MeFirst

Definitely see about another weigh in! Don't give up. Cellphones and keys in pockets, wear jeans, and have a bladder full of water. That will definitely push you over the .8 lbs. just make sure to excuse yourself to empty your bladder before the Dr comes in to chat with you. [emoji6]

I can totally relate, Jackie! My band had been taken out exactly 2 years before I started pursuing the sleeve. I put back on weight fast . However, my BMI was under 35 when it was taken out in 2013, and slowly but steadily went up over the next 2 years to a BMI of 40. My insurance company required a 2 year weight history of being obese. I definitely didn't have 24 consecutive months of an obese BMI. However, I had a weight recorded in 2014, 2015, and 2016 that showed my BMI over 35 and finally over 40. I just got approved by my insurance company today. I did have to go through ALL the requirements again---3 month NUT visits, psych eval, EKG, EGD, X-ray.... But I got approved and didn't think I would because of the necessary 2 year weight history. I would call your insurance company and make sure that they need a 5 yr history. Maybe it's less. Have hope!!

Woohoooo!! Approved today!! I meet with my surgeon next Tuesday and set up a surgery date then. It's getting real!!! ????????????

That's great!! Let me know when your surgery is scheduled. I'm still waiting on insurance approval

Definitely rest and get lots of fluid! I'd be careful taking any supplements or medicine. I was told at my pre-op meeting that the anesthesiologist wants us off everything for a week before surgery. My hospital/staff might just be ultra-conservative, but I wanted to pass this information along. Good Luck!

I started my 3 month supervised nutritional appointments with a BMI of 40.5. I don't have any comorbidities, and had to be careful not to lose weight so my BMI did not go under 40. It seems so counterproductive, and honestly made me a bit upset. But we do what we have to do. I finished my last NUT appt Monday, the paperwork was submitted to insurance yesterday, and now I'm really buckling down trying to lose weight before surgery.

My surgery coordinator just emailed me. They submitted my paperwork yesterday (February 9)!!!! Keep your fingers crossed for a speedy approval! When should I start calling BCBS and asking about it?

I did not make support group last night. I was in the pre-op class that left as you guys were starting. I had planned on staying, but that last meeting had a lot of info to digest. I wanted to rush home and look at all the handouts. That's very cool that you go!! I went to a peer to peer mtg at clay last month, and it was very informative

So happy I found this thread. I had the band for 2.5 years and did really well with it as far as losing weight goes. I'm 5'8" and weighed 254 before band. Got down to 160 with the band, but had some complications due to infection. I slowly gained weight with an Unfilled band for about 8months and got back up to 190. The band finally had to come out in November 2013 (infection), and I gained 70pounds over the next 2 years. Tried every diet during those couple years, and finally decided on the sleeve. I'm hoping to have surgery in March of this year. I wish I wouldn't have waited that long. But here we are at 264lbs (10 more than when I had the band out in) Grrrrrr You are definitely not alone. Feel free to follow me along on YouTube. I go into a little more detail on there. Please feel free to ask me anything. I started documenting this journey with videos. Search: Jenn's band to sleeve journey

Thank you so much for your comment on my video. I've subscribed to you and can't wait to watch and get caught up on your journey. I have a lot of binge watching to do! YAY!!!!

I'm going to search it now. I love watching YouTube videos!!! Look for my channel and subscribe also: Jenn's band to sleeve journey. I have 2 videos up, but plan on documenting my journey too. It will be fun to follow each other along

Do you have a surgery date? Are you having your surgery at Riverside?

Enjoy your vacation!! The time will fly by. It's crazy how 90 days is different than 3 months. lol My 90 days is up next week, so hopefully submitting then. We should be pretty close in surgery dates . I'll let you know when I hear anything. Please do the same.

RNYDawn your surgery is right around the corner!!! Yay! I'll be thinking if you! And yes, NewLife, any news on approval or surgery date?

I had the same questions as you because my weight went below a BMI of 35 in 2013 (because I had just gotten the lapband taken out). I'm finishing up my 3 month pre-op process this week, and hope to have everything submitted to BCBS Fed next week. I'll let you know how it goes. I am hopeful, because as RNYDawn mentioned, as long as I have a high BMI recorded in 2014, 2015, and 2016 I should be good......hopefully . Even though the recorded weights aren't 2 full years (24 months) apart because 2016 just started.

That's terrible. I'm sorry that you didn't find the support you were looking for. However, please don't second guess your decision on getting the sleeve. While I'm sure some people love the band and have great success, it brought me nothing but problems. I had mine removed 2 years ago due to infection, and an sooooo excited to get the sleeve in the next couple months!

That Green Zone was forever elusive when I had my band. I'm hoping to be as fortunate as you and get the sleeve. Congrats and Good Luck!!!

I am also only allowed protein isolate. I can't have anything that has "protein concentrate" or "protein blend" in the ingredients.

I know this is a long shot...this thread has been dead for awhile, but I'm having my surgery with Dr Uchal in Feb or March. I'm thinking about going to the support group meetings. Does anyone from here go to them or have been to them?

Can I ask how long your band was in? I'm hoping that because my band was in for a relatively short time (2.5yrs), that there will be less scarring. But I think the surgeon was also concerned about the 2 minor surgeries I had to take the port out and then replace it. I'm staying hopeful. I only met with the surgeon once so far and he mentioned this "issue" towards the end of the consultation. I was so taken aback that I couldn't think of any questions on the spot. I'm definitely going to talk to him about it at our pre-op mtg.

Thank you for the words of encouragement. I really hope so!!!

I was banded in 2011. After a couple port replacements, the band came out the end of 2013 due to infection. I was successful at losing weight with the band (about a 90lb loss). However, that weight (and then some) came on with a vengeance over the past 2 years. I am nearing the end of my pre-op requirements for the Sleeve. All I have left is a pre-op class February 8, and then we submit to insurance. I am hoping to have a February or March surgery date ????. I have the usual apprehensions about the actual surgery, however, I am more concerned that surgery won't be possible because of scar tissue I have accumulated over the past abdominal surgeries. My surgeon said that he will only know once I'm on the table and he goes inside. I'm freaked out that I will wake up without having the VSG performed. I trust my surgeon and know he is extremely competent and familiar with revisions. So I'm hoping for the best. I regret not documenting my lapband journey, so I have decided to document my sleeve journey on YouTube. It's mostly for myself, but I love learning from other people in the community going through the same things. If you want to check it out, search: Jenn's band to sleeve journey on YouTube. If you have a channel, I'd love to follow you as well...subscribe and we can follow each other.

Fingers crossed! I'm so excited for you

That's awesome! I have my last NUT class this Friday, but then have to go to a pre-op class Feb 8. I don't think my packet will be submitted to BCBS Fed until after the Feb appt. keep me posted on how long your approval takes, "newlife" ????????

I had the band for 2.5 years. It had to come out due to infection that started at the port site. My last year with the band was torturous....with pain, 2 surgeries to revise port, and a final surgery to take the band out. My surgeon offered the sleeve to me at time of removal, but I was so emotionally exhausted from my complications that I opted not to have a revision to the sleeve. 2 years and 80lbs later----I wish I would have taken his advice and gone with the revision to the sleeve. I am currently jumping through insurance hoops hoping to get the sleeve in February. This is just my personal experience. You might be much more capable of maintaining your weigh loss than me