BandLady

Well the day finally came. I was banded Feb. 7th, 8:00am at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas by Dr. Vadim Shermann. Dr. S. is an assistant Professor of Surgery at the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine. I had top notch care; from my pre-operative admission to my discharge from the bariatric unit. My pre-operative testing included: cardiac echo w/ doppler, chest xray, gallbladder ultrasound, upper gastrointestional xray series, EKG, and lab test.:rolleyes2:

Well the day finally came. I was banded Feb. 7th, 8:00am at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas by Dr. Vadim Shermann. Dr. S. is an assistant Professor of Surgery at the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine. I had top notch care; from my pre-operative admission to my discharge from the bariatric unit. My pre-operative testing included: cardiac echo w/ doppler, chest xray, gallbladder ultrasound, upper gastrointestional xray series, EKG, and lab test.

Oh Yeah, I'v had that experience. My BMI is 36, I am 5'6" and I weight 224 lbs. The select few I've opted to tell always say "you're not big enough to have surgery". I decided to keep my upcoming surgery date low, low key.

Just stay focused on your goal. I know there are so many variables with so many people having an influence on the speed of this process. Have you reviewed the requirements for bariatric surgey established by your insurance company? Do you meet the criteria? Some plans require a six months physician supervised diet prior to approval.

Yeah, tedious and time-consuming process to obtain insurance approval. But hang in there, it will all be worth it in the end.

Of course, they should use better word choices to compliment you. Your friends and associates are probably just excited about your potential weight loss. Your dramatic weight loss will have a major impact on you physically and emotionally. Stay motivated.:girl_hug:

I am scheduled to be banded on Feb. 7th. Excited and nervous all together!:girl_hug:

I hear ya girlfriend:tongue:

Opted not to response also. Surprised myself tho!

You Go Girl, 100 lbs:lol:. Now, the times you had to be unfill, was all the fluid taken from your band? Since the actual band remained in place, did you feel any restriction? I'm surprised you were able to gain 30 lbs in such a short time.

Outstanding weight loss! Do you battle hunger?

Hopefully you have gotten approval.

Good luck! I am scheduled for banding on Feb. 7th.

Yes, my informational packet provided a sample letter for my PCP to draft and sign. The sample letter normally covers essentials points requred for insurance approval.

Scheduled to be banded on February 7th by Dr. Sherman at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital. So excited!!!!!:smile:

Outstanding girl!

I like you eating plan.

I live in Missouri City. I recently received approval form Cigna and I will be banded by Dr. Sherman.

Usually, a BMI of 40 or above meets most insurance company's criteria for bariatric surgery. Alot of company now require a 6 month physician supervised diet prior to approval for surgery. For patients with a BMI less than 30, a comorbidity must exist e.g. unamanageable blood presure, sleep apnea, diabetes.

Keep up the good work!

My initial pre-certification was immediately denied by my carrier. When I spoke with my assigned caseworker she indicated it was denied based on a set of criteria (which my company is exempted from). Nevertheless, the denial would stand and only be reconsidered with additional documentation from PCP. Since I was discouraged, I procrastinated in making another doctor's appt. In the meantime, an approval letter showed up. Yippee!!:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

Hahahahahahhaha! You're right.

Good luck to you!

My answer: A well-balanced diet, strictly adhering to portion control.

I am enrolled in Cigna PPO. My insurance documentation indicates a six (6) month physician supervised diet is required for the lap band preocedure