new@52

Hi lucky... I just wanted to let you know that I can see your ticker at the bottom. I am starting the pre surgery diet at roughly the same place you are. I'm at 241. The reasons that we are looking forward to this surgery really tug at the heart. I teared up a little when I read yours. I know there are many many many times when I'm at work meetings when I am about sure I'm the heaviest in the room. It wasn't to very long ago we were watching football and the announcer said, 'look at that guy, he's huge, over 240lbs'. I remember not being able to speak for several minutes because I thought I was going to lose it and wasn't with people that would 'get it'. That is a horrible feeling. I am so ready to get this started and be successful at it. My confidence is so incredibly tied into my weight it is sickening, I am ready for that to change. I can't even imagine my arms being exposed!!! Subliminally that has been going on for years! I wasn't really aware. How funny. Best of luck to you...let me know how your pre-op diet is going. My Dr. appt was late today, so I'm starting it in the morning. Cindy

Yay!!! Another December 15th person! I believe that's 4 of us that are on here. Cool. I'm not gonna lie, I am struggling with this new format! I am sure it's operator error on my part. if it seems I'm not answering, I apologize... half the time I am trying to figure out if it's my post, or a copy of it, or someone elses ! Here are a couple of questions I'm curious about...... What's your greatest fear about the surgery itself? What's your greatest concern about life after the band? What's the most exciting part you are looking forward to? I'll go first. My greatest fear is....the Dr. deciding my liver hasn't shrunk enough and they can't do the surgery or the hiatal hernia I have will prevent me from being able to have the surgery. Greatest concern about life after the band... pizza, will I be able to eat it?? (and of course the no caffeine!) The most exciting part and what I'm looking forward to..... 2 things, coming out from behind myself, being my authentic self... and number two... crossing my legs!!! Who's up? Cindy

I am glad to hear that there are others out there that will be going through this at the same time! unjury can be purchased on-line, but my Drs office sells it too. I was not going to get it there, because I figured that it would be really expensive at the office, but it's pretty much expensive everywhere. The 2 week diet is to shrink the liver. If I had been able to lost the weight myself, I wouldn't have to be on the 2 week diet. So I'm guessing if you don't have a 2 wk diet, you were able to lose the weight required yourself....so that's good. I just couldn't do it. I'd love to know how you are all doing leading up to and after your surgery. Cindy

I finally have my surgery date! December 15th. It took almost 3 weeks to get the insurance approval. (felt like 3 months!) I am obsessed with reading as many of these posts that I can between now and surgery day... and of course afterward too! Great information on these forums. Cindy

I just got my surgery date today.... December 15th. How quickly to go from being worried about getting approved, to being excited, to holy crap that's right around the corner!!!! Cindy

I just got my surgery date today.... December 15th. How quickly to go from being worried about getting approved, to being excited, to holy crap that's right around the corner!!!! Cindy

I have BCBSNC.... My paperwork was sent in on November 2nd. I have STILL not heard anything. When I called BCBS they said it was in 'review'. I'm also getting pretty nervous. How long had they had yours when you got approved. Its been 2 1/2 weeks so far for me. Running out of fingernails!!!! Cindy

Good evening everyone, I need to lose 12 lbs before my surgery can be done. Well, I've not been successful at losing weight in the past. I guess if I had been I wouldn't be getting the surgery!! LOL That said, I'm looking for any tips you may have for losing this 12 lbs so I will be able to proceed with the surgery. The other thing I was wondering is, I hear of people going on a liquid diet, before surgery, is that to lose the weight so the surgery can proceed, or is that because you need to clean out so to speak your insides? I guess in a nut shell what I'm curious about is, will I have to lose 12 lbs and then have a 2 week liquid diet as well?

I found out on Wednesday that my paperwork is finally being submitted!!! Yipee!!! I feel like I have been the one to keep calling the office, inquire on the status of the paperwork and such... and finally the day is here and it's been submitted. I know that by law, they need to give the insurance company 30 days max, but my question is....realistically how long did it take for you to get approved from the insurance company, or denial from your company? Thanks, Anxious in TN Cindy

My information was sent into the BCBSNC last Wednesday, Nov 3rd. I am still waiting. I ran into the insurance specialist from the dr office at the grocery store last night, she said still no word. She also said that she is currently scheduling surgeries for Nov 22 right now. She also mentioned that the week before Christmas the Dr. is going to be out of town!!! This all makes for a smaller and smaller window of time for getting this done this year!!! Let me know when you hear from BCBSNC. Have you called them? I haven't. I guess I'm 'trying' to be patient!!!

That is my concern as well. I don't have any medical records from '06. My fingers will be crossed until I get word!

Thanks for the information. I appreciate you all taking the time to respond. I guess I am getting anxious. my insurance is BCBS of NC... I hope they are as quick as yours were! After you got approved, how long did it take to be scheduled for surgery? Cindy

Good evening all... I stopped by the Dr office today and asked if they could show me where I was in the journey to the LAP-BAND® and to see if they had on record what I have on record. They didn't. Some of this process has been confusing! As it turns out, I have completed EVERYTHING that I need to do on my part. The office insurance specialist even typed up the letter to the insurance company stating why I don't have medical records for '06. She was wonderful! Soooooo this means that Monday they will be submitting my information to the insurance company! yipee!! Any idea how long that the approval process will take? And after approval (note the confidence there!!) how long does it typically take to get to schedule the surgery? Thanks in advance for the info.

I just found out today that in my 5 year medical history I apparently didn't go to the Dr. in '06! I guess I was healthy that year!! Anyway, the office says that it may not qualify for the LAP-BAND® with my insurance company without having gone to the Dr. in '06. In '01 I have records where I was put on Merida and I have records where I was put on blood pressure meds in '03...and have been on them ever since! I need to know if anyone skipped a year in their 5 year med. history? I can go back several years, and have other qualifying issues so to speak, but just don't have anything on record for that one year. Anybody get approval without one of the 5 years? Can you skip a year? Thanks all!!

I think if the pharmacy doesn't have records, I will pick years 2001 and 2003 to add to '05, 07, 08, 09 and 10. Thanks, I'm not ready to throw in the towel, by any means. When you finally get to the place where you are fed up with the weight and summon up the courage to make a surgery your decision... you sure don't want not going to the Dr. one year four years ago to get in the way! thanks all.

Thanks, I hadn't thought of the pharmacy. I will check that angle tomorrow.