barbie1978

Tang--> are you pre-diabetic? I know my PCP told me that she was absolutely behind the Lap-band, but that she would recommend gastric bypass if my sugar levels were too high...research it but feel free to ask me any questions...my mom had gastric bypass a few years ago and she's doing AMAZING! So tiny now...and just so much healthier! I feel your pain though...i'm technically 5' 1.75" and about 25 pounds more than you....so i totally understand...What insurance do you have? And how was that first fill? How exactly did he do it and did it hurt? Heather--> not suprised by the catheder....but i'm going to request that they put it in when i'm OUT...i dont' need to be awake for that, thank you very much! lol See if they'll do that for you too....he did tell us at the seminar that he loved to fill us with air to check to make sure he has no leaks (or rather that WE have no leaks) and then gets it all out so that's good i guess?

goodluck!!!

Tangerine...how did it go today meeting w/the surgeon and having the ultrasound??

I have to go to 6 mos of nutrition (preferred care requirement:thumbdown:) and my first app. for that is april 15th. I can't go sooner because i'm required after taht first appointment to go to weekly group meetings :confused2: for i think 8 weeks...well those are only on wednesday evenings and I teach colorguard on those evenings...but only for 3 more weeeks....then I start! My appointment with Dr D is May 28! That was the first available. however I'm waiting for a call to hear that they pushed it up sooner (maybe someone else's cancellation?)...keeping my fingers crossed...i'm so excited! lol

The ones my mom used after her Gastric Bypass you can get at a health/vitamin store. They're called Champion and they taste really really good...plus she started using (sparingly) the Sugar-free Fat-free syrups (like caramel, raspberry, etc) to add flavor and it makes a world of difference...plus it's a huge amount of protein in those shakes...

at my seminar they explained that you need to lose that weight because otherwise the liver gets too heavy and they have a hard time holding the liver away from the stomach. If your surgery is wednesday, start an all liquid diet now...you'll be down by wednesday!

OMG:tt1: I LOOOOOOOVE Dr. DiBenedetto!!!! The seminar was great tonight...any questions were answered and he is just great. As soon as I saw him I started crying...because I instantly could see me about to go in for surgery and him standing next to me in his scrubs, smiling, and asking if I'm ready. I mean I literally could SEE it....he's seems like a great doctor and I'm even more excited now! Ok, now for the upper GI...he said he completely puts you out (thankfully..i was nervous when he said everyone had to have it done), AND after the lap band surgery he keeps you in the hospital for 2 days as opposed to going home right away as I've read from so many people on here (i like that idea too). He brought up Preferred Care (my insurance) and first laughed and said "oh boy, good luck"...but then put us at ease and said that they just require more and that he WILL get us approved. They do require the 6 mo diet, however, he said that with all the other tests and having to lose 20 pounds it should take 4-5 months anyway...so i'll be right there with everyone else. He told us all not to call his office for an appointment until Monday morning at least (they're overloaded) but when my mom talked to him he told her to call the office tomorrow. She had GB 3 years ago but since Dr. Galvin left she hasn't been back for a follow-up and he freaked. He's also really good friends with my PCP so yay for that too! Sorry if i'm rambling but I just feel like the ball is FINALLY rolling and I just can't describe how excited i am! I'll keep everyone posted... Does anyone else have any new info?

Does anyone have Preferred Care? I know they cover it but I'd love to talk with someone who's had lap-band done with preferred care insurance...

I'm interested to talk to someone who's had the surgery done with Preferred Care for insurance...know anyone?

i've seen people on here mention having it at Highland....we've always had great care at RGH. My parents have been in there a lot in the past (unfortunately), and the care was always always great. And the team for my mom's gastric bypass were all amazing!

i know this is an old thread but I had to reply (just in case anyone from this thread is still wondering)...Dr Galvin left RGH last year and Dr DiBenadetto took over for him....

Heather..you're going to be at RGH?

i wasn't banded yet...i'm just starting the process but i know it's all going to work out and I'll be banded soon...i just wanted to start my ticker (that's in my signature) as soon as I could...kind of a positive motivation thing... I'd DEFINATELY going on that cruise though! Anyone who wants to go is welcome!

hnlaude--> CONGRATS!!!! I'm so happy for you! Let us know when your surgery date is! Tangerine4 --> congrats on moving forward! I go to my seminar on 3/13 and I will be seeing Dr. DiBenadetto. He just moved here and took over for Dr. Galvin at RGH. My PCP had really great things to say about him...she also thinks I'm a perfect candidate for the Lap-Band system! I'm really excited! Let us know when you get your surgery date as well!

this question is a little OT but since this is a Water thread I thought i'd put it here.... Has anyone had a problem getting water down? I LOVE water and when I'm "good" (ie eating/exercising well) I drink about 120 oz per day....but I love to guzzle water when i'm thirsty....just wondering if that could be a problem after banding...

Congratulations!!!!!!!!

I'm not banded yet, but my favorite healthy meal is lowfat (1%) cottage cheese with fresh strawberries...SO GOOD...i'm hoping that i'll still be able to tolerate it after I'm banded! I also love sushi (just the veggie ones though...no actual fish for me! lol) and salad...

well here's to hoping that your appeal is approved! :w00t:

heard anything about when your surgery date is?

the secret to life is gratitude....the more you are grateful for, and the happiness you feel from it, the more you will have to BE grateful for Congrats on your one year! It sounds like you've had an amazing year with more ups than downs....nice job on the 5k! I've always said that i'm not a runner...but the more I think about it, the more i'd just love to throw on some shoes and do it....i'm excited to see just how far i'll be on my one year Again, CONGRATS!!!: )

Thanks for everyone sharing their story! it sounds like less insurance co's are requiring the 6 month supervised diet...i've heard of people in this area with the same insurance needing different requirements (one needed the 6moth SWL and the other didn't)...it seems like it depends more on the individual? That's the impression that i'm getting...that it's really based a lot on each individual person and their history... for me, I've been overweight 99% of my life...excluding when I was under 6 yrs old and for a year or two between 2000 and 2002...obesity runs in my family as well as diabetes, heart disease, etc... I don't want gastric bypass like my mom had...i'm just excited to get going...March 13th needs to hurry up and get here

I will be at Rochester General Hospital...with Dr. DiBenadetto. He just took over for Dr. Galvin as head of Bariactric Surgery. My seminar is on 3/13 and I just can't wait! My mom wants to go with me to the seminar..she had CB a few years ago and her life is just completely different...

wow..well congrats to everyone! I'm hearing more and more about people getting approved from insurance and getting the surgery in a short amount of time...that's what I'm expecting! (before I get any lectures, I believe in The Secret -definately read it if you havn't yet-and the law of attraction...if you know about the secret you know why I say I "expect" it) Thanks for sharing...hoping to hear even more stories and also hear more from all of you on your continued success!!

Congrats to all on being approved...and to those who have already been banded! Can't wait to be there with you!!! Barbie

i've heard that BCBS is really tough on people trying to get any bariactric surgery...they really want a lot of testing and proof...glad you're both approved! Gilta, i will e-mail you...sometime i'm a little slow on that but I definately will! Thanks!