TinaM

great to hear from you!

austro - thought about you today. Let us know how you are doing

you miught want to try the mens room for this post

I have Aetna HMO once my PCP referred me _ went thru the 6 months process of nutrition visits and a pysch visit when those were done the doc submitted to Aetna and I got the approval in 6 days. My understanding is with Aetna PPO its a 3 months process then you submit for approval

How exciting for you!

Glad that those of you taht have had surgery had a 'delightful' experience. For those on for tomorrow - you can do it! Stay strong and focused - we'll be waiting to read your story in the post op story.

I'll let you know after my surgery - dec 15th :tongue2: You can check some of the surgery day stories on the post op thread and also, I have found several online diaries on you tube.

Tina we are around the same age, I of courtse love the name! and we are both being banded in December! Yeah for us. I've gone thru the same thing these past 4 days but have come back around finally! Did you join the social group under community? December 2009 - the Delights:smile2: I'll be checking the group feverishly over the wekend looking for your first post op post! cheers and hugs:lol:

Welcome to LBT. Good luck on your journey

Hi There and welcome to the december delights! we have two threads going one in pre op and one under the community tab/social groups December 2009. shakes has been a BIG topic for us so come on over and check it out!

Hi Danielle- welcome to the december delights we have a thread under community/social groups. Tina

hi there- they probably take hmo but they can't say that it must be a referral from your pcp. My surgery is 12/15 and here is what I ahve learned on my journey. My pcp put in the referral. A week later I was scheduled for the seminar attended the seminar, met with WLS, Dr. Anwar his office knew all the requirements for Aetna HMO (6 months of monitored nutrition visits and 5 years of weight history) Had 4 meetings with a nutrionist (not covered $95 a pop) 2 Shared medical appts ( covered and interesting pre and post op patients) Met with pysch 4 days later DRs office called to informa me they were submitting the papaerwork to Aetna for approval. 6 days later approved for surgery just completed a slew of tests today finally! Upper GI, Xray, blood tests, EKG, (paid all copays) the entire journey once I decided to move forward took 8 months. Good luck!:tongue2:

Hi kid, since sleep apnea is comorbdity you need to know before you go to insurance if you have it. It my case it made my case for surgery and even stronger one. As thebanded stated, I am taking my machine with me and it is being used during my surgery. I have to say when I got the bipap machine in in Feb I hated it - now it has made such a difference in the quality of my sleep(and less grumpiness:rolleyes:) its amazing.

Hi Cathy, My preop is dec 5th and surgery is dec 15th. The Dec Delights have a page under preop and under community/social groups. So be sure to join us there. We are all at some level of nervousness. Good Luck:blush:

oldnavy.com also try goodwill, or other shops like that

there should be an on call number electralady - i'd have them track the surgeon down. if you don't want to do that I would go with the clear liquids

hi there and welcome! My date is 12/15 and I am very excited. I visited NZ in 2007 (Auckland & Coromandel ) just beautiful country you have.

Hi- You need to speak with your doc to start physical activity.

Hi There and Welcome December 2009 bandsters - be sure to check out the threads for our group 2 in preop (one is a poll for out name) and the other under community/social groups There are a couple of superstars keeping track of everyones dates so we can check in on one another and share expeirences Tina M Dec 15th!:thumbup:

you should also check the preop threads for Kaiser Richmond

You should call them directly and speak with them. If your BMI is over 40 or 35 with 2 comorbities its usually considered medically necessary but again check with your insurance as EACH plan is different. There are a number of people on here where insurance has covered both Aetna and Kaiser. Once I talked with my insurance (like you couldn't find anything on the website or the papers) they told me to have my doctor submit teh papaerwork. I talked to the WLS dept for my HMO and they knew every requirement for all the major insurance compnaies and were able to tell me pretty quickly if I would *likely* qualify. Of course I went thru the 6 month required plans (Aetna/HMO), they submitted the paperwork and in 5 days I received my approval.

I had a 6 month program and am now scehduled for surgery Dec 15th. I told my boss during month 2 that I was having surgery and what type so he could schedule projects accordingly. I told HR I would be taking medical leave during month 3 - they don't know why and its not required they know just a letter stating I need to be out - so people you don't have to disclose. I told my parents during month 4 as well as 4 very close friends all in different parts of the county. (they know type of surgery) Last week I notified my direct reports that I would be out for a week tending to some medical issues but will be back in form on 12/21. Today, I emailed my siblings what was going on so they would know why I wasn't flying home for Christmas this year. So I have about 15 people who know the type of surgery I'm having and another 10 or so will realize what type I had when they see the weight come off.:frown: I see it as a very personal decision, I know many people scream from the rooftops, while others tell just their ride home. You need to do what you feel most comfortable in doing. For me I hold an executive position and rarely miss work so my direct reports would know instantly if I wasn't in for a couple of days something wasn't right and I didn't want to risk them showing up on my doorstep since 2 live in my neighborhood!:thumbup: I figure 6 months to a year from now, I'll be more confortable sharing the details like when someone says "You look fabulous, how are losing weight? what is your secret?" I can say proudly I have this extra tool that has really helped me and his name is Lap band

Hi! I'm a december one too 12/15 - we have two threads going one in preop and the other under community. Welcome- tina