Blund

You'd better call BC. I have BC of California (PPO) and I think my policy reads the same way. My BC requires the procedure be done in a "Center of Expertise" so you want to make sure wherever you go is approved as one. I had the under 40 BMI so I had to be sure I had comorbidities listed and that the surgery center I'm using is approved. It was especially tricky because I have California BC, but live in Michigan. I have to have a "pre-service review" but am lucky in that my surgery center has a bariatric coordinator who knows all the ins and outs of insurance. My BC card has a 800 ph # on the back specifically for pre-service review info. Good luck. Maybe....... Blue Cross Bull Sh!t?!!

Is it reccommended to get one? Do a lot of banders have them? I understand the whys but it never occured to me..

Hi. I'm waiting for approval & date, but was wondering......with a low-ish BMI is there less chance of having the loose, saggy skin? Whats been your experience? Barb

Just wondering, would it help to do more of a certain excercise (walking? sit-ups?) to make recovery easier?

My BMI is just over 35, and I think I'm in OK shape and do walk now. I'm also thinking about the fact that I don't have a lot of other problems YET! I was rollerblading up until I was 7 month pregnant (many lbs and years ago!). Complete strangers would slow their cars down and yell at me to stop because I was pregnant!! I never fell, but the yelling startled me sometimes!

I don't have a date yet. I had my last appt Friday, and that report goes to my "Bariatric Coordinator" at the surgeon's office, then she calls BC & sends in what they want. I was encouraged that she said everything looked good for my ins. approval. I don't expect to hear anything for at least 2+ weeks. I'm going to go crazy waiting! OMG rharriet62! You've lost 119 lbs?? That is amazing. When did you get banded? I can't wait for my LB! Yes, the lung capacity..duh...I should have thought of that. Well, I'll keep doin' what I'm doin' and kick it up a notch. We have about 3' of snow and I'd much rather be outside!

Congrats on getting your date! I have probably 2 or 3 weeks before I'll hear anything. I heard they got a new Dr there. Sounds like they're getting busy. Be sure to let us know how things go. Barb

Yes, thanks. I already do walking and some other things including stacking & hauling wood and shoveling snow! I just wondered if anything specific would help. Guess not. I'll be sure and get good meds and maybe practice "releasing gas!!" :wink_smile: Barb

Thanks for your response. I wasn't thinking of rushing things, only to possibly minimize the pain factor. I have read posts here from some that have little pain post-op, and some that have lots. Everyone's different, I know.

Maybe open your own store!! Just kidding. I've never dont consignment, but its very popular around here. Not sure how it works. Each store may be different. I would call around and tell them about how much you have and the brand names & sizes and see what they think.

Saw the shrink today. (Nice looking man!!) He said I seemed all set to go and will get his report to my surgeon's office within the week. I'm glad to be done with all of these different appointments. Now I'm going to go crazy waiting! eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I LOVE thrifting. Once in a while, my friend and I make a day of it and hit them all. There is one in particular that is VERY CHEAP, but I feel like I need a shower when I leave! I bring the hand sanitizer!! We have a huge GW that was just built a couple of years ago. It is very neat and organized. My kids get almost all second hand clothes. I find "Mary Kate and Ashley" "The Childrens Place" and many other higher end things. Once I even found a 9 West purse at the Salvation Army for $2 ! I just love it when I find deals like that.

Yes, I think we're lucky to have BCBS. I think things are on my side so far. Had my psych appt today, and he'll have the report to the surgeon in a week. Now my BC is in California (but I live in Michigan) and they require I use a "Center of Expertise" that is a provider. Have you checked on this? My "Center of Expertise" is taking care of all my paperwork and keeping track of what BC needs. Your nurse sounds like a ditz. If you have your old weigh-in cards from Weight Watchers, you may be able to send copies in to BC to prove you've done it already. My BC card has a special 800 phone number for pre-service reviews. You may want to call it yourself to get the criteria. I can't tell if you already know all this or not, so I hope I don't offend you. :eek: Barb

