Summary: How I "Joined The Band" on 6-5-06

Lucky2behome · June 18, 2006

My journey began when intense abdominal pains lead me to gallbladder surgery last November. My surgeon who is brilliant, kind, and caring, said that even though I don’t have many of the serious medical consequences of most obese people, my sleep apnea, arthritic knee & ankle pain, and now gallbladder surgery all indicated that my excess 130lbs was taking its toll. He referred me to our local Scripps weight management center. I had been there 3 years earlier and was very put off by the arrogant Dr. there who prescribed appetite suppressants and told me to get off my ample sedentary rear end.<o></o>

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</o>But I took my wise surgeons advice and made an appointment in February, asking for anyone but Dr. pompous! I was dead set against by-pass surgery because my best friend had done it a decade before. She told me that she quickly found out she could only eat a small amount of “real food” before she threw up, but she could have a tiny bit of sweets, and feel full! She quickly lost close to a hundred pounds, and was skinny for the first time in her life! (We have been friends since we were 15 years old!) She had her tummy tucked, boobs lifted, and arm wobble removed, then began to gain it back! It was heart breaking!<o></o>

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The wonderful Dr. I got an appointment with asked me if I knew about the Lapband. He also prescribed appetite suppressants and asked me to read a booklet comparing the various bariatric procedures available. This information convinced me I was right about bypass surgery. My conclusion is that it is nothing less than barbaric! I am empathetic with those who have made that choice, but I decided the Lapband was the most respectful thing I could do for my body. Since the surgery was almost identical to the laparoscopic gallbladder surgery I had recovered from so quickly, I agreed to do everything that I had to do to make it happen.<o>

</o> I quickly and diligently followed the specific requirements Scripps laid out for me.<o></o>

I attended:<o></o>

2 support group meetings

An exercise education class<o></o>

A pre-surgery orientation presentation by one of the two surgeons (not mine).

A post surgery diet class (twice!)

I had a private meeting with the clinical dietitian<o></o>

I kept eating logs

I chose to have my psychological evaluation done by my own Dr. who is treating me for what he believes is Bi-polar Disease (Manic-Depression). In the past (since I was 15 years old) I have also been diagnosed with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), OCD (Obsessive, Compulsive Disorder), PTSS (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome), PPD (Post Partum Depression), and everyday old depression.

My own PCP (primary care physician) was very supportative and conducted all lab tests, EKG, wrote my insurance company a referral recommendation.

Everybody at the clinic predicted that my Health Net insurance company would deny my approval, and it would take about 6 months for me to complete the requirements and the appeal process

I completed all of the Scripps requirements in March. My <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Scripps Clinic Dr.</st1:address></st1:street> released me to my surgeon. I had lost 21lbs at that point. On April 13<sup>th</sup> my surgeon agreed to submit my authorization to my insurance company, even though he wanted me to get in more cardio workouts. He also warned me that I would be denied, like the other dozen Health Net patients there, and it would take months for the appeals to go through. He told me to come back in a month with an exercise journal.

The insurance specialist at my medical clinic was outraged that

I had been told that I would be denied! The same day that she got my auth #, she personally took it upstairs to their medical review board, and called me back that afternoon, before she went home; to tell me I had been approved!

By the time I met with my surgeon, the next month, I had my surgery date of 6-5-06! I went on a 5 day clear liquid fast. When I checked into the hospital, the morning of my surgery I had lost a total of 31lbs. Almost everything went like clockwork, and here I am almost 2 weeks post-op! Less than 4 months, from, “Do you know about the Lapband?’ to an old timer! Just one of the reasons I sign off:

Love,

Lucky