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I finally got through to Florida BC/BS. They said it was submitted to the correct place and that it's undergoing review. Hopefully will hear good news soon! I'm soooo ready for this!! :-)

So, I have Highmark BC/BS and my policy has the bariatric and reconstructive surgery riders, so I just found out I was approved for both a panniculectomy and abdominoplasty, which is AWESOME!!! But they denied my request for the brachioplasty, and I have medical documentation of the same issues on my arms as on my stomach. The stomach was approved but not the arms. The surgeon's office said I would receive my denial letter for the arm lift and it would include an appeal process. I will definitely appeal. I'm just wondering if anyone has had any success with appealing for a brachioplasty or really appealing a denial for anything. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

I have FED. BCBS

that's great, keep up the good work,. had my surgery on 9/19/12 and ever since then I've been up and down with energy, was having sleep problems but that is getting better (thank god). Feeling hungry though, hopefully it's only PMS bc i should be getting my period in a week or before :-(

I have BC/BS HMO and I had my surgery on the the OCT 29. Today I got a bill for around $5000 is that normal? I thoght they covered it all.?

I'm really struggling this week to get calories in and with heartburn. I'm sooooooo tired! I'll be 3 weeks out tomorrow. I have my post op appt Tuesday. I've thrown up a couple times bc I've eaten too fast. That's definitely not fun.

Might also try the local health department for a BC pill prescription.

Actually, have your pharmacy call for a refill. All the times I have ever done this for BC pills they will give you another month without seeing you. HTH

I'm sorry your going trough such a rough patch (HUG). I have to admit that one of the first thoughts through my mind when someone is divorcing after WLS is because of losing weight. But I don't think that applies to every marriage! Some have issues well before and unfortunately the emotional strain of WLS brings out every imperfection in our relationships. I've noticed that is even true of friendships. I know it's hard to ignore the BS people say but PLEASE don't let it hinder all the hard work you've done! Try and find another emotional outlet for your feelings. You've done do much in such a small amount of time. The fact that you're seeking therapy shows you have a good head on your shoulders and an open mind. Good Luck!!

Dec 30, 2013 was the day i thought my weightloss journey would change my life for the better. As soon as i awoke, my life was changed, i was in excruciating pain in my chest that they thought i was having a heart attack. I ended up staying for 1 week n a day. It would've been longer but i was scared of getting a feeding tube do i forced myself to drink. To make a long long story short, I'd end up having an egd monthly, upper gi 3 times, sent to specialists to figure out what happened to me. I've been on so many meds, throwing up most nights anything that I'd eaten that day to present, acid reflux an understatement ! Ph tests, swallow test, had 3 different surgeons see me. Finally, lots of continuous praying, i was sent to the surgeon that was suppose to do the surgery initially. After 3 months of her investigating, she decided that i need a revision. So here i am, starting all over again with the stages, minus 85% of my stomach. To this day, i can still only drink about 32 ounces of liquiq per day, forcing that. It hurts to drink, eat, swallow my own saliva, i hate to think of eating or drinking. I lost 83 lbs, put back 10 bc i started eating rice, although it hurt, it was less painful and simple to cook wo wasting it bc i can't eat it! I gave up on exercising and even caring. I told my doc that as well. She's very kind and hard knocks at the same time. There will be 2 surgeons, i am scared, she said id need a drain, i might be cut instead of scoped bc of possible scar tissue from vsg, and a higher chance of leaking. Wow, seems like i can't catch a break. Please pray if you don't mind. I just moved up and fixed thanksgiving so that i could try and eat with my family. Dec 4th, im discouraged but trying to be hopeful. God willing, this will make things the way they should have been b4, if not better! God bless you all and gl. Thank you for reading my story. I hope to have good news postop!

My body ate my thyroid up in 1993 and for the past 22 years I have been overweight and adding every year. When my last son was born (he weighed 13llbs) I swore I would lose weight as he was going to be the last child (I have four sons) - I was NEVER going to go through that again lol. Anyway, I would lose weight, put it back on, lose weight and put it back on blah blah. My knees hurt, my back hurts and I can’t paint my own toenails Like @@ShrinkingPeach, I remarried nearly 4 years ago after being with my first hubby 25 years. My husband is totally different than my first, he’s very supportive and encouraging and watched me lose 85llbs in 2013 to only slowly put it all back on. I want to be around with him for a very long time and to be able to do the things he loves to do too, which my weight (and mind) has always hindered me from doing. So in 5 days I am being sleeved Autumn of 2016 we will be flying to Canada and having 3 weeks traveling Alberta and BC, on a Harley. Kate

Just had My surgery this morning. Feeling okay, mostly tired some pain. Tried to get up and walk and walked around about 20 steps bc my legs were really wobbly and unsteady. Thanks for Sharing about your experience

Hello, I am 11 days post op. I have 3 kids - 7years, 4years, and 2years. I was sleeved on a Monday and came home Wednesday. My husband took that whole week off. My mom helped in the evenings. The biggest thing was/is potty time for the 2 year old. I can't pick him up still. I was able to do light house work by 1 week. I'm still not doing bath time. We have had a lot of movie time and coloring time. Stuff that they can sit and do. I've taken them to the park a couple times since the weather was so nice. The older 2 are good at playing and staying where I tell them and I followed the 2 year old around. The first time we only stayed 1 hour bc I was becoming tired. The second time a little over 2. Slow and steady and before you know it you will be back to normal!!!

Let me start of by saying how excited I was to get banded. My bestfriend's husband was banded in March of 2010 and had great success from his surgery. I first decided to get banded on an emergency visit to my doctor in August of 2011 after a wrist incident. I went in and did the regular weight, height checks, etc. As always, I dreaded getting my weight checked because it has never been good. Number came back in the 250's and I was fed up at that point. I then asked my Doctor if I would qualify for weight loss surgery. He went back in his office, crunched some numbers and came back and told me yes. He then gave me the name and number of a local doctor to call to set-up a consultation. Fast-forward 3 months (my insurance only requires 3. I've heard many requires 6 months plus a mandary 20 pounds weight loss) of visits to my doctor for regular checks, visits with a nutritionist, blood work, and finally the phycologist appointment which i was super nervous about. This was the final string and didn't want this woman declaring me unstable and unfit to get banded! I was finally banded on 12-29. I was super excited and a tad bit nervous. I was given my happy juice and felt nothing in the very beginning. I even remember being rolled into the operating room. It's when I looked up at the time is when I was out. I think I have figured out whey nurses tell you to count backwards. Once you're brain focuses on something, that's when you're out for the count. When I was awaken after surgery, I was suprised because it seemed as if I closed my eyes for just a second. I was in the recovery room for about an hour before I was given the greenlight to be transferred to my room. My dear husband and my 3 year old soon followed me into the room, got settled in, they had their dinner and I slept. I actually slept well throughout the night because my nurse made sure to keep the morphine drip flowing every 4hours or so, Good Man! Here is where the story turns sour. My night nurse's shift was over at 7am. Before he left, I asked about when I was scheduled for the Upper GI tract exam. For those of you who do not know, the Upper GI tract exam is a test done in the Radiology department. You drink about 8 oz of this nasty, pasty substance, and they take pictures of how it goes down. They do this to ensure there's no holes, or leaks that were created by the surgery. You cannot have anything to drink until this test is done. I woke up that morning very very thirsty. My night nurse told me the Radiology dept will come in between 8-10am to take me to the lab. When my day nurse came on, I told her that I was scheduled for this testing and to see where I am on the list so I can have a better idea. She said, don't worry, they usually come in between 8-10am and not to worry. 10:30am comes around and no word yet from the Radiology Dept. I called my day nurse and asked her to call the Radiology dept to get an update on when they are coming to get me. She reluctantly called only to tell me that I was never put on their scheduled for a GI Tract exam for that day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so pissed off. It is now Friday morning around 10:45am and the last time I had anything to drink was Wednesday night at 12 midnight. Needless to say, I was beyond thirsty to the point where I was loosing my voice and could hardly speak. I texted my husband earlier that morning and told him not to rush and come in, to make josh a good breakfast and take their time coming in so I wasn't expecting them until around noon. So, i didn't have anyone to speak on my behalf, I felt so alone and frustrated. I texted my husband and told him to rush down to the hospital. And with having a 3 year old, there's not much rushing you can actually do unfortunately. They nurse apologized and said she went ahead and put me on the schedule for the exam and that the earliest they can have someone come get me was 2pm. At this point, I can't speak because my throat is dessert dry so I agrily nodded. With the shaking of my head, and rolling my eyes, I think the clueless nurse got the picture that I was upset. Naturely, and as expected, 2:30pm came and I'm still sitting in my bed. I once again called the nurse to get an update. Luckily for her, Radiology came to get me around 2:45. With the transport to the dept, and the testing, and transportig back, that whole ordeal lasted about an hour. I was finally given a sip of water around 3:45pm that day!!!!!!!!!!!! It was the best water I've ever had. Was also given some clear soup broth and jello. YUMMO! My advise for fellow banders, find out about if and when GI tract exam is scheduled for and have your nurse confirm you're on the schedule. May seem like a small thing but it was a big ordeal for me and turned my hospital experience into a not so pleasant one. I've given birth at this hospital, had two thryroid gland removed at this hospital due to thyroid cancer and all of the hospital stays were steller! This one put a damper in my memory but does not take away too much from my overall impression of this award-winning hospital.

Hi Bandsters... :smile2:I was just wondering the longest anyone has been banded with no problems.. and if you don't mind, who was your surgeon? I am working on my six month requirements for BC/BS so I don't have any statistics to offer. For those of you who do.. thanks for your information.

Hello everyone. I'm Canadian and live in BC. I have an appointment to meet with Dr Malik in Victoria in April. I was wondering what to expect from the first visit? Do they do any tests? Or is it just a meet and greet kinda thing? I'm asking this because I live in Kelowna and I am a homemaker and I have to budget out approx how much it will cost me depending on how long I will be there. Any help will be MUCH appreciated! Sheena :-)

Last night on Grey's Anatomy there was a patient who had a simple operation, but never woke up from the anesthesia . That's the last thing I needed to see as my surgery date draws near. It totally fed into my deepest fear and filled me full of doubt. I sooo wish I hadn't watched it. I may need to skip watching that show until AFTER my surgery. Ugh.

Suziecat, thank you for posting that. One fear that almost kept me from the band was the fear of vomiting. I even had a medical person tell me that nausea and vomiting are pretty common. Part of my fear was fed when the first support group I went to in a nearby town was attended by a husband and wife who freely admitted vomiting daily. They were clearly cheating the band. I'm glad to hear that you have made it all of these years wihout vomiting. I'm 52 years old, and one of my concerns is always long term health as I age. I'm fearful of damaging my body by vomiting with the band. I truly have not had any nausea since surgery, and haven't needed my anti nausea medicine. But I do get car sick, air sick, seasick, etc., so I worry about my upcoming trip this summer. Or getting the flu. These fears keep me compliant, at least so far. But I'm still on liquids.

I think about surgery day. It's weird, but I worry more about surviving the surgery itself than the actual complications you can have from it....I feel guilty sometimes, like I could leave my kids motherless because I want to be thin again...but my nut told me I deserve this and death is rare...I have decided to believe her. I don't even want to worry about it. I push it to the back of my mind most days. Sometimes it comes creeping up though.... Also, I am worried about what I will be like coming out of anesthesia. Like, I guess we get either super chatty,tired, or cry...when I had my wisdom teeth out years ago I was told I cried...I hope I follow suit again lol....because I don't remember....I think it would be less embarassing to cry. I watch too many youtube videos lol....I cheated on my diet yesterday! I ate three Andes mint chocolates oh my and one today...I fed the rest to mykids so wouldnt be tempted...I have three kids so they each got like three a piece..... I was doing so well smh. I think it liquifies too and will be out of my system and not cause my liver to enlarge lol.....man I miss real food....but getting on the scale this morning and seeing 200.4 made me tear up. I am almost afraid to get on the scale tomorrow. Onederland is a huge milestone and to be under 200 is significant for me...I never imagined in a million years I would be over 200lbs.... or eat a whole box of mac and cheese in one sitting either but here I am lol....striving to be a better me

5 days to go till I am banded. Woot! I am down 12 pounds since Nov 1st. I am currently on antibiotics for bronchitis. The cough is going away - slowly... I hope it is gone b4 I have stitches in my tummy. That could hurt!! My surgery is 2pm on the 30th. My parents are coming to watch my 7.5 month old so I get a 4 day break from him. I love him to bits, but who couldn't use a break after 7.5 months?? My husband and I have to fly to Vancouver, BC Canada for the surgery. I live in northern Alberta, Canada. We are staying at a hotel/casino - I figured that would be a good place for walking the gas out after surgery. I am doing really well on my pre-op diet. I am taking halls for my throat. and every other day I have a hard boild egg... I play a lot of sports and the extra protien cant hurt right?!?!! I am really excited about next Wednesday!!!!!

I had this my pain was sever, and would happen not constant but with no reason meaning not related to what I ate. It was gallbladder. It started with episodes fairly fast then they would get longer more sever and more painful. I hat to wait bc when I was finally diagnosed I was pregnant and had to wait till after baby to get it out.

I HATE that doctors pull that BS about not being able to lose a lot of weight with the band. I had a doctor tell me that............got rid of him and went to only that solely does lapband. I wish they would stop telling people that! If you are committed to the process, you can totally do this with a lapband!

In the interest of anything is possibly........ If there is any truth to this then I sympathize for you and your friend..... In the interest of what is more likely probable.........I don't buy it .............. Just another online made up BS story by a sick twisted mind....... Just enough details to make it sound like credible information.....and then throw in every possibly worst case scenario that can go wrong to try to scare the hell out of people reading.......even make the person a young mom with two little kids. To what purpose...... Online depravity....Trying to shock those personally invested and vulnerable.......Or some other twisted agenda.....who knows. Don't buy into it............ It didn't happen. The person in the story is made up. It is meant to be one of those stories you read and can't un-read. Ask yourself.....How did this person find this forum and.....who is the friend?? Is the friend a BP member?? Who? Where are the details about the OP. - the hospital? the surgeon? the husband? No pre-op anything.... Nothing personal at all......Just enough generic details to sway you to believe it's a real person. If they really did want answers from members with similar issues......then why not in the "Complications section of the forum. That is supposedly the ones your seeking answers from. Not that anyone would be able to provide assurances to someone else's complications anyway......makes no sense. Again it was purposely meant to lure everyone unsuspecting into the story and then scare the hell out of them.... Don't let it... Be upset for what it is. Made up farce. I could go on and on..........and to those of you that believe I'm wrong.....I'm sorry, but I refuse to be naive to this type of anonymous online scourge. Attention Admin: In closing, I make a suggestion. To the Admin of this site. In the interest of free speech, I don't advocate removing this Thread, but at least move it to the "Complications" section so others will be aware of the content beforehand.

I guess bc of what I do everyday, I just wanted to remind everybody of some things about insurance. 1. Two people can have a united health care plan ( or bc bs or whatever) and those two plans be VASTLY different. I see people ask all the time " anybody have so and so insurance ". What really matters more is who s the employer? Especially in the case of major companies, they may be self insured ( they pay all the bills, not UHC. For example). In this case, the write the rules of the plan. If not self insured, there are a gazillion plans they can choose offered by bc bs for example. 2. Your employer hr dept should be able to provide you with the SPD for your plan ( the huge booklet that comes in the mail but gets misplaced . That is the " bible" of the plan and geared toward your employer. Great to use and quote if an appeal becomes necessary. 3. Call the number on the back of your card and the representative can be very helpful. 4. Open enrollment is coming up in most companies. If your spouse plan covers lapband and there are no exclusions ( and the plan allows spouses). why not consider getting on their insurance at least long enough to get it done. Just a thought.

You are looking for external validation and for someone else to make this super-serious decision for you. That way, if you fail it won't be your fault--cuz it wasn't your decision to begin with and you'll claim that you had your own doubts all along. So I'ma call BS on this one and instead will say, seek your own truth. Make a pro-con list. Listen to your heart and your gut. Come to us for questions, research, experiences, etc--but don't come ask us to tell you what to do. Cuz opinions are like assholes. They are a dime a dozen and great supply. But sadly, nobody wants to see or hear 'em. You can DO this. Think for yourself. Do you!!!