phenry

I got a packet in the mail yesterday from the surgeons office. It has the times and dates of my pre-op appt. and plus a family type seminar that I must attend with my husband for any last minute questions or concerns. I also have the appt. to see the cardiologist and to see the pulmonary doc. I have to go on a liquid diet two days before the surgery. I am glad I don't have to lose a bunch prior to the surgery! I do understand about the liver and I have read that too. What is your BMI? I am under 40...maybe about 38. I don't know if that matters or not or maybe it's just the surgeon. Oh I would of course do the diet if it was required....but I wouldn't like it! Sounds like you are doing a great job Breanne! It's better really to start now watching what you eat. I am starting a job Monday and it will be a challenge eating healthy for lunch. I think I will food shop this weekend and try to come up with some smart choices.

I am glad that you were able to over come such a tramatic experience! I guess I would have a special bond with my surgeon if I felt like he was a big part of saving my life!

They didn't say anything about. I got the call yesterday about my insurance approving me (the call was from the surgeons office). They set up a surgery date and a date for the pre-op tests...that was it! I am thinking I will call them tomorrow just to clarify things.

Wow! You are being good! I haven't got to that mindset yet. I will though as the time approaches. I sure dropping a few pounds will only make the surgeons job easier!

okay...time for me to ask a stupid question...what is the "bullet" I keep hearing about? Some type of blender?

What is Norton Surburban hospital like?

I am supposed to have surgery June 12th with Dr. Shina. I sure hope he's good. One hates to think that they are going to be in the hands of someone who isn't very good. I don't really care so much what kind of bedside manner he has as long as he can perform the surgery without mistakes! Of course being nice makes most people feel reassured. I was wondering what it took to switch doctors once you have been approved...do you have to start all over at square one?

Nope...they never said I had to do anything special. I have to go see a cardiologist/pulmonary specialist for pre op tests. Other than that...I haven't a clue. I am thinking that maybe it's time to start researching the different protein drinks and stock up on them. I know some people say some brands taste good and some are terrible.

Hi fellow Hoosiers. I just got my date after much research and then finally getting approved by Anthem. I chose Dr. Shina and the surgery is going to be at Nortons. I would have loved to have it done at Clark, but this particular surgeon only uses Nortons. Anyway...I have until June 12th to start sweating bullets and getting nervous. Has anyone else used Dr Shina?

I don't think anyone likes needles...but for heavens sake....I would rather have a fill once every few months instead of an insulin shot daily! Maybe discuss your fears with your doctor. Maybe they can do something to relax you when you get a fill.

I just got approved today and my surgery date is June 12th. I think it is very natural and very good to try to avoid surgery if you can. But today when I heard I was approved...I had to give myself a real good talking to. I asked myself why I was getting this done. I asked if I was sure I had to do this. Well, I have tried losing weight...I stuck with weight watchers this last time and I really hung in there. After all, if you cheat, then you know why you aren't losing. I didn't cheat and I lost 20 pounds, then it stopped. Just like every time. For whatever reason, my body just wants to hold on to this fat and not let go. I am a grandmother raising my two grandsons, and I need to be here for them. I figure from all the research I have done, this "tool" is what I need to help me get this weight off...and most importantly...keep it off forever. It is such an individual choice. All I can say is, do your research and search your heart and be honest about what you can and can't do. If you have any doubts....why not try dieting one more time. See what happens and then decide. The last thing you want to do is have regrets.

From what my surgeon has told me....if you are a self pay...then it is done as a day surgery to keep your cost low. If you are an insurance pay, they require an over night. Of course each policy no doubt varies, and if you have the surgery done out of the country, I would think an overnight stay is expected. I am having my surgery June 12th and thank goodness my insurance is going to cover me!

Hi Breanne! I just found out I am approved and my date is June 12! Now the nerves will probably start kicking in! I just keep reasoning with myself...I have been overweight with no success...now it's time to make a real change. For me AND my family!

Good luck mima!!! Please let us know how it all turns out!

