vdavenport

I have completed all of my pre-reqs for surgery but my insurance company requires I be under a 6 month program with my PCP. I was wondering if there are any other people who have 5 or 6 months to go. Also, for those who have already had the surgery who had to wait, how did you do it without giving up? Some days I want to eat whatever I want and others I think about how it will effect me in the long run. Are there any suggestions on how to carry out the next 5 months while I wait for my insurance company to approve the surgery?

I was banded Aug 31st. Yesterday I thought the pain would never go away. I live on this site looking for people who are dealing with the same things I am. I took some pain meds last night and slept like a baby. Today I'm still sore but it is mainly when I try to sit or stand. I guess because the muscle is where I was cut. But other than that I have had no problems with gas or other issues. So far I've been eating Cream of Wheat and Oatmeal. I've been drinking lots of water and protein shakes. For dinner last night I had wonton soup minus the wonton and crunchy things. Instead I put 2 tablespoons of instant potatoes in the soup. It was runny but good and I could only eat about 1/4 cup. I'll probably have 1/4 cup of cream of wheat for breakfast. Last night my son wanted pancakes and sausage and amazingly enough I fixed it for him and didn't even want to taste it. I'm so afraid of messing things up that I am very cautious of what I eat. I try to remember why I did this and ask myself, did I really just spend the last 6 months of torture just to destroy all that for a pancake? I don't think so. The only thing I'm really missing right now is something crunchy. But again, I keep telling myself, I have plenty of time to eat but I have to concentrate on my weight and health first. Now to do more walking!!!!

I was banded this past Tuesday and I was wondering how long does this pain last. They let me out of the hospital on Wednesday but I tossed and turned all night because I couldn't get comfortable. Then I found myself up at 2 am walking around the house. I'm glad the surgery is over but now I just want the pain gone without constantly drugging myself.

Reverie thanks for your response. I was lucky enough to not have any gas pains but it seems to hurt where the incision is and I guess where the port is. I have been unable to find the port but saw it in the x-ray yesterday. I saw your ticker and that is great that you have lost so much since May. I want to start exercising after the pain subsides. I know I'm going to have some flabby skin but I want to eliminate as much as possible.

My doctor required a psych eval and I had to take 3 classes. The first was a support group meeting, the second nutrition and exercise and the third was basic what's going to happen during and after the surgery. I am doing a week long liquid diet and they talked about that in the 3rd class. The classes really helped me a lot and I'm glad it was a requirement.

Like Bambam31 said, all doctors are different. I have UHC also and it took about 2 weeks for them to approve my surgery. The hardest part for me was before July 1st I had Cigna who required a 6 month doctors visit before approving it. My company changed insurance carries and UHC doesn't require that. Otherwise, I could have been banded in April or May. But got approval on my birthday July 30 and I am being banded Tuesday. My doctor did tell me if I gained any weight during that time they would not do the surgery and they put me on a liquid diet for the last week. Good luck.

I get banded Tuesday also. I was starving the first 2 or 3 days but now not so much. I am on a total liquid diet with just sugar free pudding, popsicles and jello. I tried the broth but didn't like it so I drink water instead. And I have 20 grams of protein each day. So far I have lost 11 pounds since Monday. Just hang in there. Two more days and this will be behind you. The way I'm trying to look at it is, even though I will be on a liquid diet for another week my stomach will be so small I won't be as hungry. Good luck on Tuesday.

I am on a liquid diet that started Tuesday and I have surgery this coming Tuesday. I have lost 6 pounds since I started but I'm only eating sugar free pudding, sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles. I'm also drinking protein shakes and having broth. Good Luck.

My pre-op started today with just broth, sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles and at least 20 grams of protein. That can come from milk, yogurt or protein drinks. I'm dying here because one of my co-workers was just talking about chicken and a bunch of other stuff I won't mention that just sent my head spinning. My diet lasts for a week so next week this time I will be banded (prayerfully). Good luck to you all.

Hey all, Congrats on your surgery date. I get banded Aug 31. I start my liquid diet on the 24th and I'm nervous about that. Tomorrow I have my pre-op class to tell me what to eat before and after the surgery. I'm so excited but scared. Good luck to everyone being banded soon.

Hi All, I love this site and the information and support that everyone gives. I started this journey in January. I had Cigna and they required I do a 6 month diet and see my doctor every month. I was due to be finished that in August so I was looking at getting banded in Sept or Oct. My company decided to change insurance and the new company doesn't require a 6 month diet so I GOT MY DATE :wink2:. Prayerfully I will be banded August 31st. I still have appointments I have to go to and a 4 hour class. Because I didn't know the surgery was going to be this soon I am starting to get really nervous. I know this is something that needs to be done. I have HBP, my knees hurt and I'm always tired. I broke my ankle in March of 2009 and I am sure that I wouldn't have as much pain if I didn't have all of the excess weight. I applaud everyone for taking this step to improve your health and I'm glad there is a large support group out there.

Good luck on getting the final approval. I'm at a stage of discouragement myself. I started this journey in January and was told I had to do a 6 month routine with my regular doctor which I have been doing. I'm afraid because I will be changing insurance in July and although I was told they cover it I not sure what will happen. I'm just so ready for this to be over. I guess the waiting helps prepare us mentally and physically. Hang in there.

Hi Anita and Debbee, I am new here also. I've only posted once on the site but I frequent it for ideas and motivation. I started my journey in January. So far I have met all of my doctors requirements. Now I'm just waiting. My insurance company requires that I see my PCP for six months before they will approve the procedure. So I wait and I wait until that time. The way it is going I won't have my surgery until the end of the year some time. So I have been watching what I eat and exercising more. So far I have lost 15 pounds. My bmi was 41. I have not checked it lately. Yesterday I had to go for an MRI and on my chart it said I was morbidly obese. That just gave me more motivation to have this surgery. I wish you both the best of luck and I hope we can communicate and be a support to each other. That's what it's all about, meeting people who are dealing with the same issues and who can support each other. I know I will need all of the support I can get.

I attended the seminar in January. It took me a few weeks to decide that the lap band is what I wanted. After talking with the surgeon, I was told I had to see my PCP for six months before I can get approval from the insurance company. Like you, I was very frustrated but then I posted up here and received some words of encouragement. As it stands right now I may not be banded until August or September maybe later. But what I have discovered is during this six month period I will be working on my bad habits. I have increased my exercise and I am watching what I eat. The way I see it, if I don't get approved for the band at least by the time the six months has ended I will have started on some new habits. But I am confident that I will be approved (at least I am hopeful). The band is just a tool, we still have to do the work so why not take these six months and get prepared mentally and physically. Good luck to you, to all of us who have to wait. I am sure the time will fly by but you have to practice patience and just hang in there.:Banane20: