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Hey there. I just got banded on 8/30! I'm finally excited about this journey. Has a bunch of complications with my insurance, but the day actually arrived. I'm 28 relatively healthy, but just obese since childhood. This Clear liquids is about to kill me. Everything us just so sweet! The only thing I want is milk BC it's not too sweet. (I did put a French fry in my mouth today and spit it back out...smh just a shame but I know i'm not alone!) I have 11 more days of clear then I get to move to full for 2 Weeks...I hope I can make it lol! I'm already feeling much better, I can lay down all the way and I don't need any assistance getting up or anything. I'm walking around with relative ease and I only took a Tylenol today. Just the gas under my left shoulder is about to knock me out. I can't take it!

I know I'm struggling Its never been this hard to loose 10 lbs in my life. I'm 3 month in and I have only lost maybe 7 lbs bc the first month i gained bc I gave up pop cold turkey. I would drink about 2 2liters a day. But its finally time to get really seriouse. BTW How did you guys put your picture in your profile?

Hello! I am new to this, and I don't really have anyone that I know who has had the surgery, or wanted to so I have so many questions and I'm hoping I can make some friends here who may be able to help! I started my diet on September 4th in preparation to see a see an obesity specialist --- I am in my pre-approval stage, I saw an obesity specialist on Oct. 2nd who took my weight and set me up with tons of testing, and information. She specializes in using methods other than surgery to help with extreme weight loss. I did not know that when ibsaw her, so I attended a bari-seminar and was assigned a patient advocate who told me the specialist I was working with does not recommend surgery for anyone - which is confusing bc she told me she thought it was a good option for me. Now she referred me to a family doctor and I am set to go see him this Friday Oct. 23 - My insurance calls for Three months of a medically supervised diet and I don't know what date to start from? Or even what the insurance calls for as far as a medically supervised diet? If I choose not to go with Jenny Craig or weight watchers, and just do the plan my Dr. and I agree on - does that count? Or do I have to see a nutritionist once a month too? I have an appointment with a nutritionist, but the dates will not line up exactly! I am so confused, and between the politics of the specialist, the patient advocate telling me that the diet starts the date the Dr puts in his notes and not to worry - I am worried and a little confused! Can anyone help?

I had Blue Cross (now BC Anthem) and was approved in 5 days! Yes, I did call them, but wait for your confirmation letter.

Hi my name is Kirsty and I am getting banded on Nov. 28th in Victoria BC. I am getting very excited iand doing the happy dance at the same time.:wink2:

First off let me say that it depends on the insurance company as far as what their requirements and guidelines are as far as approval. I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF! i have BC/BS of NewJersey and once i had my consultation with the surgeon they gave me a print out of the requirements. when i got everything together it went to the surgeons office first and they submitted it to the insurance company. i had to have : 5yr history w/ Dr. (just height & weight) 6months w/ Nutrionist Approval letter from PCP Psych eval it can be a mess, make sure you get the names and dates of who you talk to because it seem like someone is not on the same page. you also want to make sure that you do what ever the insurance company wants or they may not approve you :cursing:, UGHHH ! i hated that part. hang in there and don't give up it's worth it !

Yesterday I saw my surgeon for my pre-op. About 3 weeks ago I was having some blood pressure and irregular heart beat issue. My surgery is scheduled for October 21. My echocardiogram was normal but the results from the holter monitor were not back yet. He let me keep my date but said if the slightest thing pings on the holter he will reschedule my surgery. I'll find out for sure on Friday when I see my PCP. He believes the issues were caused by a new medication I had started 3 days before the problems started. Since then I have stopped the meds and have not had any problems. Anyways he gave me instructions leading up to surgery. He told me I do not need to do the 2 weeks pre-op diet. I just need to do a 24 hour liquid diet the day before surgery. I've lost 20 pounds during this process, I started out at 250. I am now 230. He told me to keep the 20 lbs off and continue to try and lose more. If I gain even a pound he will cancel my surgery. I'm over here kinda panicking, I terrified I'll gain bc it will be right before my period and my weight fluctuates about 3 pounds every month. Once I start the weight falls right back off. He also said I need to start tracking everything I eat and drink. So what are your pre-op directions?

I have bc/bs hmo and i called 3 different times and got the same response which was its covered as long as you get a referral from your pcp. My pcp said she has no problem giving me a referral. Soooo..... I'm just going thru all the test now. Say a prayer

Hello Miss.Susan: I have BC/BS Calpers Netvalue, which required that I either see a nurtitionist or my primary care doctor for the required 6-month supervised diet. I saw a combintaion of both. If I could not make it to the nutritionist I went to my PC. So starting January 2008 I started seeing the nutrionist once a month on a Saturday, which was very convenient for me. She documented my weight loss and/or gains. We atlked about exercise, protien and always discuss the banding/surgery. We talked about nutrition and Vitamins, and so much more. Anyway, my six-months required attendance was completed back in July, however I continue to meet with her monthly because I value the information she provides me and she keeps it real!. :smile: I will conitnue to meet with her after the surgery as well.

