AGBALA

Greetings everyone, Thanks for sharing your experiences with AETNA. I'm just completing my six month supervised diet and my concern is that I actually didn't lose any weight during the six months--I actually gained (I lost the six months prior to being medically supervising using Weight Watchers and attending 2-week program at Duke DFC). When I read the requirements from the AETNA website, it doesn't say that you actually have to be successful at the weight loss during the six month period, just supervised. My PCP agrees and says that there are many reasons for situations like mine and if anything, the weight gain shows that I do need the help that the LAPBAND will provide so he will provide the letter of medical necessity anyway. However the Doctor at the Bariatric program where I participated in six-month supervised diet feels that surgeon will not perform surgery because of the recent weight gain (although I'm still well within the parameters) and most importantly that AETNA will NOT even consider or approve my application for the surgery -- VERY DISCOURAGING. Has anyone had this experience? Specifically with AETNA either approving or denying the application although recording a weight gain during their six month supervised program? I do appreciate your replies, remarks and sharing! Thank you in advance for your continued generosity of spirit and support!!! Daniel in Atlanta P.S. I'm still trying to decide between a surgeon at Emory Crawford Long Hospital and DeKalb Medical -- any feedback on either?

Greetings everyone, My name is Daniel and I'm still in the "pre" stage; I've attended the mandatory information session, met the surgeon, working with a nutrition and bariatrician for 3 months before I have to make the final decision to move forward...and here's the thing, I'm still absolutely terrified! I have nearly 200+ to lose and quite frankly I'm still not convinced it's impossible. Don't get me wrong, I read all of your fantastic stories including the challenges you face and try to be positive, but I'm starting to think this particular success isn't meant for me. I don't LOVE food like many, I eat the same food everyday of the week, of every month of every year. Is it particularly tasty; not really; do I crave it; not really. Am I eating emotionally -- sometimes, but most of all I can't figure out what's eating me. I have a great and supportive wife, a good job that has insurance that might pay a substantial chunk for this surgery and after, and I'm in the midst of starting my own business (I actually started that a couple of years ago). Now, I recognize the "stress" indicators above may answer some of my concerns but my biggest concern is that since I started on a relatively healthy eating plan; apx. 1800-2000 calories per day and moderate, regularly scheduled exercise, I have never been so hungry in my 47 years. My eating behaviors are changing; I'm hiding food and eating alone (things I've not really done before). Because my blood pressure is high, my doctor says she can't prescribe an appetitie surpressant (many raise blood pressure) and then I read on some of these boards about "enlarged livers" and giving up sugars (soft drinks in particular) and starches (Pasta and bread are my favorite). I know it's about choices and making the best choice for me! I don't like being morbidly obese but I don't have the imaginative skills to "imagine" myself thinner. My fear is that if I'm so hungry now at 1800-2000 calories per day, how will I ever manage the rigorous post surgery diets. Can you tell, panic has set-in. I apologize for unloading, but I've seen such great advice and even prayers and people struggling sharing their stories that I thought I'd venture out and tell my current struggles in hopes that someone maybe further down the road might recognize a pattern(s) and might have learned something to share with me. Thank you listening (OK, reading--smile). I'm going to keep moving forward in hope!

Thanks everyone for your great feedback and encouragement. I continue to learn more about cravings; specifically as they relate to sugar and carbohydrates and I'm sure like many of you will keep wrestling with the real physiological issues. The other component of those cravings are the significant psychological cravings; the lapband is obviously not a cure for obesity but merely a tool; and I guess I'm trying to gather the psychological tools that I need to deal with some of the challenges of these cravings on a psychological...social and even spiritual basis. I was having dinner with my wife tonight and was thinking that with the lapband as a tool, I will have help with the physical cravings...but I'm not sure how to recreate my life in social settings such as eating-out, which is an important part of my life. I don't know...I'm probably just overwhelmed by the entire process...I truly want to believe...it's more than imagining myself healthy (not skinny)...but spiritually happy eating the way the lapband will allow me to do; if that makes any sense. Thanks for listening (OK, for reading)...I really do appreciate all of you!