Jaculin412

My fellow Notorious November bandsters, just wanted to let you know I have switched to the gastric bypass (RNY) surgery. My sugery date is Tuesday November 25th so I'm still november just not a bandster. The main reason for switching was the results of my esophogeal manomentry test. Basically my gastro told me if I was to be banded I had a good possibility of causing reflux, gagging, etc so I should talk to my surgeon about RNY. So I did and after a good 2 weeks researching (been researching both for close to 5 years), talking to others I knew had it and chatting on line with people I am comfortable with the decision to switch. Good luck to all my notorious november bandsters, wish you all great success.

awww that is too cute.... Why did you have to have the band taken out?

There is a possibility that I may have to switch from the lap band procedure to the gastric bypass after the results from my esophogeal manometry showed abnormalties. Was told if I was banded I may suffer from reflux, gagging, etc. Anyone else experience this??

Hello all. my surgery date for the band has been set for November 24th, I got this date when I went for my surgical consult back in July. so today i go for my upper GI and my esophageal manometry and my gastro doc tells me there may be an issue with getting the band because of these tests, says something about something being irregular (which is fine for every day but not for someone to get the band), says that the band may cause me to gag, reflux, throw up, etc. so I should discuss the gastric bypass with my surgeon. If I don't have the choice then of course I'll go with the bypass as I am determined to do something now. Once I talk to my surgeon I'll know more.

Wow I am so happy I came across this thread. I had my surgical consult in July, I was dead set against the RNY because of how much more invasive it is compared to the band. I have been doing my six month monitored by my PCP and have a November 24th surgery date for the lap band. WELL.... I went this morning for two required tests, the upper GI and an esophageal manometry. AFter the tests, my gastro doc told me there may be an issue for me with the band and that I should discuss the RNY with my surgeon. So it looks like I may be going for the RNY instead. I was glad to come across this thread and read all the posts, very interesting. So everyone is happy with the RNY? Surgery went well? Recovery went well? Any negatives?? Thanks all!!!

Anyone else have Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ and want to share their approval/denial stories?? :smile2:

Colettes, I'm right there with you, my surgery is scheduled for November 24th. I think I'm more nervous about the approval process. My info will not be submitted until early November once all my requirements are met. I hope there are no problems with the approval and it goes through quickly. Once I have the approval I think my nerves and excitement will heighten for other reasons. It's so exciting but so nerve wracking!!! :wink2:

Hello to all the Notorious Novembers out there. We are getting closer and closer to our surgery dates. I'm getting nervous about what I am going to eat/drink after surgery, anyone else? I have to get to the nutrition store and buy some things to try them out before hand. Has anyone tried any yet? If so, any suggestions as to what's good and what's not? OMG we are sooooo close :rolleyes2:

Hi Lisa, welcome to LBT. I'm Jackie and I'm from New Jersey. I am also having surgery in November, the 24th to be exact. Can't wait. Good luck!! Jackie

Hi I'm Jackie. I've been in Jersey all my life. I was married to a wonderful man for almost 20 years (lost him to cancer in 2002). I have two beautiful children now 13 (son) and 15 (daughter). We have a cute little doggie (bischon/yorkie) named Brody (spaz) and a kitten named pepper (never had a cat in my life so new experience). They are so cute together and play very well, I think Brody enjoys having the company. I have always been overweight and uncomfortable in my own skin. There was a short period of time from like 16-20 where I was smaller (but of course always saw myself as fat). After starting birth control I gained weight and just continued to pack it on. I'm currently 5'3' and about 260lbs. My blood pressure is slightly high so I takes meds for that and I have an underactive thyroid which I take meds for as well. I cannot wait to be banded, I think this is the tool that will finally have me succeeding with weight loss.

Great idea, thanks for setting it up..... Surgery date: Nov 24th Highest Weight: 272lbs Preop diet starting weight: Haven't started yet Surgery weight: won't know till November 24th Current weight: 262lbs Goal weight: 138lbs Good luck to all the Notorious Novembers, omg it's right around the corner!!

My two biggest fears are the same as yours. Something going wrong, I'm a widow, my children (ages 13 and 15) have already lost their dad to cancer, they need me, nothing can go wrong; and second, failing at losing weight again. I've looked into this surgery for about five years now. After much research I know the surgery risks are minimal and I'm positive I'm going to be ok, and second I am determined to lose this weight, the band will be my tool to success. Good luck!!

I plan on going on the roller coasters at Great Adventure with my two teenagers. I love them but have steered clear because of my size. I also can't wait to buy myself a smaller wardrobe.

Well I certainly hope my approval comes back very quickly. They will submit for approval around 11/10 and I have a surgery date two weeks later on 11/24.

I finish my six month monitored on November 6th. Paperwork will be submitted after that. Surgery is scheduled for November 24th so hopefully approval will come quickly.

Some insurance companies do require the six month monitored. If you have to do it it's not a big deal, the six months will fly by. Next week I am on month 5 and have surgery scheduled for 11/24. The time flew by. I also looked into this about 5 years ago but decided it just wasn't the right time, kids were still young, etc. I am in the right place now and I cannot wait. good luck!!

I have not had my surgery yet, scheduled November 24th. I've actually heard good things about BCBS (of NJ PPO). My surgeons office told me I had to do six months monitored which I am doing with my PCP, next week will be month 5 (woohoo!!) and I have two tests to be done by the gastro which I have scheduled for October 13th. Once I go to my PCP on November 6th (which is month 6) all her notes get copied along with a letter of necessity and they go to my surgeon. My surgeon then submits all documents, tests results, etc. to the insurance for approval. They gave me my surgery date when I went in for my surgical consult in July so I am assuming they know the drill and everything should go through smoothly. I'll keep you posted.

I really didn't think much about the tests but now you guys have me nervous lol :cool2:. I'm scheduled for Oct 13th. Would love to hear from people who have had the tests done and what their experience was.....

I have to get an upper gi and another test called an esophageal manometry. Scheduled to be done October 13th. These are two tests required by my surgeon. fun fun joy joy lol

So how's everyone doing with the approval process with BCBS of NJ (PPO)??? My info will be submitted in early November and I have a surgery date of November 24th, hoping the approval process is quick.

I haven't put too much effort into actually "dieting". I'm through four months of my six month monitoring with my PCP and have lost only two pounds. I try to watch what I eat and I exercise as often as I can, some weeks I do better then others depending on my schedule (single mom of two teenagers ahhh!!! lol). I'll see my nutritionist next week and plan on seeing her twice a month from now till surgery and continue seeing her after surgery. My surgery is scheduled for 11/24, papers will be sent in for approval early in November so hopefully there won't be any issue to hold up approval. good luck Notorious Novembers

From what I've been told at the three year mark for gastro bypass if you have not made the proper changes to your eating habits then that is when you will regain some weight. The intestine that has been bypassed by the surgery causes malabsorbtion which leads to the massive weight loss as well as the very very tiny tummy, somewhere along the 2.5 - 3 year mark the other intestine learns to do the job of aborbing which in turn puts weight back on. So if you have not changed your eating habits you will lose weight only to gain it back again. As for Al, maybe he had his gastric bypass revised and that's why he is losing again. Not sure about Carnie, haven't seen her in a while. What about the guy on American Idol, Randy Jackson?? It's all about making the proper nutritional choices in food, something we all tend to have a difficult time doing.

I am going to my PCP for my six month supervised (June-Nov) but also going to the nutritionist. I have seen my nutritionist only once so far but starting October (actually have an appt next week) I will see her twice a month. For me I feel she will be most important to me after the surgery. Good luck to everyone!!!

I have BC/BS of NJ and also have to do six month monitoring. My surgeon said I just need to go to my PCP once a month for six months, doesn't make a difference if I lose or not. During the visits my PCP must make notes of what was discussed such as behavior modifications I'm attempting, exercise I'm doing, any sort of dieting, any aches, pains, joint pain, or any other issues that affect me due to my weight. The sugeon told me the more detail the PCP writes the better for me and my PCP knows that, she has done this before for others. Once I'm done with the six months I will get those notes along with a letter of necessity from my PCP and all will be given to my surgeon who will then submit to my insurance along with other required test results. My six month is November and they scheduled my surgery for November 24th so I'm assuming they don't see approval being an issue. I'm 44, 5'3 and have a BMI of 46, I take meds for blood pressure and underactive thyroid.

igr1017..... OMG you are the first person I have seen on this site that has used Dr. Borao. My surgery is scheduled for November 24th and Dr. Borao is my surgeon. I have gone to a couple of the support meetings and their program is very well run. You're a year out, how have you done so far? Any advice to offer? I am so looking forward to this. Where i Jersey are you? I'm in west long branch....... :thumbup: