Alisomniac

Thanks for the reply. My op is 10.8

My doctor said pills about the size of an Advil or a Children's Tylenol (i.e. small) are fine, but to request chewable, liquid or safe to break open when getting prescriptions... you will have to remember to tell your Dr every time you get a prescription... you don't want to get the horse-sized pills and be SOL... As for vitamins, I'm going to start with the Flintstones Chewabales at first because they tend to be a bit cheaper, I liked them as a kid, and it's just plain fun. I saw Vitamin Shoppe or GNS has gummy vitamins (Multi, D, B, C) that weren't too expensive and could be fine... but I don't like chewing gummy things... and i'd be hesitant to swallow whole because they just seem so indestructible. For B-Complex a lot of places have the "dots" which dissolve partially under your tongue without taste... would be great to know if the other vitamins have similar options.

Hey - I had a questions not exactly pertinent to the topic, but considering it looks like everyone here has been banded... surgeon said to take Milk of Magnesia or other laxative at noon the day before the surgery to clear the pipes... which is cool - but my surgery is on a Friday, and I'm working the day before (7am-6pm is my shift)... Will I be OK to stay at work 6 hours after? I'm not required to go 100% liquid pre-op, but was planning to take a laxative the Monday before (I dont work Mondays), then spend the next three days on a modified liquid diet - to include yogurt, creamy Soups, milk, etc... Sorry to be indelicate - but do you have much stool while on a full-liquid diet? I can't imagine so... and even if I fail that plan, I will still do liquid only the day before...do you think I could manage 1/2 a work day after taking the Magnesia? Please advise. And sorry for all the poop talk.

good to hear... just worried because the surgeon told us the pouch is only once ounce, and drinking too much, too fast can stretch it out... which I don't want to do... will have to re-check this one.

Woo Hoo! I just got my date of 10/8 today! (They offered 9/20 but that wasn't enough time to get set-up with work; and I'd miss a lot of work for pre-op, so I chose 10/8 instead -- a long weekend for me already, so I'd use minimal time off from work after the recovery, and am scheduling my 1on1 and pre-op appointments for Mondays, which I dont work anyways - much more convenient). So, what's the "cute motto" for October? Op-Tober? Congrats on your date!

Yup. My lowest BMI from weight loss attempts that I reported was 32... I didn't list the specific BMIs, only weights and dates I recorded the weights (which was easy to find out ONLY because I use FitDay to record calories and weight - since 2004). They want to see that it is really hard for you to loose weight and keep it off. Shouldn't be a problem, but look for other weights and dates, if you have them... I just listed them all on paper, and only had a couple of screen caps for like 2-3 of the weights. Most of my evidence was in purchases, gym memberships, photos of all the dvds, books, magazines, etc... from over the years... i included date purchased/published so these had more "weight" as evidence. Showed an intent for several years.

I just got approved for my surgery (no date yet) via Federal Blue Cross/Blue Shield HMO and was wondering my out-of-pocket costs... so far it has all been co-pay only. If I'm reading my plan right, I have a hospital co-pay of $100. But I'm pretty stupid about this insurance stuff, and I think I would explode if it was all of a sudden a ton of money -- mostly because I live paycheck to paycheck. Any costs that I'm not foreseeing, or since I'm approved by insurance, will I just have co-pay, hospital co-pay and possibly individual co-pays to the surgeon and the anesthesiologist?

I agree in part with previous reply. Work with your doctor (but don't wear weights to hit the 40 mark... it's cheating and unnecessary, most likely). My doctor was great (for the most part- forgot to fax in the paperwork once). He understood I needed this. I don't have co-morbidities but I am insulin resistant (basically pre-diabetic), and have some elevated liver enzymes and higher than normal, but not yet serious cholesterol... a routine blood test found this all out. I meet on the BMI-only criterion, so this helped. Once you have your blood panels done, you will know if you are diabetic, high blood pressure etc... and these conditions will help your claim. Also, you said you are 'deeply depressed'... this may be an exaggeration, or not, but talk to your MD who is submitting the claims - depression may be considered a co-morbidity (not sure on this, but it will help if documented). Don't see specialists until you are directed to do so by the process... I didn't see the nutritionist or psych until I was waiting for final approval which was submitted by the surgeon. The nutritionist was through his office and free, and only had a copay for the psych. Like I said, i qualify on BMI alone so it was almost a guaranteed approval one my doctor recommended me (HMO- Med Group Approval)... the Med Group denied me for lack of history, and I appealed to BCBS (easily overcome in less than 4 weeks) and won the right for consultation with the surgeon. He submitted and 9 days later I had my final approval. Best of luck! Try to work with the process, and not independently - it will make it more logical and probably cheaper.

