PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I submitted my questionairre and am waiting for the call from the nurse and then they will submit it to the insurance company. Are there any of you out there that have BC Iowa and if so, how long was the turn around time before approval. Thanks in advance.

I have a question I am having the lap band june 11 and my dr has said to drink 5 of the slim fast high protein shakes well I cant find them anyplace and I am calling the dr in the morning to ask but i was wondering if yall had any ideas. Thanks

So i have had my consultation and i'm in between gastric bypass and band at this point in time, but that is not a decision i have to make for a few more weeks yet! I got really sick this week and lost 7 pounds in two days. I thought it would just be water weight and it would instantly come back, but its been a few days and i'm still doing good! i'm soooo excited for this change in my life. :tongue:

would it make more sense to give that a go before paying cash for the surgery? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

My doc called last week and said I'm ready to go b/c I have met all of the requirements. When I seemed surprised and asked it I was approved, I was told my insurance does not do preapprovals. Doc's office said not to worry about it b/c they went down the checklist, made some calls, and I am good to go. I made it clear I cannot pay for something like this, and they said they would never have taken me for a patient if they weren't sure insurance would pay. Anyone else not able to get preapproved - not b/c you don't qualify but b/c your insurance just doesn't do it?

Is there someone out there who has worked 15-20 hour days and been able to successfully master the art of this liquid pre-op diet? The bulk of my work is / was physical labor including heavy lifting; hours in a day don't matter. Day one went fine and dandy (12 hour day). Day two was going well... and then the WALL. On hour 8ish, I started to get sick to my stomach. Drank a high Protein shake / shot fruit thang, drank crap ton of Water and some juice... basic bodily explosion happened... hour 12 approached, stomach was eating itself, whatever, drank some water / home brewed ice tea (no sugar) and shook it off. In the middle of hour 15, I started to get really woozy, sat…

Scheduled to have surgery on June 12th. Meditrim (pre-op diet) on the 29th of this month. And God Damn it I cheated :mad2: Supposedly I should stop smoking from today the 12th. I knew this was coming, so I purposely had more yesterday, but today I feel like it's on the 12th I can cheat a lil bit. But sigh, I feel so bad, I had craving and in the end i had 2 full "120 Capri" cigarettes I am an occasional smoker. I smoke none a day, or if i feel stressful i'll have up to 3 a day. ( unless i'm drinking i have alot more ) But I know I can handle the alcohol issue though i loveee drinking ( I don't drink beer, but i love cocktails shooters bicardi pineapple ), but …

I'm in the process right now of getting some nutritional classes for the lap band, which I so desperately need :w00t:.. I'm very scared about the pain after the surgery :wink2:, can you please give me your opinion for those who had it? I would really appreciate it!! Please score from 1-10 1-being the least amount of pain, and 10-the worst pain ever!! Thanx!!!

I have been reading up on surgery and cannot find any info regarding why I must have an esophagram PRIOR to surgery (i have found info re post op only). Can anyone tell me the purpose for this? Also, my doctor's assitant informed me they finaly received paperwork necessary to fill out for the surgery and that it was all routine, nothing out of the ordinary. She stated she completed the paperwork and sent it after the doc looked it over. She then gave me a number to schedule the esophagram and a meeting with a nutritionist and psych. Is this a good sign that insurance has approved or will approve without the 6 month supervised diet requirement? Would I be scheduled fo…

I'm worried I might have to be a self pay for my lap band. I was just curious if anyone has had one done in California and where did you go and how much did it cost? I have no idea what to expect as to the cost of the procedure and does it cover fills? Also, can you tell me what the time line was like and what did you have to do? Also did you like your doctor and the hospital? If you have any advice I would love to know.

I need some insights from someone who has been through this. I have been planning and working toward my surgery since last October. I have jumped through all the hoops and I think I should be approved within the next month. I have been required to work with a dietician for 8 weeks who is asking me to start practicing not drinking diet pop, drinking lots of Water, eating slower, eating healthier, more fruit and vegs, etc. The more I think about this, the worse I seem to eat. Did anyone else experience this? I have not gained weight, but I am not reaching the goals she has set for me like not drinking diet pop. It feels like if I have to give it up, I don't want to do…

That magic phone call came in from the surgeon's office today. Approved, and surgery is set for june 10. Yahoo.

My surgery is June 17th. Here is the problem: My hubby and I are going out of town July 3&4th since he is in our friend's wedding. It will be a little over 2 weeks from my surgery so I should still be on full liquids. What do I do? (I can't NOT go). I'm afraid it will be obvious if I'm not eating anything. And since it is at a reception place, I can't pull out a magic bullet and ingredients from my purse to make something I CAN eat. I guess I"m just afraid of an akward situation and being hungry!!!! Has anybody had to go to an important function this soon post-op?? Any ideas would be so appreciated!

So my surgeon's office calls me today saying they need a note saying I am a good canidate from my PCP. I call my PCP she's types the letter and faxes it to them. They call like fifteen minutes ago and say that the letter isn't good enough and it needs to be a medical clearance note. My PCP isn't back in the office until Thursday afternoon. Guess when my surgery is scheduled?! Thursday 7 am! Now their talking about postponing. I am actually considering just altering the letter that was first written on my comp! This has been such a freakin hassle! I had EKG, CXR, Blood work, EGD, Psych eval and everything was "perfect" according to WLS. WTF are they asking for this letter …

I have a few questions for those of you who have dealt with the program through the UMass weight center. First off, how long did you have to wait for your initial consult? I called them yesterday after I got my insurance approval and they told me they were booking two and a half months out!!!! Yikes! I wanted to get started ASAP! Also, how long was your process after your initial consult? What were the steps you had to go through? I can't wait to begin but I'd like to hear some stories about the process...

So my paperwork was submitted to insurance yesterday. Got final paperwork today for Medical clearance. Approx how long does it take for insurance to approve it. I have a tentative date of 6/25. I'm excited and nervous at the same time.

I had my seminar, and got pretty much approved for the surgery through insurance, i scheduled my consultation, where i will do my official weigh in for insurance. I was 260 just last week, and my eating habits haven't even changed, but i'm loosing weight i've lost 6 pounds this week and i know i will just gain it right back but i getter gain it back before my freaking consultation!!! i'm right on the edge of 40 BMI but i should be able to get approved with 35 or above because i have PCOS. any advice or thoughts?

I'm worried that the band may not be restrictive enough and that I'm too fat for it. I'm a bloater and feel that if I have something that can help me to stop eating as much, then I can begin to work out and become healthy. Any suggestions/opinions?

Hi, Im new to this site and was wondering if anyone here was on Medicaid and had the surgery approved? Im asking because my doctor is sending me to a doctor about the lap band, but I thought Medicaid didnt pay for this.:thumbup:

Thank you BCBS/Anthem of AZ!!! We all got approved!!! MOM, DAD and SON! We all get a chance at a new life together and can't be more thankful... We got this way together and we are going to fix it together! Scottsdale Bariatric Center did a great job for all of us... I would recommend them to anyone! Wish us luck and I hope all that are still waiting, get to have their dream come true also!

I have a peo-op diet of liquids, and protein drinks for meals. One bandster I know said I need a certain ammount of protein/carbs/sugars in the protein drink. I had just purchased the EAS 20 protein/20 carb/ 17 sugar cuz' it's sweetened w/ fructose (immitation sweetners can make me ill). Anyone want to throw in thier "two cents" or three?:smile:

I've scheduled a consultation with a surgeon, Dr. Edward Felix at Clovis Community Hospital in CA. I was hoping someone might have gone through that hospital and could give me some advice as to how they do things?

I read on here somewhere that when you get the band, the feeling of being full is different. How so? I recently had a bout of something to where i would eat a little of something and I was nauseatingly full for 10+ hours to where i couldnt sleep or anything. If having a band is anything like what I experienced, I dont want to be banded. I'm in month 3 of the pre op diet and I'm very much doubting getting it done.

Did anyones surgeon make them drink this the day before surgery? I almost poked at the way it fizzes.....

I only need to add 25 pounds to reach my BMI of 40 and I will be totally approved by my insurance. I'm only geting bigger and bigger each year and I want the surgery. Does anyone have any tips to "add" on the weight (and I dont mean gaining it). I found an 8 pound outfit I can wear for weigh in, but I still need to come up with at least 20-25 extra pounds and I only have 3 weeks. I know there has to be some ways to wear it on please help me!!!!!!! Also do they round up or down on height? I am 5' 41/2 , will they use 5'4" or 5'3" ??

Hi, So far I have had my appointment with my PCP who agrees I need WLS. She has scheduled me for 2 healthy For Life classes. From there I will go to a 6 month class called Lighten Up. This will be a nutrition class held once a week at the medical facility I go to. Once I complete those I will see her again for the rest. Typically with insurance what are the next steps? Upper GI? What exactly happens when you have one done? Psych eval? What happens there? What other testing or evals are needed or did you go through to have your insurance cover it? I realize all insurances are different and may not require the same things, but I'd still like to know so I can be prep…

Hi Everyone, I have to take the 3 hour pysch test, which I'm assuming is MMPI. I called my FSA customer service and they said it's a covered expense, but for some reason I'm doubting them. Anyone else submit this expense for re-imbursement? It's going to cost me $160 and it's not a health insurance covered expense. Thanks!! Di

Hey guys, i posted my 4th episode if you wunna check it out! make sure you watch all 4 video's!

I'm following my doc's pre-op diet - full liquids which includes Clear Liquids and Soups with no chunks (creamy), frozen yogurt, popsicles, yogurt, etc. This is a 2 week diet, I'm on day 6. And I see that other people are on clear liquids only for 1-2 days. And some that are on liquids for a full week. And some are on low carb - so they can eat meat and stuff, just no sugars/carbs. And some that really don't have much of a diet at all. I'm not having any problems on my diet though I wonder why all the different types of diets? I know that all docs are different, but for most other medical issues there are general guidelines. To me it seems really weird that cl…

I was just hoping to hear from anyone who has gone through a Centers of Expertise with Blue Cross of CA and what was it like? Was it difficult to get approved and is there anything you can tell me?

So, I feel terrible. My wedding anniversary and my birthday are this week and I have been DYING on this liquid diet with 1 cup of fruit a day - I was light headed and have 3 boys under 7 years old that keep me running ALL day! Anyways....I ate pizza.... and it was like heaven....but now I feel defeated. My surgery is a week away....will I still be ok? Ugh. I feel so blah! Kelly

Well I have finished my three months that Aetna requires. I am a bit worried because we were able to find 4 years of weights but can not find 2005!! I am so scared that, that one year will prevent them from approving me!! Please say a few prayers for me!! Hopefully, the next time I log on I'll have a banding date!! Good luck to everyone and thanks for being there!!

The only thing I have left to do is see my dietician one last time before she gives the ok to schedule me a surgery!!! I see her on 3/23 so I am praying for an end of April Surgery! Keeping my fingers crossed! Oh and the letter is in the mail from Aetna to see if insurance is going to cover me or not! Anyone else near this point in the journey!??

I am getting so frustrated. My surgeon has everything except this letter and when I call my PCP they said they already sent medical clearance. My surgeon's office says this doesnt count. I dont want to have to make an appt (and pay a copay) to my PCP just to tell them in person what I have been telling them on the phone that I need a Letter Of Medical Necessity. My PCP even told me in person when I last saw him that it would be no problem and they'd write a letter up. :laugh:

Just wondering what the cheapest out of pocket price anyone is getting for the procedure and where in California?

So, I am excited because for those who know me I have to do a six month diet and lose 10% of my weight before my insurance will approve me. I went to see the surgeon on March 25th so that means I should put my papers in on Sept 25th as long as I have lost 30 pounds. Well, I just found out that they will let me use my original doctors appointment on February 3rd as my start date putting me at July 3rd instead WAHOO!!! THe problem you ask? I gained 10 pounds in February but then I have lost it so now I'm back to square one but that means I have to get off 30 pounds by July 3rd. I want this sooo badly! My question is- How can you lose 30 pounds in seven weeks? I k…

I've read numerous threads about people that have told others and if it doesn't go the way they imagined it, it's because the other person is jealous. Usually the person getting banded tells they're friends/family and if they themselves are big then they retalliate saying that it probably isn't the right thing for them. Then if the family member or friend is skinny the usual response I've heard is "Well why don't you just eat less and exercise more?" And it's so annoying, I can't believe some people are that small minded that they would even use that as an excuse. So why do you think they react that way? Because they don't want the person to be happy or the probably bet…

I was just curious to see if anyone has had the surgery while not being quite 100 lbs overweight? If so what can you tell me about it.

