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Jaunderwood, same question as Raymer, I would like to go back to work a week after surgery. I have a desk job but do travel alot. No heavy lifting just alot of driving.

Need I say, "WOW". My insurance gave me so much grief about getting approved that I upped my type of insurance to a higher level so now they have to pay it all also. After all this is over I will lower my level to where I no longer have to pay to have a better insurance. They need to understand they are screwing with our lives and we are not negotable.

I have to drink the 1.5 bottle @ 6:00 a.m. and another later in the day. Is it really that nasty?? I have never had the "colon procedure" before so I am not looking forward to this. I was told not to work that day because I had to be really close to the bathroom. They called it a colon cleaning and my husband just laughted!!!!

Looks like there are going to be alot of March/April banders out there. I received my date the other day and I have been scared to answer the telephone in fear it was the doctor's office calling and telling me it was all a joke!! I am excited and scared at the same time. But it is going to happen!!! Congrats to all! PA:lol:

Congradulations Misty, I will be banded March 20th so forgive me if I attempt to pick your brain from time to time. I have been on the forum for 3 yrs trying to get insurance approval and 95% of sound information I have received has been from this forum. I believe there is at least one person here who has experienced any question you might have. Luck to you. PA

:thumbup:I had my appointment today to set a surgery date. March 20th!!!! My doctor said I had already lost 12 lbs. since my last visit so I just needed to maintain. I am tickled BRIGHT PINK!!!! I am excited and scared, guess I am doubting my decision but I believe this is what I need to do. March 20th!! PA

Congrats to you!!!! Now I am going to have to get a "cool" banner that says banded 2008 also!!!

Zeama, I have been seeing Dr. Steeley but I have not received surgery yet. I just recently was approved and my appointment is 2/27 with Steeley. We will see what happens. PA

Isn't it funny, our children were great and we love them so, then we had GRANDCHILDREN!!!!!:thumbup::tt1: Mine are 15 yrs, 7yrs, and 3 yrs. I'd post pictures but not real sure how to do it. The pictures I have seen are adorable and I know all of us are proud of our children and GRANDCHILDREN!!!! PA

Hello everyone, my name is Phyllis, but my friends call me PA. I will be 49 yrs old in May and I have not received my band yet but I have been approved! My doctor's appointment is 02/27, and I am scared and excited. I am hoping to have surgery soon and get on with my life. My husband and I leave for Hawaii the middle of May so I hope to be recovered and involved in a routine, (and smaller) by the time we leave. How long do I need to take off work? My job is not physically hard but I do spend alot of time behind the wheel of a car. Is there anything I need to expect? :confused2: Thanks for any info!!

Jaunderwood, it took me a long time to get approved. I think that was mainly because when I started this process there were not reports of how the US was an obese nation and about childhood obesity. It was a year before I saw my first lapband commercial!! Now there are comercials promoting the surgery and medical documentation of how weight loss surgery has helped obese people start to become healthy again. Now, to answer your question, it took me 2 years and I had the aide of an attorney. Not saying this will be the same for you. I am 5' 6, 48 yrs. old and weigh between 248/252. I am on the line of a bmi of 40. Don't give up. PA

Ashlee, I also have Humana. (KY) When I orig. submitted my info for approval, info on the lapband was just beginning to surface. I am assuming with the focus on diabeties, besity and childhood obesity in the US, then medical news reports documenting that weight loss surgery such as lapband is working, the insurance companys are finally getting with the program. With that said, I was in the process for a long time. Submit your info, jump through your hoops, and DO NOT GIVE UP. I have read on this forum where some Humana clients were approved withing 6 weeks and some may take longer. I was finally approved in December and now I am waiting for my surgeron to see me and set up a date. Anything worth having.......... PA

Ktravel, I am scheduled to see my surgeon on 2/27 hopefully to be scheduled for surgery. I have been approved by Humana (finally) so I am anxious to get this done. Bandchick, 47 lbs is wonderful and I am anxious to start this process. How long were you off from work and what additional test did you have to have completed other than the sleep study, evaluations, and other test required prior to submitting the request to the insurance? I'm trying to monitor my days off from work to ensure I have time off for surgery and additional doctors visits. Congradulations on the loss.

Started this journey 12/05. Today, 12/20/07, I finally received an approval letter from Humana insurance. I am in shock!!! I don't know what to do!!! I scheduled an appointment with my surgeon in February (he's out of his office due to a horseback riding accident) so I guess we will go from there!! I'm Approved!!!!:whoo::whoo::clap2:

I've done all this, in fact I had to have a 2nd psy eval the beginning of 12/07 because my last eval was almost 2 years old. I had a sonogram and upper GI on 12/02/05, sleep study on 12/09/05, dietary consult and nutrit. edu. class on 12/28/05, and my 1st psy eval on 01/05/06. Is there anything else I will need to complete??

There was 2 denials in the 2 year process and Kelly Brown from Obesity Law was involved. (She is awsome) But bottom line is it can be fought!!! Sometimes I thought the insurance "accidentially" lost my request and info, but the law office would nudge them along and things would start moving again. I can't wait to see my feet!!!!

Finally, finally, finally I am approved. Now what happens?? I have an appointment with my doctor scheduled, but what will happen at the appointment?? Am I going to have to have additional test?? How long b4 they will schedule surgery?? How long will I need to wait to return to work?? How often will I need to see the doctor after surgery??? YEAAAA, I'm approved! PA

That was so sad for your friend and her family. But it also proves to us to be active in our own health. If we do not get the response we feel we should be getting, take initative and go to the ER on our own. I hate that the people whos hands she put the responsibility of her life/health in did not respond accordingly and instruct her to go immediately to the ER when she first started signs of distress. PA

I have been in this process for over a year (I'm thinking almost 2 yrs). Been denied based on lack of 6 month diet info, submitted the diet info and was told I did not follow the proper procedures and my time limit had expired. Contacted an attorney and submitted an appeal...blah..blah..blah. Two months ago my doctor suggested I come back into his office and we re-submitt the info. The insurance co has paid for the office visit but they have not addressed the request. Guess my "to do list" for today includes contacting my doctor's office and insurance co. Thanks for the info, luck to you on 10/03, I will be checking up on you to get all the details! PA

Thats the fun in it, you get to relearn everything you've forgotten...and my mother used to say men like older women because..."They don't tell, they don't swell, and they are grateful as hell". Sound advice!

BJean, You actually thought I did physical labor??? (Hee Hee)

We met and became friends, spent alot of time together with a group of friends playing cards on Saturday nights. After about a year he got up the nerve to ask me out on a date. In fact the night he called to ask me to "supper" I said, is this a date? He fumbled over his words and said yes. We started dating and after a few months he ASKED if I would be willing to date only him. After about 2 years he got on 1 knee and asked me to marry him. (That ain't easy for a 48 year old man) That was 3 years and I have had more love, fun, friendship, travel companion, and laughs then I've had my whole life. He completes me. So I feel I was lucky and found a friend 1st then made him my Love Slave!!! :eyebrows::eyebrows: PA

Kygal, did you ever get an approval from Humana? I still have not heard anything from them. PA

Sharon, who is your insurance through?? My problem is the insurance co. is giving me nightmares. PA

Dana, Did you ever contact Humana about LP surgery? If so, what did they say? I also have Humana PPO and have been getting the run around from them. PJ