Red wine lover

Hi Shesha! Latest in the saga is this; After insurance turned me down (no obesity or morbid obesity surgery for personal appearance sake, their only out), I went to my HR rep. She sounded very positive that, because of our company's reputation for wellness programs, that she might be able to get lap-band surgery added to our insurance coverage. Long story, short; the company insurance consultant told HR that lap-band surgery, at $60,000 to $70,000, was too expensive and the complications too great. Where in the world they got their facts and figures, I have no idea! I sent a (semi) scathing reply to HR's email to me, stating the real costs and much lower rate of complications, remembering that I still want to A) continue to work here! and She's still my best hope of getting this added to the insurance. I also re-iterated my offer to have one of the hospital's coordinators come speak to HR personally. I ran into this HR lady last week and she said the head of HR would be emailing me more about this. I'm still waiting.... Pre-op diet has slowed down, I'm at 21 pounds lost since Jan 11. I know I need to add exercise. I could do so much better with a concrete goal date. Bill

10 of 11 right = "Mediocre love life" :think Bill

Amen, sister! I've even seen it put that way in books. Surely if the author writes that poorly, the editor should have caught it? I've tried correcting people when they say they 'could care less'. I ask how much less and I always get a blank stare. Come on, aren't you listening to what comes out of your mouth? Just because 99% of people say it wrong doesn't mean you have to parrot them! Good gripe! Not life-threatening, but irritating as he**. Bill

I just received word that the insurance company will NOT cover the lap-band. High-lighted in the denial letter was no surgery for MORBID OBESITY, under the heading Physical Appearance. Well, I don't need the band for my physical appearance, I need it to live a better, longer life! sleep apnea, sore leg joints, border-line hypertension and possibly diabetes in the future are all good reasons to lose weight. We're self-insured here at work, so I had a nice chat yesterday with the HR lady and she said she would see if we could get that procedure coverage added to the plan. I have no idea of the chances, but do know that will take 2 to 3 months at least, if at all. End of rant, thanks for listening.... Bill :cry

Yeah Tracy! :clap2: I know how you feel. Hang in there! Bill

For Breakfast I had a banana and some meat & Beans called Calico Beans. For lunch, some raw cauliflower w/minimal low-fat dip, a Granny Smith apple chunked and dipped into Peanut Butter. I miss my carbs! (Bagels especially). Bill

Well, Shesha, for not having a date for the operation yet, I'm doing great! I started the pre-op diet, same as yours, low-carb. It would be easier if I had a specific date to work towards, but so far I'm sticking to it, I've lost 10 pounds. The bad news is, my Surgeon said 50 would be ideal! :embarassed: So I've gotten thru the 'honeymoon' phase so far . . . . I agree w/you about the pictures, (not yours silly), mine. I have a set of 'befores' before I started the diet. Yuck! Stick to that diet, every ounce off helps! Bill

Damn good advice, April! I can't wait to find out how I handle it, Bill

Shesha, How are things going with you? Bill :hungry:

Oshkosh, by gosh! (Paper-work completed, consultations done, just waiting for acceptance from the ins co....). Bill

Amen, sister! Kbattal, to quote: "but I still can eat 2 whopper burgers without any problem at a time". I too could do that, but that's why I'm in the shape I'm in today. That's not eating right, you could be heading for stretching out your pouch or worse! Please don't abuse your band (and ultimately, yourself). Bill

Methinks it was a talking ASS that told you!

Puddin; Post those pics! You're doing so well, it might encourage others to see what changes can come about. I started the Pre-op diet today, so a gal at work took my before (the pre-op diet) pictures. I think they're fat & ugly! But...I will post eventually, when there's a slimmer me to compare them to. Bill

As an over-weight person, I'm sure I've heard many mean-natured comments, but just last Sunday, in church, really p'eed me off. A fellow Lutheran came up to me and punched me in the arm and then said it hurt. I told him that was because I'd flexed my muscles and he said no, it's cause you're so flabby! Sometimes you just have to turn around and walk away. That was better than what I might have been tempted to say, in front of family and friends. And of course, rude comments only seem to come from people who have 'just right' bodies, so they'll never understand what we're going thru, or attempt to care... Bill

Now that's absolutely hilarious!! Bill (Who also wants to be a super-model!)

Way to go Chubbola!!! I just talked to my ins co and they (after I gave them the CPT code) said it *is* a covered procedure! Maybe we'll get banded the same day!? Hang in there, major shrinkage coming:biggrin1: !! Bill

Tracy, I envy you for your knowledge! You are going to get this done and probably in record time too. I've been jumping thru hoops since October and I'm still waiting for letters from 2 docs before the Surgeon's office will even contact my insurance co (Midwest Security). Keep us informed as you fight the good fight, Bill

Here I am, waiting for insurance approval, but I can't get that until the Surgeon's office has all the paperwork. Did my Psych Eval Nov 27th and asked my PCP for a referral letter. Neither have been sent to the Surgeon's office yet! Calling them, they both said the same thing, it's been sent for transcription, so we'll fax soon. What the he** is soon? 2 months? 3? I wish some docs felt the same sense of urgency we do. End of rant, thanks for letting me vent... Bill

I think that says it all. Bill, in Oshkosh, WI. I'm at the point where the Surgeon is going to submit a letter of determination to my insurance co. Keep your fingers crossed!

Hope, You have come to one of the best places to learn more about the lap-band procedure. Everyone here is very encouraging and informative. As 'Shutuplena' says, read and read and read some more. I agree with your reason to not have the gastric bypass, there are so many more issues with rapid weight loss and malabsorbtion (sp?). The band is a tool, a tool that can be a life-saver! Keep asking questions, reading about the thoughts and experiences of those here and keep us informed about how you're doing. Bill

My insurance is Midwest Security and I don't have a good feeling about the initial asking for the surgery w/them. Here's hoping I'm really not psychic! Keep in touch with us for any encouragement you may need. Hugs to any/all who need one! Bill (Red Wine Lover)

Chubbola, You're certainly not the only 'fatty' in Wisconsin, think of all the brats, beer and brandy this fine state consumes! I'm a guy who started working on getting his band, back in October. I'm waiting to hear from my Doc at Midwest Bariatrics (Neenah) if they've received my PCP's letter yet, as that is the last hoop to jump thru, before they send a letter of determination to my insurance co. This is an exciting time for you. I pray your journey goes smoothly. We're always here to talk! Bill (Red Wine Lover)

My surgeon had a nice talk with me and he said on patients over 300 pounds, he prefers that they get gastric bypass instead of AGB. I have always wanted to get banded instead, but at 400 pounds, am I SOL? I think he's worried about complying with the longer period of weight loss and says I won't lose all the weight I should. My father, a retired doc, says RYGB would be surer of weight loss. Opinions, thoughts, any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated! I need to decide soon, as all I'm waiting for is my PCP's letter. Thanks in advance, Bill (Red wine lover)

Flabuless, I'm definately committed! When I went thru the hospital's liquid diet, I lost 133 pounds, (early 90's), and never once cheated. (Shortly afterwards I was unemployed for 11 months, boy I hate being a stress eater!). Now, all I have to do is get my insurance company on board . . . . Bill (Red wine lover)