jen36

Hi, I have a question my surgery is scheduled for April 12th and I have seen the nutrionist three times and she gave me a food plan for when I start eating solids but my surgeon hasn't told me anything about drinking protein shakes or anything. I don't see him again until the day of surgery, I know there is just a one day pre-op clear liquids and that is it. How do I know how much protein I will need each day right after the surgery? I need to start stocking up on the drinks I don't have much time left. And can anyone recommend anything that tastes decent?:sad:

Hello, I haven't had the surgery yet but have been approved and my date is April 12th. I started the process in Nov 09 and did not have any kind of supervised diet, my insurance did not require that. So all together it has taken me 5months.. Boy that sounds like a long time but it really did go by fast!!!! Good luck!!!:sad:

Hi, I am April 12th!!!!! Can't wait to start working on the new me..... Feels like I always put everyone else first and in the process have managed to completely let myself go.. IT'S ME TIME NOW!!!!! Good luck to you.:wink2:

Just got my approval through Capital Blue Cross Blue Shield PA no problems at all only been about a week!!!!!! Surgery date is April 12th!!!!!!! So excited and nervous at the same time...:tongue_smilie:

Mine has actually gone pretty smooth except for all the tests and all. I didn't have a supervised diet or anything so it was pretty easy. So can't wait to go clothes shopping and be able to shop in the smaller peoples section!!!!!!!!! YIPPY.. Good luck to everyone else that has their surgeries coming up next month!!!! Please let me know how it goes.:tongue_smilie:

I haven't been banded yet have just received all the clearance needed from the various doctors I have seen . I go back to the surgeon this upcoming Friday and they will submit everything to the insurance for approval. Anyway, I did some research on the surgeon on the NJ licensure website and it shows he has had two malpractice lawsuits against him, doesn't say what for though. He has been doing lapbands for 9yrs and that is all he does. My question is does that seem like alot of litigation for that amount of time it did say $400k and $250k were paid out on the two. I'm a little concerned now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Do I ask the surgeon about the anesthesiologist? I am so scared to be put to sleep

I had the EKG , echocardiogram and the stress test all of those were a piece of cake!!!!! Don't even worry about them so simple!!!!

I just got finished with all my testing just have to go to PCP for final clearance tomorrow. It is exhausting all the dr visits but I so hope its all worth it in the end!!!!!!!! Good luck with your journey and keep us posted on your progress.

That is great news!!!!!! Good luck with everything and keep me updated on how your doing...

I don't have your insurance but I would imagine with the co-morbidities that you have now your would have a better chance of getting approved. I know if your under 40bmi you have to have underlying problems for them to even think of approving you. Why don't you call your insurance and see what the exact requirments are before starting again. That is where I started. Good luck!!!!

I haven't been banded yet but I went through all the breathing tests with the Pulmonary dr. and yes I think those results do matter when the dr's are giving you clearance. I also had the ekg and the blood work, sleep study, psych eval and nutrionist meetings and all that information goes to your surgeon for the final clearance. Good luck and I wouldn't worry too much!!!!

Just received clearance from the pulmonary dr. today, got the results from my sleep study and I have mild sleep apnea but he wasn't concerned he said when I lose the weight that will probably go away!!!!! SO EXCITED. Go to see PCP tomorrow to get clearance and then back to surgeon on the 5th so he can review all my results and hopefully from there comes the insurance approval!!!!!!! This has process so far has been so exhausting with all the tests and visits can't wait til its over!!!!!! Wish me luck tomorrow!!!

I also have Capital Bc/Bs and honestly can you call them and find out before you go through all this. I was told it has to be 40 with no other health problems. Mine is 38 but I have high blood pressure so I am good. That is alot of money to put out for them not to approve you. I would call the insurance co. and ask them before you even start. Hope that helps a little. Good Luck!!!!!!:w00t:

I have had my endoscopy on 12/28, leg ultrasound 12/17, ekg on 12/29, Psych eval today which went really well, two nutrion visits already and one to go. Sleep study done on 1/4, Pulmonary dr visit on 12/17 still need to have echo and stress test done next week. I have my follow up visit with the surgeon on Feb 5th with he will go over all my consents for surgery from all the dr's I have seen. My question is how long does it usually take once that is done for them to schedule surgery? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks..:tt1:

Oh ok so once I go back to the surgeon then its really up to the insurance co? Am I correct? I just want to get this done and over with...

Hello I have a question, My surgeon is Dr. Patel same office as yours and I was wondering did you use Atlanticare Behavioral Health for your psych eval? Could you tell me what kind of things they ask you and how long the visit took?

Has anyone been banded by Dr. Patel at Atlanticare hospital? I have a seminar to go to on Nov. 13th and did anyone have to pay any additional out of pocket fees going thru them?

I feel so much better speaking to about this... I am definitely encouraged now to go forward. I can't wait to get the process started. :closedeyes:

Thanks for replying, I had gone on Wed. to Temple University in Philly and when I got there they stated there was a $350 program fee that I would have to pay before I could get the psych eval and the see the nutrionist and a class. I called the insurance and they said they never heard of this because all of those things are covered under my policy. So I called Atlanticare and they said no hidden fees but I just wanted to make sure before I drive an hour away for the seminar. Good luck with your surgery and please keep me updated on how you make out. One other question, how long did it take you from the start of the process to the surgery date?

Had my initial consultation with the surgeon today and I meet the criteria they are looking for but my problem is they charge $350 for a program fee (psych eval, nutrionist and a class) my insurance covers all these things except the class. I have never heard of this. Has anyone else had this problem? My insurance said they have never heard of this as well.:thumbup:

I have to attend a seminar with Dr. Patel on Nov. 13th can you tell me about your experience with Dr. Patel? Also did you find any program fees that you had to pay out of pocket with him?

Thanks everyone for responding. So I guess I just have to keep calling around and see if I can find someone that doesn't charge outrageous fees. Wish me luck everyone!!!!!:thumbup: