msjessy

I heard from my insurance before my surgeon's office did. I remember feeling so frustrated with the process at that time, ready to give up when I went to the mailbox and my approval letter was sitting there.

Congratulations! That's an awesome NSV!

When I was going thru this I got a different answer every time I called the Insurance. So what I did was call the insurance and asked them to fax me the Policy Information for procedure code 43770. What they faxed me was the descriptions of morbid obesity, an outline of the different types of surgery the cover, the guidelines for what constitutes medically necessary and what the requirements were for pre-approval. It even gave brief information on what complications they would cover, should they arise. I would try to go this route if you haven't already tried. I must have read those 13 pages every day for 2 months to make sure I'd be covered. I just couldn't trust the reps "interpretation" of their policy and what the requirements were. Good Luck!!!

Down 1.5 pounds. Walking the neighborhood every day. Went to the gym 2x, did a total of 6 miles during the two days.

I'm a stomach sleeper too, so the first couple of nights I didn't get much sleep and was a bear during the day. I was able to sleep on my side after 4 or 5 days post-op. I was finally able to sleep on my stomach by day 10 or so. And I only found out because I WOKE up that way! Hang in there....soon you'll be able to sleep however you want and not feel any pain.

The family portrait sounds like a great idea. I'd definitely do that. I'll also visit my family in Puerto Rico and take a well-deserved vacation. Or go on a cruise. A vacation that I can TRULY enjoy.

I'm doing really well. I lucked out and didn't have gas pains. It was an easy recovery for me. I have lost 7 pounds since surgery, but I hope to make that move more now that I'm cleared to go back to the gym. With Dr. Geiss you can tell that both he and his entire staff LOVE what they do, and really like to help people. His office is always busy, but I get in/out of there pretty easily, since I usually book early appts. Good Luck. I know how we all want this quick, but when picking out a surgeon its best to take your time and make sure you are comfortable. Dr. Geiss has an open support/introduction group on the first Tuesdays of the month at the North Ritz. Its across from Syosset Hospital, if memory serves me right. Its a great meeting, both informative and inspirational.

I had to take my shirt off, but left my bra on. I was covered by a paper gown that opened towards the front. They stuck the patches on both my chest and my legs. Boy was I glad I had shaved my legs that morning, lol!

I was banded a day after you and I am on the soft/mushy stage. My surgeon said I can eat anything that can be/is mashed with a fork right now, and they have their recommendations on what I should eat. He said anything that has to be eaten with a knife/fork I have to stay away from right now. Please follow your surgeon's/nutritionists orders. They know what's best for you. If they did give you the go-ahead to resume normal foods just make sure to take small bites and CHEW CHEW CHEW!! And stop when you feel full. I'm dreading my first PB. I hope it never happens!

I live in Suffolk county but chose to go to Dr. Geiss in Syosset. I had an amazing experience and he comes highly recommended. I wasn't able to find too many physicians in Suffolk county that do this exclusively or has a done a large volume of these. Good Luck!

I had my surgery on a Thursday. I work at a desk, and from home so I do not have a commute. I did work an entire shift on Monday--with the help of Vicodin so I"m not sure how much 'work' I actually did--but by Tuesday it had caught up to me and I was too tired and sore to work the whole day so I took the afternoon off. It also hurt me to be sitting up for such a long period time. Wednesday though, was much better. If you have the time, and can use it, then take off for at least 4-5 days. Also, I've been living in sweats since my surgery and could NOT have imagined having to put on slacks or jeans so soon after. I"m just NOW to the point where I can wear jeans comfortably, and I'm 2 weeks post-op. Good Luck with your surgery!

*sigh* Weight Loss: None. But no gain! Exercise: 2-30 minutes brisk walks everyday. I changed my walking from "lets just make it down the block and get this gas moving" to a brisk "sweating and heart pumping" walk this week. I'll be so glad when I can finally go back to the gym like I was before surgery.

My greatest NSV is the new-found confidence I have in myself. I haven't lost much since the surgery, but I'm down 30 pounds overall and I have never felt better. Oh, and I'm pulling stuff out of my closet that I haven't fit into in a few months. AND I'm back into most of my pre-pregnancy jeans!!

This is the best NSV I have experienced thus far. I'm far from goal, but the 30 pounds I have lost have done wonders for my soul. I walk with my head up now, wear a lot more dresses, and just feel better about myself. I'm excited to see what the future brings!

I am back in my pre-pregnancy jeans! I also went strolling around NYC with my DH over the weekend. I didn't get tired after an hour AND I kept up with him!! Last time we went strolling I was dragging behind and out of breath.

I am also concerned about this. I was banded on the 21st and am HUNGRY! I've read posts here where people say they are not hungry after surgery and force themselves to eat when they realize they've gone a whole day without eating. I wasn't sure if I was doing something wrong, or if I am just going thru the bandster hell I've heard about. I want more than the recommended meal servings the nutritionist mapped out during this time. I'm still on full liquids and will be for another week. I am SO looking forward to mushies.

Thank you for the well-wishes. Suprisingly I have a calmness over me. Calm mind and calm body. Ever since I received my date 6 weeks ago I had been a nervous wreck, to the point where I could not focus on my work. Now, I'm getting stuff done and tackling all the hard stuff before I leave today. I've met with so many people and have went over what to expect so many times with my facility that I'm not nervous. I know I'm in good hands. Good Luck to the rest of us!!!

I just started my pre-op diet yesterday but here goes... Weight Lost: 2 pounds. Exercise: Lugging around a 30 pound toddler. Woo-Hoo!! I've lost 20 pounds since I started this whole journey back in May.

I feel the same way you do. I have never been thin. I have always, even from early childhood, been overweight/obese. I don't know what its like to be thin. When I get there it will be a whole new world to me, but its one I'm definitely looking forward to. I just hope I don't have the bobble-head syndrome (lol!!). I can't help with the PS, but I would encourage you to visit that forum. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I won't need it.

Another one of Dr. Geiss' here too! I'm pleased as punch with his staff. He came highly recommended to me, and although I haven't had my surgery yet I am already singing praises about his office. One thing the staff told me is that you will hear from your insurance company before they do. I don't know how long it took for them to approve because I don't know when they submitted it to my insurance. My approval took a while though bc I had to schedule my surgery 6 weeks out from when they received all of the clearances (due to my schedule) and they told me that they don't submit to insurance until it gets closer to the date (in my case probably 30 days or less). I had the WORST time waiting but was ECSTATIC when I received my approval in the mail. I hope everything turns out well for you. Keep us updated! You can also visit the Long Island thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f53/any-long-islanders-23053/index20.html

I'm also from Long Island. I'll be banded next week!!

I actually lucked out in this department. I got all of my testing done in one month, and it was a lot. I had to go to the Cardiologist 3 times to get different tests done. My job has Summer Hours in place right now, where I got to leave early most fridays. I scheduled my appts Friday afternoon if the office didn't have Saturday/late hours. I always asked the office hours/days when making an appt. **Usually** if you go to a larger practice with more than 5 physicians they have Saturday or late hours. Check with these types of practices, unless you have to go to a specific person. My appts always lasted more than an hour.

Okay, So I'm getting prepared for my surgery by cooking meals for my family, tidying up the house and running errands. My surgery is inpatient and I know what I will be bringing with me for the stay, but wanted to see if anyone has any suggestions on other essential items. Comfy Clothes (Sweats and Shirt) Socks/Undergarment Chapstick Phone & Charger Toothbrush/Paste/Lotion/Hair Tie/Deodorant Slippers Pillow Blanket (I am always cold when in the hospital) And what do I make sure to have on hand at home? Gas-X Strips Protein Drinks Full Liquids-On Approved List Any Medications Doc May Give Me (All filled beforehand, thanks to DH) Tylenol-Liquid ANY suggestions you have would be awesome! Especially from those newly banded, since its fresh in your mind. Thanks!!!

My immediate family knows. I'm not going to bother with extended family because they are all old-school and will never understand what I go thru or what this surgery will do for me. I tried to keep it from my DH of 7 years, but he became extremely worried about me when he saw that I was having testing done with different specialists. He asked me one day out of the blue if I was about to die (seriously) because he was really concerned. I came out and told him then. He has been supportive and encouraged my decision......until tonight. He asked about the surgery and I saw a post here that they were showing the surgery on orlive.com, so we watched it together. He started to change his tune while watching it and is now very concerned because this is major surgery. I think he's just worried about what could (but will not) happen during surgery. I also told my best friend, because she went thru this with the same surgeon a few months ago. So it was my mom, sister, DH, best friend. I don't want to tell any of my coworkers, but will probably mention it to one. He is obese and is the greatest person. I think I am going to pass my surgeon's card to him during one of my company outings (I work from home) later this month. I chose not to be open about this because I didn't want the first question out of everyone's mouth to be "How much have you lost?" everytime they see/talk to me. There is so much more to me than my weight.

Hi nancy104!! Welcome to LBT. I'm also from Long Island and will have my surgery with Dr. Geiss on August 21. You can join us on the New York thread: New York Local Lap-Band Support - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum The one for Long Island is: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f53/any-long-islanders-23053/ Ask away! I'm not banded yet, but there are plenty who are and can give lots of advice!