My story is I am raising my two grandkids...it is scary to have surgery...but for me...it is more scary to NOT have it!

Beenee....I would guess you haven't lost a ton of weight yet because you haven't had your first fill. From what I have read on here...that makes a big difference! Don't get discouraged...you haven't had the band very long. The first few weeks...you don't have anything in the band...you are just getting your stomach used to having the band on. I bet after that fill...it will be better for you! I don't have the band yet...not until June...but from all the reading and researching I have done....I think what I am telling you is right! Any bandster want to chime in?

I just got the call today...approved! Wow...I am almost in a state of shock! It took about 2 weeks.

I guess I should have "proof read" that before posting. I used a lot of "greats"! LOL! Maybe I should throw a wonderful in there somewhere!

I just wanted to say that I think it's great to have such a great support system out there! I have not had surgery yet, I am waiting on my insurance to see if they will approve me. But I do know that if I do get to have this surgery, it is a nice feeling to know there's a place to turn to for all my concerns and questions! You all are great!

Good luck with your approval! The waiting and wondering is tough. I have BCBS right next door in Indiana. I just found out Friday that my surgeons office faxed my paper work to the insurance company. I was a little miffed because I had asked them to wait until I had my sleep study done. If it shows apnea...that sure would help my case since it is not a "slam dunk" as they called it. Oh well...it is done and now the waiting game starts! Did any of you get a feel for what chances you have of approval from the surgeons office? I wonder if they are careful what they say as to not drum up hope.

Hi everyone...I am from New Albany area too! I just submitted all my paperwork to Dr Shina's office. I am going to call them tomorrow to see if they think I have everything I need. I have Anthem BCBS. As far as what I read of the policy, they do not require a 6 month plan, just an effort of previous weight loss attempts...so I sent in my Weight Watchers diary. If I am approved and have the surgery, I would rather have a local support group too. Surely they have something at Floyd???

I wonder if these changes in policy could help patients who are seeking bariatric surgery get approvals? There is a huge difference from policy to policy, but it still seems to always involve jumping through so many hoops. Realizing that bariatric surgery is not to be taken lightly I still believe meeting the criteria should be a simpler process.

Thanks! I will certainly keep you informed.

I just had a stress test done and although it came out pretty good...my blood pressure got high during the exercise portion. My doctor is wrote me a letter to submit to the insurance company that states I have a history of hyperlipidemia and shortness of breath under exertion. He advised me to watch my weight, reduce salt, exercise and lose weight. He says losing weight from a cardiac standpoint would be very beneficial in reducing my blood pressure. I also have a letter from my primary care physician. Her letter says I am overweight with hyperlipidemia and have shortness of breath on exertion. I also have plantar fascitis, arthritis and have had no success with diet and exercise such as Weight Watchers. I think she would benefit from Lap Band surgery. SO...I think I have what I need to submit to the insurance. I also have a copy of my food diary from Weight Watchers. The thing I didn't do was get a letter from the foot doctor. Of course If BCBS just looks at my profile and history of doc visits..they should see I have had so many visits from foot problems. Of course I am sure they want you to do all the work so they don't have to do anything! Wish me luck...I will send my packet in to the surgeons office on Monday. If they say it looks good enough to submit...I will have taken my giant step forward.

yes, I am on Zocor for the cholestrol and the hypertension was just discovered, so we are taking a dietary approach to see if it controls it. I have plantar fasiitis right now and also GERD. I am getting a letter from the Cardiologist stating my borderline condition. I agree...the more documentation the better. This will be my first attempt with the insurance company and I am really hoping for an approval. I would rather take my time and have over kill than to submit a request that will just be denied! I know what you mean about hoping the insurance co will see that it is better to treat this now than wait until something major happens. I have been overweight ALL my life...this isn't something new. Heck...why don't insurance companies at least agree to pay a percentage if they won't cover it all. That would be okay with me. Of course if they cover the whole procedure it would be nice...but I would rather they help me out some rather than to deny completely!Good luck to you too!