Search the Community

Dooter When I asked if I could pay to move up the list, I was told they don't do that here. So I would have had to go to the US or Mexico. Since this is all part of my decision making process, I opted to stay put, research (try other weight loss programs,etc...) and wait. I think the wait has done me good as I'm still not 100 percent sure what I'm going to do. This forum is great as it discusses many of the grey area issues that I've bee fretting over. Thanks for your interest.

UHC main plan is that if your BMI is over 40 you don't have to have anything wrong. They have started requiring the 5 yr weight history. I would see if try to get any documented weights you can, docs, ob's, weight watchers, anything. As for the 6 month diet UHC doesn't require it BUT companies can add it to their policy. So your husbands company wants the employees/spouses to do the 6 month diet then you are going to have to do it. Unless you have proof you have already done it and have documentation of it. My suggestion would be to call the insurance and ask them if they cover CPT 43770 (which is the lap-band) and then ask them for the policy. Good Luck!

I also have UHC Choice Plus. They didn't require a 6 month diet from me either. My plan only required a 5 year weight history with a diagnosis of morbid obesity. If you call them, they should be able to tell you exactly what you need.

I drank a lot of cafeine free diet coke on my pre op diet to keep me sane. I have three girls, too - but luckily for me during the week they get most of their meals at the sitters...so that saved me. But after the first few days I found I wasn't hungry anymore - so then it was easier to keep to it...that and my fear of having a fatty liver and the doc getting in there and having to back out and reschedule kept me on the straight and narrow! LOL It's hard as now my girls comment on how "skinny" I am and that they want to be like me when they grow up...I try and focus on being "healthy" and not being "skinny" - as they are 20 mos, 6 and 8 yrs old and very impressionable. I am big boned and tall and I explain to them that when you are tall and muscular you will weigh more - they aren't ever going to be stick thin as they are built like me. (though I was a lot chunkier as a child as I was not as active) I don't want to send my kids the wrong message and have them worrying about their weight in grade school! (though the 6 yr old had a rotten girl call her fat on the playground...I am telling you kids are just horrid to one another!) Anyway...you will make it through - keep your eyes on the prize! Kim

I'm a single mom and I took one week off from my stand up job. It was enough time off. The main reason I had surgery was my fear of all the health problems I was sure to get from being so over weight. I kept thinking what was going to become of me in 10 years? I knew there was no way I could stand on my feet and continue to run my business. So I figured maybe having complications from surgery was a smaller risk then knowing I was definitely going to have complications from being so over weight.

Hi, I have CIGNO HMO TX. I pay $15 for each co-pay. What was wonderful about my CIGNA coverage is that there was no out of pocket expensive for pre-op or surgery. I met all of the criteria required by CIGNA. Which include more than 5 years of medically documented weight loss attempts, etc. I was documenting all the steps I went through during my approval process. See below - I cut this from one of my previous posts. 8/9 PCP Begins Referral Process to Lap Band Surgeon 8/10 Sign PCP Medical Record Release 8/11 PCP advises referral to surgeon ready and provides me with the telephone number to call for appointment. 8/14 Darla takes intake form at Surgeon's office, someone else will call me back. 8/15 PCP Medical Records Released 9/1 Psych _Eval 9/5 Med History Review (find out I need a consultation with a nutritionist (MD) and need a stress test and heart sonogram, and blood work drawn and results). 9/5 Called to schedule the stress test and heart sonogram. Scheduled for 9/8. 9/5 Request for nutritionist referral from PCP (could take 1-5 days) 9/5 PCP calls with name of nutritionist. I call to make an appt, but can't until CIGNA approves, may take 5 days. 9/11 Nutritionist calls to advise that CIGNA approved the request. Can't be seen until 9/26. 9/5 PFT at PCP Office, and request for x-ray results 9/6 PFT Results and CXray results pick-up 9/8 Stress Test and Echo sonogram done at Cardiologist office. 9/11 Stress Test and Echo sonogram results rec'd by Surgeon. 9/113 & 9/14 check with Nutritionist for cancellations in order to get seen sooner than 9/26. No openings. 9/24 Get blood work drawn at PCP office. 9/26 Nutritional Consultation appointment scheduled. 10/2 Nutritionist consultation report. 10/4 Bloodwork results.

