January 2011 Bandsters !!!

[Renee1003 2]

If you're planning on being banded in January your either half way thru your 6 month wait or you've just recently met with your surgeon and you're beginning your 3 month wait filled with dr appts and nutrition classes.

I have aetna and I only have to wait three months but it'll be filled jam packed w/ dr appts and classes, etc...

I went to see a pulmonologist last week and he wants me to get a breathing test, chest x-ray and sleep study. Saw the GI yesterday and my endoscopy is set for 11/5 and my cardiologist is Friday - can't wait to see what HE has in store for me - haha --- I'm actually excited to get this "work up of the stars" --- how many others are thankful for all these tests (cause when else would we get them done??)

My BMI is under 40 and my last two years worth of weights was around a 35 but I have diabetes and high triglicerides...hoping that this is acceptable for aetna approval cause I'm gaining and not losing no matter what I do - I presently need to lose 80-90 pounds and there is no way I could do it on my own with the diabetes and hypo-thyroidism. :laugh:

I'm curious to know who is getting banded in January (My surgery date is 1/18/11 if approved). I'd love to hear your stories and concerns - anything at all --- just want to put together a group for those that are planning a new life style come January - I can't think of a better new years resolution!!!! :thumbup: ~Renee

[oceangirl6 0]

If you're planning on being banded in January your either half way thru your 6 month wait or you've just recently met with your surgeon and you're beginning your 3 month wait filled with dr appts and nutrition classes.

I have aetna and I only have to wait three months but it'll be filled jam packed w/ dr appts and classes, etc...

I went to see a pulmonologist last week and he wants me to get a breathing test, chest x-ray and sleep study. Saw the GI yesterday and my endoscopy is set for 11/5 and my cardiologist is Friday - can't wait to see what HE has in store for me - haha --- I'm actually excited to get this "work up of the stars" --- how many others are thankful for all these tests (cause when else would we get them done??)

My BMI is under 40 and my last two years worth of weights was around a 35 but I have diabetes and high triglicerides...hoping that this is acceptable for aetna approval cause I'm gaining and not losing no matter what I do - I presently need to lose 80-90 pounds and there is no way I could do it on my own with the diabetes and hypo-thyroidism.

I'm curious to know who is getting banded in January (My surgery date is 1/18/11 if approved). I'd love to hear your stories and concerns - anything at all --- just want to put together a group for those that are planning a new life style come January - I can't think of a better new years resolution!!!! ~Renee

yep my plan is sometime in Jan

[amybethy 0]

I am look at eather nov 18 ish or jan 10th depends on my phone calls with my insurance I have health partners and have 5 15 min phone calls every 10 to 15 days had first on the 5th next is tomorrow hoping to be done by the 15th of nov and a quick aproval.

[nallygirl 4]

Hi Renee! Thanks for starting this group! I'm half way through my 6 months so I guess we are kind of at that same point! I was so disappointed when I found out insurance would require a 6 month medically supervised diet but it honestly has flown by!! I think the next 3 are going to go even quicker since I need to start making appointments and getting testing finished! If all goes as planned I should be getting banded at the end of January but if not I will definitely be in February! It will be a GREAT start to an amazing year!! 2011 can't get here fast enough!! Good luck with your journey!

[Renee1003 2]

Hi Renee! Thanks for starting this group! I'm half way through my 6 months so I guess we are kind of at that same point! I was so disappointed when I found out insurance would require a 6 month medically supervised diet but it honestly has flown by!! I think the next 3 are going to go even quicker since I need to start making appointments and getting testing finished! If all goes as planned I should be getting banded at the end of January but if not I will definitely be in February! It will be a GREAT start to an amazing year!! 2011 can't get here fast enough!! Good luck with your journey!

I can imagine how disappointing a 6 month wait would be but fortunately for you it's flown by!! I'm pretty much half way thru my testing and i still have 3 months left - i just jumped on that testing to just get it done - i hate things like that looming over me!!!! I'm so excited too!!!! I know it's drastic but it's what I need!!! Have you been approved yet? My insurance doesn't approve till the final nutrition class and psych appt

[Renee1003 2]

I am look at eather nov 18 ish or jan 10th depends on my phone calls with my insurance I have health partners and have 5 15 min phone calls every 10 to 15 days had first on the 5th next is tomorrow hoping to be done by the 15th of nov and a quick aproval.

November 18 or Jan 10th? that's a big differnce!!!What is going on with your insurance that's holding it up??

[Renee1003 2]

yep my plan is sometime in Jan

Ocean Girl ---- do you know when? have you gotten approval?

[nallygirl 4]

I can imagine how disappointing a 6 month wait would be but fortunately for you it's flown by!! I'm pretty much half way thru my testing and i still have 3 months left - i just jumped on that testing to just get it done - i hate things like that looming over me!!!! I'm so excited too!!!! I know it's drastic but it's what I need!!! Have you been approved yet? My insurance doesn't approve till the final nutrition class and psych appt

Nope no insurance approval yet. I did confirmed though that Cigna does cover the surgery but won't know about approval until I've finished my last class and psych eval also. My BMI is 40 and I have a comorbidity (sleep apnea) so I don't anticipate any issues with approval. My surgeons office has been great though about keeping things moving. They've said I will be tenatively scheduled for the end of January because the experience they've had with Cigna is they approve quickly! I hope they're right!!

[airsangel 0]

I will hopefully be banded in January 2011. I have just started my journey. I attended the seminar this past weekend 10/16/10 & even though my insurance does not require a 3/6 month medically supervised diet - my surgeon requires at least 3 months. I was really bummed to hear that but I'm sure it is for the best.

Good luck to you!!

[SUCCESSFUL4LIFE 0]

I think that Oxford Healthplans is the only ins that does not require a pre-op diet. The only thing is, is that my surgeon requires a 5% weighloss to help shrink the liver prior to surgery. I have 12 pounds to lose then I hope to be banded in December 2010. All of my labs, EKG & the all day seminar are done. My Psyc. eval, chest x-ray & EGD are being done in 3 weeks. I've been working really hard on my diet to get rid of the twelve pounds by November.... Good luck to all of you!!

[oceangirl6 0]

Ocean Girl ---- do you know when? have you gotten approval?

nope dont have a clue. have my first round of tests on 11/23/10 IE shrink, nutritionist, heart test on bike, and talk to a sleep study person. i live 2 hours away so they try to cram it all in. then whatever comes next.....

thanks for asking :smile:

[amybethy 0]

I think that Oxford Healthplans is the only ins that does not require a pre-op diet.) I have health partners and am not required to do a pre-op diet just 5 15min phone calls every 10-14 days apart. I am at my big sleep study right now and tomorrow meet with pt, phych to go over my computer test I took a month ago and the diatician and the dr to go over my labs I am hoping for mid nov if not then. Then begining of jan. Good luck all.

[Renee1003 2]

Hello all :w00t:

i just found out today that not only do I have diabetes (which I've known for 5 years) I also have sleep apnea (18 apneas per hour) which is not too bad (mild to moderate) .

I guess this gives me more hope when it comes to getting approved by insurance - by BMI is under 40

I still have stress tests and an ecko cardiogram to do along with 3 nutrition classes that start 11/3 and a psych appt.

[amybethy 0]

November 18 or Jan 10th? that's a big differnce!!!What is going on with your insurance that's holding it up??

Hoping to get aproved nov 18thish so I can have surgery during thanksgiving break if it takes longer than that then I want to wait till jan because my boyfriend and I are taking his kids to wisconcin dells right after x-mas so would not want to be on any mushy or mashed diet and want all my tummy insisions to be totally healed by time I go so I can go in Water and have fun. Right now all I am waiting on is 3 more phone calls with my insurance diatitions next one is on mon.

[oceangirl6 0]

i have all those tests in one day next month

hope the best for you in your journey