Yeah Chell, I always think of several "snappy comebacks" after the fact. I HATE that! Well, I just had my psych appt & test today. Boy he WAS gorgeous! The nurse had forwarned me. :eek: He was very nice and said I seemed to know what I was doing and had done my research. I asked him what he thought about telling my girls (7 & 9) about the surgery, and he wasn't sure and could understand my concern. In the end, he finally said that my improved lifestyle would be a good influence on them. But then, if I don't want it spread all over the school, I should keep quiet! I had the silly test. It was about 385 T & F's. I got it done in about an hour. Some questions are pretty funny, and others were worded funny so I left them blank. But I suppose its required to weed out the mental cases! True or False?: ".....I often hear voices in my head......I love my father......people are out to get me..." lol, Barb

I'm going for it too. My BMI is 36 and I am 5'8' so I get told I "carry it well" whatever THAT means! Yeah, I'm tall AND fat! I have some comorbidities so I'm hoping for BC approval. The surgeon's office said it looks good. My best friend seems afraid to say too much when I talk about it. She's struggled with her weight all her life too. From what she HAS said, I dont think she wants me to do it, but would be supportive. She says things like "if we just try to do this together and make it work" or "when summer comes, we can excercise more..." Well, I'm tired of trying over and over and over. I need more help than I've gotten so far, and now I'm "middle aged" and I want to feel better. I've tried so many things like everyone here, and I've lost and gained enought weight throughout my life to make several extra people! lol! Crossing my fingers! I know what I want, now its up to BC

It was part of my first surgeon's visit/questions. Told them I get heartburn on occasion, and they wanted to do a EGD, which is where they put the scope down your throat to see your stomach. Thought was I might hav a Hiatal hernia which would be fixed when the band put in, but instead I have gastritis. I wasn't sure what it was either, but I went to WebMD to find out. Its an infection/irritation in the stomach lining. It can be cronic, or a single time. Causes of it are stress, medications (ibuprofin,asprin,etc.), alcohol, etc. All the fun stuff. My surgeon's office called back and said it would not keep me from getting the band. It isn't really serious, I guess. It feels like I have a rock in my stomach sometimes....more discomfort than pain. Congrats on your approval and surgery date! I'm getting anxious...my shrink appt is tomorrow, then everything gets sent to BC for review.

I think that psych is OCD, but what do I know?

ME TOO! Did you find anything out? I just had my scope yesterday and have the same thing! I'm waiting for a call back from my surgeon's office to see if I should go forward with this. I have my shrink appt tomorrow, and will cancell if the gastritis will delay my getting banded. :cursing: SOMEBODY HELP!

Yes, the nutritionist had several things crossed off because they were for RNY only.

Thanks Demsvmejm I remember seeing one on the list out on the peninsula, when I told MK who I was seeing, she said "oh, he's SO gorgeous!" Like that will help me concentrate! Did your Hiatal hernia help with co-morbidities? Or did you not need them. I can't find any info on the support meetings that I originally got on a list (and lost) at the Bariatric Seminar. I looked on the Munson web site, but cannot find them. If you don't know, I'll just ask the surgeons office.

Chell, how could a person with ADD complete and 8 hour test & questions?!!! lol Do you have your psych evaluation scheduled? Mine is this Friday. The nurse at the surgeon's office said the shrink is gorgeous....OK, now I'll REALLY be self-concious about my size! No, no, I'm happilly married!

Right on! Men and women are MEANT TO BE DIFFERENT! I'm sure being a cop, it is "embarrassing" to fall behind the beef cakes when chasing bad guys! Maybe more embarrassing than losing a chugging contest. :scared2:

Does anyone know if a hiatal hernia counts as a comorbidity? I'm getting scoped for one tomorrow.

Your 9 year old scientist sounds like my 7 year old scientist! I have another daughter who is 9. I am more concerned with the young girls and body image thing. Mine also say I'm not fat, so I'm not sure what to thing at this point. I'm about 80 lbs overweight, and they think Dora is fat! What are they talking about? I don't want to "damage" them with MY issues either.

Sounds like our Drs aren't being up front about hair loss. Maybe it would discourage people from having the surgery. It will be a drag, but not worth being fat. I'm a hat person anyway! Kat, I'm sorry for your new problems. It sucks getting old, I'm finding out!