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Hi everyone! I'm just starting my process. I received my referral from my PCP and have an appointment for the seminar and a "bod pod" test on March 2nd. I did call me insurance who gave me their requirements. I see that alot of you had to see several specialists. Is that a requirement of the surgeon? I have BCBS of IL and it states I need a psych eval, but not cardio, etc. Also, this is a part of requirements for surgery thru insurance: Documentation of active participation in a comprehensive, non-surgical program of weight reduction for at least six (6) months, occurring within the twenty-four (24) months prior to the proposed surgery and preferably unaffiliated with the bariatric surgery program. (NOTE: The initial BMI at the beginning of a weight reduction program will be used to meet the BMI criteria for the definition of morbid obesity used in this policy.) A program will be considered appropriate if it includes the following components: Nutritional therapy, which may include medical nutrition therapy such as a very low calorie diet such as MediFast and Optifast or a recognized commercial diet-based weight loss program such as Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, etc. Behavior modification or behavioral health interventions. Counseling and instruction on exercise and increased physical activity. Ongoing support for lifestyle changes to make and maintain appropriate choices that will reduce health risk factors and improve overall health. I have been seeing my PCP every month since OCtober and my weight has always been discussed and she gave me her advice on how to lose weight, etc. Will that qualify as the first 5 months in 6 month participation or is more required?
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Anyone else worried about excess skin?
ms.lady posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hello! I had not had my lapband yet. I hope to have it done in August. I was wondering if others who have been banded or is planning to be, worried about excess skin? I desperately want to loss this weight I have been carrying around for years, but I then think that I would be unhappy with myself all over again if I have excess skin. My emotions are just all over the place........I guess. -
Time frame/nutritionist questions.;)
14isabella replied to 14isabella's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thanks SO much for the info (and congrats on your loss!!) Very reassuring! I know I see the Gastro next and half to undergo a few more tests(thankfully, I've had the same doctor/dr.s' office for over 15 years-they have records of every attempt..lol..) then it's off to the races! thanks again! -
I read a statistic that banded patients on an average, lose 55% of their excess body weight after 2 years. I've also read that gastric bypass patients have a window of opportunity to lose weight during an 18-24 month period. After that, the weight stops coming off. My question is this, can banded patients continue to lose weight after 2 years or does the weight loss stop like gastric bypass patients? I don't think I can go through surgery and accept a loss of 55% of my excess weight. Is there more hope than that? Thanks in advance if you can offer me some personal insight!
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Increased Libodo, anyone else?
Astrotoes replied to halloween2124's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Wow Lapbandit just noticed your weight loss,that's incredible:clap2: :clap2: any hints to share?? -
Ok so I need some advice. Im having trouble deciding when to have this surgery (depending if i get approved of course) My company shuts down between christmas and new years so I wanted to have the surgery Dec 26th so I can go back to work the first week in January. I am so amped to have this. I am truly READY However, I am trying to keep this quiet as only a handful of people know about it and i dont want the holidays to be a problem with my preop diet and all with so many parties going on and stuff (im not so concerned with will power as i am about people making comments and maybe will power a little bit ) I was thinking of doing it January that way i can start my preop after new years...(i know, so cliche) But i have off that week in December I dont want to make my bosses angry. i mean if its surgery they cant do anything about it but i still feel so irresponsible. and i dont want to hear my coworkers make comments about another "vacation" i also am so AMPED for this i dont know if i can wait any longer...even if it is a couple of weeks so my question is, What would YOU do? im having a rough time with this and its weighing on me.... and I know alot of you will say "do whats best for you" but with this particular situation, i dont know what would be best because the end result will still be the same...WEIGHT LOSS!!!
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Need DOC in mass. for my band
icestorm121308 replied to heidib's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
you are just looking for a fill doc? I'd call dr. glassgow's office in norwood mass surgical weight loss specialists they are a practice that just deals with lap band i think. a phone call can't hurt -
Psych Eval Before Lap Band Surgery
pink dahlia replied to SaucyBandster's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
my 3 part visit was easy. 1st visit we talked about my reasons (getting healthy and strong) my weight loss attempts and failures, my family history, my own medical history, family support and healthy hobbies. (i like horseback riding and running- cant do them anymore due to weight prob.) psych dr was very easy to talk to. 2nd visit was 45 min Minnesota (?) test that shows you're in a normal state of mind-no mental illness, psycocis, or unrealistic goals.( you're not trying to look like angelina jolie and become a movie star etc.) 3 rd visit was a recap- he said i was "like oatmeal, boringly normal!!) said i would be a very good canidate as i had healthy expectation for the lap band, a good support system, and had tried healthy eating and exercise etc.... hope this works for you, you 'll do fine if youre honest about everything. Good luck to you -
Psych Eval Before Lap Band Surgery
kewlshort1 replied to SaucyBandster's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Mine was uber easy. It seems this is another thing that is different though, depending on who you see. We sat and talked for roughly 15 minutes. He asked information about my family history, my personal medical history, and who my "support people" are. He wanted to know whether I've tried other weight loss methods, and what the results were. He also asked why I wanted to have surgery. After that, he said I was a good candidate for surgery. It was really laid back, quick and easy. Others have had to do a 500 question psychological profile (something like that), but I did not. I was pleasantly surprised. Basically, he wanted to know that I had a support system in place, that I was likely to be able to "handle" the changes necessary, and that I was doing the surgery for the "right reasons". -
Go get a tshirt snug enough to be too tight but not impossible to put on or pop the seams and "stretch" it - get a pair of jogging shorts or similar just the same, and try them on. Now fold the up neatly, and put them away for two weeks. Eat well, protiens first. Do not "goo" your food and avoid the carbs that are in fatty and processed foods. Take a multi Vitamin and a b vitamin. Smile alot, because you got this! sleep - go to sleep the same time each night, and wake up the same time each morning. If you cannot sleep now it the time to address it because sleep is a major factor in many stalls, or at least that is what ALOT of reports are pointing to (yahoo or google "sleep, weight loss - etc). Now, a crazy thing is going to happen if you are drinking all your Water, taking your Vitamins, making you choices count nuritionally speaking - you are going to shrink...even if tat scale moves no at all, or goes slowly, you weight is going to come off. We retain much more than fat, and a complex amount of things go into how our bodies handle this, but you will get smaller. I dropped a whole size once, with 4lbs total loss. 2 weeks later I dropped almost 10 lbs, but other than TOM water bloat and loss, I had nothing signifignt happen size-wise. Now, try on that tshirt and pants....ah-ha! You will lose. I promise.
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Insurance Question: Weight Loss One Year Prior To Surgery
besquared1426 replied to Michele23456's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I am waiting for my initial consult, which is in two weeks. (Can hardly wait!) From the WLS seminar, I was told that the documentation would start at the initial consult, since part of the two-hour consult includes meeting with a dietician. My 3 months starts that day. After the three months of appts with the dietician and nutritionsit , they submit the paperwork do BCBS. That period reflects the weight-loss effort within one year of the surgery request. -
Thanks and congrats on the weight loss..
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I have heard a lot about broken relationships after large weight losses and even though I feel that my marriage is very strong I am concerned about the outcome. I am having surgery for me first of all, and my family second. I want to be more active and healthy. I am tired of not going places because of the way I look and feel. My husband likes me just fine the way that I am and gives his blessings to me because he knows how important this is for me. I am looking for your thoughts. Thanks! Amanda
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I told some people at work that I am having VSG. Was that a mistake??? I see a lot of people say they didn't tell their co-workers or employers what they were having. I only told a select few but gossip in my office spreads like wild fire!!!! I started not to tell anyone but I am really close with some co-workers and some others over heard. I ended up telling my manager because she was expecting me to leave my job at the end of March due to me completing nursing school, but since I have insurance now, I am holding off seeking a nursing position. My job is in the medical field and I have had a few co-workers who had weight loss surgery so no one really looks at having surgery as a "bad thing" and they are not judgmental, not to my face anyway.
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The 2nd is my last apt. I'm a bit worried because 1 of my 6 apt with GP didnt mention weight loss. But my 6 nutritionist apt. do. I hope they count it. I should have my surgery date early April. I hope to have my Rny asap so can have my life back. I want so desperately to be average size. Ride my motorcycle and not see that huge shadow on the road beside me anymore. I want to run and live a life my kids will have me in. Make memories that don't include me in a wheelchair at Disney. Desperate to get to living again.
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I was a bit anti-surgery before my family and I attended the information seminar. I thought that the mortality rate for bariatric patients was sky high, but I was incorrect - actually, my surgeon went over the statistics and numbers - and as it turns out if I sat in the chair and did nothing at the BMI I was at, my mortality chance was a whole lot higher than if I had surgery. He also discussed the statistics regarding weight loss and keeping it off - which as we all know with traditional diet and exercise programs the percentage of successful losses of all of ones excess body weight are very small - like 1% of the population, whereas with bariatrics it has exponentially higher success rates. I have done everything and have not had the success I have always sought so I am looking forward to having the tool of a sleeve to increase my own odds of success
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Moving along in the pre-op testing circuit
dhrguru posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi! I'm excited that I'm jumping through those pre-op 'hurdles'. My first consult was on 3/4. I had my lab work done this week. I have my upper GI & ultrasound done on Tuesday AM, and see the pulmonologist Tuesday PM. (My surgeon said he'll let the pulmonologist decide if I need a sleep study.) And I have my psych eval on 3/20-- AND I found one that take my insurance- YES! I see my surgeon again on 4/8. I'm still a little undecided; but am leaning much more towards gastric sleeve surgery. My "reservations" about GS is FAR shorter than my reservations about RNY at this point. As am I'm dissecting the decision more and more I realize that hair loss is a BIG factor for me. I have already lost 70% of my hair due to scalp scarring alopecia. Do to the condition, what I lose will never grow back. I'm comfortable with my hair loss now- and will easily go w/o wigs-- but what little hair I have now is my comfort zone-- losing more will totally take me out if it. I certainly don;t need anohter 'image issue' to deal w/ going through this process! So I'm being honest with myself and leaning towards which ever procedure cause the least amount of 'upset' to trigger more hair loss for me. -
I am considering gastric bypass. One concern is that I'm very likely to overeat when the wrong foods are in the house. Have regained 90 pounds lost through diet since my remarriage a few years ago. My husband is.supportive, naturally slim, but loves to have goodies and starches available. How do some of you.manage to eat so differently without frustration, conflict, or failure to lose and maintain that loss? This scares me...meals have been my responsibility since he works full time. Thanks for any advice on this!
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Look at this page...it explains all the types of bariatric surgery, with pictures: Weight-Loss Surgeries Compared
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Freed From Pre- Op Diet! No More Shakes!
Greekie17 posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I went for my pre-op weigh in today- I had to lose 4 lbs and I lost 12! So happy! I was on the 2 shakes/1 small protein & veggies meal but the shakes gave me (sorry, this is gross) diarrhea, so I only had 1 per day, and substituted an egg white omelet w 1 slice ff cheese, 2 c. lettuce & 1 TBSP fat free dressing. They told me today I could go back on 1200 cals./day up till surgery. That's next Wednesday, Feb. 8th. Of course I am not planning to put any weight back on. But, I feel like I've died and gone to heaven. Today I had 4 oz NY strip, 1 c whole wheat angel hair pasta w sauteed mushrooms. I feel full and GREAT! The surgeon said I could! Yay!!!!!!!! -
Have you heard of "Hypno-banding"?
mattie7632 replied to Rainydayz's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I just can't wrap my brain around the idea that we can be successfully hypnotized. I'd really like someone to hypnotize me so I can find out! My chiropractor says she does an acupuncture technique for weight loss too, I never stuck with it long enough to find out though!! hmmmm, kind of like my diets..... -
Losing Weight Prior To Surgery
slimthickens replied to Jenn31MA's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
It is always good to lose some weight prior to surgery but I sometimes think that surgeons are a bit unrealistic when they require you to lose up to 20 pounds before WLS. Most of us are food addicts in the first place which is why we are seeking the surgery to begin with and I think that should be taken into consideration. We would never expect an alcoholic to go without a drink for 3 or 4 weeks before being allowed to go to rehab so why would a surgeon require so much weight to be lost? I understand that the liver needs to be shrunk just prior to surgery but that could easily be accomplished with the loss of 5 to 10 pounds in the last 2 weeks prior to surgery. Requiring so much to be lost causes those of us with food issues to go into panic mode and begin bingeing and results in weight gains not losses. In my opinion if you don't think this is something you will be able to handle in a healthy way I would advise searching out another surgeon who's requirements are a bit more reasonable and that will allow you to lose a minimal amount of weight without causing you so much stress that you end up gaining. Oh, and for the record I was only required to lose a few pounds the last week before surgery which I did and my surgeoun said my liver looked perfect because of it. I did a diet of liquids for breakfast and lunch with string cheese and cottage cheese for snacks and for dinner I had a low carb meal of a meat, veggie, and salad. -
Woo boo. I lost 20 lbs for mypreop weightloss. I see nurse practioner on Tuesday for final pre op visit. Just need insurance approval and a date!!! So excited today.
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Dealing with Insurance Companies
bamagirl replied to heynowkc's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
No, don't worry. My situation is nothing like yours! I applied for WLS 2 years ago. I had a BMI of 39 for two years and over 40 for a year with no comorbidities. I began meds for high blood pressure at the end of my 6 month weight loss plan required by my insurance. I was basically denied because I was not heavy enough or sick enough due to my obesity at that time. Two and a half years later, I have now had a BMI over 40 and am treated for hypertension. I have decided to try to get approval once again in February of 2015. -
Consult Appointment on 12/1....
SuzeMuze replied to mrscherry2010's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Because it's an initial consultation, there isn't much that actually "happens". In fact, my initial consult didn't even involve my surgeons. I spent most of the time with the office staff, then with the nutritionist. My visit involved going over fees, insurance procedures, medical clearances, a discussion of why I was interested in bariatric surgery, and finally an overview of the lifelong dietary changes that I'd be signing up for. At an initial consult, I'd try not to worry too much about being "rejected" if you've done your homework first about a couple of things. Meaning... 1. Insurance coverage. Insurance policies vary widely, but from what I've learned, it seems as though most of them have a minimum BMI to cover a bariatric procedure- usually 40 with no comorbidities, or 35 with the presence of one or more comorbid conditions like Type II Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, etc. As well, it seems many insurance policies (in addition to a doctor-supervised weight loss program prior to considering WLS) require a sort of "laundry list" of other weight loss interventions (Weight Watchers, Herbalife, etc...), complete with approximate dates, and amount of weight lost. 2. Expectations for the procedure. Though you may go through a formal psychological exam as part of your preoperative clearances, both the surgical office manager and the nutritionist had a dialogue with me about what brought me to the office in the first place. How you'll fare with WLS surgery depends on a lot of factors, one of which is how realistic your expectations are for results. **How far from consult to surgery? Honestly, that's a question with no definitive answer. For me it was almost exactly 3 months. But.....it depends on (among other things) your clearance tests, how quickly your insurance company approves your procedure (if you're going that route) and what the availability is for your surgeon/hospital to schedule your procedure. One of the best things about my consult visit was my "Bible Binder". My surgeon's office had a fantastic binder assembled that outlined the whole WLS surgery process. Every. Single. Step. That consult appointment is an information overload, and to have everything written out for me was wonderful. I remember how excited I was at that initial appointment- it was all starting to become "real" finally! I wish you the best of luck- keep us posted on your progress
