sharona

boy that was fast!!! congratulations!!! we're all entering our own journeys....shaorn:)

Well hello everyone....i saw the dr on 12/27 and have completed all the tests (many many) as of yesterday 1/16/08. I have one more visit on 2/7 with nutritionist. I'm hoping it won't take long to get approval. I have BC/BS from Ct and heard that it only takes days to get approval...here's hoping. My next appt is at the end of March. I can't stop eating though...have any of you had that problem? I feel like every meal is my last meal.. sharon

Alison, I'm so sorry that this has happened to you. I am a nurse and as I read this I had a few questions. Have you had previous surgeries? Are you a diabetic? and what is your medical history. I have seen some botched up jobs on patients and it maybe that this is one of those. I don't believe it just happened. sharon RN/MSN

Well good luck to you....sharon

I also have said to people if I was a diabetic and opted to get an implanted insulin pump no one would question it. So I am obese which is a disease and I've opted for a lapband....same difference in my mind... sharon;)

Hello Everyone I've started telling people but have decided to stop. I'm getting comments like "have you tried weight watchers?" and are you sure you want to do this....We all know that's a stupid question to ask a fat person. I've decided to just keep quiet to others about it now. I don't have a date yet but have had almost everything done. Waiting for my echocardiogram and stress test next week and one more nutrition consult then done. Hope to get banded in April or May.. sharon RN/MSN

Wow, my husband is a retired state employee so its great to hear that it took so little time. I have my sleep study tonight and my cardiology tests next week. One more nutrition visit on Feb7 then I'm done...or should I say I'm just beginning... Hey your fat like the rest of us...or like my daughter used to say when she was little your "fluffy" mom thanks for the support Sharon:)

Today is January 9th I had my psych appt and cardiology appt today. Things are moving along. Next week alot of testing for cardiology. I'm getting closer. I feel huge but confident about my decision. I hope this tool will allow me to become the person I know I am and give me the energy I want to have. Lugging all this weight around is tiring and frustrating. People who haven't had a weight problem think this is just a mattre of self control, they don't understand that this isn't all about choice. Here's to the future and a healthy lifestyle. me me its all about me....finally:clap2::eek:

Today is January 9th I had my psych appt and cardiology appt today. Things are moving along. Next week alot of testing for cardiology. I'm getting closer. I feel huge but confident about my decision. I hope this tool will allow me to become the person I know I am and give me the energy I want to have. Lugging all this weight around is tiring and frustrating. People who haven't had a weight problem think this is just a mattre of self control, they don't understand that this isn't all about choice. Here's to the future and a healthy lifestyle. me me its all about me....finally:clap2:

No I don't think it will take that long...it depends on your insurance. I had my first meeting with Dr. Tischler on 12/27 and I will be done with everything by the end of next week. That's the GI = upper, bloodwork, nutritionist, psychologist, sleepstudy, cardiology (includes EKG, echo, galium study, stress test). I need one more nutritionist appt which I have on 2/7 and then I am done with everything. I have Anthem/Blue cross should take about a week to approve and hope to get a date shortly after that. sharon RN/MSN wgt 240 5'3 BMI 41 Hope to lose 100 lbs

Are you sure you want to go to Dr. Barba??? PLEASE ask alot of questions.....his aftercare is not known to be very good. Can you switch to Hartford???? Really think about it......ask to talk to his patients, ask him about his complications, accessibility, fills..... sharon RN/MSN

Hey Ct Man I guess your a celebrity here now!!! I had my psych eval today and have my nutrition tomorrow and then sleep study on Friday. That leaves me with all of my cardiology tests. I saw cardiology today also and now I have an echocardiogram,stress test and galium study next week. God I'm going away on January 21-26 on a cruise and I'm exhausted because all of my tests have been completed in a 3 week period!! I have my sleep study Friday this week...whew I'm hoping that will all be done and presented to insurance (anthem bluecross) and hope to get a date soon. Starting to get nervous What if doesn't work?? What if I'm one of the 1 percent that it erodes or whatever.... Sharon:)

yes sharon:) RN/MSN

I have blue cross in Connecticut. I have arthritis, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea and am 41% BMI. I haven't been approved yet but my physician stated it won't be a problem. This doesn't make any sense that you wer rejected. Perhaps you just haven't been identified with issues yet but have them. I can't imagine if your obese that you don't have degenerative joint disease at your age (50's) which is normal and exacerbated with weight. I would try again. Submit an appeal sharon:) RN/MSN

oh my god....it is scarey isn't it....I'm sure I'll look just like that....congratulations on your weight loss sharon:)

I don't know why insurance doesn't pay for tummy tucks and breast lifts...its a shameyou have to come up with that kind of money. Not everyone has the luxury of having that kind of funding available. My husband is retired I would never be able to pay for any surgery. Good luck to you... sharon;)

Complications are so individual. As a registered nurse who worked on a surgical floor I can tell you if a patient is diabetic, morbidly obese, didn't have a good evaluation prior to the surgery or a myriad of other reasons there can be complications. Those complications are much more related to gastric bypass. I think these are isolated cases. Which don't minimize the situation for that person but still not the norm. Hope this helps. Sharon RN/MSN pending date for surgery 12/27 first appt with MD 12/30 bloodwork 01/03 upper GI series 01/09 cardiologist 01/09 nutritionist 01/10 psychologist 01/11 sleep study

We all wonder why we couldn't do it on our own.....its because its not our decision completely. I truly believe that genetics have a lot to do with it and not that we all ate just 'one too many hamburgers" We all know that person who eats and eats and never seems to gain weight. I am active and don't binge eat yet constantly have to watch my weight. I've gained 20 lbs since summer. I think because I've just given up and figure when I get the lapband I'll deal with it then. Its a process to get where were at. I've been transitioning to this decision for over a year. I worked at Hartford Hospital and all the other hospitals and I agree their just about allt he same. You always have to speak up for youself. Trust Dr. T I know he's the best because I've researched him for a long time. sharon:) RN/MSN

Hi Ct Man, I am having my lapbank surgery with Dr. Tischler at Hartford Hospital. MD visit 12/27 Bloodwork 12/30 GI series 01/03 Cardiologist 01/09 Psychnologist 01/09 Nutritionist 01/10 sleep study 01/11 my next appt with him isn't until end of March but things are going so fast I may change that. I already know my insurance covers the procedures. wgt. 240 hgt 5.3 BMI 41.2 Sharon RN/MSN

well good luck to all....I have an appt at the end of March with the doctor but my preop things are being done so quickly I'm going to change that date. I'm hoping for February date for surgery. Exciting and scarey. I'm a nurse so a little bit of knowledge is not good sharon:)

Seminar 12/16 Dr. Tischler's appt 12/27 Bloodwork 12/30 Upper GI series 01/03 Cardiology 01/09 Psychologist 01/09 Nutritionist #1 appt 01/10 Sleep Study 01/11 2nd nutritional appt 2/7

Well I had my first visit with the Dr on December 27th. He said I was the perfect candidate for lapband. I had my bloodwork, attended one out of two support group meetings, the mandatory appts made. I have my GI workup this week and am waiting for cardiology and sleep study to call me. Hoping to get this done in March. My surgeon told me my insurance is golden. I have Anthem Blue Cross. I'm psyched and scared but sick of being fat.:help:

I live in Connecticut. My husband worked for the State so I have his coverage. Its great insurance. Someone else told me it took them a month to get the surgery. The insurance required bloodwork, sleep study, two visits to nutritionist, psych consult, cardiology consult then it gets presented to the insurance. You have to be 40% BMI without medical issues and 35% BMI with medical issues (i.e. diabetes,HTN,arthritis)

Thank you for your support. I am so excited. I realize how fortunate I am to have great insurance. My husband worked for the State and is now retired (early) so I have his insurance forever. I do have a questions though, how did you handle other people's reactions? I'm hesitant to tell anyone that I'm getting this done because I get stupid questions like "did you try weightwatchers?" Come on how crazy is that. I've 57 years old have a masters degree and great self control...and they ask did I try a diet. YES...my whole life has been a diet!!! Do they honestly think people would get surgery done just for the fun of it?? If we were diabetics getting an insulin pump no one would bat an eye about it. I amin the healthcare field people should know better. Anyway.....thanks sharon;)

Good luck to you. I'm just starting my work up. I've gained about 20 lbs since I've been thinking about getting lapband. I don't know if this is expected....I just keep thinking why bother.....I know that's not a good thing. I'll be checking for you after the 4th....You'll do just great... sharon:):whoo: