Casco Bay/ MMC Bariatrics anyone??

[wickedme 0]

I had my appointment with the surgeon and all went well. I ended up having to do a barium swallow.. yuck.. and interesting having to flip flop on a tilted table with an inch of space to move in.. The surgeon got everything ready for her assistant and told me that my insurance had changed their policies 2 days before my appointment. I either had to be diabetic with other comorbities or have high blood pressure,, I'm border line diabetic treated with meds so the surgeon didn't know whether they would approve or not. The assistant was confident... who knows.. I have pre op on 2/17 and start my pre op diet that day, surgery will be on 3/3... I won't know if the insurance approved until I have done pre op for 1 week,,, argghh. I had lost weight so as long as I don't gain everything will be a go on approval. I'm truly disappointed with this, but am trying very hard not to dwell, it is not easy though... "whatever will be will be"

So tell me where you all are at!

[Gaila 0]

Good Lord! What did you need the barium swallow for? Sounds yucky! Can I ask who your insurance company is - I'd be interested to make sure this doesn't happen to me!

[wickedme 0]

We have mainecare that we pay a sliding scale premium for because my husbands job ins was 150 wk for 2 adults and 2 kids,, According to the surgeon all insurance companies make adjustments in the first 2 months of the year.. When I went to get my prescription for Crestor that I have been on for 8 months the pharmacist told me that my lipid dr. had to send another referral to prove all the generics hadn't worked,, they truly didn't. My triglycerides were ranging from 90 to 435, and my cholesterol never went below 265 after 2 years and I had constant leg pain. If they are making those kinds of changes my lap band approval doesn't look promising.. And I need it for many different reasons.

On a lighter note, I joined the gym 2 days ago and feel good about it. I just hope I don't gain like the last time!! I know that they said on biggest loser that it didn't happen, but their full of crap. I gained 11 lbs last year in the first 2 wks at the gym, I lost it again and then some, but it did happen. My body builds muscle really fast, but it doesn't stay if I don't keep at it.. At 282 I can wear a size 20 without it being tight if that tells you anything.

OH,, the barimum swallow was to make sure my hiatal hernia didn't get any bigger,, which thankfully it didn't. The only thing they found was a small area in front of my small intestines that was acidic and didn't absorb the barium. I'm not sure what that means and won't find out till I meet with the surgeon.

Its just a waiting game!

[Sheesh 1]

Got my first fill yesterday, and I have lost 34#'s since pre-op. I am so glad I got the band and Dr. Wolff says I am doing great:smile:

[wickedme 0]

Thats fabulous Sheesh! Sounds like your feeling good too.. I so hope to be where you are in 2 months or so..

I want to get excited but am terrified to get my hopes up that all will work out.. I need to go forward with my recovery plans regardless of not knowing though because I have to arrange to close my office and get extra help.. not to mention doing some shopping for food I can eat and planning out some meals for my kids while I'm recuperating in case hubby has to work late.. Hes a terrible shopper too..

Off to the gym shortly

[wickedme 0]

So excited,, got an early approval from the insurance company on Tuesday, and a letter of approval from them on Wed... Its really happening, had myself an excited screamfest in the car when I read the letter, it made it real!

Now I'm a March Bandster!

[Sheesh 1]

I am so happy to hear that you got your approval letter. I know when I got mine I was so happy. No you really have something to look forward too. Keep in mind that you will probably have a period right before surgery when you ask yourself "do I really want to do this" and believe me when I tell you. YES:biggrin: Good Luck

[owhynot 0]

So excited,, got an early approval from the insurance company on Tuesday, and a letter of approval from them on Wed... Its really happening, had myself an excited screamfest in the car when I read the letter, it made it real!

Now I'm a March Bandster!

Congratulations!

I was banded by Dr. Wolff last week. All is going well and I am so happy it is finally done. After all the preparation work, the day after surgery I still couldn't believe that I had gone through with it!

Good luck to all my fellow MMC Bariatric bandsters!

maybe I'll run into you at one of the support group meetings!

:thumbup:

[wickedme 0]

owhynot,, thats great! I will let you know when I am headed to a post op support group, would love to meet some time. It would be great to share experiences too. I'm in the last meal mindset,, need to lose that thought and remember I will be able to eat about anything "as long as I chew it and not over do it..." my new motto :ohmy:

I have a plan to stay totally busy for the next 18 days, spring cleaning early!

Stay healthy!

[owhynot 0]

owhynot,, thats great! I will let you know when I am headed to a post op support group, would love to meet some time. It would be great to share experiences too. I'm in the last meal mindset,, need to lose that thought and remember I will be able to eat about anything "as long as I chew it and not over do it..." my new motto :cursing:

I have a plan to stay totally busy for the next 18 days, spring cleaning early!

Stay healthy!

Thanks!

It would be fun to see you at a support group!

I tend to go to the 3rd Wednesday night meeting. I live in Portland so it is easy for me to get there.

This coming meeting I will miss, since I am going to a performance with a friend instead.

Hang in there with all of the preparation work! Yes, sometimes it is hard, but oh so worth it.

I'm three days away from moving to the 'mushy' stage, and boy I am ready for it! I will do some shopping this weekend in preparation for it. Seem to be healing up nicely, with less and less port pain everyday.

And to all the other MMC Bariatric folks out there, hello!

Hope to see you at the center some time!

take care,

o. :frown: