Nooshie

Ah, that's the difference. I have HMO, so I have to do the six-month thing. It's okay though...I'll get there soon. :::shrug::: Let me know a couple days before the next meeting. I can meet up with you. I live in Sunland. You? I'm curious about the meetings. I've heard there are a lot more bypass people than lap banders.

Hey Lil Miss, Thanks for letting me know about keeping on top of things. Feb 19 is just around the corner for you (eeps!)... how exciting and scary , no? Do you have Aetna HMO or PPO? And did you have to go through the six-month supervised weight loss thing? Have you gone to any of the support group meetings? I hope you don't mind all the questions. Keep in touch and let me know how it all goes! Good luck to you. - Noosh

Hi, I was looking around for others that have Aetna and found your blog. Did you end up having your surgery? I have Aetna HMO. My BMI is 45 and I have about 80 pounds to lose. I was told that I need to show that I have been on a supervised weight loss program with my primary care physician and a dietician, and then they'll approve. I'm just starting this 6 month journey, but I did go to the surgeon's office and met with the staff there. Let me know how it goes with you. Good luck with it all. Noosh

Went to my appointment on Monday at Dr. Quilici's office. First had a consult with another patient-to-be with the nutritionist, Julie, who went over both bypass and lapband surgeries, showed us the quantities of food we'd be able to consume after surgery, went over the rules, etc. Then we had a short consult with the patient liaison, Rosalie, who has lost 135 pounds with bypass. She was a huge help with questions regarding insurance and timelines. I have Aetna HMO. I found out that my insurance will cover the surgery but I will have to go through a 6 month supervised weight loss program with my primary care physician and a dietician/nutritionist. ::shrug:: y'know, I'm kind of bummed that I have to wait, but on the other hand, it's not like they're denying me so I'm feeling blessed. Oh, also found out that everyone has to go through a psyche evaluation. After that meeting had BP and BMI and weight done. :::thumbup::: my BMI IS 45!!!! That's pretty scary when you think about it. :biggrin: Needless to say, it was pretty sobering and I'm trying to take things seriously since i've gotten home. Met with Dr. McVay after that. She does the fills. She was very kind and not-rushed which I really really appreciated. She took the history and physical and answered any questions. Told me about support group meetings the 1st and 3rd wednesdays. Then, for about 2 minutes met Dr. Quilici. He, also, was very nice, but by then, I had discussed and found out everything I needed to ask. Sooooo....I've made my appointment with my PCP to start my 6 month course. Called Aetna to make sure they were all cool with it. They said yes. The nutritionist will be contacted by my PCP. So if all goes well, I'm thinking surgery sometime around August?? We'll see. But I've started the journey to a new me.

hi! i've been thinking about it as well. I have determined that bypass is just too risky for me. i'm not comfortable with it. and seeing all the success with lapband here on the site, it's much more encouraging. i'm getting excited about my meeting with the doctor, and nervous/anxious as well. I really want it all to work out...with the doctor, with the insurance...with the whole thing. keep in touch and let me know how it's all going for you. like you said, maybe we'll meet at the support group meetings! all the best!

your post really hit home. beautifully written. good luck to you on your journey. i'm only just hoping to begin.

Hi! I was snooping around the blogs and found your post. i went to a gastroenterologist today for some other issues and asked what he thought of the lapband. he told me that i should go for a bypass! this caught me offguard. he said that with the lapband someone like me (almost 50 and about 90 pounds overweight) would only lose about 20-30 pounds with a lapband but with bypass i'd lose more. I have been on this site and know that there are many, many success stories here, but still, it took me for a loop.

I had an appointment with the Gastroenterologist today (for other issues). A new doctor for me, so he doesn't know anything about me. When we were finished with the appointment, I asked what he thought about the lapband, because, I told him, I was considering it. (okay, so here I am all excited about being banded...seeing a doctor on 1/19..etc.) and the Gastrodoc says, "Why don't you get a bypass done? I haven't heard of a lot of success with the lapband...and I don't think you'd lose much weight...maybe 20-30 pounds. If I were you, I'd have a bypass. I have quite a few patients that have had great success with bypass surgery" (!!!) I mean, we were having an honest conversation, so it's not like I took his comment to be anything but that, but it made me start thinking...I mean, i haven't considered bypass surgery because it's so invasive. on the otherhand, I truly do have the metabolism of a tube of toothpaste...what if I have the lapband and I truly don't lose. You know what I'm mean? I guess I'll have to research, and discuss with the surgeon on monday during the initial consult. Oh, and I know the lapband is just a "tool" and it's up to me...but y'know, i've done lots of restrictive diets in the past...what makes this different (is it because the restriction is truly physical and not left up to willpower).

Hi Debbi, Thanks so much for responding. Keep me posted on how it goes with you. I don't see too many on here who are patients of Dr. Quilici. I've never met him...but will on Monday. I read the post from another member about the insurance and her husband getting laid off...but t'wasn't me.... Good luck to you! Nooshie