Just called BCBS (reminder: I have FEB BCBS of So.Cal HMO) and they said inpatient the cost on my plan would be $100/day, outpatient is $250 per surgery... So barring any unpleasant surprises or misinformation it should be $250 - big relief. i'm planning on double-checking this info with my surgeon's group and calling again (can't be too careful) but so glad i dont have to materialize $2000 out of the blue.

My surgeon's office submitted 8/17 and 8/26 I got the call I was approved... So 9 days assuming they called immediately... and I know they wait for a written confirmation - probably faxed. I was shocked how fast it was! As for the medical history, I had fluctuated greatly too... I showed just weight/diet history - ups and downs. i didn't do formal Jenny Craig/WW but I did have years worth of bank statements showing gym membership, amazon.com order history for various weight-loss products, videos etc... I'm hoping i dont have to pay 30%! I re-read the brief insurance coverages and it just said 100 per surgeon, but then also said "preferred provider/non-preferred pay all expenses", so it was vague, will have to call ASAP monday... Hoping someone with my exact insurance will come by and clarify!

I appealed and won - but this was from my insurance company, and the appeal was for consultation with the surgeon... I was then approved for the surgery once the surgeon submitted. I had to appeal to my insurance group because they didn't have the complete history of my weight and loss attempts, and I had to prove I met the criterion. Do you have HMO or PPO? Did you have to have a referral to see the surgeon? That could make a difference in your outcome. Or did you just submit through your Primary Care Doctor? I have BCBS too and my psychologist visit was a co-pay because I was referred to him. As for the requirements, they are there for a reason - to make sure the surgery doesn't become a quick-fix for so many people - it's a major change. And a permanent one. Best of Luck, if you have questions, just message me directly.

Completed the final classes/pre-appointments (nutrition 8/14, group support 8/16 and doc talk 8/16), spoke to the insurance lady Tuesday and she said she'd submit "Today"... so now the waiting... i hear BCBC Fed is pretty quick, so hopefully I'll hear back soon

The approval for the consultation with the surgical group had a 90-day time frame on it. As I understand it, as long as you begin the consultation process with the surgeon by this date you're fine. I had my Info session last friday, psych consult today, and will complete teh other 3 classes next week and am told the final paperwork will be sent to insurance to approve the actual surgery, and this could take 2-6 weeks depending on insurance... after that you're at the mercy of your surgeon's schedule to the most part... IF there is a timeframe, I would expect it to be about 90 days again... but you should be fine as long as you are on the books, otherwise Id call insurance to extend if you have an issued-- i can;t see them making you re-do any of the classes/consults and they generally don't begin lab work / work-ups (xray etc) till just before the surgery since time can affect these more seriously. I wouldn't worry... I'm told that when approved i will definitely have the procedure this year, and i'm hoping by the end of October, though this is a crunch and i'm not honestly expecting it with how busy my surgeon seems to be.

Had info meeting, all was well, the office and staff were really nice, the process went smooth (except for the 200 pages of paperwork...yuck) and it looks like they are busy, yes, but it seems like they are moving us along at a pretty quick place. The only negative was that I got the feeling they were trying to sell the bypass.... they mentioned its advantages over the band several times, and seemed to focus somewhat more on the shortfalls of the band vs. bypass. Other than that, I am hoping that I will be banded by Halloween... I have my "mandatory obligations" this next week or so, then final insurance approval paperwork should be submitted by 8/20. New time-line Info Session - 8/6 Psychologist - 8/9 Nutrition Class - 8/14 Doctors Talk - 8/16 Group Support - 8/16 Final request to insurance (8/20 ish... office said they'd submit as soon as I finished the above requirements)... Approval??? September sometime??? (Im told BCBS moves pretty quick). Surgery hopefully by halloween!

Thanks for the reply Monica90604.... I have my 1st/info appointment this Friday and I've heard good things online, but you can only hear so many good things before you start to wonder why you aren't hearing ANY negatives... a little odd. Hope all goes well for you in your odyssey... I started meeting with my doc back in March, so I will be 6 months in soon... and if it's only another 2-3 months that doesn't seem bad except I'm SO ready... 3 years of research and a decade of "really fat" (def chubby - chubby + as a child) have made me super ready to get on with the rest of my life.

Anyone with recent LePort experiences? It seems like there isn't so much info on the internet about experiences/timelines with this office. I have an info meeting/verification 8/6 and hoping the process isnt too drawn out... been waiting 3 years already!

Just got contacted with the surgeons office, and my info session is scheduled for 8-6-2010.... im hoping this process goes quickly- but am having a hard time finding people who have gone though LePort's office to give their experiences. i'm hoping the fact my BCBS appeal was successful means an easier overall approval for me... after all - to win the appeal I had to prove I was eligible for the surgery, and that's what the consultation is trying to establish too, right? So far I only have a date for the info session (Aug 6th) but I'm hoping that I am able to move on to the actual consultation and other checks come quickly... my BCBS consultation approval was only valid through the end of September, so I know I'll at least meet with the surgeon by then!

Update: Just found out today that I've one my insurance grievance, which means I can get a consultation with the surgeon, and hopefully have surgery approved. Now I just don't know how to get the next step going... Because I'm HMO... do i call my PCP to do whatever comes next, or can I call the surgeon directly for an appointment? Hopefully approval for the acutal surgery is a easier now that I have insurance backing up my qualfiication to see the dude

If your PCP says no, it will be to your face. Have a come-back ... you know "i need this because... ive done x,y &z, this isn't the 'easy way out because'... and hten work with your doc to meet his and your insurance requirements. My PCP said OK to referral, even though I hadnt actually been in years, and only had verbal diet history (I have since gotten more since the medical group, not my pcp/insurance is giving me some problems)... Like I said, my med group wants more info so I'm sending in an appeal with my diet history, but ALSO going back to my PCP to also start on the requirements the medical group wants 'just in case'. I'm pretty confident I'll win the approval with insurance, but in case I don't I won't have to "weight" too much longer... my inital consultation was 3/29; revisiting 5/25 and from what i've heard so far, those two months will count for some of the 3-6 month diet requirement that the medical group wants.

SIX weeks liquids only??? That's just mean! I hope you can at least have creamy soups, Protein Drinks and puddings... But then again, it should move your progress along faster. Best of luck. :thumbup: Hopefully if/when I'm approved, my surgeon won't be as strict... I like soups, but two months and I might have to be sent somewhere with padded walls and nice white jackets. Best of luck! Alisomniac ----------------------------------------------------------- <a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wXmbvjv/"> <img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wXmbvjv/weight.png"></a>

Thanks for the article (and supprt) Cocoabean... and I just noticed you are about a sneeze away from your (and my) goal weight! CONGRATS! I'm hoping my doctor/medical group (Greater Newport Physicians) agrees with you. How did you go about choosing a surgeon? My doc put a specific name on the referral (and seems very reputable), but I'd still like to have some control in the choice, even If i do choose the same dude.

I was nervous the first time I was put under, and I don't want to say "its no big deal" because I dont want to discount your fear, but it's really easy... I didn't even feel myself drifting out, I was awake one second, and coming out of anesthesia the next (it quite literally feels like you blinked and are suddenly groggy, and a little stoned). If you are SO terrified, you might want to talk to your doctor about waiting another week or two, or seeing a hypnotist to relax...try calling for 'emergency' appointments with a REAL hypnotherapist- they work! I know we all want the surgery ASAP, but if you get yourself all worked up and stressed out, then you may end up too tired to let your body recover. Best of luck! Just try to breathe deep and stay focused on the outcome: you're getting banded.

Good luck! After months of research, I dove in headfirst (and headstrong) 3/29, got denied 5/1 (would have been denied sooner, but PCP forgot to send in the referral). I'm preparing my appeal NOW, and will have it finished by Friday, and have another visit with my PCP on 5/25... hopefully this will be the last before my approval... if not, hopefull the 'supervised diet' start date is 3/29 and therefore have only one more month in addition - i'm going for the overkill approach, appeal and in the meantime take care of the other issues they may throw at me, without it slowing me down - though my insurance company is confident that my appeal will be approved.

Called insurance again today, I found my benefit guide and my BCBS HMO is different that the one the insurance lady advised me on - my policy does state some other criterion, and the only one I don't meet on paper (yet) is 'activley participated in a physician directed diet" (no time frame, but 3/29 he advise South Beach, and I have documenation showing weekly weight loss since that date- HA). Haven't been able to reach my medical group, but the main/only sticking point in their letter is that I do not have "medical necessity", and their lone statement is my referral did not show documentation of prior weight loss attempts". I was able to comb through diet journals, subscriptions, etc... to show a long history of weight loss & exercise stuff (Gym memberships, online orders, Alli pills, cookbooks, etc...).. i also have a few recorded dates from the last 4-5 years showing weight losses and gains. Hopefully this will be enough. I have made a new appointment with my PCP for two reasons - to reevaluate my documentation to adapt the referral/support the appeal, and to have more documentation for "medically supervised diet"... my first appt was 3/29 next is 5/25 and hopefully those two months will count for the 3-6 month diet requirement that seems to be the norm. I've also solicited affidavits from friends and family to submit to medical group / insurance grievance if necessary... Fingers crossed! :smile2: