venzwife

I have thought about the Bypass too. I had lost 65 lbs, then got a little too tight around christmas for some reason (all of the sudden, with no fill change). I started eating slider foods and didn't even notice at first. I started creeping up, and now have gained back 24 lbs! I went in for a slight unfill in January, then I had no restriction, and then they filled me again, but still haven't been able to find my sweet spot again. :-( The band is certainly frustrating. I love it, and hate it at the same time. I find myself wishing I had gone with the GB, but my reasoning for not is still there. I hate the idea of having my digestive system re-routed and some parts cut out....scary stuff. I always worry about problems related to malnutrition too. I am young, and my husband and I want to have kids, and I worry about being pregnant after having GB and not getting enough nutrients. That was the main reason I went with the band. I really hope I can get back on track with my band again, but if something goes wrong with it, I will probably consider the bypass, if my insurance covers it. I can't go back to having nothing again. I can't go back to where I was. What have people heard about insurance covering revisions to bypass?

I'm having the same problem! I've never had a PB, and I've never had any problems with food. It seems I can eat anything! While I can't eat as much as I used to, I also don't feel much of restriction. I ate almost a normal sized plate of food at Thanksgiving...way more than 1 cup of food, and it all went down with no problems. I tried to make most of the food I ate be turkey and vegetables (like green beans, celery, and other kinds with the least amount of cals), but I still ate way too much. Then less than 3 hours later, we went to another family gathering and I could eat again. I am restricting myself through willpower, but I definitely think I need another fill. I had my last fill almost 2 months ago now, and I think I am just barely under 8CC's in my Realize-C band. I'm worried about getting too much fill too, and about slippage/erosion. But I guess since I am feeling normal, I shouldn't be too worried since other people are having the same problem. Guess I'll call and schedule another fill.

Hey everybody! I know I havne't been on here in a long time, but I just wanted to pop in with an update. I am doing well. I felt back to my old self about 6 weeks after post-op, and 1/2 way through mushies I can't even tell I have the band, other than the decrease in the amount I can eat. I have never had problems with any foods, even when I swallow larger bites than I should (usually on accident). Never had a PB. I'm now 4 months out at 37 lbs down. I don't think I am restricted as much as I need to be, as I can almost eat as much as I did before. For example: yesterday I ate two hot dogs (FF turkey and light bread - so not fattening), but I don't think I should be able to eat two of them, should I? I also just bought a new elliptical the other day (YEAH!) and it should be delivered next week. Can't wait! Anyhoo. I am at 7cc in the Realize-C band, which I THINK holds 9CC (correct me if I'm wrong) Anybody else have the Realize-C band? How many CC's did it take for you to get to good restriction? I KNOW everyone is different, and it can vary greatly. I am just curious. Thanks everyone!

I am done & out!! It was an overall pleasant experience, except for the two hours or so after surgery. I was feeling REALLY nauseous no matter what they gave me. I couldn't get the feeling to go away. I had drank my 12 oz of liquid (ice chips and juice) and was about to leave when they gave me a dose of the liquid Lortab for the pain. I only swallowed a tiny little bit and knew I was in trouble. I ended up throwing up twice. The first time it was all air - like a burp! The second was almost a cup of liquid! I didn't think my stomach could hold that much! It wasn't a violent throw up, so I don't think I hurt anything, but it was definitely a wretch. I think my stomach pouch must have been filled with air that couldn't get out which was causing me problems. I felt fantastic after that, though, and have managed to hold down all my liquids since then. I just have a little soreness at the incisiion sites (mainly port site), but just sleepy otherwise. Do you guys have any problems burping after this? I notice that I tend to swallow a little bit of air when I drink, even when I try not to. I burped just a little bit a few minutes ago (which I am very grateful for), but I did wonder about it. Amanda, I also had to micro-manage and bug Peggy to death about all of my files too. I'll email you a copy of the letter I sent, and also a letter I had the sleep doctor write for me. Even though I didn't officially have apnea, I had a few "episodes" during the night that I used to try and strengthen my case.

Yeah. It has been quiet here the last couple of days. I'm currently suffering through liquids and counting down to my surgery! T minues 1.5 days! I can't believe it's here so quickly!! I am starting to get a little paranoid this morning because I have had a runny nose today. It doesn't feel like a cold (feels more like allergies), but I don't have any allergies this time of year....I think my body is manifesting it's nervousness & excitement....

Okay, for some reason I can't figure out how to send you a PM, readyforchange09. Do you have an email address you could give me?

Question everyone....my surgery is less than a week away!! AH!!! I am so nervous & excited! How many days of liquid diet did you all do BEFORE surgery? I know clear liquids only the day before with the bowel prep, but I wasn't sure how many days you do liquids before that (if any).

I am so sorry to hear that Amanda! :-( That was my worst fear. From others that I have heard with borderline cases that got denied is appeal appeal appeal. See if you can get letters from any of your doctors saying why it is medically necessary for you. Even if you have one "official" co-morbid condition, make a list of things that don't fall into that category. I'm going to PM you a letter I wrote to send with my application that might give you some ideas for an appeal letter.

I am with Dr. Schmitt! I'm being banded June 3rd! :-)

It says the poll is closed, so I couldn't submit my choice.

I'd be interested in coming! I'll be a little over 1.5 months out from my surgery.... I usually avoid the pool like the plague, but I think I could make an exception for this event. :-)

Amanda, Amy, & Jason - It was great seeing you at support group today! This is the first meeting I've been to after getting insurance approval and my surgery date. It made it feel different....like it's really going to happen. I am getting more and more excited! Hopefully these next few weeks will fly by.

Hey, is there a support group meeting this Saturday? What time is it? I was thinking about coming and bringing my mom (she's nervous about this whole thing). I was going to go to their website at www.alabamawls.com to check the date/time, but their website was down when I checked. Did they change their domain name?

Yeah debbut!! That is really exciting! I am glad you were able to take an earlier surgery. She had some earlier dates for me too, but I couldn't take them because of giving notice to take a week off at my job. :-( Mine took quite a while from submittal, but my situation really wasn't normal. I have two insurance policies with BCBS of AL and the secondary insurance covers it, but the primary doesn't. It had to be submitted under my primary first, then wait for the denial before it could be sent in under the secondary. If your numbers are rock solid (above 40 bmi for 3 years, documented with records), then you could be approved in minutes via their electronic submittal to BCBS. But, if you have a low BMI, or have to use pictures as evidence like I did, it has to be physically submitted. Once mine finally got to the secondary insurance, it took about 1.5 weeks to hear back. It just took over a month to get my answer, though, becasue of my secondary insurance thing.

I think I just got a surgery date for June 3rd. She had a cancellation for this Monday the 18th, but it was too short notice for me to take off from work. June 3rd is a Wednesday. Do y'all think if I took off June 3rd - June 10th, that would be enough time off? All I do is sit at a desk all day in front of a computer, so I do not have a very strenuous job? Should I take off more time, like that Thursday and Friday following?

OMG!!!! I just got an email from Peggy today! I am APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JUMPING UP AND DOWN FOR JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey readyforchange09. Mine had to be sent in for review, but it was because I used pictures for weight documentation. Hopefully it will come through soon. Are you going to have to re-schedule your surgery if it doesn't come through on time?

WOW! I can't believe they scheduled you a surgery date before the insurance was even submitted! Lucky you! Did you take your nutrition class certificate up to their office before you left? What insurance person are you working with, Naoemi or Peggy? Are you using Dr. Schmitt or Dr.Miles?

My 10 year reunion (if we even have one) should be next year. Maybe if I get approved (crossing fingers), I will have lost a lot of weight by then and will be feeling good.

It was nice seeing you in the Nutrition Class readyforchange09! Hopefully they can submit your stuff to BCBS soon after your last weigh-in, and maybe we will have a close surgery date. That is, if mine ever gets approved. LOL!

How long does the Nutrition Class last? I am scheduled to go Wednesday morning at 8AM, and wondering what time I need to tell my boss I'll be in. Also, anyone else go to this class before insurance approval? They told me to go ahead and go, but if insurance denies me, how much will this cost me? They said $60 co-pay, but has anybody self paid the Nut class? Thanks!

WOW! Thanks Kaninag and Jason! Jason, that is exactly what I was needing. I emailed these numbers to her so she can get somewhat of an idea.

I'm not sure where you got this information from, but the guidelines on BCBS website still says it accepts dated photographs in lieu of medical records (if they are unavailable), if accompanied by a letter from your PCP. My surgeon's office just submitted photos with my application this week. I would go ahead and submit! If they deny, they deny, but keep fighting it! It *IS* in their policy guidelines.

Yeah, I know each contract is different, and that is the problem she is running in to. She is not in a position to finance or make payments, and will need to pay the whole thing as a lump sum, but she can't get any idea of how much that might be. I just figured someone on here might have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and have a claim statement.

Hey, anybody have BCBS AL that might be willing to share their claims report with me? You can black out your personal information. My co-worker and I went to the seminar together & wants to get the lap band, but her insurance only pays 50% of the ALLOWED costs for the Surgeon and Anesthesia. She's contacted Schmitt & Miles office, but nobody has responded back to her or given her the amounts. She's trying to decide if she can afford it or not. We would be very grateful!! And if you don't have a scanner, you can fax it (it comes to my email as a PDF) to 1-866-410-6532.