Sooner

Congrats! I too am a type 2 diabetic and was diagnosed 10 years ago. Each year or so I needed to increase my dosage for diabetes medications and eventually needed insulin as I was becoming more and more insulin resistent. Same goes for my blood pressure meds. I had my band surgery on 10-7-08 and have lost 33 pounds so far. Within a month I was able to stop my glucophase. I used to take 100 units of insulin per day via my insulin pump. I now only take 30 units a day and no longer need a meal bolus. I stopped taking one blood pressure pill and only need half of my other pill dosage. Last month my HgbA1c was 6.2. Previously, I never had a Hgb A1c below 7.3! I still need my apnea machine and medication for reflux but I'm confident that I'll be able to discontinue those too as I travel on my weight loss surgery!

I know exactly what you are feeling like. I got banded on 10-7. I lost 8 lbs pre-op and 7 pounds the first week post-op. About 3 days after I went on the the "mushies" I gained back 2 lbs!!! I can't believe it - the volume of food is so low and healthy versus some of the "junk" food I ate for the past 20 years! I'm thinking that maybe My body has gone into calorie preservation due to my food intake. I actually started to exercise (walking and recumbent bike for 45 minutes a day) but haven't seen a loss in weight. My newest resolve - only weigh myself once a week rather than the twice daily that I have been doing because I am getting very discouraged about the lack of progress and back sliding. My first post op visit is this afternoon. Hopefully, I can get my first fill soon because I'm Hungary! :Dancing_biggrin:

Update, I had my yearly appointment with my gastroenterologist (GI) doctor and asked him what his recommendation was to replace my pre-surgery twice daily citrucel. He highly recommended Fiber (of course). He said the easiest way for a lap bander to get enough fiber is to drink a daily "smoothie" concocted of the following: a base of milk or some type of citrus juice such as OJ add fresh fruit such as bananas, peaches, strawberries, etc. 2 tablespoons of ground whole flax seed optional: walnuts or almonds for their Omega 3 optional: Protein powder such as whey protein Put all ingredients in a heavy duty blender, adding ice as desired for a milk shake consistency. Not bad! He also warned against regular use of senokot as it can led to laxative dependency. Milk of mag and colase were fine. Best of luck!

Hi! I was banded on 10-7-08 and had the same problem. Pre-op I took citrucel twice a day with 8 oz of Water. After surgery, I realized that wasn't going to work any more. I resorted to 2 tablespoons of Milk of Mag in the morning and at night plus a colase capsule twice a day. I took 6 days, but for the last few days, I've running to get to the bathroom - thank goodness it has always been available. I have now halved the Milk of Mag and colase to see if that works better. Life is an experiment!

Hi all, I had my banding on October 7th. It went really great - just a little sore. Tylenol works for my discomfort and I take percoset at bedtime. I did have an unpleasant experience this morning when I took my usual 6 pills. Instant pain - enough to knock me off my feet. I think that several of them were probable too large. Lesson learned. I haven't minded the Protein shakes, Jello, broth. and etc. I'm not really hungry I guess because of the liver shrinking diet I started on the week before. Best wishes to all! Sooner:thumbup:

I went directly to the surgeon to determine if he would accept me as a patient. Once he did, I went to my PCP and asked him to mail my records and a lettermof support to the surgeon. The surgeon's office collected all the information and sent it on to the insurance company for certification.

I live in Richmond, VA and will be banded on October 7th. Sounds like a great group!:tongue:

Good luck! My BMI was 33 and I had 150 pages of documentation from 3 Dr's. relating how my weight contributed to my diabetes, high blood pressure, GERD, and sleep apnea. Cigna's doctor (!!) send a denial stating that none of these issues were sufficient for the surgery. Mt surgeon's office referred me to the Obesity Law and Advocacy Group (www.obesitylaw.com) located in San Diego (I live in Virginia). They are a free service, paid for by the Realize Band company. It took them a month, after I completed their application form and they received all 150 pages from the surgeon's office to get the appeal submitted. Within 30 days Cigna approved me, no questions or comments made!! Yahoo! Scheduled for October 7th :tongue:.

My husband has always been absolutely against it from the moment I first mentioned it. He even threatened divorce last March when I started the process. I just proceeded on and kept quiet about it. My grown-up kids are also against it but they really don't understand what it's all about. I am now scheduled for October 7th and my husband is having major acting out behavior. His reasons: I am weak and need to learn how to "handle your fork", the doctors are just trying to get money, it's an elective surgery and I am subjecting myself to getting the MRSA infection, blah, blah, blah. There is no way to calmly discuss the subject with him - he simply goes ballistic! He says he will not take me to the hospital on Tuesday nor will he "be there for me after wards" - whatever that means. Interesting thing is that his BMI is 47 and he has only been able once to be successful on a diet and then regained the weight back! Oh well, I absolutely am going to have the surgery, regardless of the family consequences. I'm usually pretty easy going and agreeable but I'm not going to back down on this! In my view, I need to do it for multiple, serious health problems. I'm doing it for me, not for anyone else!

:eek: Me, me, me!!! I'm scheduled for October 7th!! Only problem is that my DH is exhibiting major acting out behavior - he doesn't want me to have the surgery. Says he won't take me to the hospital or be there after wards.:tongue: Reason: I just need to control my fork and show some self control. Also is afraid of me getting the MRSA infection. Anyway, I've fought for this surgery and I need it for health reasons (diabetes, GERD, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea) and I'm going for it, regardless. Wish me luck!!! :tongue:

Wow! He almost sounds as if he may be having some ethical issues. I wonder how much his dad knows about this, especially about questions about his dad's practice. Makes me wonder how honest and above board he would be with you as his patient as well as his surgical competency, follow-up visits, and infection rate. Run, run, run! Good for you for doing your research! Best of luck!

It may not be the surgeon but rather, his office staff. A month after I had my office visit and was accepted as a patient, I called my insurance company's referral office and asked if they had received a request. They had not. I called the surgeon's office and talked to their referral coordinator who said "I'm too busy to submit requests to Cigna. They never, ever approve the surgery without several appeals from our office." After talking to the practice manager, the request was submitted (and hopefully the referral coordinator got an attitude adjustment). As predicted, Cigna denied the request even though I had letters from 3 doctors (endocrinologist, pulmonologist, and primary care) and a total of 150 pages of documentation from these doctors. a Cigna DOCTOR denied me because he said there was no cause and effect between my weight and high blood pressure, diabetes, GERD, and the need for C-pap!!! I was also told they didn't approve the surgery for people with BMIs under 40 even though the policy states differently (my BMI was 34). The practice manager connected me with the Obesity Law and Advocacy Group at Obesity Law and Advocacy Center. They took my case, submitted an appeal a month later and I had Cigna's approval for the surgery within 30 days! They were free and only need me to complete an application form and get the documentation from the surgeon's office.:tongue: Hopefully the law firm can help you out. Best wishes - don't give up.

Hi All! Obesity Law has agreed to take my case for an appeal after Cigna rejected my surgery. Has anyone had any experience with this process and/or firm? How often are they successful? How long does it take for the appeal process with this firm? Sooner:confused2:

I am hoping to hear from other type 2 diabetics who have had to take on their insurance company to get approval for a lap band as a treatment option for their diabetes. The latest literature in the medical journals for the past 2 years report that lap band surgery has been demonstrated to be a successful treatment option for diabetes, often doing away for the need for medications and reversing the complications of diabetes. I have had diabetes for 9 years and I am needing to progressively take more medications to control my blood sugar as well as developing associated diabetes-related diseases. I am on 2 types of insulin (4 injections a day) and a diabetes pill twice a day. I also take 2 medications for high blood pressure, 1 pill a day for GERD, and use a C-PAP machine for sleep apnea every night. X-rays have verified that I have arthritis in my hips and I take 3 medications a day for depression. All of these problems are considered "co-morbidities" of excess weight and diabetes. Because my BMI is 36.3, my insurance company, Cigna, has refused to approve my surgery request stating that my weight is borderline. They also have told me that I need to be on a 6 month doctor-supervised diet plan to demonstrate that I can lose weight. Problem: If I do lose weight, I will no longer qualify for the surgery! Additionally, the latest medical research has shown that only 6% of people who go on a diet to lose weight maintain their weight loss for a year. It seems to be a waste of time to go through the diet regime -- I will still have diabetes and will likely be among the 94% of people who don't maintain their weight loss. Any similar experiences out there or suggestions for how to get insurance approval? Getting discouraged, Sooner

Hi All, I will be having my banding done on October 7th (Yeahhhh!). :thumbup: During the many times I was on Weight Watchers, the leaders shared that decreased calorie intake over time leads to a decreased metabolism rate as the body's response to "starvation". They recommended eating more for a short time and, of course, an increase in exercise. Have any of you bandsters noted this to be a problem? If so, were you able to overcome it?

Thanks for your great encouragement! The Obesity Law Firm appealed Cigna's denied and I got approved within the month! I'm scheduled for October 7th - just a week and a half after I received my approval.

Hi SSFlbelle, Their service was absolutely free! My surgeon's office referred me to them. Information about them can be found on their web site: www.obesitylaw.com. Best wishes, Sooner

:tt1::bolt::laugh:Yahooooo!! The Obesity Law firm submitted an appeal to Cigna in August. I got approved last week!!! My surgeon said I was their second patient the firm got approval for, even after the insurance company denied their appeal!! I am scheduled for the surgery on October 7th. Can't wait to start the rest of my life as a healthier person (I'm on 11 medications including 2 meds for high blood pressure, an insulin pump and diabetes oral medications, reflux meds, plus c-pap machine that I hope I'll eventually leave behind). Sooner

:tt1::bolt::laugh:Yahooooo!! The Obesity Law firm submitted an appeal to Cigna in August. I got approved last week!!! My surgeon said I was their second patient the firm got approval for, even after the insurance company denied their appeal!! I am scheduled for the surgery on October 7th. Can't wait to start the rest of my life as a healthier person (I'm on 11 medications including 2 meds for high blood pressure, an insulin pump and diabetes oral medications, reflux meds, plus c-pap machine that I hope I'll eventually leave behind). Sooner

I am hoping to hear from other type 2 diabetics who have had to take on their insurance company to get approval for a lap band as a treatment option for their diabetes. The latest literature in the medical journals for the past 2 years report that lap band surgery has been demonstrated to be a successful treatment option for diabetes, often doing away for the need for medications and reversing the complications of diabetes. I have had diabetes for 9 years and I am needing to progressively take more medications to control my blood sugar as well as developing associated diabetes-related diseases. I am on 2 types of insulin (4 injections a day) and a diabetes pill twice a day. I also take 2 medications for high blood pressure, 1 pill a day for GERD, and use a C-PAP machine for sleep apnea every night. X-rays have verified that I have arthritis in my hips and I take 3 medications a day for depression. All of these problems are considered "co-morbidities" of excess weight and diabetes. Because my BMI is 36.3, my insurance company, Cigna, has refused to approve my surgery request stating that my weight is borderline. They also have told me that I need to be on a 6 month doctor-supervised diet plan to demonstrate that I can lose weight. Problem: If I do lose weight, I will no longer qualify for the surgery! Additionally, the latest medical research has shown that only 6% of people who go on a diet to lose weight maintain their weight loss for a year. It seems to be a waste of time to go through the diet regime -- I will still have diabetes and will likely be among the 94% of people who don't maintain their weight loss. Any similar experiences out there or suggestions for how to get insurance approval? Getting discouraged, Sooner

Thank you all for your replies! They have given encouragment -- I was beginning to think that I should forget the whole thing. It's especially encouraging to see that the weight loss is not a must, although the monitoring by a physician is required. At first blush it seems like perhaps this a method that Cigna uses to delay and discourage their enrollees from persuing the surgery. Plus they get to keep the monry in their pocket a little longer! I'll amke an appointment to begin my 6 month diet and exercise plan. Thanks!