Wisteria75

Thank you soooo much Jenny! I am so scared! Truth is... I just had a bad cold last week and I'm still sniffling and coughing but VERY little. I informed them the pre-op evaluator of this and she asked me if it was resolved. I said "yes". Should I have said "no"? I am no longer "sick", just coughing a little in the AM and PM because I still have a little bit of phlegm left and my nose is stuffy but only in the AM and PM and not much comes out of it. I'm wondering... should I let them know? I'm afraid they'll tell me I can't have the surgery! But then again, am I in danger? I thought I would wait at least until next Tuesday to see where I'm at then. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance! Renee

Hey Kris! So sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. It has been so crazy here at my job; so much work to do! My surgery date is 10/16/09!!! I'm excited and scared. I know I am doing the right thing though. I would love to get together at some point. Possibly a week or two after surgery or we could carpool to the next support meeting? Thanks for replying. I wish you the best of luck also. Maybe we all can add each other as "friends" here so we can keep in touch? :thumbup: Renee

Thanks again Lisa for the congrats! :w00t: I know the time will go by fast. I am soooo nervous though. Is there anything you did before surgery as a diet... like did you do the chewing slowly thing (which I think is soooo hard) and the protein shakes? If so, what else did you do? I live in the Mt. Tom Ave area. I could use a friend going through this journey. So thanks... I would love to meet also. I know where Plain Street is... near Strong Ave. Very cool. Congratulations being down 75 lbs. That is a HUGE success! :smile: I like how you call the band a 2 year old... LOL you never know when it will act up. That's a positive way to look at it.

Hi Everyone! I just got approved and my surgery date is October 16th! I am so nervous, excited and scared! I am having doubts because something foreign is going into my body to aid in losing weight, however, I know that this is the best thing I can do for myself. I have such mixed feelings. Anyway, congrats to everyone on their journeys! ~Renee

Hi Jenny! Hi Lisa! Thank you for the congrats!!! I am with Dr. Fiallo. Just got the call yesterday that my surgery is 10/16!!! Oh My God. I am freaking out! Good and bad. I'm so nervous and scared that something foreign is going inside my body. This is the only way I believe that I can lose weight before it's too late. :smile::w00t: Total mixed feelings. I have researched the band and know a few people who have it who never regretted getting it. They are healthy now too. I just hear so much about sliming and vomiting and not losing the weight and all that yucky stuff. Anyway, I have to focus on my eating from now on in... very strictly so that I'll be more than prepared. Is there anything that you guys did that could help me? Any tips? Thank you! And Good luck in your journeys! Lisa, you said you live in Easthampton? How cool! Maybe we can meet someday! I definitely will be going to the support groups at the Clarion as soon as I am banded. I thought they were great when I went "pre-op". ~ Renee

Hello! Sorry it has taken a while to get back you. My BMI is 41.5% and I have prediabetes which I take medication for, asthma which I use an inhaler, acid reflux, which I take medication for, and sleep apnea where I use a CPAP machine, so yeah, I was well qualified. With my plan, I had to have a 35% BMI with two comorbities OR a 40% BMI or over. That's it. They didn't need me to a 6 month weight loss plan at all like some of the people on here. It's quite simple actually. So basically, BCBS didn't need anything from me... it's PVSA that needed me to have the appointments and stuff to be qualified then when that was finished they sent in the pre-auth form. Yes, BCBS is pretty good with approvals. Dr. Fiallo said so himself as well. Best of luck to everyone!

To answer my own question, for those people waiting for BCBS, it took about three weeks to a month to get approval! :thumbdown:

Hi all, My name is Renee and I have gone through the necessary steps and have been approved by insurance. I am just waiting for PVSA to call me back with a surgery date. This is frightening and exciting at the same time! I called and spoke with Missy on Monday and asked her when to expect surgery. She told me that BCBS hadn't given me the approval yet, however, I told her that I received a letter from BCBS dated 8/28/09 that I was approved! So Missy was really nice and had me fax the letter to her. She said once it is reviewed, someone will call me back with a date. I hope it is soon. I look forward to meeting some of you at the support groups. I have found them very helpful so far (preop). Renee

I haven't been banded YET; provided my insurance approves me. Anyway, I plan to keep it a secret. The only people who know I may have it done are my husband, my sister, my cousin (who's had the band), a friend (who's had the band), and everyone at work (6 people). That's it. I feel most people are way too judgemental (that I know). If I told my mother, she would think it is cheating as well. People don't know enough about the band to realize that WE are working, not just the band. The band is a tool! It makes me crazy knowing people with this mentality. THAT is why I made my choice. It is my choice and not theirs. :mad: Can anyone help and tell me what they have told people? For instance, if I am approved and banded end of October or early November, we all know Turkey day is coming up. I am known to eat lots of sweets. If my family sees me not eating so much they will wonder. :sad: And I just refuse to tell them the truth. It's my truth not theirs.

Hello, My name is Wisteria and I have gone through all of the necessary steps to get lap-band surgery; I am just waiting for approval from my insurance company. I am 34 years old and have been majorly overweight for about 10 years now and I cannot get it off! So here I am! I weigh 211.5, my BMI is 41%, and height 5'0". I am pre-diabetic on medication so that is a MAJOR part of my decision. Also of course heart attack and heart disease are both in my family. I have asthma since gaining all of the weight as well as back issues. Had surgery on my back and gained A LOT of weight since then (MAJOR part of my weight gain by the way). Also have sleep apnea and acid reflux. Take several meds and need to sleep with a mask at night. I am just not healthy. I exercise, but it is so hard to when you are big. I have hiked, biked, kayaked, ran, walked, jogged, etc... And I end up quitting after a few months. It is just so hard... especially walking/hiking up a hill! All this weight is killing me... literally! Nice to meet all of you. Glad I am here. I cannot wait for surgery. All the best to you all on your journeys.

Hi Lana, Thank you for the warm welcome. :sad: I will continue checking out all of the resources available to me. Best wishes to you as well! :sneaky:

Hi Betty Kay, Thanks for replying... and I wish all the best for you on your journey. To good health! :sneaky: Wisteria

Hi G'ma and thanks for replying! WOW 9 weeks and you can breathe better? OMG! Very good for you... congratulations! :sneaky: Was it difficult with the change in diet and having to exercise more, or does it just plain feel great?

WOW your asthma is gone? That is great! Congratulations!!! Thanks for the well wishes! Good luck also. :blushing:

Hello, I am pre- not post- but I wanted to ask those of you who have already had the surgery. What do you do for exercise? After losing some weight (and after healing) is exercising easier for you? Thanks in advance, Wisteria

I am from Massachusetts (western part of the state) and I have not been banded yet. Hoping insurance will be preapproved! Hello to all and good luck on your journeys!

Bonjour ! Je suis nouvel aussi. Avez-vous eu la chirurgie pourtant ? Mon français n'est pas si bon.

Hey... I have to say I am scared too. I am awaiting approval from my insurance co. and I know I qualify so... should be getting surgery October/November? I hope anyway. But yes. I am very scared. Not the surgery part! I am nervous about my mental state... the food, eating less, chew chew chewing, throwing up... so much stuff I've heard or read about. I'm terrified of this part. I know it is a lot of work... trust me I do! I am willing to do it; however I am feeling scared. :tt1: Thank God for this forum and the support groups the hospital provides. :cool2:

I have BCBS of MA Blue Care Elect and my preapproval went in on 8/28/09. I hope I do not have to wait long; I am on the cusp of getting diabetes, have asthma and acid reflux as well plus my BMI is 41%. They were so quick with yours... I wonder if they'll be as quick with mine. Anyone have quick responses to preapprovals lately?

Hello everyone. My name is Renee and I had my first consult with Dr. Fiallo in May. I have already gone through all the necessary steps for surgery and my follow-up is on August 31st. Then, hopefully, I will have a date for surgery. So far I am pleased with them. The support groups are wonderful. I wish everyone the best of luck on their journey.