Hi everyone those of you who have Cigna Insurance and have to particpate in a six month physician supervised weight loss program, Did Cigna pay your PCP visits or did you have to pay out of pocket? Jan

@ leeblewb thank you! it does help knowing its not as painful! =)and yes i have been making alot of research on the sleeve and it looks preatty safe =) good luck on ur proccess! =) LisaaaLisaaa well for my height im supposed to weight about 105-110, so its about 40 pounds over weight trust me i have tried everything gym, running and no luck! it just gets deppressing! but i will search and ask doctors what they think =) and gratefully i dont have any of the things your mentioned. wish u the best of luck! =) soldierzgirl36 yeah i have done researching and it seems like the only side affect could be leakage around the staple line, but can be fixed.. im happy to hear ur getting your sleeve done! =) much luck!! keep me posted on how it goes. mine should be done by the end of feb! =)

Nice to meet you, Elizabeth. My surgery is next Wed. 10/19, here in Orange County, CA. I understand your feeling so grateful for all the comments on various topics. I've used them to compile a list of things to take with me to the hospital. It's given me something to focus on, and that's helped. I've lost 13# on the pre-op liquid diet and hope to have that a higher number by tomorrow and then again on Wed. I haven't figured out the process of attaching the weight loss ticker but I've copied the information and saved it. Congratulations on your decision. When your emotions are all over the chart, this is a good place to go!

My name is Carla and I was banded 7/3/10. I have lost 127lbs. I am now in the 150's and it seems to be a struggle everyday. I know where my comfort is and I now know how to play the "food game". I am sooooo glad the the carbs get stuck or I may actually gain back every ounce that I have lost. I tried to sneak a doughnut hole tonight and I have paid for it in the bathroom for the last 2 hours. The thing about Lap Band is that no 2 people are alike. Some may not have a problem eating potatoes while with me.... They get stuck everytime. This is honestly the best decision that I have ever made but it will always be a struggle. Food has controlled my life for so long that I have to train myself to not let it continue to control me.

the rate of your weight loss really has nothing to do with you developing loose skin. alot of it is genetics, your age and how long you were overweight for. exercise will help...but basically once the skin is stretched...it is stretched

He doesn't do the fills in the office; he does them in the hospital under flouroscopy. He counsels all his patients in the beginning that the reason why he does it this way is because you have fewer "misses" and he can ensure a positive experience that way. I know my original post sounded a bit whiney...I'm so excited I did this and this 20 pounds I'm down is the fastest I've ever seen any type of weight loss on any type of program. I'm just so frustrated in not seeing the scale move at all for 2 weeks straight. I'm following their guidelines strictly with the help of all the fabulous recipes I found here and I get all my Water in and my protein/drinks. I know we are only supposed to lose 1-2 a week and I'd be so happy if I saw that in the past 2 weeks. those of you going through something similar have you gone back to mushies to give yourself a boost???

Hello Pokeyvenus,well done for your weight loss so far!!!,I've got my op-sleeve in January 8th,just can't wait!!!,I've got only6-7st to lose,but can't lose them!!!!So fed up with the diets!!!!!!!On NHS I wouldnt get it because I. Not fat enough,so I'm paying for it,going to have it done in Prague.Just can't wait when it over and I will be slim!!!!!!How is your family and your friends dealing with your decision,that u had it done???ive just told only my best friend and my boyfriend.Im scared that my work colleagues will be jealous!

You won't...I was told it's not uncommon to gain a little after the swelling of the surgery goes down. When you get your first fill, you will be swollen a little at first after that, and it will cause restriction for awhile--which will help you lose weight. After awhile, when you hit another wall, you may need to go in for another fill (like I'm doing tomorrow for my 2nd fill)...It'll be okay! Remember...plateaus, like you know what else, DO happen..it's your body's natural response to the 'starvation' pre/post surgery...I went through it too.

I was excited to go to the gas station today...my morning weight and the gas was the same price....289!!!!! I am down 16lbs now since surgery on the 30th of May.....I hope the gas prices keep coming down with my weight.... Congrats to everyones losses.....

I was pre-diabetic and my A1C was 6.5 and the doctor was rolling around the idea of metformin for me and thought it might help me with weight loss. Since my surgery on April 3, my A1C is 5.5. So my pre-diabetes has reversed. As someone else mentioned, my dr stated most cases of diabetes reverse because there are several hormones that are released by the stomach that research think are responsible/play a role in the development of diabetes. The sleeve isn't a 100% guarantee your disease state will be reversed, but it should certainly drastically improved if it doesn't. As far as statistics go and what I have read, RnY and sleeve are about the same in regards to diabetes reversal or improvement. In my case, it was reversed. Good luck with whatever decision you make. I choose the sleeve because of lower risks of malabsorption issues and the possibility of diabetes reversal!

Is it TOM? Watch your sodium intake and make sure you are getting your fluids in. During PMS, I hang on to weight and lose it once my period starts.

I'm going on 50 this September....I won't get to my goal weight by then or probably won't even be started with the surgery. I'm also looking forward to being stronger and healthier. I want to be able to not run away when I see my reflection in a mirror or a picture. Good luck to you on your adventure. Let's chat some time. Do you chat on Yahoo? Jodi

Hi Mare, I have heard of a band being placed after a failed RNY; however, the sleeve wouldn't be an option. I wondered though, have you checked out a procedure called the ROSE procedure? I will copy and paste what I found below: ROSE Procedure, Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal, obesity surgery, gastric bypass, Albany, Macon, Columbus, Dotham Restorative "Incisionless" Obesity Surgery Even the most successful gastric bypass patients occasionally regain weight [/url]New surgical technology now allows surgeons to treat one of the potential sources of this weight regain. The ROSE procedure (Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal) provides an incisionless surgical option to restore gastric bypass patients' anatomy to closely match original post-surgery sizes Dr. Bagnato performs the scar-free ROSE Procedure (Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal) entirely through the mouth without making any external incisions into the body. Eliminating incisions means less risk than traditional open or laparoscopic surgery, minimal post operative pain, fast recovery time and no scarring. Patients generally report minimal or no pain after the procedure and many of them return to work and normal activities the next day. Who is eligible? Patients who originally lost significant weight following gastric bypass but who now find themselves regaining weight may be ideal candidates for this procedure. After an initial screening, you will undergo a series of evaluations including nutritional and dietary counseling, a full medical exam, and endoscopy to determine if you are a good candidate. What does the ROSE procedure entail? The ROSE procedure is performed with the patient under anesthesia using a four-channel tube and special Incisionless Surgery tools. The bariatric surgeon advances the flexible tube and a small endoscope through the patient's mouth, into the stomach pouch. The surgeon will then insert the surgical tools through the channels of the tube. Tissue anchors are used to create multiple tissue folds around the stoma to reduce the diameter. The surgeon will then use the same technique to place anchors in the stomach pouch to reduce its volume. Are there other treatment options available? To perform the initial gastric bypass, the bariatric surgeon creates smaller stomach "pouch" and then bypasses the top portion of the small intestine. The procedure leaves a significant amount of scar tissue behind. This scar tissue makes traditional or "open" revision (performed through an abdominal incision) surgery far riskier than the original surgery. The most feared complication of gastric bypass - a leak, an incomplete tissue connection that allows the stomach contents to spill into the body - is four times more common in revision procedures than in the original bypass. Most surgeons don't perform open revisions today because of the risks. In recent years, many medical device companies have developed new tools that allow surgeons to operate through the mouth. We've chosen a set of tools known as the EndoSurgical Operating SystemTM (EOS) because the system's sutures and tissue anchors distribute holding force across tissue, leading us to believe that they will hold longer than other tissue fasteners. The EOS is also unique because it allows us to reduce the size of both the pouch and the stoma. How long will you need to stay in the hospital? Hospital stay is determined on a case-by-case basis. You may be discharged the same day if the procedure was done early in the morning or Dr. Bagnato may want you to stay overnight. Your surgeon will make the determination following your procedure. What are the benefits of an Incisionless procedure? By eliminating skin incisions, the new procedure may provide important advantages to patients, including reduced risk of infection and associated complications, less post-operative pain, faster recovery time and no abdominal scars. What type of side effects can I expect? It is anticipated that patients will feel little or no discomfort from the procedure. To date, the only noted side effects have been short-term sore throat, swelling of the tongue or lip discomfort from the insertion of the instruments into the mouth. These issues usually go away in one or two days. Is it safe? As with any surgery there is risk involved. This less invasive approach should reduce the likelihood of many of the complications associated with the other open or laparoscopic revision procedures. ROSE is a new procedure, however, and long term outcomes are unknown. What is the success rate? As with any weight loss procedure, results vary with each patient. The ROSE procedure has been well tolerated and most patients immediately lose weight as they eat less - with the return of the early feeling of "fullness" due to the restriction of the new, smaller pouch. The ROSE procedure is new and long-term data are not yet available. What is the recovery process? Typically, patients return to normal activity within a few days of their procedure. Dr. Bagnato will give you specific instructions. In addition, you will be required to follow a post-procedure diet and exercise plan, similar to the regimen prescribed following your initial bypass surgery. This generally means that patients will need to consume only liquids for a day or two after the surgery, and then slowly add soft, pureed foods for about two weeks before resuming a regular diet. To help you on your journey, follow-up appointments with Dr. Bagnato and regular visits with our bariatric support staff will be required. Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery LAP-BAND System REALIZE Band Advantages of LAP-BAND LAP BAND Adjustments StomaphyX procedure ROSE Procedure Weight Loss Procedure Videos Weight Loss Surgery| Meet Our Team| LAP-BAND System| REALIZE Band| StomaphyX proced

I have just started to research lapband surgery. I am 61 years old, 5'7" and 280 lbs. I am so tired of living this way. So tired of having to tell my 3 year old granddaughter that "Grammy can't sit on the floor with you to play." ( because it would be so hard to get up). I am a type 2 diabetic ( well controlled on pills), take meds for high blood pressure, and both knees are in terrible shape - getting shots in them every couple of months. My question is, am I too old for this surgery? Most of the posts I have read on this forum are from younger people. Also, I inquired about coverage through my insurance company (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida) and they have said thy don't cover weight loss surgery. Have any of you encountered this and if so, what did you do? Thanks so much for any help.....or hope...... You can give me.

I attended 4 different seminars with 4 different surgeons. I felt overwhelmed at all of them to the point of tears. Feeling horrible that it had come to this point. Left the first two feeling like I could do this on my own, that surgery was too extreme and then struggled with yet another attempt to lose and of course....then regain weight. You will know when you are ready and when you find the right surgeon. Although still feeling sad that it has gotten to this point. I am now looking forward to a new healthier me with the help and support of my lap band (my soon to be new best friend) these forums and my local gym!!!!

Hi, in order for me to get the sleeve i have to loose 8% of my body weight. Does anyone have any ideas what the best way to do this is? Did anyone else have to?

Thrilled, thrilled, thrilled. Saw the post-op bariatrics team last Wednesday. Kaiser defines a sucessful bariatrics patient as one who has lost 50% of the excess weight within one year following surgery. I have lost 81% in 7 months. This forum is a wonderful resource, with many people who are very successful with the sleeve in the long-run. I want to add my experiences to the pool of information. I plan on being one of the long-runs. To keep losing weight, I have to eat fewer than 50 grams of carb a day, and stay under 1200 calories. No, I usually don't get all my Water in. I also drink coffee, with 2% milk. This is the source of most of my carb. Eating too much is as bad as eating too little. Doing either one can make my weight loss stall. I can't snack anymore. The surgeon told me that, after 6 months, it's three meals a day, period. He's right. I still use baby bowls, a baby spoon, and 5-inch plates. I plan to use the small plates forever. I like my baby spoons, and the bowls are still portion-perfect. Too much Protein triggers insulin, and I gain weight. At my weight, 166.6, I only need 65 grams of protein a day, according to my NUT. If I don't eat enough fat, my weight stalls. Fruit = stall. I cannot lose without low-intensity exercise. 3 - 5 sessions a week, 30 minutes, on a treadmill that keeps me at a pulse rate of 107 (based on age) is the key. I also lift heavy weights twice a week. Throwing a 20-pound weight around does nothing for me. I use as much weight as I can lift for 5 slow reps. I am almost to the point of being able to do a real pull-up. I have loose skin. I am a shar-pei. But I am a proud, getting-healthy shar-pei. It doesn't bother my Best Half. Why should I care? I wore a bathing suit in Hawaii, and no one reported me to the Skin Police. Yes, I lost hair, starting at 3 months and it has slowed almost to normal. I ate my protein, took my Vitamins, and I still lost hair. It's based on hormonal changes, just like after childbirth. I still look like a girl. If you are scared to have a sleeve because of the potential hair loss, you aren't a good candidate for the surgery. You don't want to lose weight badly enough to be successful. I did not have a "food funeral" before my surgery, and I followed my surgeon's pre-op diet to the letter. I've spent years eating crap. Two weeks crap-less wasn't going to kill me. I don't miss any foodstuff. I don't cry over crap not eaten. I pull my vintage sized 14 Liz Claiborne clothes out of the closet and rejoice that I no longer wear a size 26, like I did back in 2000. If I really, really want it, I eat one small bite. Most sweets that I used to crave now taste terrible. One sweet potato fry satisfies as well as a bag of gingersnaps used to. Soda tastes like chemical-salts-bilge water. Yuk. I goof. I screw up. I eat too much. I still emotionally eat. That doesn't make me a bad person. There's always the next opportunity to make a much better choice. Veterans, please feel free to add on. I'd love to know what is down the sleeved road!

I started my journey on May 13, 2013 which was my first appointment with my surgeon and I was at my highest weight ever 244. Today as I did my weigh I was 195, and I am actually 1lb away from my 2nd milestone which is 50 lbs. I am sooooo excited, feeling good , and rocking my sleeve.

Hello... I have yet to be banded but will be getting it done on the 26th of this month i have been doing lots or research and know that there will be skin issues at least for me cuz i have a lot of weight to lose, some people dont have that problem it all depends of you what your skin is like and your age...i dont know if the insurance will pay for a tummy tuck that is something you will need to ask them The band is designed to last the rest of your life so i read but things do happen that may cause them to be removed like slippage or erosion. from what i gather erosion is not supposed to be common but does happen mostly if the band is too tight, if you vomit alot and if it has slipped and you dont do anything about it. Since i am self pay i asked my ins if for any reason i had problems with my band if they will cover a removal they said yes but not a replacement (since they dont cover lap band anyway) Hope this has helped you.. keep reading these boards and others before you really decide on the band to make sure you have all the information you need Good luck to you :mad: