Constance

After two denials I decided to go to Mexico for sugery. Specifically, Dr. Ortiz. Of course he has a pre-op diet. Yep, I just HAD to pick the doc with a pre-op diet. So tonight was the Last Supper. Mexican with ice cream for dessert. I bought some protein powder from GNC and hopefully it isn't super gross. I can't believe surgery is just a little over a week away. Wow. I'm excited but scared. The life changes ahead of me are huge. But that would be true no matter which weight loss path I chose. The fact is, I have had an unhealthy relationship with food and eating and I need help to change. I just want to make it through the next 7 days without food. It is both a mental and ohysical challenge. I know I can do it!

After two denials I decided to go to Mexico for sugery. Specifically, Dr. Ortiz. Of course he has a pre-op diet. Yep, I just HAD to pick the doc with a pre-op diet. So tonight was the Last Supper. Mexican with ice cream for dessert. I bought some protein powder from GNC and hopefully it isn't super gross. I can't believe surgery is just a little over a week away. Wow. I'm excited but scared. The life changes ahead of me are huge. But that would be true no matter which weight loss path I chose. The fact is, I have had an unhealthy relationship with food and eating and I need help to change. I just want to make it through the next 7 days without food. It is both a mental and ohysical challenge. I know I can do it!

Yay! Good for you! Uneventful is a GOOD thing when it comes to surgery.

This is a topic that has been brought up many times. I think I even started a similar thread at some point! It is a very personal decision. Read all about it and think long and hard. In some ways it is a huge releif for people to have that restricted intake. The flipside is that you can suffer the consequences of restrcition with spitting up your food or having pain in your chest. You just have to gather info and ask yourself if it is right for you. Can you diet and maintain your weight on your own? Or will this tool help you KEEP off what you could never maintain? I have taken 8 months of research to get there. Here is another great thread on the subject http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15765 Good Luck!

I will be sending good vibes and prayers for you! You have been such a trooper and had a great attitude with everything you endured. I have the same band-day as you! Good luck, and see you on ColoBandsters!

Hi Vickums. I had looked into Dr. Joya, along with a bunch of other Mexican surgeons. I ultimately decided with Dr. Ortiz. Here is another thread about Dr. Joya. http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=20942

What kind of protein drink are you having? I need to start my pre-op in...WOW...in one more day! I haven't gotten any protein powder yet.

I've been practicing small bites this week and it is tougher that I thought! I do find that when the bite is really small it's like I can't really tatse the food fully. I will try the medium sized bite/partial swallows method.

Hey there! My stepdaughter starts her first day of high school tomorrow and it is WEEEIIIRD! Ok, so she is my STEPdaughter. But I have known and loved and cared for her since she was in 3rd grade! And here she is with boobs and MySpace and her own opinions...it is crazy how fast it goes. I am only 30 -- my husband is 37, but sometimes I feel so old with a teenager under my care. We have made our share of sacrifices for her. I think that can be hard when you are younger and you see your friends out there living it up. But watching her grow' into a woman is just as special as teaching her to ride a bike. Granted, she is FILLED with attitude most of the time. But I just feel blessed to have her in my life. I can imagine it must be hard for you right now. Hang in there! You did what you ha to do. No parent is perfect. We do our best -- and you're doing your best!

I see you are being banded by Dr. Sanchez. As far as I know you aren't required to do any pre-op diet until the night before. (?) But I could be wrong. I am nervous too! I am still a week and a half out but every night I lay awake with anxiety over everything that will change. But that is why it is good to come here and get support. You will be fine! I was strongly considering Dr. Sanchez. He is excellent and has so many happy patients -- soon you'll be one too!

I sent my request to my boss and wimped out and just said " I need to take these days off as vacation time" I totally lost my nerve! I just think it would get back to people that I was out for a medical reason and then the girls I work with would harrass me. I mean, they are great, but the peeps I work with don't even understand the concept of "personal and conifidential" I have a ton of vacation time so that part is OK.

I just scheduled surgery for 8/31! Yikes, it is so soon. I have been researching it since Jan. but I didn't expect when I was scheduling to get a date so close. I'm nervous and excited and pretty much in shock! Ortiz - 8/31/06

(Warning: venting/whining/complaining to follow) Uuugghhh. So even after my PCP submitted more info to overturn Cigna's denial, Cigna decided to uphold the denial. I read about the folks at ObesityLaw.com and filled out their online questionaire. They responded promptly with what I needed to pursue their services. But frankly, just the thought of trying to get the ridiculously incompetent medical staff to send me my charts/files/letters to me to pass on to the lawyers makes me want scream. I'm so mad at how little I am able to be involved. I can't even have my own medical records from Cigna. I can't get anyone to talk to me and discuss the denial. They just read me the letter they sent me, which is so incredibly vague. I'm so disgusted with the whole process. Apparently no one, not my PCP's office, the sugeon's office OR Cigna have any clue how to communicate or transmit info. Then I think, well, what if I appeal and it's 400-800$ for legal. Then let's say Cigna only covers 80% of the surgery. (Which btw, is there any way to find out a)exactly how much they cover and b)exactly what the surgeon charges? I can't get a straight answer from anyone) So I'm then up 4 or 5K$. Geez, I can just go to Mexico for 8500 and do it in the next few weeks. I'm so over it. I'm so sick of being fat. I feel like such an idiot for gaining weight so I could be in the 41 BMI. I thought surely that would get me covered. I feel like another 3 months of waiting and I'm gonna have stretch marks on hands. This quick weight gain has been horrible on me. Where do I go from here? Is he legal help worth it? What if I'm too damn healthy? (My only slight co-morbids were depression and joint pain -- not that I'm complaining) Should I just take the legal money and book a flight to Mexico? I'm fed up!:help: Advice??

Yo DrewsL, I'm sort of in your vicinity (E'wood actually) and I wear a 20/22. Do you still have stuff left?

That is so cool! I'm so glad for you and I can't wait to be in your shoes.

I, fortunately/unfortunately, am very close with several women I work with. While I love them, I'm not telling them about surgery. I KNOW they are going to harrass me about where I am going so I have contemplated many excuses. Uterine fibroids? Colposcopy? Or, I may just say I am taking a few days off to hang with my husband. Then when I come back I'll say 'yeah, I'm doing this liquid fast', etc. Taking time off isn't so big of a deal. It's answering to my nosey co-workers that will suck!

As far as stinky breath goes, try parsley gelcaps and/or chlorophyl juice. Both are in health stores. They make evey part of your body, armpits and all, smell fresh and clean. Totally awesome for ketosis or mass garlic consumption.

That is so cool! You have come so far! I feel totally inspired by your story.

Ortiz peeps: Could you do something other than Slim Fast? I find it so overly sweet and fake. Could you do a whey Protein shake that gives you a little more staying power and isn't so gaggy? Maybe toss a wee little spoonful of Peanut Butter into a vanilla Protein Shake?! Hang in there. I'm not in your shoes yet...but I will be!

Don't give up yet. Try for a partial or total un-fill. The tool will be there for you when you feel ready to try again. Maybe this isn't the time to focus too much on weight loss. Maybe you can just work on feeling good about yourself and celebrating victory over addiction! Yes, see a nutritionist and maybe a therapist, too, if you don't already. You deserve to feel good about yourself and weight is only part of that equation. Maybe you could talk about what's going on inside and get some support from someone who has experience with addiction. From what you say about wanting a regimented program, it sounds to me that you have some fear of losing control with food? This is totally a 10 second analysis so I could be way off base here. But I think therapy is so helpful for re-learning those feelings of control. Or maybe just seeing a nutritionist and talking about your need for structure could help you find more balance. I agree with 'best me', you HAVE gone through a lot -- take the weight loss in baby steps. We are here for you! :clap2:

My local surgeon has just submitted all of the required materials to Cigna. The insurance processor said I should have a decision in 2 weeks. I have a PhD (ok, maybe a Master's compared to some of you) in jumping through hoops at this point: 6 months supervised "diet" resting metabolic rate testing blood work EKG Cardio pulmonary work up Psych eval. mandatory support group Cigna is notoriously tough so I hope I have enough. The problem is, I learned recently that they want you to have a BMI of 40+ for at least a year. I hovered at 39 up until a few months ago. The insurance processor thought I acctually had a pretty good shot, though. I so so hope I get approved! Please send you good vibes/prayers/happy thoughts this way

Today my PCP sent in another month of supervison along with some aditions to the first month. Please please let that be enough! If not I will look into the legal action. UPDATE: Denied yet again :cry After much debate I've decided to move on from Cigna and seek surgery in Mexico. Can't say I didn't try!

Do you know where I could see a picture of the mid band?

Here is the link for the Cigna surgery requirements: http://www.cigna.com/health/provider/medical/procedural/coverage_positions/medical/mm_0051_coveragepositioncriteria_bariatric_surgery.pdf

I am actually appealing a denial with Cigna based on the 6month supervision being 'inadequate'. From what I have learned, they want 6 months, "without significant gaps" over a 12 month period. So I think you could probably skip a month, maybe two. But ultimately they are looking for each month to have your vitals, weight, blood pressure, etc., the diet and exercise plan you have been using, and any things you and you doctor talked about related to that. Also, I think they like to see doctor reccomendations, like, "Patient asks about joint pain. I advised low weight bearing exercises". You know, something concrete that was discussed. You can submit what you have - however you only get 3 appeals so proceed wisely. They denied me for what it seems is nothing. Litererally, we can't figure out what this denial is actually about since I have the 6mo documentation. But they claim I am 'missing' 2 months. So obnoxious! If you have chosen a surgeon they may have someone on staff who does all the insurance processing for you. That makes things easier and that perosn can guide you in the process. If you are going it alone, Cigna has a list of their requirments in PDF on their website...I'll see if I can find it for you. Good luck!