eldub

Hi Girls! Nice to hear from you and glad you are doing fine. :biggrin: I was banded on Wednesday too and am doing quite well I think except for the stupid gas! I can't wait for that to go away but I am so excited for healing up and getting on with it. I have been walking a lot which seems to help. I just get tired fairly quickly which i'm sure is normal this soon after surgery. Keep us updated on your progress! Congrats to all of us!!! Woo hoo! We're on our way!

Hey Jessica! I'm with you! I will be banded on May 21st as well. I am not on a pre-op diet but trying to watch it. I'll admit that I am enjoying some small servings of some things that will be off limits next week. :thumbup: I am like you, both excited and nervous! Good luck and post after your surgery!

Congratulations ohbearly!!! That's awesome!!!!! Let us know when your surgery date is scheduled. Mine is next Wednesday, 5/21! Woo-hoo!! :tongue2:

Good luck to you in Tucson! I live in Sierra Vista and will be banded on 5/21! I can't wait. :Dancing_wub: Don't feel sorry for yourself - let your body heal and take good care of yourself. You will do great! It's awesome that your hubby understands what you're going through. Blessings to you both and best of luck to you!

Tell the truth. You are asking for a procedure that you legitimately need. You have nothing to hide - just go for it and don't talk yourself out of it. :tt1:

Hang in there girl! It will get much better I'm sure. Just think of all the great things to come. You will feel better each and every day. Take care, and Happy Mother's Day! You have given yourself an amazing gift...... your health! :tt1:

Hi Drew! I paid a $1000.00 program fee to my surgeon's office. That included the diet, the three monthly visits, and the nutritionist. I paid $300.00 to the psychologist for my psychological evaluation. My surgery is scheduled for 5/21 and will cost $200 for my copay. I hope it will be well worth it! Have a great day!

I got my denial in 3 days. After my doctor completed a peer to peer review on my behalf, the approval was received in one day! Hang in there but don't be afraid to call Aetna to check on it either if you're curious. Good luck to you! You will be successful! :tt1:

Thanks so much! I did the three month diet and I have sleep apnea. I met the baseline for the Aetna requirements. I have a BMI of 36 and an Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI) of 15.6 which qualified for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea under the Aetna Clinical Bulletin. Aetna denied my claim at first because they said that my sleep study doctor didn't sign my sleep study results (however it was digitally signed) and that they needed a definition of hypopnea from the sleep center. I went back to the doctor who reviewed my sleep study and had him sign the report and got the sleep center to provide the definition. I provided all of my information to my bariatric coordinator who reviewed it. She was then able to set up a peer to peer review between my surgeon and the reviewing doctor from Aetna. After the phone conversation, my bariatric coordinator submitted all of the information that was discussed to the Aetna doctor. Once he reviewed it, he overturned my denial and issued my approval! That was great because I wasn't required to submit a formal appeal. I LOVE my surgeon and his staff! I must say that I thought Aetna was great to work with all in all. If you have a legitimate claim and have jumped through all of the hoops, you will be approved! :tt1:

Hi everyone! I have been lurking on this board since January. Thanks to all of your wonderful advice, I was approved this morning and my surgery date is May 21st! I am BEYOND excited and wanted to thank you all and congratulate you all too! How is everyone doing with their bands? Any advice for me? Any preparation tips? I have to travel to Phoenix for the surgery (about 2 1/2 hrs away).

I just found out today that I am scheduled for my band on May 21st! Woo hoo! I can't wait! Congratulations to everyone! Good luck Michele! You will do great! Let us know how it goes! :frown: