skep

I can't believe it has been 5 years! I had my surgery 5 years ago. Since then, I have lost nearly 70 pounds and what a difference that has made to my life. I am more active, feel better, and do more than I did when I was younger. Hope this can inspire someone to get the surgery. BTW, I am almost 65 years old and I'm planning a white water river raft expedition for next week. Something I would never have dreamed of 5 years ago!

I would highly recommend Dr. Portenier and the Duke Weight Loss Surgery Center. When you go to DWLS, you get a team of professionals in addition to Dr. Portenier. They are professional, efficient, and supportive. The before surgery care and post surgery services are thorough. I believe this is a reason that Duke is a Center of Excellence for BCBS. I had no problems getting insurance coverage. I first saw Dr. Portenier on 12/22/08. I had lab work done on 12/29, and insurance approval on 12/31. My surgery was initially scheduled for January 9 but was delayed until 2/19/09, mainly at my request. I am now three months post surgery and very pleased. Dr. Portenier used the AP Lapband and did a single incision surgery. I was back to normal in a week.

I was told by my doctor's office that I won't qualify for insurance coverage because I was below 35 BMI for a year. That year I was on a supervised drug/diet and did lose weight but never got below 33 BMI. I read on Gary Viscio's website that he has an early intervention plan that I would like to participate in. I figure if I get an attorney involved now it will save me a lot of heartache in the long run (fingers crossed!) I have emailed Viscio Law and called. It has been over a week and I have not gotten a response to my email. When I call, I get the message that the box is full. Any suggestions? Am I wasting my time?

I think that you've hit the nail on the head, at least as far as I'm concerned. I thought when I went on a two week vacation and made poor choices, I would gain weight. I think because I was liimited in how much I could eat, I didn't lose, but most importantly, I didn't gain. I'm not losing as fast as I would like but if I had wanted to lose weight fast, I would have had the by-pass.

Interesting. I wonder if a trip to your primary and a medication for HBP would do the trick. Have the criteria changed? I know that I was a tad below 40 with no comormidities and was approved. Or maybe the blood pressure readings? I don't think it will delay your surgery. Just attention to details. But then I'm not an insurance person. Does the insurance specialist have any suggestions? Or your doctor?

I had an appointment at the sleep center yesterday and was reminded again why sleep apnea is a co-morbidity. Some of the main reasons are its contribution to high blood pressure, diabetes, congestive heart failure, car accidents caused by falling asleep, and even death. I use mine without complaint because I feel so much better but also to be healthier all around.

I was diagnosed during my pre op study with sleep apnea. I use the cpap machine now and feel like a new person. Or rather the person I was years ago when I had energy. Between the lapband and the cpap, I am starting to feel good again. When I told my primary care doctor about the apnea he slpped his head. He said he felt like an idiot because he had not thought about it. I have been complaining about fatigue for years. It took a few days to get used to the machine but then it has taken a few months to get used to eating differently. I think if I had been diagnosed with sleep apnea when it first began, I might not have needed the lapband to start with.

I saw the surgeon on 12/22/08 and was given a tentative surgery date that day! I was approved on 12/31/08 and my initial date was 1/29/09. Since Dr. Portenier does surgery at two hospitals, Duke and Durham Regional, I requested Durham Regional. That delayed the surgery until 2/19. So from time I saw the doctor until surgery was about 6 weeks. good luck Cloteal! It will really move fast now. When do you go back?

Congratulations! The day you see the doc they will probably go ahead and schedule your labs. The whole process is incredibly efficient to me, particularly after my first experience. The only bad thing was I once had an appointment with my doc, waited 2 and 1/2 hours to be told he wasn't even there!!!! I see him again on 6/8 as well as the psychologist for my 3 month check up. I'm a bit disappointed that I have lost only 35 pounds, then I remember! I've lost 35 pounds!!!!! That is the most I think I have ever lost on any of my many diets. The difference too is that I just can't eat as much as I used to. So far, the only thing that I have eaten that gets stuck is pork, as in barbecue.

I got the single incision but wasn't expecting it. I was in pain for about three days. After that , I felt fine. Of course, this was at Duke and all the way across the country from you but I highly recommend Duke.

I did have to pay for the psych upfront. They are out of network. That was the only thing I had to pay for since the rest are in network.

since you're going to Duke, just a couple of other bits of information. I just trusted the doctor about the band. I finally asked about it my last appointment. I got the 10CC lapband AP and with a single incision surgery. Once you get the appointment, the process moves really fast. I saw the doctor the first time on 12/22, mainly because someone canceled. I had tests run on 12/29, and was approved on 12/31. I was originally scheduled for surgery on 1/9!!!I actually think I was the one to ask them to slow down! I needed time to process the dietician info. the psych info, the testing, the group meeting, etc. I had the surgery 2/19 at Durham Regional. The surgery is either at Duke or at Durham Regional. I preferred Durham Regional mainly because it is sooo much easier to get into and out of. Duke is a hassle with parking.

I was wondering the same thing. I was banded 2/19/09 and have my 3 month appointment on Wed. I got my first fil at 6 weeks and right now, I have no restriction. This is something I was going to ask the doctor on Wed. The fill I had was using flouride. Does this happen everytime?

Keep me posted. Sounds as though the doctor you were seeing and the Dr. I saw in Cary had the same insurance specialist. I do believe a lot of it has to do with the way it is written up. If the insurance specialist who is doing the justification doesn't believe you qualify, will she do the best job possible in presenting the information to the insurance?

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea AFTER the insurance approval! I had my first appointment with Duke on 12/22/08, lab tests on 12/29, and insurance approval on 12/31/08. There is an overnight approval from BCBS of NC. I had the surgery 2/19/09 and have lost 30 pounds so far. If you're interested, look up their website. It's Duke Weight Loss Surgery. I had Dr. Portenier and can't say enough about the whole process. Duke is a center of exxcellence in bariatric surgery. BTW, I'm a Carolina fan.

Personally, I would go to Duke first. If you go to a doctor and are turned down the first time, my suggestion is to contact obesitylaw.com and talk to Walter. This was my plan but dr. Enochs staff refused to cooperate. Allergan, the makers of the lapband, have a program that pays his fees if you are accepted. Walter states he has a good record with BCBS of NC.

I was in the same boat. I had a BMI of 39, did not have a 5 year history because I worked my tail off for a year in a dr. supervised program, had terrible knees (need replacement). The first dr. I went to, Dr. enochs, I did not qualify for the insurance The appeal became such a problem with Dr. Enochs office, I switched to Duke. Dr. Enochs kindly gave me my initial fee back, BTW. I had my first appt. at Duke on 12/22, labs on 12/29, and was approved 12/31. all with the same information. I was banded on 2/19 and have lost 30 pounds. During the med. eval. at Duke, they found out I had sleep apnea. As it turned out , I did have a comorbidity. For NCBCBS, you do not have to have a 6 month diet. You do have to have a 5 year history. Joint pain does not count as a co-morbidity. I think a lot has to do with how the initial info. is presented to the insurance. JMO

Again, I had a terrible experience with dr. Enochs office. I really wanted him to do my surgery but Angelica was not only not helpful but a barrier to my getting the surgery there. I did complain and got my initial $400 back. I got so frustrated with Angelica who was incredibly rude not only to me, but also to an attorney (Walter Lindstrom) who wanted to help me out with the insurance denial. I decided to go to Duke. I had my first appointment on 12/22/08, preop on 12/29/08, insurance approval on 12/31/08 and surgery on 2/19/09. Additionally, Dr. Portenier decided that I might have sleep apnea and was right. I now use a a cPAP machine and actually have energy. I have found Duke to be more thorough and more professional than Dr. Enochs office in many, many respects.

In my past , I got depressed on a cyclical basis. Usually, some life disaster would start me on that downward spiral. I would go to doctors to be told that it was "situational adjustment" or something like that. I finally found a doctor who realized that I was really, clinically depressed. During these cycles, I would easily lose 30-40 pounds, sometimes in a month. That was my weight loss method. after trying to do without meds, I would invariably end up asking the doctor for more. Ilearned to spot the early signs that are clearly depression related and be proactive. I am currently on zoloft and Wellbutrin. I often wonder how many of the disasterous decisions I have made were from poor judgement coming from a predisposition to depression. Of course my problem is, without the depression, I have put on 70 pounds and they aren't coming off. Thence, the lapband. I finally realized that I could be fat and happy---- or fat and healthy!

I went out today and bought some cracklins. I think that I get more restriction with the cracklins than I do with just the rinds. I use the rinds like crackers. they are great with tuna. JMO

I know that I had been fatigued and tired for years. I was willing to try anything. although I slept okay, I slept restlessly, awakening several times a night. I complained to my PCP for years. I have been told that I was depressed, had hypothyroid, too much cortisol, etc. I finally decided that my weight was the problem and that if I lost weight I would feel better. The weight doctor decided to send me for a sleep study. I discovered I had sleep apnea.I feel like a new person! Or better yet, like the person I used to be. It took awhile to get used to the machine but once I got used to it, wearing it feels very coomfortable. sleep apnea is associated with weight gain so now I'm wondering if I had recognized it earlier would I even need lapband surgery?

I was banded on Thursday and had planned to go to work on Tuesday. I too am a teacher but figured I could just sit at my desk and bark orders. However, my doctor required ! three weeks off. I made it to Thursday, so I was off a week. I felt great but I was hungry all the time. I figured if I was working I could control what I ate, or rather drank much better. It has been almost 6 weeks now and I feel wonderful. I have lost 25 pounds and go for my first fill tomorrow.

Oh dear! I have been snacking on pork rinds. I have not had my first fill and can't seem to stay full for very long. although there is 5 grams of fat, there are no carbs in the regular rinds and only 70 calories in a serving (9 pieces.)

I had no idea that I had sleep apnea until the doctor set me up for a sleep study as part of the pre operation work up. Although I have been putting on weight and was often tired, there were plenty of reason for it. My PCP always asks me how I'm sleeping and , to my knowledge, I was sleeping fine. although I didn't have as much energy I figured I was a) getting old, :crying: getting fat c) overworking. I too was surprised to find out that I had mild to moderate sleep apnea. I was given a machine and after 2 months, I don't know if I will EVER part with it. I feel unbelieveably better. I am energized, more active, and i'm dreaming for the first time in a long time. I was told to bring my CPAP to the hospital for the operation in no uncertain terms. I was told that if I did not have it with me, I would not have surgery that day and in fact, would be referred to another practise. I had no idea why they were so adamant. When I saw the sleep dr. I asked. He calmly explained to me that sleep apnea patients tend to crash more often than patients without sleep apnea. I asked what that meant and he , again calmly, explained that that meant stopped breathing. BTW, my pressure is set at 16 which is apparently fairly high. I do have a small mouth although there are plenty who would disagree with that and that is part of the problem.