Hey there! I was banded July 8 by Dr. Ortiz at OCC in Tijuana, Mexico... GREAT facility and staff!! I will not be going back to Mexico for fills (bc I live on the East Coast, so it would get very costly with flights.. unless i am visiting my friend in San Diego or something) you just have to find a doc near you that will take patients who were baned outside the US. Prices vary on the doctor... all the docs I found are anywhere between $100-$250 for a fill (and thats W/O xray/floro...) So try to find a doc first if you dont plan on traveling to Mexico for fills. The last thing you want is complications and you havent found a US doctor yet.. A am self pay too, so I knwo how ya feel! Good luck!!!

Hi Kat - I am getting the lap band too, scheduled for Jan 28th - I'm self pay though bc there's an exclusion clause in my companies plan. I know there seems to be LOTS of info on here though from individuals going through the insurance approval process so I am sure they'll be able to give you some pointers. Maybe go post over in pre-operation band questions forum. I wish you the best of luck on your journey!!

Hello Fran and welcome, I know what you mean about insurance. I have bc/bs Anthem and my husband and I pay 619.00 per month and they wouldn't cover so I was self pay, but, it was the best decision of my life. Don't you just love your band. I would part with my cell phone, satellite, and dog before my band, LOL. Welcome.

I've read several successful stories on obesityhelp stating that once patients dropped 50-75lbs their diabetes was completely resolved, and they were living med free with normal bs levels. Within this presentation (Slide 18) it states 83% out of 1,000 patients over a 5 year time frame had resolution of their diabetes. http://www.ssat.com/video/2008/SSAT%2049th%20Annual%20Meeting(3)-Cirangle.htm

I'm new to Nashville, Tn; we moved from Texas, so I of course had to switch doctors! Well I finally talked to my new PCP about having weight loss surgery and asked for a letter of recommendation. Guess what he did! He stuck his nose up at me and was like, "diet and exercise!" and excused himself! What nerve!! Anyway! I contacted my old PCP and he pretty much told me I'd have to come in and see him b4 anything. That's kind of hard bc I'm 14 hrs away! So I don't know what to do. I have to have a letter of recommendation from a doctor in order for my insurance to approve me! I do have an appointment with the surgeon June 7th. If I talked to him, could he do it for me since I'm actually through him, not my PCP? Thanks for listening to my rant! :thumbup: Any advise given in this matter is appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

Sounds normal, right? I could have written many of those same things. But here I am 11 mos out and I feel pretty normal. It is scarey, I was so scared. But it is a day by day thing and as you can see it gets better and better, and all the while you are losing weight - which is secondary to your health though I agree. 48 oz of Water is probably good and I had about the same caloric intake for a while. Try sipping real broth bc it will be a nice contrast to the sweetness of the Protein shakes. It is a process, like most things. And an important one. Yeah you!

For me, the sleeve was a perfect option for me. I first went to the orientation bc I wanted the lap-band, but when I heard about the complications of the lap-band and realized that it's not a permanent solution. I researched the vertical sleeve and loved what I was reading. It's permanent and very effective. I have lost 77 lbs and so happy I chose the sleeve! For me, it's been a god send.

I went to my OBGYN a couple weeks ago because I hadnt had a period in awhile. I told her I did not want Birth control because my husband and I have been "trying" for 2 years so she gave me provera. However, now that I am going to go through the lap band surgery I didn't want provera and would rather do birth control so that 1. I can finally have a period after 114 days and 2. not get pregnant before the surgery (which is weird to me since I've been peeing on a stick for so long). I called my surgeons office and they said I could be on BC but would have to stop it 4 weeks before surgery and not get back on 4-6 weeks after surgery. I then asked them about Provera but she wasnt familiar with it (its to make me have a period with still have the possibility of getting pregnant). Does anyone have advice or have any experience with this. I've always had irregular periods, however, 114 days is kinda pushing it to ridiculous. Thanks!

If you're taking BC pills you need to continue them for at least 1 year after surgery. The risk is too high to you and the baby if you get pregnant before you lose all of your excess weight. Plus it's very unsafe for a baby to gestate in an overweight mother. While those babies survive just fine, they have many issues as they grow up so it's to your advantage and your future child's advantage for you to get on birth control (no reason to stop taking it 4 weeks before surgery - say on it the entire time - talk to your surgeon about that) and stay on it for at least 12 months following or until you've lost all of your extra weight then about 3 months after you've reached your goal. Once you're at that point you'll know how you should eat. This is crucial because it's very likely you'll have your Fluid mostly - if not completely - removed if/when you become pregnant and if you already know how to eat you'll be able to minimize weight gain outside of the necessary 20-30 lbs for your baby.

hey we are in the same boat exactly. My husband was a real ass also. Reminding me that I was fat, counting the food in the cupboards. I finally got fed up. I decided to leave the Middle East where we were living. We agreed that we would try to work things out but have some space. He just stopped talking to me altogether then after a MONTH on thursday he told me he doesn't love me and will file for divorce. Well that a*****e can eat his heart out because i'm now a sexy hot lady and he's just a small troll. 50 pounds lost has done wonders for my self esteem. I LOVE MY SLEEVE!

i remember when I went to the first seminar and met my soon to be doc! I was so excited after that and couldnt wait for surgery! Now it has been almost a year and I can't believe how quickly time has flown by! I hope this new year finds starts a new chapter for you! you will find so much help here and on bandster blogs! I have met some really great people bc of this band! Holler if you have any questions! Amy

HEY,Hope ~~~ i cant believe ur in Clearwater. How long are u going to be there? We should so drive up there.Thats awesome ya'll are having such a good time!!!! Damn nasty weather. GRRRRR. Porbably have to cancel our trip any how bc of Emily. Anyways Have a great one, and I will talk to you soon!!!! Robyn~~~~~~

I will agree with penni on the chewing and small bites. As far as not being hungry and forcing yourself, I'd say that is a bad idea. If you are not hungry, act like a skinny person and don't eat. You'll get hungry soon enough and you aren't going to starve. I'd just get all your fluids in and drink your Protein the next morning. I WISH it were like that for me now! Once it was and I was at my ideal weight for those years. I rarely ate much for dinner and I skipped it all the time and I didn't die and I was in perfect health. If I had force fed myself I would have began to enjoy the feeling of being over fed. I would have gained weight. Eventually I did force myself after I got married because I thought I should eat w/ my husband....bad idea....did gain weight. Of course, ask your MD about it for healths sake.

Went to the surgeon yesterday and my paperwork is at bc bs new england ma for approval then I set up a date with the surgeon and I will be in band land so excited can't wait. the y said bc bs approves within 14 days so well see.

As with most females of age Id assume everyone had to get on birth control for the surgery.. i did anyway hehe anyways i got this new kind called seasonale its 3 months of pills then you know what i feel kinda weary about going back on BC but i know it has to be done!! But anyways anyone have any experience with this seasonale stuff? i was kinda bumed to find out my insurance copays made me pay $90 because it was 3 months worth instead of my normal $30 copay =( but other than that it kinda makes me excited to know that with the surgery my chances of concieving are better!! YEY! (we tried 3 years.. one year on clomid) sooo hopefully ill be able to pop a few lil ones out in a couple years!! =P

Hey Jack, Thanks for your concern. I'm a nurse, so I'm well aware of what they're talking about, and what's involved in bypass versus the band versus DS; I've talked to several nurses at my work who've had the surgery and have been able to ask really detailed questions that the average WLS consumer might not think of. I have a list of 25 things I plan to ask the doctor during my consult. Apparently, the smaller the amount bypassed, and the earlier in the digestive process it takes place, the less malabsorption there is. (This "jibes" with everything I learned in nursing school, and has been verified by my husband who has a BS in Biology and who's counseled people on nutritional counseling). Obviously, ANY malabsorption is a problem, especially for someone with an autoimmune disease as I have. I need all the help I can get to keep my inflammatory condition at bay, which is why I take roughly 25 vitamins, mineral, and other various supplements a day. So that's an enormous concern. OTOH, not having anyone able to follow me after banding is a huge concern as well. Even the one doc up here who does fills is difficult to get in with and is talking about not doing them anymore; and he wont' actually touch the band, just do the odd fill. Yikes. There is literally no one within 2500 miles who would follow me and help me if I had a complication; I'm not sure people who don't live in Alaska quite understand how isolated we are up here, and how limited our health care choices are. It's really quite frustrating how limited we are. The lack of follow up care is scary for me, and why I'm reconsidering banding. The safest operation in the world becomes dangerous without proper follow up care. The money situation with us is enormously difficult. Without going into details that I'm uncomfortable sharing, there is no way I can have my surgery financed. I have to go through my insurance company or it will not happen. We've figuratively cut the fat out of our budget in order to support a family of FIVE on two health care worker's incomes (we're not doctors, just a nurse and dental assistant) in one of the most expensive states in the US. So it's not as though I'm not motivated; there is literally no way to do it (and I'm a persistent one). I can always wait until we move to Washington or Oregon sometime in the next 5 years, but how much weight will I have gained by then? (I don't wanna know). So it's frustrating right now. My insurance would cover me going to Texas for the band, but I'd have no follow up care. My new insurance (as of April 1) won't cover WLS at all. So if I'm going to do something, I have to do it now or else possibly wait several years. In the meantime, my mobility is failing, my comorbidities are getting worse, and my Sarcoidosis is getting worse as well, in part because of my inability to exercise and the stress of my weight on my lungs. (I was in the ER the other night because of a flare up, which led to a panic attack). Sucks to be me, doesn't it?