AliNSanDiego

My date is the 9th too. I'm excited & I know this is the right thing for me... BUT I'm also starting to get nervous. I think the nerves are just natural for us when we are getting ready for any type of surgical procedure. Stay positive and try keeping yourself busy with other things so you don't think too much about the surgery. :biggrin:

Adding myself to this list: Updated July Butterflies List 1 wsw27 1 tillydog 1 doedoe1961 1 staylucid 1 mygirlayanna 1 Rdk211 1 kiwifruit_77511 2 minidriver 2 slim2be 2 BethO 2 mrsgriffin2u 2 trudeip 2 Barbiek 2 annabella 2 SanDiegoSusan 2 anita reyna 2 jjenkins2411 3 BigBander 3 scoutmama 3 2GoodDogs 3 kimlam 4 joiful 7 slim1 7 ginnyc 7 AmyWA 7 Redheada 8 blaze 21 8 Louisville Lesa 8 zeama 8 cinda 8 flowers 8 JaJeanne 8 Booklady 8 IntoLess 9 Ailie 9 Sarv 9 MarylandMommy 9 siouxsie Sioux 9 Rivieramaya05 9 lalaredd 9 missrach 9 aliNSanDiego 10 sallen21 10 Goobe 10 2Blite4life 10 melmel 10 Fancy Nancy 10 vannie 11 Applebottom 11 vra123456 11 wstone 11 falloons 11 melallot 13 OvrLvl 14 MaidMarion 14 Chellets 14 pbpunisher 15 Fearless55 15 Flowerpurr 15 lynlynkr 15 pschmolle 15 perfectforme 15 PENTURN 15 mellimel71 16 eyespy 16 lisainbohemia 16 lotzasunshine 16 SciTeach 16 lynlynkr 16 michkor 16 jomomma 16 Charlene K 16 nanaislosingit 16 moez02 16 aclubb 17 OCBreeze4U 17 3m’smom 17 tnag86 17 Long2bFree 18 PDXBandster 18 toogoode4u 18 CapitolChick 21 clayverde 22 Moocatschade 22 zillyanne 22 TeriVA 22 kimaly 22 lleighton5 22 Choromom 22 annesan 22 thatDEgirl 22 Laniev00 23 BABOOMER 23 shellbell99 24 daniml 24 nyllrap 24 linksmom 24 lisadental 24 Frypan 25 NewJEM 25 Kiki220 25 Nachtigall 28 ann71 28 splfrd 28 mamanmidwife 29 Cherub 29 Chellets 30 orea15

Hi Allie. I'm also scheduled to be banded on the 9th & I'm also Ali (pronounced Allie). I will be sitting on the edge of my seat for the next week waiting with you... Do you have to do the liquid pre-op diet? Mine starts tomorrow. Good thoughts coming your way!

I got my date today. July 9th!

Just a quick update. I got my approval today!!! It took UHC 4 business days to approve me. I called them every single day to check the status. Tentative surgery date is July 9th!!! I am soooo excited!

I'm no help with the insurance, but I can say that I really like Dr. Bhoyrul. My friend had her surgery done at UCSD with Dr. Horgan. She also really liked him. I went with Dr. Bhoyrul because he accepts my insurance. They are both good doctors in my opinion...

Hahaha. You are so right! My horse will be the most appreciative of my weight loss. He is a BIG boy & can carry quite a lot of weight, but I swear he sigh's a breath of relief every time I dismount. Man I can't wait to get these pounds off so I can feel confident about riding.

My doctor said 6 weeks off of riding to heal. I'm sure that was just his standard answer...everyones healing time is different. Thanks for the port placing suggestion. Now i'll make sure to ask for the left side.

Hi Diane, I am seeing Dr. Bhoyrul (scripps green) in San Diego. It's a good hour drive for me, but I REALLY like him so it's worth it. What city are u in?

Welcome! I'm near Temecula, CA. I finished all of my doctors requirements a little over a week ago & and my doctor's office just submitted to my insurance on Wednesday. I have called them daily to see if there are any updates.... I'm just a TAD impatient & I'm sooooooooo ready! Good luck and keep us updated!

I bought my magic bullet at costco for $59. Best purchase ever!!!

I paid $350 for the Psych and $93 for the nutritionist/dietician. My insurance is UHC Choice Plus PPO (they did not cover either).

Gosh, I feel lucky. I have been very open with pretty much everyone I know & have not had anyone comment negative. However, If someone did comment negative...water off my back. This is my choice. :confused_smile:

I live up near Temecula so not too far from you! I am hoping to get insurance approval very soon & get my band in July (I am seeing Dr Bhoyrul & REALLY like him). How far along are you in the process? Lets keep in touch!

I have UHC. I just finished all of my surgeon's requirements today & now they will submit to the insurance (I am hoping tomorrow). The insurance coordinator says it typically takes 4 weeks for an answer. I called UHC myself and talked to the care coordinator. She told me the paperwork gets faxed in by the surgeon’s office, I am then given a case number and my file is passed through several other depts. /hands prior to being approved (including a nurse). If the approval can't be determined by these people, my file is sent to a board to be looked at... I got a headache just listening to how this all works! Sounds like it takes forever... The care coordinator did tell me I could always call in and check the status... I will keep you updated!

