kabasm

Try this website - maybe you can find an endo who will work WITH you. I did. She not only looks at the numbers - she wants to how how I feel! Find The Top Thyroid Doctors, Learning From and Dealing With Doctors for Your Thyroid Treatment

Candysmooch - I would up my protein and exercise. For example, 3 times per week at curves is good but that is only 1.5 hours of exercise for the week. Try combining your curves workouts with step classes or aerobics classes- which usually last about 45 minutes- 5 times per week and challenge yourself. Your drink of choice should be only water - it gets pretty boring but calories (and other cr*p) in all those other drinks add up. Go to FITDAY.COM to keep track of daily calories.

Economic Left/Right: -1.00 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 0.82

I do not know what kind of Doctor your primary is but if I were you I would change as soon as I got a chance. Clearing for surgery includes blood work (including pregnancy test etc), chest x-ray and EKG. Depending on your medical condition(s), other tests may be performed. His clearance should include the facts, i.e., BMI, years overweight, diets tried, etc... AND not his pure opinion when facts state otherwise. His telling you that the anesthesiologist is the one to clear you is ABSOLUTELY WRONG. The anesthesiologist will go over your chart with you in the pre-op room and he will ask you a series of questions - Have you ever had anesthesia before?, Did you have complications?, etc.. He will make sure that what you tell him has been documented in the chart and that your primary requested all the appropriate tests.

sorry posted without finishing

Besides my doctors, only my husband knows. I have been banded since 3/17/06, maybe later on I will tell others but for now - no. Before being banded, I would work certain things about WLS into my conversations with friends and family and all feedback was negative and very judgemental. Did not need the added stress - so I told no one. Since I do not see them often due to living in different areas, they have not seen me at 33 lbs lighter.

Whey protein powder with skim milk. Chocolate flavor is pretty good. You can get the big box at Costo, BJs or Sams. The powder can also be mixed with other liquids or sprinkled on food. Also South Beach protein bars - I find the peanut butter ones to be better than the chocolate.

I was told by the surgeon and nurse that carbonation will cause painful gas as it expands in the "pouch." I never drank soda, so this was not a problem for me. As for caffeine, the nutritionist said it was ok and so did the doctor. Just remember that it can stimulate the appetite.

I was banded 4 weeks ago. I decided not to tell anyone, except for my husband. Before I did this, I had general conversations with friends about WLS and they all had the same conclusion - "people just need to eat less" -"quick fix" - etc.. So, my decision was easy. I did not want to be judged. I tell people that I am on a Doctor supervised diet and going to the gym 5 times a week.

There will always be people like her. Just because she told you something different does not mean that she agreed with your decision. Her true colors came out when her daughter said she was thinking of the same WLS. We are all going through something life-changing and we can do without the comments from the peanut gallery. For this very same reason, I kept my surgery a secret (except from my husband). I also feel that some people do not want you to "change" either because they feel threatened or whatever... Just be careful - its been my experience when I was doing the dieting stuff that people with her attitude will always try to sabotage your efforts. :angry

Branso5111 - The first thing I did was call my insurance company. They are the most knowledgeable about your policy besides yourself. Tell them specifically that you are considering gastric banding CPT CODE:43770. Ask them if 1)it is covered and 2) if it needs precertification/authorization and 3) if there is anything that needs to be done before authorization - that is - they may require a psych eval etc.. Make sure there has not been any break in coverage for at least the last 12+ months. If there is a break, they will make you wait until the anniversary of your policy because obesity then becomes a "pre-existing condition." I have an extremely restrictive policy and they "approved" me in 1 week with a lot of effort on my part and the fact that I had met all their conditions - psych eval, nutri eval etc..

No, I do not work for an insurance carrier. However, I used to work for a doctor (pain management) and I would write the letters for the patients in order to get their treatment approved/precertified/authorized.

Depending on what was already submitted to the insurance company, it would be beneficial to include: 1. Current weight, height, BMI and existing co-morbidities. Remember that most insurance companies are looking for a BMI of 40+. They will also consider a BMI of 35-40 if the patient has existing co-morbidities. 2. All attempts at loosing the excess weight, i.e., program, how long on the program and amount of pounds lost. Did you re-gain the weight. 3. How long have you had the obesity problem, i.e., since childhood, since giving birth - and for how many years. Take into account that if your weight problem was a recent thing – that is you gained 60 pounds last year when your child was born – they will not see this as a “life long problem” and assume you can loose the weight on your own. 4. Family medical history that because you are overweight will predispose you to further medical problems. 5. Try and also have your surgeon write a letter of medical necessity to be included in your appeal. 6. Consider the medical reason they denied your surgery and state the reasons why they are wrong. Be factual – consider the audience. If you can, try to have a different nurse/doctor review your appeal – that is other than the one who issued the denial. Ask for the credentials of the Doctor/Nurse who denied your request to see if they have experience in Bariatric surgery/Lapband/WLS and understand what is involved. For example: I would like to know whether the physician making this determination has appropriate clinical experience in WLS. Also, a copy of the criteria that was used to determine the disposition of this request will also be appreciated Style of your letter should be business with re. line stating your name, insurance ID # and that this is your appeal. For example, I am in receipt of you letter dated….and I would like to appeal your determination denying my weight loss surgery. I hope this is helpful and good luck. Things have a way of working out.