bklyn1984

It's been a week for me too but I was allowed pureed soups, oatmeal, and yogurt this past Wednesday. I take 20 mins to eat 3 meals a day (1/4 to 1/2 cup) and 60 mins before I drink water. I also have a 1/2 can of pure protein shake throughout the day. There are times that I am still hungry but not bad enough that it bothers me.

My surgeon told me no exercise for 6 weeks after surgery. He told me the most he would allow me to do at the gym was walk around the track. I want to get back too so I am going to walk around the track.

I was banded on the 9th. I had shoulder pain 3 days after and it's finally subsiding. I also had an allergy to the tape around my dressings and the itching from that is worse than the shoulder pain in my opinion. I met with my surgeon today and told me to use benadryl for the allergy. I lost 6 pounds after surgery. I am very surprised that I did because of all the fluids I got through the IV and the prednisone they gave me right before surgery. I spent the night in ICU so they could monitor my breathing. This was due to my asthma and sleep apnea. My port is in different area than I thought it would be. I forgot to ask why but I think it may be due to my recent umbilical hernia repair. I remember the surgeon saying they would work around it. The port is above the belly button and is so sore at times. Today I had a bought with nausea and I did not eat or drink all day. The surgeon gave me medicine which I took tonight and I was able to eat pureed Soup. Then some Water an hour later without feeling nauseous. I am so glad to get the go ahead to drive. It's way too cold here to walk outside and I want to go to the gym and now I can :wink: I can only walk though but that's okay. The vain side of me also wants my hair done so I have an appointment this coming Monday. Plus my front tooth was broken during hernia repair surgery and I have an appointment on the 23rd to get that fixed. I bit down on a scope they were taking it out while I was still under. Funny when I saw some of the staff that helped me out with my hernia surgery they remembered me because of what happened to my tooth.

I was banded on January 9th and I have redness on all of my incisions. They itch like crazy and today when I saw my surgeon he told me that I had an allergic reaction to the tape used with my dressings. He told me to use benadryl cream on them and I have some relief. Like everyone here has mentioned see your surgeon but I know how the itching has been.

I had this happen to me. The surgery scheduler insisted that I have all of this information because of insurance reason which was not true. These doctor's offices hear BCBS and their thoughts go directly to what they know about BCBS outside of the BCBS Federal plans. My last visit prior to her sending my information to the insurance I talked with her again and said I was not sure why if BCBS Feds tell me it's not necessary why did they tell her different. She then went onto tell me I do not know I never really worked with this insurance plan. Meaning she never called them her information was based on her experiences with the other BCBS plans.

I am not getting this band but I took a look at the website and it says that the physician is supposed to mail you his 12 digit code. Personally if you have a chance when you are out I would stop by the office. It's easy enough for them to ignore you when you are on the phone then when you are there in person. This website has a forum for realize band here -Realize Band Surgery (NEW!) - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum Check here if you have not done so already.

I am currently using Worldwide Pure Protein shake which I buy from GNC. Below is a link from the Vitamin Shoppe that has details about the drink which is in a can already pre-made. Pure Protein Shake Frost Choco by Worldwide Sport - VitaminShoppe.com I also tried EAS chocolate flavor and french vanilla and I only like the chocolate flavor.

I have had surgeries in the past and I have never had a bad experience. I remember everyone being so attentive and caring. This surgery is so worth it in my opinion. I just had emergency hernia repair surgery on 12/16 and it was fine. I look forward to starting my new life after my surgery on 1/9 The best of luck to you :cry_smile:

That's great! :tt2: My surgery is on the same day as yours and I am on day 9 of the pre-op liquid diet. Friday cannot not get here quick enough for me.

Hang in there! I started mine on the 26th and at first I was freaking out. I am allowed broth, crystal light, 2-4oz 100% fruit juice, and dannon light & fit yogurt. My calorie count is 1000. It's getting better by the day. My DH is preparing his own meals also. Today I went in for my PATs (pre-admission tests) and I got weighed and since the 23rd I have lost another five pounds :frown: We're all going to get through this and it will be so worth it!

Today is my first day :thumbup: 13 days until surgery. I am going to do this. I want nothing to stand in my way of getting banded on the 9th. It's going to be he** I know that but after surgery I am going to be on the same kind of diet until the surgeon says I can start increasing to the mushie stage. I figure it will prepare me for that. I can have up to 1000 calories.

I totally agree with you. I would have had my surgery much sooner than I am if I had been more persistent. It worked out for the best though because last week I had to have emergency hernia repair and the surgeon was from the same practice who are doing my lap band, I had surgery in the same hospital, and met some of the staff I may see again on the 9th. The hernia surgeon was very familiar with lap band surgery so he was very understanding and waited until after surgery to tell me if everything was okay with going forward and today I found out I am still good to go. BCBS Federal from what I have been told by someone who approves these files are completely separate from regular BCBS. I was told that they follow exactly what is said about this surgery in the Service Benefit Plan Brochure. I was also told BCBS Fed is from negotiations done between BCBS Association and US OPM not individual states.

I am getting banded on January 9th :eek: My pre-op liquid diet starts this Friday :thumbup:

What's new for 2009 when it comes to pre-certification is for outpatient bariatric surgery: This applies to both Standard and Basic Option you can find out more by going to the website www.fepblue.org and downloading the 2009 brochure. You must now obtain prior approval for outpatient surgery for morbid obesity, outpatient surgical correction of congenital anomalies, and outpatient surgery needed to correct accidental injuries (see Definitions) to jaws, cheeks, lips, tongue, roof and floor of mouth. Previously, these types of services did not require prior approval. Like it's been mentioned here I would call BCBS Fed at the number on the back of your father's card for further clarification.

That's fine and your opinion and you're right they have not done a study on Wii Fit. I never mentioned that's what the study was for. But I also use the Wii Sports to keep me moving with the Tennis so the study was nothing more than interesting for me personally and I thought I would share it. Take what you want from it. The Wii and Wii Fit for me takes the place when the weather makes driving to the gym impossible. Otherwise I am in the gym.

I love my Wii Fit and if I am not mistaken the board has additional pads that I thought could be used to increase the height for the step portion? Maybe I am wrong but like everyone here said I would not try putting it on a balance board. I like the running and tennis. This week I also bought Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009. Someone I know told me it's a good work out. My personal trainer told me that when it comes to working out with Wii the best ones that she recommends are tennis and boxing. She said that there was a report out that said in order to get the same workout as you would if you were doing the actual activity you have to add at least ten minutes to your workout on the Wii. Here's an interesting study - Wii Sports vs. Real Sports: Which Burns More Calories? In the article you will find a link called 'study'. Click on this link and it will bring you to the study.

Congrats on your date. Congrats for stopping the cigarettes I have a very ill father right now who refused to quit and is very ill because of them. I am so happy when I read or hear that someone has stopped smoking. Here's to healthy and happy new you! :eek:

Mrsace13 I am so sorry but do not give up keep on fighting it! Jasmin20 So go ahead tell us just how excited are you? :frown: Like me? The Happy Happy Joy Joy dance?! I called the surgeon's office again just to confirm that's what she meant. Four weeks and counting :angry_smile:

I too have BCBS Federal and I was approved in less than 48 hours. My surgeon's office had their own list that I had to follow even though it was not required for the insurance approval. I had to get clearance from my primary, my pulmonary, and I had to see a cardiac doctor too. Then I had to have a chest x-ray, blood work, upper gi, and ultrasound of my gall bladder. I also did a sleep study and it found I had moderate sleep apnea. Because of that I also needed clearance from the sleep doctor. I never thought I would be approved so quick based on what others said here and in support. I hope that you receive an answer very quick. Stay on top of them and do not give up.

My surgeon told me that the pre-op liquid diet is to help shrink my liver. I am not sure why your surgeon requires less of you. My two weeks begins on the 26th and my surgery is on January 9th. I also see my surgeon for one more visit on the 6th. With BCBS Federal if your BMI is 40 or > you do not have to do a six month diet and while you are not required to provide 5 years worth of history either the more documentation the better is what a BCBS Federal Bariatric person told me. This is going to be the longest month of my life. I plan to keep myself so busy I have no time to think about it. My cousin and sister were so excited when I told them I was approved. I celebrated with my cousin and a good friend on Saturday at a great vegetarian restaurant in NYC and then we went to see the tree and it started to snow when we got there what perfect timing.

I found out at 6:30 this morning that I was approved for January 9th. I went to see my surgeon on Tuesday morning and they sent in my info to the insurance that day so it took less than 48 hours for insurance approval. It took me 7 months to get to this point. I have to say if there's anything I learned through this process is to make sure that the surgery scheduler is familiar with your insurance. I told her more than once that BCBS Federal Standard Option did not require the 6 month diet but she said that her office had dealt with this and yes they did. Well on Tuesday after asking her again about the insurance she finally said that she was not familiar with my insurance. In my personal opinion if I had pushed it more I could have had surgery by now. But what's done is done. I am too excited right now to care :wub: My pre-operative liquid diet starts the day after Christmas how funny is that! :whatchutalkingabout It is two weeks prior to surgery. I have one more final weigh in on the 6th and so far I have stayed 20lbs down.

FYI this pre-cert applies to outpatient surgery in addition to inpatient which has always required pre-cert. The amount of money they are charging out of pocket in 2009 is unbelievable. Make 100% sure that everyone is in network or you will pay. Check your hospital, your surgeon, your radiology group for the hospital, and your anesthesiology group for the hospital. Just because your hospital is in network does not mean everyone else is. I found this out the hard way and since then I check everyone prior to anything. I turned down a lap band surgeon because the anesthesiology group was out of network. What's the difference between Kentucky and any other state? Isn't BCBS Federal the same for all states? I know that the claims are handled in different offices through out the US but aren't the benefits the same for all? I do not know what hoops anyone has had to jump through but I will find out soon enough because this week my file is going to the insurance and my surgery date is January 9th and this waiting is the worst part of the preparation. I just hope that it will be a quick decision.

If everything goes okay I start my pre-op liquid diet on December 28th and it's two weeks prior to surgery so I am sure I will lose more weight. I too have lost 20lbs which was not required but I gave myself a goal of 25lbs prior to this pre-op liquid diet. I go to the gym and I meet with a trainer every three weeks. When I asked the nutritionist for some kind of plan so that I can start to lose weight she gave a 1600 calorie plan along with drinking 10 to 12 cups of Water a day. I have considerably cut out carbs which is odd for me because I like breads and potatoes. An example is I love Korean food and you are given rice with your meal and today I asked the staff not to bring out any for me. The holidays are coming up and it's very tempting but I am not going to give into it. I have a very supportive husband, family, doctors, and friends so I will enjoy my time with them and not stress about the food. I thought about what people refer to as the "last supper" but I worked so hard to lose the 20lbs and the thought of gaining it back is enough for me to say it's okay I do not have to go crazy. I recommend that you stay with what helped you lose the 20lbs and stay active. Your surgery date will be here before you know it. My sister is having her gall bladder removed on the 19th. Her weight problem is mainly due to her hypothyroidism and after trying different medication for years with no success she found a new doctor who put her on a medication that has helped. With the new medication, her change in diet, and trips to the gym since her energy level has greatly increased and she has lost more than 70lbs.

I did this test in 2006 and I was negative for sleep Apnea. Then my pulmonologist's insisted I have the test again before they would pre-approve me for surgery. I had the test and I now have Moderate Sleep Apnea. I snored that's it. During the day I had no thoughts on sleeping or any of the other symptoms. I was floored by this news. I have the CPAP machine and she has approved me having the surgery. The CPAP machine is coming with me the day of surgery or the surgery will be postponed. I sleep less since I got this machine and I am ready to get going once I wake up. I won't lie when I say that there are nights when I want to throw it through the room but it's not an option to stop using it. My sleep doctor said she would want to do another sleep study 6 months post-op so she can see if I need an adjustment. My surgeon's office seemed pleased by the news that I had Sleep Apnea. I was told it will help with the insurance approval process.

My surgery date is tentatively January 9th. I have another appt with my surgeon on December 2nd and then the paperwork will be sent to the insurance company. If the insurance company is quick to respond then this date should be okay. I have to start my 2 week pre-op liquid diet (my surgeon requires not all surgeons do) on December 28th right after Christmas. I was hoping to have surgery by the end of this year because my insurance changed and the out of pocket costs went up but there's nothing I can do. The only good thing to come from a 2009 surgery date is that I will enjoy my time with my family Christmas Eve.