gogtigirlgo

Hi, Just wanted to pop in and introduce myself. My name is Cor'. I am pre-op, and just got the OK to meet with the surgeon in my program. I am about 6 weeks out from meeting them, but I've done all my program testing and just started a six week class. I'm a 26yo female, 5'11" and started the program in January at 326. The year previously I was at my highest weight ever at 342. I just weighed in yesterday at the hospital and am at 311 (my fav band, I kind of laughed at that). My bmi is 43. After months of searching on the web, I'm surprised that I just found the site today! I can't wait to read more about everyones' experiences. I have thoroughly enjoyed the process so far, but am starting to get really nervous now that I'm coming up on the final legs of preparation to start my new journey! Does anyone have any advice to calm the nerves? I think I'm a bit nervous about all of it- surgery, what life will be like after, what if I don't lose the weight, what if I stop enjoying the whole thing, what if I don't like my new body... yadda, yadda, yadda... I just keep trying to stay focused on what I want out of this - to be an active person again! Running, cycling, hiking - being outside and having fun -enjoying my body for being a tool, a utility, for all the fun things I want to do in life. :thumbup:

I slept reclined on the couch for the first two nights and slept in bed going forward from there. I had surgery on Oct 26th, and am still having back pain - enough that my dr. put me on part time hours while my stomach heals. She believes the back pain is due to my back compensating for the stomach muscles that I can't use right now. I've been using the pain meds after I get out of work and head for bed at night. (I work 2nd shift)

I have bi-polar disorder as well. I am currently off meds and was during my psych eval too. I was still upfront with them about it and said that my being off meds was a decision made by myself and my psych. It shouldn't be a problem. If it is, I'd ask for a 2nd opinion. Good luck!

Hi Dixie, Here are a couple of sites that I found really helpful when dealing with my insurance company recently: About.com Guide for when Insurance won't Pay How to File a Complaint with Your State Dept of Insurance - this one provides a list of each states' dept. of Insurance. (which is free to do)

Also, you'll want to check with your employer's summary plan description if your policy is with your employer. Most times you can get an SPD from your HR/Benefits office, or they can at least direct you where to go to get it online. I haven't been approved yet, and ran into a snag when the Insurance Co. was not aware that my employer changed rules this past January. It didn't come up until everything was being submitted for approval and I did some digging through the SPD to find what they were talking about. In fact, if I were to call the insurance company tonight to find out what the requirements were they would tell me the only thing I need is a BMI over 40 or over 35 with co-morbidities.

Thanks all for the advice. I am already at goal for what I needed to lose to qualify to meet with the surgeon's office, and have been hanging out at the weight for about 4 weeks now. I was really hoping to start the pre-op diet below 300, but I feel so frustrated that I have to hang out at 310 until Sept 22 at least! I have a phone appointment next week with Optimum Health through my insurance company, Unitedhealthcare. It's been a freaking nightmare so far. I will ask the nurse next week if it's safe for me to continue to lose weight. My Dad has started working out, and I'm starting to get really envious that I can't get out and work out with him right now. That he gets to be active and I'm stuck entertaining myself in other ways. I got some literature from my insurance company yesterday and basically, the nurse at Optimum Health has complete control over whether to approve me for surgery or not! That makes me nervous! On one hand I want to be a complete b**ch about it, but on the other I know you attract more bees with honey than vinegar so I know I need to behave and just get through it. My view of insurance companies is that they should not have their hands in what's best for my body, that should be between my doctor and me only. It really pisses me off that they have all these requirements to meet for this. Ugh! btrieger - I know what you're saying about letting my surgeon's office deal with the insurance company, but their view has been, "well, it sounds like we just need to play it by the ins. co.'s rules, so just keep in contact with them and with us." So, it's definitely necessary that I be proactive in the approval process as well.

That's what I heard today from my insurance company in regards to the 6-month medically supervised diet! Has anyone else heard anything similar to this? Basically - if I can lose weight on the diet I'm showing my insurance company that I don't need to have the surgery and they would deny me for it if I lost weight. My Dr's office today said I could probably safely lose another 5lbs, but immediately afterward, I spoke with my insurance company and they basically advised me not to lose any more weight before my 2nd consult with the surgeon on Oct 1st. I was flabbergasted! I've never heard anything like that before! I said to the care coordinator, "SO, basically, you want to deny me coverage for something that will make me a healthier person overall and will cost you, the insurance company, less money in the long run? How does that make sense?" *facepalm* Sorry for a couple of negative posts the past couple of days - but I've never experienced anything like this before. I am so emotionally drained, dealing with these people. I thought when I first started reading the posts here, "God I'm so glad my insurance company is so easy to deal with..." I guess I thought too soon!!

So, I don't know if it's my employer or my insurance company that sucks, but I am just growing more and more frustrated. In order to be approved for surgery I need to complete a program through my insurance on top of the program through the hospital. I called in January and asked what the requirements were so that there wouldn't be any surprises. My insurance company stated that all I needed was a BMI over 40 - sweet, no problem, can do. Well in submitting approval to the insurance this week, the surgeon's office found out that really I needed to be on 6 month medically supervised diet and I've only done 4, so my surgery date - which was scheduled for 9/16 - is now pushed out to God knows when. I'm so frustrated! AND! A nurse care provider called from my insurance company this morning and told me about that other program I have to complete. They stated I had to have the med. supervised diet, co-morbidities, that I have to work with a nurse before and up to 6 months after surgery to "ensure I get the best care," psych eval (that is only good for one year - WTH!?) and I have to review their documents and have a discussion with a nurse about treatment options before they will approve surgery. Meanwhile, I feel like it's just a bunch of BS. I am in a great program that is very thorough, and am so disappointed that all of this wasn't disclosed to me up front when I called to find out the requirements. I complained to my HR group at work today, but I want to make sure that if someone else has to go through this that they know what they're getting into, I don't know who else I should contact to complain. The good news is, the only thing standing in my way is an appointment tomorrow - and one at the end of September and then I can start the surgery stuff, so it should only really be pushed out an extra month. But it just feels like such a let down, that I had all of this set up and get it all taken away because the insurance doesn't know its head from its ass. The other bonus is I can keep losing weight and by the time I actually have surgery, I should be under 300 lbs. Keep looking for the positives, right?

I'm so glad I'm not alone. For me, it wasn't my doctors saying any of this - it came straight from the insurance company. So, I filed a formal complaint against them this evening with the State of New Hampshire dept of Insurance. It's not right that I can be told one thing time after time by them, and then when it comes time for the actual approval they say, "oh yeah, you gotta do this this and this." It's going to be November or December before I can have surgery now. I have an appointment tomorrow and another in september, then I have to start back at square one with the surgeon. It took me six weeks to get scheduled with her last time and surgery was scheduled 4 weeks out after I met with her. To say I'm bummed would be an understatement. I can't wait for the weekend just so I can have a good cry. I'm discouraged and disappointed. I'm going to work with the doctor's office and see if they can get me scheduled sooner with the surgeon rather than having to wait. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

I'm so disappointed! The surgeon's office called today and said that my insurance company changed the rules in the middle of applying for my approval. Monday, the surgeon called and stated all they would need would be a 5-year weight history and I got that all squared away. Today they called and said that I would need to be on a medically supervised diet for 6 months before I could be approved... and I've only been "officially" in the program since april so only 4 months! So, tomorrow, I guess I have to call insurance and work and see if I can fight my way through! Otherwise it looks like I won't be able to do this until October. What a bummer!! :mad2: :frown: :cursing:

I have been very selective about the people I've told. The one person that I thought would be super happy for me hasn't been... but everyone else has been really supportive - My extended family - Aunts and Uncles have all been very happy. My Dad - who is that one person - isn't unsupportive vocally, but I know from how he reacts about it, that he's not excited for me. He thinks I could do this on my own - because I have in the past... but the difference this time is I want to keep it off! The people you tell will all react differently - and not everyone will respond in the way you were expecting them to... but in the end, this isn't about them and how they feel about it. This is about you, so don't let the negativity get you down. You know what's right for you! And besides - you've already had it done! So poo poo to them, Spoiltmom :cursing:

Me too! Me too! Sept 16th! Been away for a month or so... back into the grind here, though. I'm starting to get nervous

I just found out today that my surgeon consult is for August 13! I did a little happy dance when I got the message. Thanks all for sharing what the process has been so far... it makes me feel much better to know others are in a similar boat/journey.

Hi all, I'm new to the forums. Just curious what others have had to go as far a process to get lap-band? I had to start with a seminar, then do some blood testing, and get my sleep apnea and high blood pressure under control. I had to have 2 psych evals (which I didn't get!), and I am now doing a 6-week "lifestyle changes" class that's required by the program. Has everyone had to do the class? I've just lost enough pre-surgery weight that the weight loss clinic will allow me to meet with the surgeon. I'm starting to get excited/nervous - but I won't be able to meet with them until my class is complete. I am hate, hate, hating the class! My friend did the lap-band last year through a different hospital and her class seemed to be about practical things about how to adjust to the lap-band, foods, behaviors, etc.. Looking through my class workbook it's more psychological - goal setting, meditations, dealing with stress and other emotions. I've done 4 or 5 years of behavioral therapy because of bipolar disorder, so I kind of feel like I have a good handle on this stuff. Does anyone have any good ideas for exercise habits? I've tried walking, but I got kind of bored quick with it, and I'm now doing a couple days a week of dance dance revolution and some wii sports. *geek* I also do some of the aerobics videos through netflix once or twice a week- but I don't want to get bored with these methods as well... what are you all doing for exercise? Sorry for the wordiness! :thumbup:

You can also trying calling the surgeon's office to speak with the admin staff. That's how I got started at the location I'm going through. They sent me out an information packet through the mail and answered a lot of questions over the phone. Maybe if you're on the phone you might find there's been a cancellation as well, so that you might get in sooner.

Jess, Don't get down on yourself about the airplane seat. Remember that the seat is going to be just a few hours of your journey. Just look beyond that and enjoy the trip! I hope you have lots of fun!

thanks all! I appreciate all the ideas

Hey does anyone know where I can find a scale that goes over 300lbs? I am tired of waiting to weigh in at my dr's appointments once a month! I've tried looking online, but maybe I'm looking in all the wrong places...

There are lots of reasons to do this... top on my list is I just don't want to live the way I do anymore. #2 It's a lot less expensive to be healthy in life than to continue on the road I'm on, and pay co-pays and deductibles to maintain a life that isn't healthy. # 3 I want to be proud of who I am. Comfortable in my body. I don't want to be judged immediately for being obese by everyone around me. Yes I got here by some choices I made previously, but that doesn't define who I am and how I deserve to be treated! # 4 I want my Mom to be proud of me too, and I want to live longer than she did, and longer than her Mom did. Being obese increases the risk of developing cancer, on top of all the other medical pitfalls I face. Cancer runs hard and fast through my family - I want to try to beat it ahead of schedule. I want to be in a decent shape to fight it if cancer happens to me. #5 Being active! Running, cycling, camping, hiking, skiing, playing some ball with my friends - I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines! I want to live my life, not just watch it go by! Being able to conquer this will allow me to live my life by the rules that I want to live it by, and will allow me to love myself more. I feel like right now, I'm trapped by this body and everything I've tried previously to lose failed. To me, this isn't a matter of just making things better - it's a matter of life and death, because if I stayed on the other road I would certainly perish. I'm choosing life, because not everyone gets the choice, but I do.

Aww what a nice guy, your hubby! I know some nutrition stores have sample sizes if you ask for it. I have a friend that did the band and she said that whatever the walmart brand is called was the best tasting for her. I can't say from experience myself. Is hubby going to follow the liquid and mashed/pureed diet as well down the road? hehehe...

I have UHC too, and they said there were basically no requirements for me. I just have to have a bmi over 40. No problem there. I hope they are quick in approving you, spoiltmom! Good luck!

Becca - how close are you to surgery now? I was reading some peoples' posts last night and it seems like for some it's very fast. I think all told, I am going to be in the program 9 or 10 months before surgery. I hope the new doc is much better than the first for you; I can't imagine having to fire my doc for this and start over! Amaris - Belly dancing sounds like fun! One of the netflix videos I've been doing is dance aerobics. It's kinda fun, but way out of my league right now. I'm so uncoordinated! I spend half the work out going, "you want me to do what?!" and the other half flailing about trying to attempt what they're doing. I'm just glad no one is home during the day to laugh at me!! Good luck with the pre-op diet... my dr just said to me that I needed to lose x number of pounds before surgery, but they weren't forceful about how I did it. I guess that can be a bit of a hindrance because now it means I won't have any eating habits to draw off of once I have surgery. I've just been trying really hard to eat healthy and be active. Have you found a good Protein Shake that you like yet?

hi everyone, I'd love to be buddies with anyone! I haven't been banded yet, but getting closer and closer. I'm 26, will be 27 in Oct and I'm new to LBT. I think it would be great to have someone to chat with. Feel free to message me!

oooh, exciting! I just started the Lifestyle changes course at CMC, so I'm almost ready to meet the surgeon. Good luck with the surgeon! The Polar Caves sound like fun. I can't wait to do The Flume, and I'm really looking forward to hiking Mt. Monadnock without breaking into a full-on asthma attack. I tried it a couple years ago and couldn't even make it to the top. Would be great to talk with another New Hampshirite!