I see no reason to hide what I am doing. Everyone that looks at me can clearly see I am fat... why hide that I am trying to get healthy. If they don't agree with the way I am going about it, they can take a HIKE! Saying that I have told pretty much everyone. Including a lot of my co-workers. Thankfully everyone is very supportive and if they are not, they are doing a great job hiding it! Keep your head up and try not to worry about what others think. This is about YOU, YOU, YOU!!!

I don't think you are crazy at all! I am going through the same thing. My surgeon asked me to start the South Beach Diet a week ago (just started the process to be banded a few weeks ago). I have been following it very close and after 1 week I can hardly eat 3 meals a day & I get very full fast. I do think its great preparation for living with the band...the goal is to eat less! However, for myself...I'm getting concerned that I will be below the weight/BMI that my insurance requires for approval.

I have UHC PPO Choice Plus. This is becoming a real game with what is covered, what is not & who is in network and out of network. I can't seem to get any solid answers and just keep hitting a WALL every time I try to schedule all this stuff required to even SUBMIT to insurance for approval. SIGH............ The insurance company tells me they will only cover if... 40+BMI OR 100 pounds overweight OR 35+BMI + co-morbidities The surgeon I went to see says... 40+BMI 100 pounds overweight OR 35 w/ Co-Morbidities PLUS... Psych evaluation/clearance ($350 out of pocket - psychologist referral surgeon gave me not covered by insurance :confused2:) Bariatric Dietician ($100 out of pocket - not covered by insurance :confused2:) Bariatric group Diet Class ($10 out of pocket) Group Seminar I am going to be one pissed off person if I put out nearly $500 and then the insurance says NO, SORRY...not covering you.

It's called Metobolic RESET (Chocolate is my fav). I drink it with skim milk, but also tried it with Water today and still liked it. Sugar is my enemy.

Another Stevia fan here. The protein powder i am drinking is sweetened with Stevia & I love it.

I really like the taste of Metobolic RESET Protein powder (made by natures way). I mix it in a magic bullet with skim milk. It's the lowest carb, lowest calorie good tasting shake I could find. Calories 130 Fat 1g Sodium 150mg Potassium 280mg Total Carbohydrate 13g Dietary Fiber 7g Sugars 1g Protein 21g

I just bought chocolate Metobolic RESET Protein Powder. It actually tastes pretty darn good & it filled me up. 130 cal 1 gram fat 22 grams of protein I mixed it with skim milk so my calories were a little higher then with Water. I bought it at Sprouts Health food Store, but you can also get it online. Metabolic Reset shake, Chocolate

Went to my consult today. It went well; I really liked the staff and the surgeon. The only slight disappointment is that I have to do numerous things prior to them even submitting to my insurance…These are things I really don't think I need to do. Although...I have to admit...I am very impatient. I have done the research & I am determined this band is what will work for me. I hate waiting... So here is a detailed report *I have UHC Choice Plus PPO* Called 1 week ago & got an appointment for today Receptionist emailed me packet to fill out. Went to appointment today: Height & weight first (shoes and socks came off). Then I met with the *coordinator* who asked me questions and sort of filled me in on the process. Surgeon came in and went over the packet with me. He told me I am a candidate, but I must do the following prior to them submitting the paperwork to my insurance. #1). Psych evaluation/clearance #2). Group Info Seminar #3). Pre-op Dietician He also said I should start the South Beach Diet today and 1 week prior to surgery I would be on a liquid diet to help shed the fat off my liver. My seminar will be June 3rd, psych eval on Jun 9, follow-up with Surgeon on June 13th (I will fit dietician in before the follow-up). I am hoping June 13th will be a green light to submit to the insurance for approval. In the meantime, I need to lose a little weight. If I lose too much, I may not meet the insurance requirements and will be denied, but I can't gain anything either! Man...Catch 22. Hope this helps those of you who have questions in regards to the first consult.

Thank you for the info about the seminar!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I'm new to all of this and have found this site to be very helpful too!<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Tomorrow I have my first consult. I was hoping I would meet with the surgeon, but from reading others experiences it sounds like the first appointment is like a group information session. I did get an email with all of the paperwork needed so that is all filled out and ready.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I went to see my doctor today for sleep issues and also requested I be tested for diabetes or pre-diabetes. They pricked my finger and my sugars were spiked (120). Tomorrow before my consult I will stop and do the fasting test (for diabetes) to get more accurate results for my fear of having the disease (I have all the symptoms) :crying:.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I just need to get this extra weight off so badly! My body is falling apart being as big as I am. Gain, lose, gain, lose, gain, lose… That’s been me for years.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Anyways...sorry for the ramble & thanks for listening!<o:p></o:p>

I have UHC as well. When I called I got the same answers. Over 40BMI OR 100 pounds overweight & 5 Years Weight History When he said 5 years weight history I took that as 5 years of being fat (which I have been). Did they specifically tell you it needed to be doctor documented weight loss efforts? I have my appointment with the weight loss center this Fri. I hope at this appointment they can give me more info about this entire insurance process.