lindas0809

Michelle- Welcome and good luck. I think that the timeline is very different for everyone. It really depends on what your insurance needs for approval (most of us have to do a six month supervised diet). I can tell you my process has taken a lot longer than I thought (I started last summer, got approved in March, we probably have surgery in June), but it is what it is. One thing I would tell you is to be prepared for the surgeon to push you toward RNY surgery instead of lapband since your BMI is over 50. I was at 49 when I went in and really had to fight for the band. Do your research and read a lot on this site(it will give you inspiration and realstic view).

Did you have to have a psych eval? If so, contact that Dr. even if they don't do sessions they could recommend someone to you how deals primarily with food issues. The Dr. that did mine was really great and I'm thinking of going to her after I get banded. Good Luck!

There is another thread going on right now discussing this: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/two-days-decide-92722/#post1207704 You should check it out

I agree that as tools go they will do the same thing based on how you use them. That being said, my surgeons group is switching over to Realize. The biggest difference being how they attach the port (with the Realize it's sutured on the muscle, less likely to flip). There is a realize band group on LBT with a lot discussion based on the differences- if I were you I would check it out. Good Luck!

Hi Everyone! I am getting banded next month (hopefully) and my Mom who is 69 is really interested in getting it done too. She's afraid she's too old and won't get approved. Can you guys fill me in on how your journey's went? Did you have private insurance or medicare? Was it a battle to get a Dr. to do it around 70? Any info you could give would be great. Good luck to all of you.

SMS1964- Just curious where are having surgery in MD? I'm hopefully will be May or June at Hopkins. Good Luck!

Katie- Good luck this week. I hope to be in your position next month and I know I will be terrified about doing something I have fought so hard for. Keep thinking positive thoughts.

WDW- You don't need to get approved before you do your three month program. You are taking it upon yourself to fulfill the requirements Aetna has set to get precertification. If you are worried that you don't meet the weight requirements and have no comorbidities I would ask to get a sleep apnea test done anyway.From what I have heard I lot of people get the test done and find out they have apnea (and get a comorbidity). I know it's frustrating, but unless you are selfpay we've all been there. We are all jumping through hoops with no idea if they will approve us. Good Luck!

Laurie Ann- Sounds like you are doing well - like everyone said documentation is the key. From my personal experience and what I've read on the boards Aetna is quick at approving if you've got all your documentation in. Mine was sent in March 23rd and I was approved by the 27th. I called the Aetna precertification line several times first to make sure they got everything and then just to check the status. I figure the surgeons offices are good at sending things (most of the time), but ultimately it's our responsibilty and no one else is as invested in it we are. For me the approval process was easier than getting a date for surgery - I'm hoping for June. Spud mama- maybe our dates will be close. it would be great to talk to someone with similar weight loss goals and band dates. We'll keep our finger crossed for June(or May). Good luck to all us Aetna bandsters!!

Boo- Good luck with everything! We have a lot loose but we can do it. Let me know how things progress for you. Feel free to email me with any questions. Linda

I would definitely make sure because I have Aetna and was just approved on six month plan and it sounds like what you are doing. I only went to the Dr. monthly to discuss my diet & document my weight. My surgeon has a plan that covers the 3 month option and it is both exercise & diet( and extra money). I ask your Dr. if they have had other patients approved on the three month plan using the method they are doing. The last thing you want to do is submit and get denied because it's harder to get an appeal approved in the end. Good Luck!

I agree completely!! Several Dr.'s have tried to tell me to have RNY - I try to explain that that would be too easy for me and I still wouldn't have to confront my food issues. I work with several women who have had RNY and eat like a bag of pretzels and M&M's all day(and are very thin). I can do that now with no surgery!

Hi Mary - Welcome to the group! How are things in NC? - I grew up in High Point and miss it a lot sometimes. I know in reading the posts sometimes it seems like people see they Dr. and have surgery a month later, but I don't think that's really true for a majority of people. I know I started last summer (going to my PCP for documented diet), got approved by Aetna a few weeks ago, but probably won't get a date until June. It is frustrating when you are ready and no one else seems to have the urgency you do. Just use the time to get prepared (stock up on Protein shakes:tongue_smilie:) and be as healthy as you can for surgery. Good Luck! Linda

Hi! This journey is nothing but frustrating for most of us- believe me we can all relate in some respect. I have Aetna and was approved about a week ago with no problems. I did go to my PCP - her notes were what I weighed, a review of my food logs and just generally our discussion of next steps. I also had a letter of medical necessity from her which my surgeon said was one of the most important things. if I were you I would talk to my PCP and see if they can update your files(not falsify or anything) - I'm sure that you actually did talk about your diet when you were going every month, so they just need to document it accurately. I hope all goes well for you - keep us posted.

