abbylamb

Me too! If my doc hadn't warned me and it happened to me, I'd be freaking out too!

congrats on being an ex-smoker!!! :thumbup: do you know you potentially gained 14 years of life just by quitting? good for you! that is one of the hardest things anyone can do. keep at it!

my surgeon told me to expect to be tighter in the mornings, and that my stomach will feel looser in the evenings. in fact, he told me that he adjusts for evening, not for morning, and that I probably won't be able to eat for several hours after getting up and that I should only have a protein shake or yogurt as my first meal of the day.

Hey there. I'm just curious if anyone else out there has Blue Cross and Blue Shield for Federal Employees in Ohio? And if so, how hard are they to get approved for the surgery? I've done the seminar, called them, found out what they want (no one mentioned the 3 or 6 month doctor supervised diet). All they SAID they want is a letter of medical necessity from the surgeon and the CPT and diagnosis codes. It just seems a little too easy. I haven't met with the surgeon yet, but I'm anticipating that the insurance is going to be the hardest part. Suggestions? Thanks!

When I edited my signature, I just hit "enter" after each line. Don't know if that's the most scientific way, but it worked! Good luck!

I'm not banded yet, but this whole "who to tell, who not to tell" is driving me crazy. After a lot of thought, I've told my mom, my hubby and a few (3) very close friends, and my boss, because I'm going to need some time off work. They have all been very supportive. Anyone else I'm not planning to tell. If they flat out ask if I've had weight loss surgery, I'm not going to lie; but otherwise, I plan on just telling them I'm restricting my calories and exercising, which will all be true. Plus, I'm afraid that if everyone knew, I'd get a whole lot more questions about why I'm not losing faster, or how long is it supposed to take to start losing, or am I allowed to eat that, etc. Now I may feel differently once I'm banded, but for right now, that's the right choice for me.

I have BCBS for federal employees and I got a yes in 3 days.

Well, I personally think that places are charging these fees to make up some of the money they lose out on from insurance reimbursement. I have absolutely no proof to back that up, just a hunch. My surgeon's office charged me a "nominal fee of $350" which, according to the woman at the office includes informational paperwork, pre-surgery readiness class and the pre-admission teaching day. Yeah, I think it's a rip off, but I love the doc, and they can get me in before the end of the year, so I paid it. But no way could I, or would I, pay $4000. That's just obscene!

Just an update---surgery is officially scheduled for December 21!

Hello everyone! I just got my surgery date today--I'm going to be banded on December 21! Santa Claus is bringing me a Lap-Band for Christmas! :tongue2: I couldn't ask for a better present. I am so excited. And nervous. And now I'll be spending the better part of a month obsessing over all this. NOT looking forward to two weeks of Optifast, but it's a small price to pay I guess. Anyone who has surgery before me and has to do the Optifast, please give me a heads up on which flavors I want to avoid. And to the one post about before and after photos-I say go for it! I plan on taking photos and my measurements in nothing but a bra and panties just so I can see how far I've come. (Besides, it's not like anyone else has to see them--unless you have a voyeuristic side to you. But I know I'm keeping mine just for me!) Can't wait to hear from everyone about how their journey progresses. Hooray to all of us! (oh, and illuminationlady--just keep at quitting smoking. I work all day with patients who are trying to stop smoking. It's as addictive as crack-give yourself a break, and just keep trying. Eventually it'll stick. Failure only happens when you give up.)

I've seen two surgeons who both think I'm a perfect candidate for the band. The good news is that they both will let me pick whether I want the Lap-Band AP or the Realize-C band. The bad news is that they both will let me pick whether I want the Lap-Band AP or the Realize-C band. Having never placed a band myself, my gut (no pun intended) says to defer to they physician's opinion. Herein lies the problem. One doc tells me that if I don't care, he'll place the LAP-BAND because it's 3rd generation, compared with the 2nd generation REALIZE band, and because there is some anecdotal evidence that shows while the LAP-BAND may have a higher incidence of slippage, it has a lower erosion rate. He also said it's easier to fill the LAP-BAND because the port is easier to find. The other doc tells me if I don't care, he'll place the REALIZE band because it's faster and easier to put in (which doesn't concern me-I don't care how long it takes him to put in, I just want the right one for me!), has a lower incidence of slippage and has better online patient support. And HE says that the REALIZE band is easier to fill! So now it's completely up to me to decide which band to go with. I need some suggestions on this one please!

There are two docs in my area that I'm considering for surgery. One is supposed to be the best, with fantastic stats, blah blah blah. From what I've heard, he's nice, meticulous and great to work with. BUT-it seems he's taken on more patients than he can handle-he only sees new ones on Fridays; I have my first appt this Friday, and the woman making my appointment told me to bring a good book and expect to wait, usually at least an hour, before I'll be seeing him. Plus, they require a more extensive battery of tests pre-op (at my age and with no risk factors, there really should be minimal testing required). Plus they require a $350 program fee, and the Opti-fast diet for two weeks pre-op. I really had my heart set on having surgery by the end of the year, and when I spoke with the woman at his office, she said they are already booking through the first week of December, and that it would be highly unlikely that I'll get in before the new year. The other doctor I'm seriously considering is literally 2 minutes from my house, so appointments and fills would be infinitely easier, and also has a very good track record, has done over 1000 surgeries, etc. Plus, I used to work at this hospital so I know the post op care would be good. Plus, this doc bases your pre-op testing on you and what he believes you need, and he does not require a two week liquid diet, although he does recommend it (which I'll do, I'll just do Medifast, since it's a lot cheaper and has better varieties). BUT-while my insurance co does not require any kind of supervised diet pre-op to qualify, the office does! They usually do 6 months with the dietician, but will occasionally do as little as 3 months. Again, any chance of having surgery before the end of the year is out the window. Plus, I can't lose any weight before they submit to the insurance or I won't qualify, so there's no way I could do 3 months with a dietician and then still weigh enough to qualify without co-morbidities. I just feel stuck. Neither doc will be able to get my surgery done before the end of the year (yes, I know it's not a huge deal, but I just really had my heart set on starting the new year with my band in place. kind of like my new year's resolution.). The one I'd really rather go to wants me to do 3 months on a diet that I can't afford to go on because if I do, I'll lose my qualification for surgery. What do I do? Is there any way to convince them to not insist on the 3 months of diet? I wrote the office a letter with my initial paperwork, and am still waiting to hear backf rom them, although I am not hopeful. Am I forced to go with the other doc? I really don't want to wait two hours in a waiting room just for a 5 minute fill procedure. Plus, it's a lot more money out of pocket. And to be honest, I just don't like the office staff as well. I'm just really getting down and depressed and am starting to feel like it's not going to happen for me. What's a girl to do?

Hey everyone. Hoping someone can give me some insight here. I'm looking into 2 surgeons in my area. My original first choice (because of the fantastic track record, stats, doc is supposedly wonderful, etc.) is kind of giving me the runaround, and I haven't even had my official consultation yet! When I originally heard back from them, they told me that I had to do the 6 mo supervised diet, and to get started on that first. Well, I don't, according to my insurance. After I pointed that out, they told me to get a letter of recommendation from my primary doc. I don't need that either, according to my insurance co. She did schedule my initial consult, but tells me to bring a good book with me, because wait times can be quite a bit. (yeah, that's exactly what I want to hear). Then she asked if I had my heart set on the lap-band, and I told her yes. Then she tells me all the downsides of the band-fills for life, etc-which I already knew about. I told her that, and that I was certain I was only interested in the band, not the bypass. And she just blows it off, telling me "well he (the surgeon) will talk to you about both anyway" She's also telling me about this $350 registration fee, which according to her is for educational handouts and access to their website. Seriously? $350 for website access? Plus, she'll telling me that even though my insurance doesn't require a psych consult, they do. And I have to go on Optifast for two weeks prior, and I can only buy that from them, and it's $150 a week. Oh, and I'll have to undergo an upper GI before surgery. I have zero history of GERD or reflux. Why is that necessary? Now I understand the pysch eval, because they want to make sure I'll be able to commit to the life changes, blah, blah, blah. But in respect to the rest of it, it kind of seems like they are trying to milk me and my insurance company for as much money as possible! Has anyone else had these issues, and are any of their requirements legit? Like I said, this is supposedly the premier facility in the area, but I'm starting to question if I really want to go there.

Thank you!!!! I don't think I could have done it without everyone's support and well wishes. Who would have thought I'd actually be looking forward to an upper GI??? But I am because that's one of the few things standing in front of me and my surgery! I can't wait!!!

Well, after actually going in for my consult, I must say I'm more than impressed. There was no wait at all, and the doc talked with me for almost an hour going over every last detail. Plus, they got me submitted and approved in a week! The woman even called me tonight just to make sure I got the message I was approved so I wouldn't have to wait all weekend wondering. So the next few weeks are gonna be crazy, with all the pre-op bs, but it's gonna be so worth it all!!!

I'M APPROVED!!!! YAY!!!!! I'll be getting banded sometime in December! I am so excited I can't stand it!!!!

Well, after much deliberation, I'm just going to go with the surgeon I like best, and once he gets me open, he can decide what to go with then. I'm literally trusting this man with my life, I guess I can trust him to put the right band in my body.

I'M APPROVED!!! :cursing: :redface: :w00t: :w00t: I'm gonna be a December bandster! I can't wait!!! Thanks to everyone for keeping those fingers crossed---it worked!

Thanks! This wait is KILLING me!!! :thumbup: I think I'm going to call and check on the status of it tomorrow, because I just can't stand waiting anymore!!

I have had many colposcopies (for whatever reason my Pap smears seem to like coming back irregular), and have had to have a biopsy on one occasion. The colposcopy itself isn't bad. It's just like a regular exam, except that the doc is looking at your cervix with a microscope to look for any irregularities. Not fun, but not painful. The biopsy is a little worse. Contrary to what they may tell you, it does hurt some when they do the punch biopsy. Horrible, excruciating pain? No way. But definitely uncomfortable. Thankfully, it's only for a second. They put something or other on it to stave off any bleeding and you're on your way. I had a little bit of cramping afterwards, but that was all. Take a couple of ibuprofen before you go in and you'll be fine. Relax, your friend is totally trying to freak you out on this one.