Sunwyse

I only just found this thread. Congrats on getting their decision overturned. Seems crazy to me that they would deny you. Simple economics shows its cheaper for them in the long run to give you the op now. In Australia, you can be approved as low BMI as 35 if you have a comorbidity. Diabetes is one of them. So glad you will be able to go ahead and glad this post is here so others can see it, if they are having the same issue.

I'm a member of a yahoo group for aussies and one person who posted there is in the same cover as you and she got hers paid out, so no worries, you'll be fine. I just went with hba because the surgeon I saw at the time said they'd never had any problems with them paying up at all.

I don't have to start optifast for another 14 days, but I'm actually going to start it in 11 days and do a modified version for a few days, so I can ease myself into it. I've done the crash start before and its not fun. For me, the headaches were the worst part. This time I'm preparing myself psychologically for it. Hopefully, the way I'm planning on doing it will cut down on the detox once I start 3 shakes a day.

Not really sure. Just know they ended up paying that much. I'm assuming its after everything else is said and done.

OK, another option for those with insurance, but can't afford the thousands of the gap. Dr Greenslades works out of the QE2. One person was given a quote of $1825.20. I believe he also works out of Greenslopes, but don't quote me on that. Best to call QE2 to find out more. The catch (there's always one), operating rooms are being renovated right now, so there is a wait, possibly a year.

Hi there, if they say they will cover it then they pretty much will. Welcome to the forum. Just wondering if you knew that typing in all caps is considered shouting at people?

Hi all, I was diagnosed with PCOS 19 years ago. I had excess weight, excessive hair growth on face,arms and legs (hairier than most men!) and a really irregular cycle. Since then my weight has ballooned and I have developed IR and IBS (not related, but doesn't help). I've had an ultrasound done twice and no cysts. Never had them, which is lucky. The really strange thing with me is my hormone levels are always fine, they are always in the top % of what they should be for a women, they just don't make it down below! lol. I will be banded in October and can hardly wait. I'm hoping we can reverse a lot of this damage and maybe even I'll get pregnant next year. Cutting it fine as I'm 41 already, but plenty of women have their first child later these days, so I'm not too worried.

I was diagnosed 19 years ago with PCOS. I don't remember having a blood test, but I do remember having to take a diabetes test (the drink was disgusting!). I was told then, there are 3 main things a doctor will look at, excess body hair, especially face; excess weight; missed or stopped periods. I had all 3 (still do). I was also told by the doctor that a woman with PCOS doesn't have to have ANY of the symptoms and she can still have it. The jury is still out on the cause of PCOS. The link between PCOS and weight is well known. Have one, you have the other. Change one and you change the other. They still aren't certain which causes which though. And once you lose the weight, the PCOS goes into remission. Essentially, its like not having it, but its still there. Put that weight back on and bang! Up it comes again. So, flirtylass, I won't say you don't have it because you don't have all the symptoms. You can have an hormonal imbalance without having PCOS, so that could be the answer. Best to wait til the results come back.

Glad to hear the changes are happening so fast!! This is good news for me as I sit and wait the last few weeks til I can get mine. Just wondering, for anyone who has excessive body hair, does that start to lessen? I'm thinking it will and hoping so too.

Has anyone read "Eat right for your blood type"? He points out that blood types developed as people spread over the earth. One reason he says that Asians can eat a lot of rice is because they have primarily and 'A' blood type, which does well on carbs and vegetarian based meals. Type 'O' (which is the main one) does much better on a low carb-high Protein diet. I'm not a stickler for either of the low g.i. verses the low carb arguments. I don't necessarily buy into the blood type diet, but I think over all, each has a lot of truth to it and somewhere in the middle is possibly the key.

No, no scale but my partner owns one! lol. Every once in a while he does the weight loss thing and uses the scale, but that's pretty much it.

We are talking a Queensland hospital, right? The state that employed Patel?? From what I can tell, each doctor who specialises in lapband surgery, in Brisbane at least, is very good. I've not heard one complaint, except one doctor seemed a bit rushed at the consultation - that is the extent of the problems I've heard. Australia is leading the world in lapbanding. Our surgeons are some of the best and from what I can tell, there hasn't been a death in Australia in about 5 years or more. The best thing I'd suggest is to call his clinic and ask the receptionist if he still does work at the PA, then look at an appointment with him to discuss it further.

