Three Month Preparation for the Lap Band Anyone?

[settebee 11]

Hi all!

I am currently going through a three month preparation for the Band with Aetna! I am super excited and a little nervous!

Has any gone through the process it? What was the whole process like? Thanks in advance. :smile2:

[tinksmom 0]

I did the3 month with BCBSTX and was surprised how smoothly it went. I guess it depends on how strict your doctor is...mine didn't insist on a percentage of weight losss, just an update each visit on how I was working to change my eating habits. The nutritionist visit was an eye-opener. I expected a severe, skinny chick who never had a worry about an extra ounce and who disapproved of every food I loved. I got a reasonable, good humored young woman who just explained Protein requirements, loves red meat, and told me to try tart cherry juice for arthritis. Everyopne I talked to took time with me and was supportive. I hope you have a similar experience. Good luck!

[settebee 11]

Thank you for the insight and the part about the nutrition lady made me giggle!!

[Kristy29 0]

I also have Aetna and am in the middle of my "3 months". It's not actually 3 months, because it only has to be 3 appointments in 3 separate months, so first appointment was May 24th and last is July 12th. Every month I need to meet with the dietitian and nurse practitioner. Plus my surgeon requires that we attend at least 3 support groups, and I also need to lose 5% of my weight.

[kellie2 0]

Mine was a frull three months. Four appointments. The first reply to the post made me laugh too. My dietician was very thin and a vegetarian and always looked at me funny when I told her my food preference. meat and Potatoes gal! I thought it would be better if they had someone a little more understanding, but she was very sweet. The three month diet was difficult for me, becase it is a diet we've all done over and over. It was hard without the help of my new tool. Good luck!

[Bandmom 0]

I had to do the three months for BCBSKC. But luckily I had seen my doctor for weight loss before I found out my insurance was going to cover it so I had two months out of the way from the start....

I had the same thing with the nutritionist, but she was weird, not a good humor person but one of those veggian lady's that just follow mother earth, and free spirit, and weird....

My doctor was great about it and honestly BCBSKC wasn't super strict on all that but the documents had to be filled out completely, as long as I proved my comorbidities and my doctor suggested they were good to go.

[JaxsMom 0]

I had to go through 3 months with BCBSIL also. I met with my surgeon in February and then had to meet with my PCP for the next 3 months to show that I've been actively trying to lose weight. My surgeon's office knew all of the requirements that my insurance required and helped me through the process. I saw the psychologist a month ago and had all my preliminary labs done. I meet with the dietitian on Tuesday and then have my last meeting with the surgeon & anesthesiologist the following week. The whole process hasn't been that bad, but I'm getting a little nervous for the surgery.

[settebee 11]

Thanks to all of you for your support and advise!! I go in Monday the 7th, for my first appointment!! I'm kind of nervous, but recently my fiance and are planning for our beach wedding next year, so I'm keeping my mind busy with that! :biggrin: I'll keep everyone posted!

[Esorami 2]

tinksmom,

BTW how did the cherry juice work? Did it do any good for ur arthritis?

[CurvyCat 0]

Mine was 90 days for Aetna. I thought it was 3 months at first, but one of my months was February (short!) so when I went in to my last appt, I was told they couldn't submit until after a whole 90 days had passed.

I took advantage of the time to really kickstart my weightloss. Trying to make the changes in my portions and eat during the program like I was already banded. It was not easy, but knowing it had an end-point in the near future (instead of some nebulous time down the line like "regular" dieting) made it much easier. Keeping myself under control for a few months is one thing. Keeping my portions under control for a few YEARS (what it takes for me to take it all off on my own) is another. 3 months -- I could do that.

Turns out I followed it for a month extra and dropped a full 1/3 of the total weight I need to lose over those 4 months.

Now I'm in the final few days before my surgery, and I'm starting to lose my willpower.

But I am SO glad I didn't waste the first part of this year just waiting around to get my band. If there is any way you think you can stick with something on your own for the short term before your approval and surgery, do it! You'll be glad you did!

[dreamingofbeingskinny 1]

I did 3 months with Aetna and it was easier than I thought. These doctors are great at guiding you through the process. Listen to them! The process is there for a reason, most likely you will meet with a dietician, do a psych visit and get some lab work done, all seperate visits. I found the dietician appts to be very helpful. I first was frustrated that I had to do all this just to get banded, but my surgery date is Friday June 18th and now that it is here, I am glad I had all the knowledge given to me to get me to this date! Soak it in. My advice get a spiral and write down what they tell u in ur appts. I did not do that and now I am trying to remember it all. Best of luck and stay on course. Attend all ur appts. Most of the time if u skip a month, then u have to start over. Good Luck!