bsmith56

:cursing: I was scheduled to have my first consultation w/ my surgeon on Tuesday, but on Saturday I got a denial letter from my BC/BS of Iowa. I called the Bariatric Center and spoke w/ the nurse. She suggested I fill out the appeal (which was included w/ the denial letter), and maybe talk to my doctor to see if she would have any suggestions. Does any one have an appeal letter that worked? I really need this surgery....I feel like I don't have any other options. I have struggled for many years......but up and down. I am again working on my weight loss on my own. I will give it all I have. Please help me if you can. Thanks. :redface:

Because I haven't had any health problems, I haven't been to the doctor much...except w/ my kids. I did have plantar faceitis (sp), but not recently. I have been to the chiropractor alot....can those records be used? I will have my chiro write a letter of support, because she has encouraged me many times to lose weight to help maintain my spinal/bone health. I think I am healthy because I go to the chiropractor regularly....not even a cold. Also have good genes, but also have my parents "fat" genes. Anyone ever have a chiropractor write a letter of support? Thanks.

The bariactric center submitted all my records. I did a psych eval through the center. I'm sure that was submitted as well. I am going through the center w/ Genesis Medical Center in Davenport, IA.

I was denied because "not medically necessary". Have BMI of 42, but no co-morbidities. Both parents now have diabetes related to their weight. I have bad knees and back related to my weight. Have been this weight for nearly 5 years and have tried most everything under the sun. I need this tool to help "shut my hunger off". Sorry, I answered your question and more. My insurance does pay for the surgery, but my denial was because it was not medically necessary. Thanks.

Congrats on getting any exercise it at all. Keep it up. How about lifting some light weights....even cans of veggies would work. Stretching routines would be good too.

Have you been getting enough protein in? The Isopure tastes pretty good. The more protein you get in, the less hungry you will be.

Baron....start by calling you doctor. Then call you insurance company. Or check the insurance website. Since you have been to a seminar, you know what you would be going through...and your brother has done so well. You can do that too. You have nothing to lose by calling you doctor. Make an appointment. The smallest step and start a good journey.

I got a call from the Bariactric Center today. I have an appointment w/ my surgeon on May 6th at 2 pm. I am very excited...though I still don't have a surgery date. Hopefully, I will know more after that appointment. I am really looking forward to this appointment. Any one know how long it usually takes after the surgeon appt, until the surgery? Still would like to wait until July or so. Barb:smile2:

Hello All, I haven't checked in for a while. I went to a seminar on Valentines' Day and then have been going to appointments ( nurse, group dietician, one on one dietician, and finally psych eval). The next appointment will be with the surgeon. I am not sure how long I will have to wait for surgery. I want to wait until at least July, for work logistics problems and for personal reasons. I have to get myself educated on all the post-op diet options. The dietician has been very helpful. So have all of you. It is great that you share your experiences. It will help me and others in more ways than you know. My family and friends have been very understanding. And very supportive. I have started to make positive changes in my life style, including cutting out second helpings, adding exercise, and trying different planned activities to stay away from snacking/grazing. I am ready for this new tool in my life. I know I can use it to it's fullest advantage. Thanks to all of you for sharing. I intend to do the same.:ohmy:

I work home care so I don't have any heavy lifting to worry about. I plan to take about a week off as well. Good luck to you. Keep us updated on your progress. I have an appointment w/ the dietician today. I believe it is a group session.

Welcome. I am a nurse too and looking forward to surgery....but don't have a date yet. Still doing prelimaries. Good luck.

Staindgal. Your post brought tears to my eyes. Knowing I am taking all the right steps to be healthy. Not just the young want to feel young. I will soon be 52, but sometimes feel so much older. I want to see my future grandchildren have children. I know when I lose the weight, I will have the strength to take better care of myself. I am going to have my husband take my pictures as well. I need that motivation. You are wise to take this step now. I have been yo-yo dieting for many years....from the time I was your age. God bless you for your courage and determination. Keep posting...let us know how you are doing.

Dear Thin4anisha, Your could look into a waiver in your insurance that says when changes are made, you have a right to sign up for insurance at work. Since you are 24, your parents insurance may not be able to carry you for much longer, even if you are a student. Good luck w/ everything. I am starting the process as well. Have several appointments made for March. Take care.

There are several videos of the procedure on YouTube. Lots of people post video blogs there. The information has been good. Learned lots there about what to do AND what NOT to do.

Congrats. Have fun at DW.

Maybe because I am a nurse, but had to answer this. Bile is produced in the liver. I saw my PCP on Wednesday and then made appointments w/ the bariatric center. I go for my first consultation on March 5. Other appointments w/ group dietician, one on one dietician and then psych...all by April 4. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I am going to start watching my diet tomorrow.....I have been stuffing myself. Not good....and I am miserable. Hope you are all doing well. Take care.

Hello Mom24kidz. I am from Iowa too....where r u located. I went to seminar on 2/14. I have appt w/ PCP on Wednesday 2/20. Have started to fill out the paper work. Will finish it after 2/20. I will have my surgery at Genesis in Davenport. Good luck to you. Keep "lurking". There is lots of good information on LBT. I also have been watch vlogs on Youtube. Some of them are great. Take care. Barb

Hello all, I attended 2 1/2 seminar at Genesis Bariatric Center in Davenport, Iowa. I was impressed by the presentation given by the program coordinator. The attendees were of all ages and sizes. We were all treated w/ respect and given hope to treat our obesity. I had tears in my eyes at times...I can actually get control over my weight w/ the lapband tool. SO.... I will take the steps necessary to be banded....hopefully in 2008. I have made an appointment w/ PCP. I will call my insurance company tomorrow. Then I will start to gather the information needed to make the appointment for the first consultation at the Bariatric Center. I have learned so much for all of you. Thank you in advance for supporting me throughout this journey. I hope I can help others along the way. Barb:smile::thumbup:

Hello all. I live in eastern Iowa. I am going to a seminar at Genesis on Valentines Day. Anyone else going to be there? I am excited about learning as much as possible about the band and the process. This site has been wonderful. I look forward to helping others. Thanks for all the help I have received thus far. Anyone else in this part of Iowa? Barb:smile2:

Caffiene is a stimulant. It speeds your heart rate and muscle activity. The GI tract is made of smooth muscle.....and caffiene speeds up the muscles used to move food through the digestive tract, including the stomach.

Running, Just read your profile....I'm not from NY...IA here. Let us know how your seminar went. I will do the same. Good luck to you.

Hi Running....I go to a seminar on Feb. 14th as well. Where are you located? Maybe we'll be at the same seminar.

Hello to all. My name is Barb. I am from Iowa in the United States. I have been thinking about the lapband for a couple of years, and have made an appointment for an educational seminar; I go February 14th. What is next in the process. I haven't talked to my primary care physician yet. I did check into if my insurance would pay for the surgery....looks like it, but not sure. My BMI is 42, but I have no health problems. Anyone else like this? I don't want to have diabetes in the future....both my parents have diabetes now. I have knee and back problems and see a chiropractor every month. I have tried WW, Nutrisystems, fad diets, pills, fasting over the years. I do great for several months, and then back slide. I know it is a mind thing, but I would like to learn more about the lapband. I think it would be a great tool for losing and MAINTAINING my weight. I look forward to hearing from whoever would like to respond. Thanks, Barb

Yes I am jealous. My brother moved to Tucson in late November. He rubs in the weather differences every time he calls. I hope he survives the summers! Have you been to the seminar yet? How did it go? What is the next step for you? Barb

Hey Jen, That is wonderful. I can't wait for the seminar. The surgeons are there?- Just wondered. Barb