ebonie1015

Hi- I know alot of insurance companies are different but here's what mine required with each visit: 1. Current weight and vitals (BP, pulse, etc.) 2. BMI 3. Description of weight loss plan that I was following (foods eaten, calories taken in, etc.) 4. Exercise (what, how much, how often, etc.) 5. Any discussions we had about my weight loss 6. My diagnosis had to be morbid obesity and it had to be listed on the note. We could not discuss anything else other than my weight loss and progress or lack of. We also listed the number of the visit that I was on (i.e. Weigh-In #1, #2, etc.) We made sure to have very thorough notes. It's better to have too much than not enough. Hope I was helpful.

I think a lot of physicians are different. I have heard of this happening. I was not required to do a pre-op diet either and on the day of my surgery my BMI was 52.5. My liver was fatty but the surgery went well and the band was placed with no complications. :frown: Hope everything works out for you.:thumbs_up:

I have to make sure to pick up plenty of cottage cheese at the store next week when I begin my mushy phase. I love the stuff!! :thumbs_up: Bridgette- I found the greek yogurt at Wal-mart but was a little skeptical in buying it since I had never had it before. I would be interested as well to find out more about it. From what I saw, it didn't come in a flavored version.

This is with me as well. The first week, it was very hard to drink anything. This week, I find that I can drink very easily. Sometimes too well. I move to mushies next week so maybe I will notice more restriction then.

Oh, this reminds me of something that happened to me a couple of years ago. I was in the process of trying to get approved for WLS and the insurance had denied my procedure. Well, I was at my PCPs office for a visit and was telling him about it. He asked his receptionist to make a copy of the denial letter for him and she says "I don't blame them for denying it. They shouldn't pay for it. I think it's the easy way out." Boy, I was livid. It took all I had not to curse her out right there in the doctor's office. Now it is a small office and she was loud about it too.:frown: I held my breath and didn't say anything because I knew something like !*!* was going to come out of my mouth. Well, as I would go to my normal appts with my PCP, I noticed that this same receptionist was losing weight. I don't mean a little bit here and there, I mean ALOT of noticable weight. After about the first of this year, when I went in for an appt, she was practically half her size. I jokingly said to her, "I need to do what you are doing". She laughed but never said what it was she was doing. I found out about a month later that she had had gastric bypass surgery a year earlier. Now she had this surgery about 6-8 months after she said "I don't think the insurance companies should pay for WLS cause it's just the easy way out". Her insurance paid for hers!:thumbs_up: Boy, when I found this out I thought "what a hypocrite"! She denounces me for wanting to have it done but then only months later, she does it herself. I was a little angry when I learned this at first but then I realized, she figured out that it is not "the easy way out". So when I decided to pursue Lap Band, she a wealth of information and was offering advice. All the time I am thinking to myself, "did she actually forget what she said less than two years earlier?". I agree with Mollyjo, I chalk it up to ignorance. I think alot of people think we just jump right into the decision to have WLS and it is by no means an easy decision to make. But I have to say that it is one of the best decisions that I have ever made.:w00t: Oh, and I hope you left her a penny tip.:tt2: And...CONGRATS on your weight loss. You are doing great!!:cool2:

I had suffered with this since I started having my period at age 9 :tongue2:. It got worse as I got older and heavier. About two years ago, I could not take it any more and went to my GYN for my options. I now have a Mirena IUC (they don't call them IUDs anymore) and I have been pain and period free for about a year and a half now. I may have a light period that lasts for about two days but that only occurs every 4-6 months. It was the best thing I could have done for my menorrhagia.:smile2:

Hi:smile2:- I was just banded by Dr. Thomas Clark, at the WLSC on October 27th. Yes, there is a $720 program fee that is not covered by the insurance companies. They do allow you to break it up into two payments. The first payment is due before your Pre-op Nutrition class and the second payment is due at your post-op appointment, which is usually two weeks after your surgery. There is also a $30 fee for the Computerized Behavioral Assessment that you must take before seeing the psychologist. This is also not covered by your insurance. Other than those two fees, there are no other "out of pocket" expenses (unless determined by your insurance company) that the WLSC requires. Hope I was helpful. :biggrin:

Yep, Flintstones for me too. I love the orange flavored ones.:tongue:

Well, I have officially been banded. I went into surgery about 10:15 Monday morning and was home by 2:45p. I wasn't nervous until the morning of the surgery. I was almost in tears when my DH asked me what was wrong. He helped me relax and I was a little better. By the time I got to the hospital, I was ok. They couldn't get a blood pressure reading and the cuff kept popping off of my arm. They were finally able to get one and it was fine. My pulse was a little high about 110. It normally runs about 70-80. I remember everything until I got into the OR and they said take a couple of deep breaths into the mask. That was it for me.:laugh: The next thing I remember is being in recovery and joking with the PACU nurse. He was really nice. That barium swallow for the x-ray was horrendous.:w00t: I have been doing pretty well since I got home. Still suffering from some gas pains. They are no joke!!:w00t: I have been trying to walk constantly to help alleviate the pain. Today, the gas pains had subsided some but now, the abdominal pain has kicked in and the gas pains are coming back. Sleeping is a chore. My favorite position (on my stomach) is completely out of the question. I have been sleeping on my right side but even lying in that position for 3-4 hours can be painful after a while. My living room sofa has been my friend. I have been trying to make sure I get all my protein and liquids in. Boy, it is hard. I have been sipping on an Atkins Strawberry shake since 230 this afternoon and I still have about 45 more grams of protein left to get in for the day. Well, I just wanted to let you all know how I was doing and thank you all for all of your kind words and support.

Well, I have officially been banded. I went into surgery about 10:15 Monday morning and was home by 2:45p. I wasn't nervous until the morning of the surgery. I was almost in tears when my DH asked me what was wrong. He helped me relax and I was a little better. By the time I got to the hospital, I was ok. They couldn't get a blood pressure reading and the cuff kept popping off of my arm. They were finally able to get one and it was fine. My pulse was a little high about 110. It normally runs about 70-80. I remember everything until I got into the OR and they said take a couple of deep breaths into the mask. That was it for me.:laugh: The next thing I remember is being in recovery and joking with the PACU nurse. He was really nice. That barium swallow for the x-ray was horrendous.:w00t: I have been doing pretty well since I got home. Still suffering from some gas pains. They are no joke!!:w00t: I have been trying to walk constantly to help alleviate the pain. Today, the gas pains had subsided some but now, the abdominal pain has kicked in and the gas pains are coming back. Sleeping is a chore. My favorite position (on my stomach) is completely out of the question. I have been sleeping on my right side but even lying in that position for 3-4 hours can be painful after a while. My living room sofa has been my friend. I have been trying to make sure I get all my protein and liquids in. Boy, it is hard. I have been sipping on an Atkins Strawberry shake since 230 this afternoon and I still have about 45 more grams of protein left to get in for the day. Well, I just wanted to let you all know how I was doing and thank you all for all of your kind words and support.

Thanks Luv :thumbup: Have a great rest of the weekend.

Thanks a bunch, Gina. Have a great weekend.

Happy Saturday Everyone!! Well, I have about two weeks to go before surgery. I went this past Thursday for my pre-op interview and testing at Sentara Careplex. I had the nicest nurse who was very friendly and knowledgeable. I had my blood work done, chest x-ray and EKG. All tests passed with flying colors. I have the 3.5 hour class on Tuesday morning and then I see Dr. Clark Tuesday afternoon for my pre-op appointment. I work with the Anesthesia department at the hospital so I have already spoke to the CRNA I want on my case. I am getting so excited and the time is getting so close. I still need to do some shopping to get everything prepared. This next week is going to be tough eating wise. My wedding anniversary is Monday and my birthday is Wednesday. I have a couple of friends who are taking me out to dinner next week and my hubby has something up his sleeve but I am not sure what it is. I have already decided that I am not going to go overboard with my eating but I will not deprive myself of something if I want it. I have found myself lately not being able to eat half of what I used to and I think it is because I have my mindset to know that I am going to have to change my eating habits. I am going to go ahead and get my Protein shakes and try to start my liquid diet the week before my surgery. Well, I just wanted to say Happy Saturday to everyone. Hope you all have a great weekend. Its supposed to be beautiful outside. :tt2:

Yes, I was. It took about 2 months but only because they requested additional information. As long as you have everything they request, the first time around, approval usually only takes a couple of weeks. This is what they required for me: 3-yr weight history, 6-month physician supervised diet, history and physical from my surgeon and letter stating that I do not smoke and of course, BMI of 35 or higher. They are very easy to deal with as long as you meet the requirements. Please make sure that if you are required to do the six month physician diet that it is WELL documented and that you do not miss any of your appts. This can be a definite deal breaker as I learned a couple of years ago. We have BCBS of Alabama PPO through GE.

I hadn't heard about any studies between African American women and Lap Band. Can you elaborate a little? Thanks

Amanda- Don't freak out. Sometimes it can get a little overwhelming when you read about everything. I am on this site constantly and have read all I can about the band. I even have another book coming in a couple of days. But it's best to know all you can rather than not knowing enough.:smile2: When I went to my first consult with Dr. C., I had a spiral notebook with a ton of questions. He was so nice and answered each and every one of them. We are in very good hands.:bored:

Amanda- I spoke with Cat yesterday about my approval and she scheduled me for about four weeks from now. I am seeing Dr. C. and not Dr. T. and I should be getting my pre-op packet in the mail next week. :crying: Hope this helps.

My insurance is BCBS of Alabama.

Ooh, Ooh me, me. I just received my surgery date about an hour ago. My doctor is Dr. Clark at the WLSC in Newport News, VA. October 27th is the big day for me. I am so excited. :girl_hug:

Congrats robtyty!!!:girl_hug: I received my surgery date today as well. I am so excited. :thumbup:

Thanks Gina. I will have to remember to take those photos. I hate taking pictures but this will be worth it. The last time I went on a big diet, my DH took a video of my before and did some music like on Celebrity Fit Club. It was hilarious and frightening all at the same time.:girl_hug:

Thanks Bridgette for the info. I am keeping my eyes peeled for that packet:blink: Do they not give you the handbook until you pay the program fee? Cat told me that I didn't have to have the first half of the fee until 10.14 but if that holds up receiving additional info, I may go ahead and pay it now. You had me laughing at that question part and Dr. Clark. When I went in for the first consult with him, I had a spiral notebook with a whole page full of questions. He was so nice. I work for the Anesthesia group at the hospital so I see him all the time. I sometimes want to stop and ask him questions when I see him but try not to since he is usually dictating or something. :girl_hug:

Hi Bridgette- I haven't received my packet with all my dates yet. Cat said I should be getting it probably in the next week or so. How long was it before you received your pre-op package? I am SO excited about this. If your surgery date is a couple of days after mine, I will probably be in the same class with you. It will be here before you know it! I just love this website and all of the informative posts. Everyone seems so friendly and easy to talk to. :girl_hug:

Hi Everyone- I just found this thread earlier today and was so excited to see others who are patients of Drs. Clark and Terracina. I just spoke with Cat at WLSC about 15 minutes ago and she gave me my surgery date. October 27th!!! :thumbup: I am so excited and can barely type this message. This has been a long time coming as I tried about two years ago to have surgery but insurance was like "nope, don't think so".:wub: I had given up back then and decided not to pursue surgery and was going to do it all myself. Well, that didn't work out so I decided again to pursue surgery (this time with the band) and after a couple of delays, I can finally say that I am approved. I just wanted to say "Hi" to everyone and I really enjoyed reading all of the posts from some locals.:girl_hug:

I have read the following: Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies Lap-Band Companion Handbook Both books are very informative and answers all types of questions you may have. I may look into a couple of the books mentioned above also.