It sounds like maybe you have Aetna - I know they had three month multidisciplinary option. If that's the case then they want you to have a more intense three diet & exercise program VS. just diet. I know my surgeon had an in house class that fulfilled this requirement. I thought about it but it was extra money I couldn't afford and I was already four months in with my PCP. It's definately a great option but make sure it's well documented. i would ask your surgeon if they have classes or know of any that fulfill the requirement. Good Luck!

I was just approved by Aetna last week and was approved with a 6 month diet history, psych eval, nutritional eval and a letter of medical neccesity from my Dr. Originally I was told I needed the two year history and finally got it from my old Dr., but my Surgeon coordinator turned in my packet before I gave it to her. I was really worried that they would deny me because of that but obviously I had no problems(maybe I'm so big they just know I couldn't have been below a 40 BMI in the last two years). One suggestion I would make is to call the precertification number on your insurance card - that's who told me I was approved. They seemed more helpful than just calling the general number. Good Luck- keep us posted!!! Linda

Hi! This is weird because I just went through this with aetna they make a big deal about a two year weight history on their requirement list and my office coordinator told me to get it also. Anyway, I finally got my last stuff done and was going to send in my weight history, but the office had already submitted my paperwork without it. I had the case number and was going to fax it in myself because I was so worried, but Aetna approved it before I could. I would suggest getting to the office(and keep a copy for yourself)- I would rather have them turn in extra documentation then to have to go back and have an appeal. Good Luck !!

Hi Guys! I have not had surgery yet (hopefully May), but I did go through an issue with an issue with heart palpitations a few years ago. I don't know if it's at all relevant, but after EKG's and a heart monitor and lots of blood tests, they decide it was just anxiety attacks. I had never had them before, but it was basically from cumulative stress that had been building up at the time. Is it possible that all the post surgery stress may be building up with IBS problems and contributing to the heart issues? Good Luck!!

Hi Everyone, I've been going through the approval process since last September with my hospital. I saw my surgeon last October and completed all my insurance documents and appointments March 3rd. The last thing I completed was a support group at the hospital, where I found out that my Dr. is pregnant and going on leave in May (they didn't mention this in October), they are now booking her surgeries in July!!! I am very upset and their reaction is basically you waited this long what's a few more months. They supposedly turned my stuff into insurance last week (although I can't get any confirmation from the financial coordinator- she doesn't respond to email or vm). :thumbup: I feel like I'm in a Catch-22 because they have all my insurance information, but I am very frustrated with the whole program (Johns Hopkins Bayview) and would like to go to another hospital. But if I go to another hospital and have to start over will it be July anyway? Has anyone had a similar situation? Talk me down...:smile: Thanks, Linda

Hi Marcy! I live in Maryland also (Elkridge) and I'm currently in the program at JHU Bayview. I have not had surgery yet - my packet was just turned in for insurance approval. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have. Good Luck! Linda

I feel your pain- I finally finished my 6 month and evals with the hopes of getting it to my insurance this week and having surgery in April. I found last Friday that my Dr. is going on maternity leave and they aren't scheduling any more surgeries for her until July!! OMG- they didn't even tell me she was pregnant(she wasn't showing when I saw her last). I am totally confused and depressed. I'm toying with switching Drs., but I'm not sure yet - they just turned in my insurance so I'll wait to see what comes of that before making any decisions. I know none of this helps you, but thought I'd let you know you're not alone in this confusing mess. Good luck!

Hi! I think I will be an April bandster(as much as I would like to be in March). All my insurance stuff should be turned in this week(fingers crossed), so hopefully with approval I'll get a late March early April date. I'd love to hear how you are doing along the the way. Good Luck! Linda

Good luck tomorrow!! I am really interested in hearing how it went. I am in the program at JHU with Dr. Steele, but have been dragging my feet now that it’s time to submit to insurance. I would love to talk to sometime as our weight is really similar and I’d like to hear what type of feedback you got from Dr. Steele. She was definitely pushing me toward RYN, but I told her it was the band or no surgery at all. She definitely has a tough love approach when it comes to the band. I hope all goes well. Linda

Hi Jen, I feel the same way and I'm not even banded yet. I noticed that you are in Ellicott City, I live nearby in Elkridge and was wondering where you had your surgery? I am in the process at JHU Bayview - they are good, but definately push RNY over lap band. Any feedback you could give me would be great. Thanks, Linda

Hi! I'm new to the forum and just had my first surgical consult yesterday. My Dr. was very sceptical of me having the surgery with a BMI of 49. She wants me to go the RNY route, but I just don't want to have it done for many reasons. I am kind of down and confused after the consult and was wondering if anyone out there had higher BMI success stories they could share. Thanks!