd never seen me move with rythem like that and let me tell you, it was fun being the dominatrix in that situation! The next day he took me to some of those shops that sell strip dancer things and wanted to outfit me in the thigh-high 6inch stiletto boots-the boots I'd definitely wear, unfortunately old broken bones prevent me from wearing 6 inch boots:( The moves were very simple and things you wouldn't even think of doing. the hardest part was me convincing myself to just do it! I knew and still know he finds me very appealing which made it all the more easy. The dvd came also with a sensual music cd and I took that with me- We're flying out of town next week, no kiddos, I'm about to pop in the dvd and brush up on my technique to surprise him-I love the element of surprise. Hope this helps someone out there-I think it was bought off amazon-the loving sex series or lovingsex.com, not sure....

kacee, I came to that realization that I will still be able to eat, only in smaller portions, it's helped me pull the reigns in on grazing in the kitchen. I haven't had surgery yet and am doing the pre-op, jump through hoops, for aetna. Thanks for the enlightenment! PS, I love your pict of the ostrich, reminds me of the wildlife ranch we visited in close to San Antonio!

kimillionare, all Dr.'s are different as well as insurance requirements- My bmi is 42 and I have a 5 year history of it as well. My 12 week program started this way: Nov 13, went to seminar and had first consult with surgeon, they weighed me and gave me a packet of info for me to work on getting done for the next 12 weeks; in the packet were 2 business cards for a nutritionist and psychotherapist, as well as a sign-in sheet that I take to my PCP and nutrionist and have them sign and date. (There was also infor on the lap-band, etc.) I called the nutrst and she had me start writing down EVERYTHING I ate and drank every day and to start documenting my exercising. (I walk for at least 30 minutes every day) Once a month I go and see her and take her my food/exercise log and she counsels me on looking for things with less sugar, fats that sort of thing. I also pay $75 per visit, thank goodness I only have to see her 4 times(she's not covered). I also have to visit my PCP every 30 days, within 3-5 days of visiting the nutrst and he documents in my chart that he's viewed my food/exer diary. Before the 90 days is up, I have to go and visit a psychotherapist for an evaluation. I called my ins and found some in the area that are covered. All in all, it's been not so bad. I will be through with the 90 day program on Feb. 15, it is really going to be Feb. 13 but we don't want to chance it with the ins co saying the dates are different. The surgeons office is wonderful! They answer any questions and make it as easy as possible without doing it for you. Hope this helped-

I'm on aetna as well and halfway thru the 12 week program-it seems like it's going to take forever and all of a sudden here I am halfway done! I'll be thru jumping thru aetna's hoops on feb 15-it really hasn't been bad, the Christmas holidays made it go by pretty quick as well. Good luck and look forward to hearing more from ya! Jenni

Hi, I'm new too. I've not been banded, but am looking forward to it. I've learned alot just from the small time I've been in here! Currently, I am doing the 90 day diet/exercise program and am struggling with it! I feel like since I'm going to have the surgery, it's a free for all and I know that I need to break that mentality! I'm being honest about the exercise, I enjoy walking. I'm just not being completely honest about all of the food, I also know that will have to change pre-op. Anyone out there use Dr. Wilkenfeld? Pointers? I'm almost half way through the 90 day thing, insurance is Aetna-any pointers anybody out there? By the way, yall's pix look awesome! I can't wait to post my own on here. Looking forward to the journey! Jennifer 248/240/135

Hilarious!! that was a good laugh about the tennis balls in the socks-!!!I've not been banded and am going through the 90 day diet/exercise thing, have completed 30 days and am going for appt 2 on Jan 17-is the excess skin worth being skinny? Is there a way to make it go away non surgical?