Maybe that's what it is. I'm not a mother so I don't really mind the idea. I tried the 'baby food' diet back in the 80s, before Hollywood had heard of it I think. From what I can remember it wasn't bad and you can get the organic stuff now.

I also got health insurance just for this (will be keeping it after though). I too had to wait 12 months. At the end of that it will have cost me $1400 for insurance and $5,000 out of pocket for op verses $16,000 for op entirely. I think I win this one.

What sort of info are you looking for?

You know Damo, I have a really good feeling about this. I reckon its all going to be Ok.

There's nothing wrong with it Justagirl, but like Fanny, many people just hate the taste of it. Just remember, baby food is formulated for babies, so won't have the correct balance of vitamins and such, that an adult needs, but certainly you can have it if you want.

Cherry, its not the amount of fill in the band that's the issue, its the amount that's right for you. I've heard of people getting no fill at all, the band alone being enough and I've heard of people getting just one fill, or people needing the thing almost completely filled. At the end of the day, its about what works for you. Maybe, 4ml is your sweet spot. Maybe in a month or so you'll need.3ml and that will be it, who knows, but obviously 5ml is just too much.

Go into a medicare office on Saturday morning (or at lunch time if you can) and get a temporary card. Its really just a piece of paper with your details on it. That will do til the card comes through. Good luck with everything.

Hi Justagirl, I gave up smoking years ago with the nicotine Patches when you still had to get a doctor's prescription for them!! They didn't stop the cravings, but did the take edge off so my will power could do the rest. I did give up too. Not permanently that time, but the second time I used patches I succeeded. Its been about 6 years now since I smoked and I know I never will again. Congrats on the decision to have the surgery. I decided to Feb last year, then changed my mind. Decided to again in October and took out health insurance just for this reason. Again I decided not to and let the insurance slip for a few months. Luckily, I was able to make up back payments so my waiting period is up 18 October and I can be done after that. Its been a very long wait, but I'm finally here. I've also had lap surgery before for gallbladder removal *sigh* weight issues are not fun, especially with PCOS and an anxiety disorder with borderline paranoia!! - Basically, I just think everyone is talking about my weight lol. Glad to have you on board.

Yes Jack, there really is such a place. Just make sure you pronounce it Wogger Wogger and not Wagger Wagger! Actually Crushbro, unless you have some really rare medical condition, you don't need meat. What you do need is Protein, which you can get from vegetation. Soy has already been mentioned and there are heaps of other things you can do. At the end of the day, if you simply have to have meat, then why not have it minced? You may need to face the possibility that you'll never have a piece of meat again, while you have the band.

Thanks Roheryn, it is great after a year's waiting. Though, have to tack on that extra week, so its still over a month - but only just over!! Sorry justagirl, no real answer for you. I guess if you can't organise a bank loan for that amount, then sit your parents down and have a serious discussion with them about the medical benefits of the operation. Let them know this money is an investment in your health and your future.

Hey there, welcome. I'm being banded by Dr Copp on 29 October. i so can't wait. Just got to clear up a sore throat and sickly chest though, or it won't be going ahead on that date. Sam, great to hear it all went so well. Good luck with the journey ahead.

This is excellent news!!! Strange how they can be so picky on the wording, even just one word out...but still, you are getting approved and that's what counts. Have fun enjoying the count down!! lol

I no longer work for the evil empire known as ABC childcare - that's good. I am so sick right now. I had a chest infection for a month a few weeks ago and was never able to take the time off to get over it, so now its come back big time and I feel so poorly - that's bad.:thumbup: I have this week to rest and then start a new job next week, at a privately run not-for-profit childcare centre in the Centenary area of Brisbane - that's good.:laugh: My surgery has been put back a week because Dr Copp will be up north the week I was originally booked in - that's bad.:frown: In my new job, I have stepped back from being a group leader to an assistant, so I get to just go to work, enjoy the job and go home - AND LEAVE WORK AT WORK - that's good.:laugh::thumbup: Michelle