PSJ71

That's awesome! It will be here before you know it. I hope mine will be at the end of May or in June sometime. I just hope it's before my birthday in July. I am finishing up my 3-month supervised diet next month and so excited. :smile2: Just keep your eye on the prize.

How exciting for you!! That's awesome!! It sounds like we were very close in starting our process together. I hope to be banded sometime in May or June. :smile:) I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery!! :smile2:

Hi all, I was wondering how long it took to hear something from Aetna PPO once everything was submitted. I am starting to get really anxious because I'm almost done with everything, and they will submit my things for approval once all completed, which will be in May. So, I hoped maybe I would have a surgery date in May sometime.

Hi KitKat, I am finishing up my 3-month supervised diet, but at my last visit with my doc, he told me that Aetna is really good about approvals. He told me in their experience it's been 99% approval rate. I will have to go in for a second sleep study. My BMI is 48.1, so I'm hoping I will be approved as well. Good luck to you !!

Hello from Norman Oklahoma!! I'm not banded yet, but hopefully will be at the end of May or in June sometime :smile2:

Hi All, I have a question for those of you who had to do the supervised diet for 3 to 6 months. I have to do mine for 3 months, but today I went to see my surgeon who is doing my 3-month supervised diet. He asked me what part of dieting is the hardest, and I told him hunger. If I feel hungry I will eat. So, he asked me if I had ever tried a suppressant. Of course I have, but he told me he wanted me to try Pristiq, which is an antidepressant, but he says it blocks the hunger area of the brain. So, I will get my prescription filled tomorrow, but I just wondered if anyone has tried the Pristiq while doing your supervised diet? He also told me that a lot of people who have used it during the preop diet tended to handle it better. So, I'm rather excited to try it. I just hope it works. :laugh:) Any info would be appreciated if you have any experience with this. Thank you bunches, Paulette :crying:

HI Ada, I am glad you only have to pay 40.00. I hope I will only have to pay my required 30.00 office visits. I am still not totally sure. I was a little bummed because I started the ball moving in November by having my bariatric coordinator appointment, also my blood work, chest x-ray, ekg, echocardiogram and stress test. Then, after I do that my employer sends a notice 2-1/2 weeks away from them changing all of our insurance. In this insurance, I went from not having a deductible to having a deductible, my copays going up, and not having to have a supervised diet to having to have one. So, I was upset when I found out I would have to do a 3 or 6-month diet, but actually since I have calmed down and thought about it, I am actually a little thankful because I figure this is going to benefit me in the long run by getting used to certain expectations. I hope you have a smooth supervised diet and you are approved without hesitancy. ) Good Luck!!! :thumbup:

Hi Adagray, I am wondering the same thing myself as far as if I will have to pay a huge office call visit with these supervised visits with my surgeon. My O/V amount is 30.00 each time to see a doctor, but not sure if this is the amount I will have to pay at each diet visit. I sure hope it is covered.

I'm not banded yet, but I asked my surgeon this very question when I went in for my consultation visit. He told me that a lot of times he will ask the patient to come in and do an unfill until it passes. He said he would rather do an unfill on someone than to risk slippage or any type of damage to the stomach or the band. This was the first time I had ever heard of that, but it sounded reasonable to me. I am usually the one in my household who ends up getting every sickness worse than everyone else. In fact, an ER doctor thought someone had strangled me once after I had the stomach flu. All the vessles in my eyes were busted and the whites of eyes were so red from blood. But, I see a lot of people say their docs give them an anti-nausea med like Zofran or Phenergan.

