Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot

[cherieinnv 3]

:ohmy: Guess I misunderstood you! Sounds like you're doing great. I envie you and all the others that have already been approved by your insurance companies. Mine said I will be covered 100% on everything when and if I'm approved. IF!!!!! Can't bare the thought of a denial. The more I read on these threads the more I know it's something I've got to get done. It's so comforting to talk to people who've been there, done that. It's a blessing! Oh yeah, you already know that

I got denied on the first try but was approved the next day, thanks to my surgeon's office staff. I recommend getting to know the person who actually submits the application and make sure she (or he) knows your case well. I have Aetna insuranceand called Aetna to request their requirements for approval, then made sure everything was covered, but my PCP made skimpy notes during my visits, which almost got me denied and have to repeat 6 months. Luckily, the woman in the surgeon's office who handles the insurance took the time to walk the insurance company through my case and got me approved. I'm still trying to decide how to thank her. Flowers? A dinner-for-two somewhere?

Good luck to you! Waiting is hard, but once you are approved, it flies by!

[JoannMarie 0]

Thank you guys for all of your kind words.

I guess I was having a bad day the other day. When I went to see the anesthesiologist the other day he looked at me and said you don't need Lap Band just go on a diet. I'm 4'11", 230 pounds BMI over 47. I have been on diets my whole adult life since I was 30. I thought how dare you you, you don't know me, or anything about me. I really hope he will not be the one that is their for my surgery.

Nerves must be getting to me. I have to go to the hospital Monday at 2:00 p.m and the Doctor said no liquids after 12:00 midnight on Sunday. That is going to be hard. 14 hours:confused2:

Ok I have whined enough. At least I don't have to be at work for a week.

Otherwise. We went to a Birthday Party at a bar for three of our friends. They had a big spread with barbecue, Beans and Pasta salad galore and cake. I had a Protein Shake before we left and didn't touch a thing. Actually is was pretty easy. I must be getting use to this liquid stuff. But I do dream of cottage cheese and tuna once in a while.

Again thanks for being here and all of your words of wisdom.

Your discussion with the anesthesiologist just proves some of our medical professionals would be better suited to a more solitary career - and the rest of us would be better off without them in the O.R. Unfortunately, those types of comments are always so shocking to me I can't think of a quick comeback. Thanks to your experience I may be a bit better prepared for that. I do hope you discuss his attitude with your surgeon. The docs should be aware of these situations - I don't think they want their patients insulted or belittled. You are a very nice person - I wish you great success this week as you begin this adventure. It sounds like you have your act together and are ready to change your life!

As for me, I am "actively" waiting for the wheels to grind. According to the doc's requirements I have all my records and information in and waiting to take the next step. I would love to hear what that step is this week...

Waiting in Missouri,

Joann :ohmy:

[beckn 2]

Wow Janet, that is so impressive, what an accomplishment! You look beautiful. I have been hoping to hear from you. You inspire me to keep hanging in there. Since my first fill on June 11th I have lost a couple of pounds but nothing for 2 weeks. I can barely keep anything solid down no matter how much I chew or how small the bites. I have been doing mostly Protein Drinks. I have increased my exercise but still have not been losing consistently. I know I just have to keep trying and moving and staying focused. It helps to hear from others that have succeeded with the band. Becky

Here a pic - showing 99 lbs gone

[Great2BThin 5]

:ohmy: Guess I misunderstood you! Sounds like you're doing great. I envie you and all the others that have already been approved by your insurance companies. Mine said I will be covered 100% on everything when and if I'm approved. IF!!!!! Can't bare the thought of a denial. The more I read on these threads the more I know it's something I've got to get done. It's so comforting to talk to people who've been there, done that. It's a blessing! Oh yeah, you already know that :smile:

No problem, however, I did go back and edit that thread to make sure no one else thinks I'm eating pizza while on mushies only 2 weeks post op!

Now it's my turn to envy you! 100% coverage by insurance would be awesome. My process was quick because I was self pay and while that was a blessing, I think I'd have rather saved the $14,000 and got it paid for! But then again, if I'd have had to do a 6 mos diet, I'd not be a happy camper, though I had gone to WW that long before surgery, but my dr. didn't have that documented.

[Beader 1]

I got denied on the first try but was approved the next day, thanks to my surgeon's office staff. I recommend getting to know the person who actually submits the application and make sure she (or he) knows your case well. I have Aetna insuranceand called Aetna to request their requirements for approval, then made sure everything was covered, but my PCP made skimpy notes during my visits, which almost got me denied and have to repeat 6 months. Luckily, the woman in the surgeon's office who handles the insurance took the time to walk the insurance company through my case and got me approved. I'm still trying to decide how to thank her. Flowers? A dinner-for-two somewhere?

Good luck to you! Waiting is hard, but once you are approved, it flies by!

I have United Healthcare. Oh my, I think I might have some time to wait. I'm going to cry. On my first call to the insurance company, they told me several things I had to have documented in order to get approved. I forgot that they said I had to have 6 months of a weight loss program documented, at least that's what I thought. I'll have to call them tomorrow to check it out for sure. If I have to wait 6 month I'm afraid I'll get super discouraged and change my mind. My LB office said not to worry about anything. Told them I have paps every year and always get weighed so it's not a problem to show 5 years of being overweight. They said there's a lot of ways to get around the other things so we'll see. I appreciate you mentioning this. I'll get right on it and do what I have to do. I'm praying I can get through this without waiting. Thanks for the advice.

[Beader 1]

Gottaluvme, I am only 2 weeks post op. I only had to do a 2 day liquid diet pre op and that last night as I was eating my 'Pizza Hut meat Lovers Pan pizza' and diet coke (before I started the preop liquid diet) I started to really have doubts if I could do this. But it's not been as difficult as I thought. I sortta have your thinking, I've come this far and to 'blow it' would be really stupid. Plus I was self pay and to have paid that much money and then not do it kindda freaks me out a little too. So far I've not been very hungry and am amazed at how little I eat. I'm sure as I heal and the swelling goes down I'm going to struggle a little bit more as I can tell already my 4 oz portions are getting consumed much easier but so far so good. I get solids on Thurs. DH has told me to pick where I want to go for my first meal. I'm a little scared as I don't want something bad to happen in a restaurant like something getting stuck. But I'm thinking if I do something like crab legs at Red Lobster I might be okay, as long as I tell them not to bring those biscuits! Good luck to you! When are you being banded?

Hi Long2bThin... I just looked for your message so I could read it again. The only thing I can say is that I was have a "senior" moment! lol It's very clear.

Edited June 22, 2008 by gottaluvme

[gdf18 2]

I had my first really bad day, yesterday. I was home all day, and I guess in a "mood" because I ate around my band all day. And that's all it takes. Just ate around it. I didn't start getting really bad until late afternoon. Maybe if you added it all up, I had 1500-1700 calories instead of the 800-1000 I normally have. But I had soy ice cream, and cheese and crackers, etc. Just ate slowly and spaced it out. Guess I still have work to do. Of course I should have just kept drinking hot liquids, or taken a nap, or popped an Ativan. Instead I gave myself permission to eat. I was down another half pound yesterday- just to see, I got on the scale today and was up a pound. That's go alway in a day or two, but it's the old questions of WHY. I did find out that you sure can eat around the band.

[thin2bme 2]

Gottaluvme, I have United Health Care also and work for AT&T. I did not have to do a 6 month weight loss program before being approved. My plan paid 100% for surgery, so I was blessed. Well, I say 100%, I have had to pay a few co-pays here and there to see my therapist, but the surgery and hospital was totally covered. I know United Health Care has several different plans but I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that you don't have to do the 6 month weightloss program. Good luck!!