Hello, I am new to this and am not sure where to start. Does anyone have experience with any surgeons in the St. Louis area? And what about the single incision technique vs. standard? Thanks for your help!

Other than water and Sprite?

how long before your surger should you not take asparin for?

So, I know this is probably a silly question, but my lap band surgery (May 22!) will be my first time at a hospital. Do I bring pajamas or do you sleep in gown? I assume loose clothing is most comfortable after surgery and when I leave. Are pajamas appropriate to walk around in when you leave? Unfortunately, that's all I have with an elastic waist. Also, if you're staying overnight, do you have to use a catheter or can you get up and go to the bathroom? I know these are silly questions, but I just don't want to worry about the small details when I'm there :grouphug:

I'll open this up for discussion , but based on my own experience I recommend if you are taking a diuretic medication that you call your doctor and ask if you can temporarily stop it the day before surgery. The only bad thing I can say about my stay is they were pumping me full of fluids after surgery and having me take my diuretic which made resting/healing hard than it should be.

Hi, this is my first time to this site and I have a few questions I hope many will be able to answer for me. Has anyone his this surgery and they were not 100 pounds overweight? If yes, who was your doctor in the Fresno, CA area? Has anyone heard of the Clovis weight loss hospital? If yes, what did you think? Tell me all, I know nothing!! Thanks so much.

Hi, There is a chance I may have sleep apnea and the surgeon's office wants me to go to my local physician and get tested for it. I understand the sleep study at a clinic but have a few questions for those of you that have sleep apnea or went through the testing. First, my deductible is quite high so how much did the study cost? Was anyone just diagnosed by a home study or their own doctor? My husband actually woke me up at 3am last night and was like "you HAVE to go to a doctor! Something is seriously wrong with your snoring/snorting loud noises" So, I made an appt. with my local doc, but would appreciate if others would share about their experiences with this. T…

The reason I ask this is because I will have to take one. What kind of a test is it? Blood, urine or the skin test? I am just so curious because I officially quit smoking March 21st. Well I used the nicotine gum. I have to be smoke free for 2 months. Well it comes to find out that I couldn't even use gum or patches. I stopped the gum Apr 6th when I found out we were going to be tested. Ok Which date should I go by? I officially stopped smoking Mar 21st but Apr 6th was the last time I used nicotine because of the gum. I tried cold turkey but had to use the gum a couple days after. I am affraid if I used the 21st then I might fail the nicotine test. Even though it only stay…

I am writing to anyone out there to see if anyone is going through what I am right now. My liver is very large at this time. My DR wants me to lose 30 lbs by Aug and also he will put me on a liquid diet 1 week before surgery. Yes, I am on a special diet and protein shakes. I just want to know what others are going through right now. It hurts to press on my stomach where my liver is and he said it's because it's so large. He said there is NO WAY he would do surgery on me right now.I have to wait until Aug due to my ins carrier. So I am following my diet and protein shakes. I just started on Monday. So I am looking for anyone who is new like me and having this same problem …

During my pre-op class they said you "will" have a catheter. I am not real keen on having a catheter. Apparently they put it in after you are under in the O.R. I am really have trouble with the whole thought. I don't want one at all but I have no option. Anyone here had one? I am expected to be sitting in a chair within 2 hours of surgery and doing laps 4 hours after surgery. Is walking with a catheter difficult or does it hurt? I am having the sleeve, not that it matters for this question. Thanks in advance for your experiences.

Is anyone here from Long Island, NY. I am just curious because I am being banded this Thursday.

I am one nutritionist appointment away from submitting my paperwork to the insurance company and was instructed to keep a food log of everything I eat for a month. Well folks, it is hard to be honest with myself when I realize just what I eat everyday. I thought I was doing pretty good with my eating, but lo and behold, I have some definite eating issues. I noticed that I tend to do okay in the morning, start to slip a little in the mid afternoon and by dinner time, whew! I am in trouble. I think it is because I work all day and by the time I get home, I am starving. There will be some changes made in the very near future to eliminate that feeling. I can see where th…