Newbie in Michigan -- 1st Consult Today

Pangie82 · March 1, 2007

Hi everyone! I have my 1st consultation with a doctor today. My PCP referred me to the Weight Management Group, through my local hospital. I have decided to go the Lap-Band route. I am hoping that my insurance will cover it.

I currently weight 222 lbs and want so badly to get down to 150. I am 5' 7" and am 42 years old. I am a single mother of 2 active boys, and have tried so hard in the past 10 years to lose weight. Before i got pregnant for my youngest son (12 years old) I topped off at 135 lbs ... and even after I had him, I was down to 140... in no time. But since I hit about 32 years old... the weight has just piled on. I have tried everything, Optifast, weight watchers, medical weight loss, LA weight Loss, Jenny Craig, Nutri-system.

So here I am... ready to make a final stand and get this darn weight off, once and for all!

I am curious about the recovery period. I am thinking of having this done on a Thursday, and returning to work on Monday? Is this realistic?

Do I have to go a all liquid diet before the lap band is put on?

I have soo many questions.

Anyone from the Lansing area?

Thanks for all your input!!:scared:

GreatGranny · March 1, 2007

I am 61 and just had my surgery on Feb 16. I started this last September. My ins had me go through a 3 month program. I had to see a physcologist, a nutritionist, visit my doctor every month (and they had to have my medical records for the last 5 years), and see a phyiscal therapist every week and work out 3 times a week. I weighed 266 lbs when I started and by the time I got approval for my surgery, I had lost 47 lbs. I finished the 3 month program on Dec 21 and got approval for my surgery on Feb 1st. The ins company did not have a problem with the fact that I had already lost so much weight and I don't have any healthe problems that would qualify me.

I have lost weight like that many times over the years but never been able to keep it off. That is what I hope the lapband surgery helps me with. I have lost 5 lbs since having the surgery 2 weeks ago and I'm not sure when my first fill is going to be. I think on March 13. Right now I don't feel restricted at all and the weight I have lost since surgery is because I am still dieting. I don't feel hungry most of time so it isn't really hard to eat right.

And by the way, I have a new great-granddaughter, just 3 weeks old.

As far as going back to work I had my surgery done on Friday and went back to work on the following Wednesday but really wish I had stayed off the whole week. Of course my age has a lot to do with that.

The preop diet for me wasn't too bad. I ate one small serving of meat and a green vegetable, oatmeal or eggs, and two Protein shakes a day with fruit in them.

I am from Conroe, TX and had my surgery done here at the local hospital. My doctor did 3 others the same day as mine.

faithmd · March 1, 2007

Hi everyone! I have my 1st consultation with a doctor today. My PCP referred me to the Weight Management Group, through my local hospital. I have decided to go the Lap-Band route. I am hoping that my insurance will cover it.

Hello pangie! I am in the middle of my pre-op "stuff" right now. I live near Ann Arbor and am going to Hurley in Flint. I would suggest you call your insurance company and ask if they cover the band and what their requirements are before you get started with all the pre-op stuff. Give your insurance company the codes for the band and ask if they cover these specific things:

Laparoscopic surgical adjustable band: Procedure code 43770, diagnosis code 278.01

Most insurance companies have complex case managers who deal specifically with things like bariatric surgery. When you call you ins co, ask who handles bariatrics and also ask to be mailed the specific statement of benefits that either covers or denies the band along with the requirements. That way you have it in writing. Talk to the case manager, ask what you need to do and who your insurance will pay to do the band, mine only pays for it at three places, their "Centers of Excellence." My case manager is great, she talked to me at length and gave me tips on what documentation she's seen get approved and what I would definitely be denied for. For example my company will not allow MD letters to say what I've done about losing weight, my documentation must be in the form of office notes from my MD.

I am curious about the recovery period. I am thinking of having this done on a Thursday, and returning to work on Monday? Is this realistic?

I haven't been banded yet, but I have read many threads that have asked how long you have to be off work. The responses vary greatly. Here are links to a few threads about this:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/back-work-t30346.html?t=30346

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/time-off-work-t27726.html?t=27726

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/long-would-someone-t28444.html?t=28444

Do I have to go a all liquid diet before the lap band is put on?

Seems there is not any one answer on this topic, that is something you'll have to ask the surgeon who is going to place your band. Here's a link to a thread about that as well:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/preop-not-preop-t27197.html?t=27197

I have soo many questions.

I know what you mean, I have so many that keep popping into my head despite my have reaserched this for so long, this board is wonderful! May I suggest you go through the Pre-op/Poet-op Questions and Answers forum and the FAQ and References Forum, lots of great stuff there!