Hi all, I wanted to ask some of you who have your bands if you regret having it done as opposed to the RNY or another weight loss surgery? I have pretty much made my mind up to have the band, but I admit I have been on the fence as far as RNY or band. I've almost got all of my testing done, but have to follow the 3-month diet in order to finish it all. I have been reading a lot of posts here and there about people who are not happy with their bands and wish they would have gone for a RNY. So, I'm trying to compile a list and a percentage of people who are not happy OR who are happy with their bands. It just scares me when I read about posts that people are frustrated and not losing weight even if they are doing things right. I so don't want to be one of those people who opt for the band and wish later they had done the other. If you aren't comfortable posting for all to read, please feel free to email me at PJones4052@yahoo.com. Thank you :thumbup: Paulette

Hi Heather~ That's awesome that you are pregnant. In 2000, I walked into a gym after quitting smoking, because I knew if I didn't get involved with something I was going to end up gaining weight. I was already at 203 pounds at 5 feet 2 inches when I started the gym in May of 2000. Over the course of 9 months, I lost a little over 50 pounds, felt great and was looking great as well. The problem was I was starting to get burned out with my diet. I was still in love with my exercise, but man the diet was something else. I was allowed a Protein shake in the morning, mid morning a protein cookie, then a Meal Replacement shake and then I had what I called my chewable meal, which usually consisted of baked chicken and some salad or some type of vegetables. I did this religiously for about 5 months, then I started "modifying" my diet some, which make my weight loss slower. In February my husband and I decided to have a baby, and in March we got our wish. During the course of my pregnancy, I didn't continue to exercise and didn't completely watch everything I was eating because I felt hungry all the time. I ended up gaining over 50 pounds with him. By the time he was born I was up to 250 pounds, lost 25 after about a week only to gain that plus more. I finally got up to my highest weight ever of 280 pounds. Since I have gained so much weight my ovaries of course haven't worked right since. So, the lap band was a more attractive method for me, because I didn't have to reroute anything and it is just more flexible than having the RNY. I feel I could have a safer pregnancy with the lap band. I hope to be able to have another baby within the next 2 years. I definitely feel I need this surgery to help me manage the amount I eat. I do love sweets though and I guess this makes me nervous. But, I know once I set my mind to it I will be fine with that as well. I went that entire 10 months WITHOUT having any sweets at all. I just want to have it done soon. I'm 37 and not getting any younger as far as having another baby. Sorry this ended up being so long. lol Congratulations on your new baby. Thank you all again for sharing your experiences! :smile:' Paulette

Thank you all for the posts so far. I started looking into the WLS earlier in 2008, decided on the band, then was enamored by the amount of weight that can be lost with the RNY. I have always been freaked out by the rearranging of the insides for that procedure, and also my husband and I want to have another baby within the next couple of years or so. Since gaining so much weight after my first pregnancy I now have PCOS. Anyway, I am thinking I am on the right track with the band, because that has been the biggest downfall for me as far as weight loss goes---being hungry! I can't stay on a diet if I feel constantly hungry. I will admit though, I do like sweets, but have been trying to kick some of my bad habits before having the surgery. I'm hoping that with this 3-month supervised thing, that this will help me even more. I just get scared from time to time when I see people go through the whole process to get the band and then hate the fact they did it. As a whole, I think I would be happier with the band, mainly because I can keep my insides pretty much as they are and if I am fortunate to have another baby, then I can have the band deflated. I am enjoying reading all of the stories you are are posting and thank you very much for taking the time to post on my question. :thumbup:

You know Sandra, when I first decided I was going to have WLS, I had my mind set on the band. Then somewhere down the road (with the help of Youtube) I found myself so confused. I found people who had had the gastric bypass and they were dropping weight like ice melting. I was so against having bypass because I didn't want anything rerouted. I had also read some of the scary posts of people who had the band who were going through so much and getting discouraged because they weren't losing weight like they should that I had made up my mind to have the bypass. However, after looking into both and the risks, complications, etc. I have found myself 100% sure that I will have the band. My reasoning for my decision is: 1. I don't want my insides rerouted. I have read horror stories of people having gastric bypass, losing bunches of weight, then their pouch stretching and regaining most of their weight back, then having to undergo another procedure to put a band around their stretched pouches. 2. My husband and I want to have another baby. I feel that by having the band this would allow for me to have a more natural and healthy pregnancy. 3. I want to lose weight slowly. I know i will most likely have flabby skin, but I want the weight loss to be slow enough that maybe at least some of it will shrink back. 4. Less complications, quicker healing time, and if I start gaining weight I can always get a fill. I do know I will go through bandster hell as it is called. I know I will get hungry before I hit my "sweet spot", but I would rather go through a few months of being hungry and finally hit my sweet spot then try and go this alone. I too have lost a very substantial amount of weight but ended up one way or another gaining it all back and a whole lot more. I know that I am going to be responsible for adopting a healthy way of life for the rest of my life consisting of diet and exercise. I just bought an elliptical for my home in addition to a gym membership for the supervised thing. So, I'm trying to make some serious changes before my surgery. You should sit down and make two columns about which things are important to you regarding both surgeries and see what you come up with. I bet it will make it a little easier for you to make a decision. I wish you the very best of luck and let us know what you decide! Paulette

Hi Good luck to you!! I'm right there with ya on hoping to have a band soon! :cursing: I've finished most of my testing. I have my sleep study to do tonight and an EGD. My insurance changed, so now I have to undergo a 3-month supervised diet, so hopefully within the next 3 to 4 months I'll have it. I surely hope so. Please keep us posted on how things go! Paulette

Hi Audsmom, I haven't had surgery yet, but started having PVCs, a year ago. I was told those are usually benign and don't really cause problems. However, they are scary. Some people have them and don't even realize they have them. Have you had your labs checked yet? I am asking because when I had my PVCs at their worse, apparently my thyroid was low. When I was put on medication, it seemed to help them quite a bit. I do still get them every day at least once or twice. But, I have noticed if I cut my caffeine intake it seems to help a lot. Also, stress can make them worse. I don't think you really have anything to worry about. Now, the tachycardia they might want to look into more. I hope all goes well for you.

HI, I started the ball rolling with getting the lap band this past September. In November I started my testing. I have had most of it done, with the exception of the sleep study, an EGD, and attending a support group meeting. I was hoping to have the surgery sometime in January. Well, for starters, my primary care physician has not gotten my letter supporting the surgery sent to the surgeon. I found out 3 weeks ago my employer was changing all the benefits and now I have to choose from Aetna PPO or Health Net PPO. I have no idea which one to choose. I had Blue shield of CA and all they required was my psych eval and that dang letter from my primary care physician to be approved. Now, I have no idea what is going to happen since my insurance HAS to be changed by December 30th. I know since there will be no lapse, they cant' spring the preexisting condition thing on me, but this really has me upset. I found Aetna requires a 3 or 6-month supervised diet attempt. So, basically all the money I have been out will be all for nothing I assume if I have to do that. I'm so ticked off at my place of employment for not letting us all know they were going to be doing this. I never would have started everything had I known. :thumbup: I just don't know what to do. I have tried numerous times to lose weight, but of course, none of it is documented by a physician. If anyone can tell me how hard it was to be approved by Aetna or Health Net please let me know. Thank you for "listening."

Hi Florida Pete, Thank you so much for replying. From what I understand, it is covered, but I am going to contact Trinet themselves, which they are handling our human resources things now it seems. Not only did my company change insurances, but they added a company to handle the other things as well. I just chose Aetna PPO, out of several different insurance options. But, I will double check and make sure it is covered. My BMI when I went to the doctor a little over a week ago was 50. So, I know I Have a high BMI for sure. Again, thank you and thank your wife for me as well. :thumbup: Paulette

Hi NurseKathy, Does Aetna cover any of the 3-month supervised program?

Hi Lapbandtalker, Yes, I had thought about that as well, but unfortunately, I don't have great credit due to several issues that happened with my husband breaking his hand, being out of work, paying off the home my mother and I coowned after she passed away. So, taking a loan to have the surgery wouldn't be fruitful. Also, because of these issues that happened, I don't have a savings anymore. :thumbup: Thank you so much for your reply.

Wow! I didn't realize so many other employers were changing as well. Thank you all for all of your great advice. I spoke to the bariatric coordinator at my surgeon's office, and she told me I would have to undergo a 3-month supervised diet with the surgeon. After I spoke to the fitness center affiliated with it, I really don't mind doing it. I was just hoping I could have had it done sooner for the New Year, but I guess for some reason it's not meant. As I was saying though, maybe this 3-month supervised thing will be good for me. It will help me start to work on my diet and exercise before I get the band. So, I will just embrace it and pray that after going through so much, they will approve me. So far, I don't have any comorbidities yet as far as diabetes or anything like that. I do have low back pain, high cholesterol, and infertility. So, I'm hoping that will be enough to get me approved. Also, MicheleK, did you have to have a 5-year weight history or anything like that? Once again, thank you all so much. Paulette

Hi there, I was wondering if there is anyone who has been approved and had surgery with Blue Shield of CA insurance. I have undergone testing and still have just a few more things to do before they submit me. I have my psych eval on Friday, which the bariatric coordinator stated that this is all that they are asking for a copy of. She said after she gets that in, she will submit it to Blue Shield of CA. I was just wondering if anyone else had it and could tell me a round about time it took to hear something back after needed paperwork was submitted. Thank you! :biggrin:

Awesome, it sounds like the answer comes in fairly quickly. Hopefully, it won't take that long once submitted. I am anxious for Friday to get here and see how long afterwards it takes them to get it submitted. Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question! Best of luck to all of you with your bands. :cursing:

Oh my gosh, I am really excited. I had my appointment with the bariatric coordinator today and had most of my testing set up. I go next tuesday to have lab work, EKG, echocardiogram, stress test done. Then I go December 5th for the psych eval. December 17th for the sleep study. Then after that I go see my doc. I so hope my insurance approves me. She said it could be possible that I could have the surgery by the end of December or the first week of January! Wow!! What a way to start off the New Year!! I admit while waiting to see the coordinator, I got really nervous and "thought" about backing out. But, I thought Heck no!! I know I am doing this for a healthier new me. Anyway, I just had to share the excitement with you all. :w00t: I hope all is well :tt1: Thank you for reading. :drool:

I am just amazed at how some of these docs try and manipulate the patient's into something that they do not want. I know I went to my second doctor after going to the first seminar because for some reason something just didn't "feel" right about it. He didn't seem to tout one over the other, but it just seemed rush. I also didn't like the fact that there was so much money out of pocket just to get through to the initial surgery. Also, I found out they blatantly lied about certain things about insurance. First, there was to be 200.00 dollars up front for the psych eval, which we were told insurance will not cover at all, another 200.00 dollars for nutritionist, again told insurance would not cover at all, then 200 dollars for THEIR preop materials, and another 150 for THEIR postop things. After the doctor spoke at the seminar, he left and left the rest up to some other guy. I called my insurance myself to find out if there were any other docs that my insurance would cover and they directed me to the doc I have now. They also informed me that my psych eval would be covered, my nutritionist would be covered and I will only have to pay 50.00 for it. I told them about the other doc and how much they were charging for the psych eval and the rep told me that was a too high. It was funny when I called to cancel my consult with that surgeon, because she wanted to know if I wanted to reschedule and I said no, I found another doctor and my insurance DOES cover their psych eval and nutrionist. She just said flatly, "OH...okay. Thank you." I totally LOVED the doc I have now. He's wonderful! But, I think people should definitely go to more than one seminar if they are considering either surgery.

That's truly great!! I am sure it will all be smooth sailing from here on out, as you have gotten through one of the hardest things. I can't wait to be banded. I get more and more excited when I hear stories like this. The best of luck to you! :thumbup: