juliansmom2003

I am in the New Beginnings program and they have just announced that Dr Kipnis is actually relocating to North Jersey and they are referring his patients to other doctors. Dr Goldstein not only does New Beginnings (which is about 1400 out of pocket), but now works with another center that is a bit cheaper I think, but it's all relative I think. Hope this helps!

Wow, Vickie congrats on your decision and moving through your appointments to get them under your belt! I have been doing the same thing. My first appointment with the surgeon was actually on 7/23 and the only thing I have left to do is pulmonologist (tomorrow) and sleep apnea before they will send my charts over to the insurance company! I am super excited too! This board is a great resource for support and advice, so use all the tools that are available to you! Looking forward to sharing the journey with you :-)!

dbaby, don't be so hard on yourself. For most of us, establishing a healthy eating pattern is something that we're not used to, so it will take some time to adapt to the change in lifestyle. I hate to admit it, but journaling is really what helped me to track what I was eating, when, how to use my calories, etc. You will also find that you can treat yourself every now and then and still see good results. As a pp mentioned, water is key!! I can't stand just water, so I use those Crystal Light to go packs and just add it to my water bottle and YUM! It doesn't even taste like a diet-type drink and it's only 5 calories!!! These initial steps are hard and yes, we're going to fall down, cheat, and feel like we can't do it, but we just have to pick ourselves right back up and start over. You have a great support system in this board right here and people that will provide great advice and moral support. Believe in yourself and just keep going!!! We'll get there :-)!

OMG, congrats! That's awesome!!!! Lots of luck on Friday!

My doctor does outpatient, unless you have sleep apnea, which would require an overnight stay. I'm almost positive I have it, but won't know until I have my test in a couple of weeks.

Wow! Congrats, Greg. That is some fast approval!!! The 29th will be here before you know it!

Wow! I lucked out with my psych consult. Mine was an hour long and basically verifying that I was doing this for the right reasons, homelife, history of being overweight, confirming things I've tried to lose it, how I feel things will change after surgery, if I understand this isn't a "quick fix", stuff like that. Unfortunately, I have 5 one-hour nutrition classes to attend as part of my program. I've already been working on my diet prescription, so I'm sure they will be going through the ins and outs of how to eat, when to eat and why. Wow, I'm getting tired just thinking about this LOL Edited to say: Good luck on Wednesday!

Congratulations on your approval! I'm sure you must be over the moon excited! How wonderful!

Wow, Erin. You're moving right along! How are you feeling today?

For the life of me, I can't figure out what this stands for.....

Glad it went well, Vickie. I too was surprised about the program fee I needed to pay (that insurance doesn't cover). It was $1,450!!!!! Thank GOD they took flex spending and payment plan! Like yours, it includes nutritionists, psych consult/clearance and support groups for pre, post and beyond the surgery. I've been there a few times already, so I guess it's true that you get what you pay for. I'm sure the counseling sessions would be worth it for you too. I guess the think it will deter people from going to the seminar for info if they tell people that upfront? It was like pulling teeth to get the $$$ before the seminar (had to pull the Nancy Drew skills :smile2:) Lots of luck to you on your journey!

Holy crap! What state are you in?!? That's some quick response from the insurance company. So glad to hear!!

Congrats on your approval!

Congrats to everyone on their insurance approvals! I'm sure it won't be long until I'm hearing about all of your successful surgeries :-)!

I have such a big mouth, I've pretty much told everyone. Moreso because I'm really excited, I just can't contain myself. Of course, everyone has their opinion on whether or not they want to share, and they should do what is most comfortable to them :-)

Thanks for letting us know how it went! It definitely does ease some of the nerves to hear good experiences like yours while a lot of us are in the waiting stage. Congrats on being banded and good luck continuing on your journey!!!

I have Keystone HealthPlan East (BC/BS of PA). It's a PPO plan and the requirements are the same as the Anthem one. My surgeon said that the approval process is pretty quick and easy with them (God I hope that's true!) As long as I do the 3-month pre-op plan with the nutritionist and behavioral therapist, I should be fine (so they say). I have heard different things from state to state about BC/BS, so maybe the requirements vary by state? Good luck and DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS! I am here along with the other jealous ones.... I have to complete my 3-month program before my paperwork gets submitted, so I'm vicariously living through all you lucky approved peeps :-)! Congrats again!

Sorry I wasn't being very clear. So, the 3-month pre-op surgery program is required by my insurance company. Part of that is the nutritionist--they want me on a 1500-calorie meal plan (which isn't a problem for me), but i have to make sure I have a mix of 7 starches, 3 fruits, 2 dairy, veggies, 8 oz protein, 4 servings of fat. I'm not sure which is more important--the calories or the mix I'm getting them? I'm going to just call and find out. I'm just so new to this. Not to mention, I have to catalog and write down the nutritional info for everything I eat every day. I understand why it's important, but it's just something I need to get used to right now. I know this is all new and I need to just take one day at a time. I feel better today, I think I just had a weak day on Friday and needed the support of people telling me that I will get through this and everything will be okay.

So, I managed to fill my day yesterday as much as possible. I had my barium swallow (not too bad afterall!) and chest x-ray (pulmonoligist requested it for my consult because I used to be a smoker), and signed up for my 3-month pre-op program (New Beginnings). So the nurse gives me my diet plan (1500 calories, and the distribution of starches, proteins, etc.) and today I am just sitting here with my stomach growling thinking how hard this is. I have to motivate myself that I can do this. I have blown through all my pre-op requirements so quickly that my case worker said she would send my chart in a whole month early (after I complete my last check in appt with the nurse), so I have shown the drive and commitment to jump through the administrative hoops, but I guess I just need a little push to motivate me that I will get used to this! I knew it wasn't going to be easy and hate to sound like I'm complaining, but I'm just worried if changing what I'm eating causes me to second guess myself, how am I going to get through bandster hell? Any advice, ladies? :cool2:

WOW! You gals are lucky--my surgeon doesn't submit the paperwork until I complete the stinking 3-month pre-op program :-(! I'm just dying to get a surgery date--I think it will make all the hoops worth it to know I'm working toward a definitive date!!

Eeek. Mine is next week and I am sooo not looking forward to it. It'll be good to check something else off the list, but again, not looking forward to the yuckiness..... Good for you for having that step behind you!!

Congratulations and good luck! I hope all goes well!

Wow! Thanks for the heads up! I'm double glad I'm being tested for it now!!

I went for my consult last week and my appointment with the nutritionist is next week. The doctor told me it when I complete my trusty little check list, that we can submit all the paperwork to the insurance company (he said approval typically takes 2 weeks) and schedule a date. The longest requirement is the 3-month nutritionist/psych program, so that puts me in October/November time frame for surgery. I too was told to lose 10 lbs before surgery, which the nutritionist should help with, so here's to the next 3 months going FAST!!!!! Good luck!