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

You can definitely eat around the band. It's the hardest thing about having the band. Junk food goes down easier than anything. chips, Cookies, ice cream, all go down like you have no band. Then something like chicken breast you have to chew the heck out of. It's the one thing I don't like about the band.:ohmy:

[angelshere 0]

My insurance, Humana, required a 6-month monitored diet, but I'm glad I had to do that (even though it was hell at the time.....the waiting!), as it helped me prepare for life after the band. I had 2 weeks of Optifast pre-op, and liquids after the band. Soon, I will start soft foods, and gradually move on to regular eating, in very small amounts. I've never been "hungry", but I have struggled with "head hunger", which is probably how I got this fat in the first place! This forum helps me so much---thank you and good luck to you all!

Nancy

[Beader 1]

Gottaluvme, I have United Health Care also and work for AT&T. I did not have to do a 6 month weight loss program before being approved. My plan paid 100% for surgery, so I was blessed. Well, I say 100%, I have had to pay a few co-pays here and there to see my therapist, but the surgery and hospital was totally covered. I know United Health Care has several different plans but I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that you don't have to do the 6 month weightloss program. Good luck!!

Gotta say, this is funny. I'm retired from AT&T (actually SNET in 96. Do you have a BMI of 40 or over? Mine is 40 and maybe that's why I might not need everything else. Not sure but I will check tomorrow. I do agree that a 6 month diet is good to get me prep'd to get use to my new lifestyle but I really don't want to wait. I'm so impatient! :ohmy:

[Great2BThin 5]

I have United Health Care too, unfortunately it is a plan that had an exclusion on any bariatric surgery. So had to self pay. So it's not necessarily the insurance company, but the coverage your company allows the insurance company to cover. (the employer excluded it in my case).

[bochs 0]

Hi everyone, I am now four days out and had a much better day today. Alot of gas gone and am feeling better. Went to grocery store and had dinner with my kids and dh at our house. They made a nice salad, cut up potatoes with butter and seasonings on the grill and barbecued pork steaks. then they made pineapple upside down cake. It looked good. I sat at the dinner table with everyone and had a 1/4 cup of brocolli cheese Soup mixed with a little skim milk and it was so delecious. Today so far I have had one cup Unjury with 1/2 Water, 1/2 skim milk, then I had half of a yogurt later, then had the soup. I was very full at dinner. Have only gotten in one 16 oz glass of water. Should I be starting on this three meals a day thing during the full liquid stage. I was just going to work through this until I get on mushies.

Beckyo

Someone help me make a ticker please?:ohmy:

[sadie11 2]

Hi all;

Just checking in- I have been doing great and losing about 1.5 to 2 lbs a week.

I spent a couple of weeks screwing around with the band- ya know eating ice cream and sugar but have now gotten down to work. Ice cream slides right down unfortuantely.

I cannot lose unless I exercise EVERYDAY! i have to walk at least 2 miles and then I have consistent weight loss. My very skinny friend is walking with me once a week up this huge mountain - about 3 miles - really exhausting but I'm getting stronger and every week is a bit easier.

there are whole catagories of food I just don't eat anymore and I'm fine with it. My cravings are much less after the band.

My goal is 57 lbs gone by August 27th- my Maine vacation and then only 36 lbs to go for goal at weight watchers. I hope to lose 102 lb total at my one year Band anniversary March 2009.

Best to all and success on your journey!

Sadie

[sadie11 2]

I had my first really bad day, yesterday. I was home all day, and I guess in a "mood" because I ate around my band all day. And that's all it takes. Just ate around it. I didn't start getting really bad until late afternoon. Maybe if you added it all up, I had 1500-1700 calories instead of the 800-1000 I normally have. But I had soy ice cream, and cheese and crackers, etc. Just ate slowly and spaced it out. Guess I still have work to do. Of course I should have just kept drinking hot liquids, or taken a nap, or popped an Ativan. Instead I gave myself permission to eat. I was down another half pound yesterday- just to see, I got on the scale today and was up a pound. That's go alway in a day or two, but it's the old questions of WHY. I did find out that you sure can eat around the band.

I t really helps me to go out for a walk when I am eating like that. Even a short walk at lunch. You need to find strategies to cope with eating less. It feels like i have lost an old friend sometimes and I feel ill at ease and just want to eat. I had to find something else to do with my jicky feelings.

Exercise really helps. And remember nothing changes if nothing changes.

Success on your journey.

Sadie