TQUAD64

This is a great question. I called my insurance company yesterday and asked them to send me in writing what is or is not covered for weight loss surgery. And provide me specific benefits information regarding banding, follow up care, and fills. The call center woman was not able to find it while I was on the phone, but stated she would locate the information and forward it to me.

San Joaquin County, but surgery will be done in Oakland at Alta Bates Hospital.

Hi DianaT, If you have insurance, I would recommend that you contact your insurance provider to determine that WLS is a covered benefit. If it is a covered benefit, you might want to inquire as to the insurance company's requirements. Example: I have BC/BS and I was required to complete a psyche eval and 6-months of supervised diet. Every insurance provider has different requirements.

Hi Adamsmom and welcome. I am from Northern California and I am close to getting banded. I meet with the surgeon on October 8. I am taking three weeks off, utilizing vacation time as I don't want any of my co-workers to know that I am having surgery. I am hoping for a December surgery date during Xmas break. What type of insurance do you have and did you contact them to make sure bariatric surgery is a benefit? That is where I would start the journey. Best of luck to you and keep in touch!

DePind, you and I are on the same track. I completed all the BC/BS requirements and the requirements of the surgeon's office. I meet the surgeon for the first time on October 8 to discuss medical tests and banding. Then I wait for insurance approval and if approved, I start the pre-op diet and then I am given a surgery date. Alta Bates thinks I might have a December surgery. We will just have to wait and see.

I have decided not to tell, family, friends, or co-workers. I don't need their perspective on my health issues. The only opinions I seek are from those individuals in the medical field and who have already had the procedure. As for work, I am taking three weeks vacation off. As for family and friends, they know I am having surgery but they do not know what the surgery is for. My family will take care of me after surgery and my friends will send love and support my way. All my health matters are private! :thumbdown:

I am sorry you are going through this difficult time. I would have the surgery on your scheduled date. Your health is first and foremost, so that you can be there for your children.

I have BC/BS and they required a 6-month pre-diet, which is either monitored by my PC doc or a nutrionist. Weigh ins are requires along with education, which all has to be documented. I chose to meet with the nurtionist, but my PC doc is in the loop as well. I completed the entire process and I have an appointment to see the surgeon on October 8. I have requested that BC/BS provide me written documentation pertaining to my medical benefits, specifically bariatric surgery coverage. I am waiting for that written information.

I saw this on another post, which gives a comparison of the Lap Band and Realize Band. :thumbup: Compare Adjustable Gastric Bands - LAP-BAND vs. REALIZE Band

The staff at the Alta Bates Bariatric clinic keeps telling us that don't be surprised if we become more emotional and cry. They stated that before surgery, most people use food as a coping mechanism. Basically, comfort food. Oh how I love comfort food. :thumbup: Anyway, they say crying can occur and highly recommend we connect with a therapist and/or participate in group so we don't feel isolated. I am not banded yet, but I plan on connecting to a group.:thumbup:

My doctor said the same thing. Take the calcium citrate rather than the Carbonate.

Yep, I am sure. We were in a group orientation. There was about 8-10 of us in a round table discussion nd this was a hot topic. According to my health care providers at the orientation, the Realize Band is pre-filled with 2cc, but the Lap Band is not pre-filled and the manufactures states not to pre-fill the Lap Band.

I read the thread that Rockbadnster posted and the information shared does not match what my doctor and nurse stated. My doctor and nurse from Alta Bates Hospital in Oaklnd stated the Realize Band is pre-filled with 2-cc, but that the Lap Band is not pre-filled, because the manufacture does not recommend pre-fill for the Lap Band. My doctor states both accomplish the same task. He does not recommend one over the other and states that I need to select the band I want.:thumbup:

Interesting question. My dad and his clan are slender. My mom and her clan range in various weights. My mom is very obese and is in the process of having gastric by-pass. My siblings, sister and brother are very trim. I was always trim until I started having kids in my twenties. I believe there are genes that cause health issues, but I also know that my environment/me is responsible for my health issues as well. :thumbup:

I just spent time with the nurse this morning and she provided a Lap Band and Realize Band for us to touch and play with. She stated that they both work the same, however there are slight differences. Realize Band comes prefilled with 2cc, has a low-profile port and has an awesome web site that provides support. Plus, there is a toll free number you can call and speak to a RN anytime about the band. The Realize Band has been utilized in Europe for years under another name...I think Swiss something. Lap Band has a higher profile port and does not come with a prefill. She stated that we needed to decide which Band we wanted and that the doctor has no preference. Hope that helps. :thumbup:

You know, I thought the same thing too. I was conisdering driving myself as well, since I am spending the night at the hospital anyway. Really what can they do to you???

Alta Bates Hospital's bariatric unit in Okland gives out stuffed teddy bears so when you cough it does not hurt as much.:smile2:

My pre op diet starts after I meet with the doctor on 10/08/2008. I am starting to purchase protien shakes and drinks for this diet. I am required to loose 10% of my total body weight prior to surgery or no surgery will occur. I find myself thinking of eating my favorite foods, which are unhealthy before I see the doctor. The mental game in my head is challenging.

Alta Bates in Oakland requires an over night stay for lap-band. I am okay with that. :crying:

The doctor I see and his support staff said their basically the same, but that Realize has a great interactive web site for their bannders. I am required to select the band I want and tell the doctor prior to my consult, which is 10/08/2008:smile2: FOLLOW UP: I spent time with the nurse this morning and she let us touch and play with the Realize Band and the Lap Band and she stated the difference is the Realize Band comes with a 2-cc fill, so you have your first fill at surgery. The Lap Band does not have a fill, because the manufacture recommends the first fill occur 6-weeks after surgery. Just thought I would share what I learned today.

I am not banded yet, but very close to it. I had a fissure issue for two years, which my primary care doctor was managing. Hot soaks, Antibiotics, and creams. Last year, the fissure became so infected and painful, I had to be rushed by ambulance to the hospital, have emergency surgery to drain the fissure, and stayed in the hospital for 5-days on antibiotics. It was terrible! I really do feel for you. My problem was that I sit a lot. I actually sit all day and have a very long commute. I am extremely heavy and all the weight on my bottom created the fissure. Anyway, I drink lots of water, eat fiber, and take stretch break to manage the fissure. The doctor would like to go back and seal it. It was so infected last time, that during surgery they could not seal it, until the infection drained out.

Thanks, for the tip.

I have CALPERS BC/BS Net Value...It does cover lap-band and gastriac bypass, but there are many many many requirements I must meet before I can have the surgery. I am very close to being done and I hope to have surgery in November. Good luck! :confused:

The only time a lost clumps of hair, in which my daughter asked if I was on chemo, was when my thryoid issue was finally diagnosed correctly. Now I am taking synthroid .88 mg every day and no more hair loss, but I worry what will happen once I am banded. :cry_smile: