jennifer1

My denials were due to paperwork basicially. Initially i was told the documentation submitted didnt show medical necessity for the removal of my band not that I followed the post op diet and recommendations for the lap band. Next it was because they thought it had been removed in July when in fact it was just totally deflated in July. The peer to peer was denied too, but I never found out why and the last appeal was finally approved! My surgery date is March 14TH!!!!

ok i thought i was the only one. why is it that healthy foods are hard to get down! UGH!! i have had my band since 2011..it has slipped at least 3 times... currently it is empty and i'm going through the insurance process to get revised to the sleeve! i cant wait to start my new journey!

UPDATE!!! I was finally approved after the appeals process and my surgery date is MARCH 14TH! YEAHHHHH!

I know how you feel..but trust me dont do it...u can gef a tiny unfill and still have that restriction...dont take the chance of ending up in the hospital..i used to say i wanted my band super tight..but after havkng it too tight several times..soooo not worth it...yes u will loose weigbt and fast..but u will be sick..and. the weight will come back on quickly..i am a slow loser..only 40 in about a year..but i drop inches faster..please get a small unfill...u will be better off.trust me..feel free to PM me
Jennifer

after a vomiting episode i recommend going on liquids cuz your band is irritated. repeated vomiting can cause band slippage, but i'm not sure how much you would have to to cause that to happen. i have been banded almost a year and i have thrown up many times(i'm not advocating that by any means) but my band is fine. but i would definelty do liquids and then ease back into soft and then regular foods.
just my 2 cents
jennifer

I just wanted to write this to encourage those who are fighting with insurance for approval. I fought with BCBSIL since Dec 2016 til Feb 2017. I was denied 3 times for various reasons, mostly paperwork crap! Don't give up fighting you are worth it!!!!! Insurance companies look for reasons to say no... dont let them tell you know without giving them the fight of their life!! I felt I have been paying my premiums and co pays for almost 4 years and never had anything major.. soooo they needed to pay for this! LOL!

I just wanted to write this to encourage those who are fighting with insurance for approval. I fought with BCBSIL since Dec 2016 til Feb 2017. I was denied 3 times for various reasons, mostly paperwork crap! Don't give up fighting you are worth it!!!!! Insurance companies look for reasons to say no... dont let them tell you know without giving them the fight of their life!! I felt I have been paying my premiums and co pays for almost 4 years and never had anything major.. soooo they needed to pay for this! LOL!

UPDATE!!! I was finally approved after the appeals process and my surgery date is MARCH 14TH! YEAHHHHH!

UPDATE!!! I was finally approved after the appeals process and my surgery date is MARCH 14TH! YEAHHHHH!

UPDATE!!! I was finally approved after the appeals process and my surgery date is MARCH 14TH! YEAHHHHH!

I just wanted to write this to encourage those who are fighting with insurance for approval. I fought with BCBSIL since Dec 2016 til Feb 2017. I was denied 3 times for various reasons, mostly paperwork crap! Don't give up fighting you are worth it!!!!! Insurance companies look for reasons to say no... dont let them tell you know without giving them the fight of their life!! I felt I have been paying my premiums and co pays for almost 4 years and never had anything major.. soooo they needed to pay for this! LOL!

I just wanted to write this to encourage those who are fighting with insurance for approval. I fought with BCBSIL since Dec 2016 til Feb 2017. I was denied 3 times for various reasons, mostly paperwork crap! Don't give up fighting you are worth it!!!!! Insurance companies look for reasons to say no... dont let them tell you know without giving them the fight of their life!! I felt I have been paying my premiums and co pays for almost 4 years and never had anything major.. soooo they needed to pay for this! LOL!

the first 3 days were the roughest.. be mentally prepared for the head hunger and possible headaches as your body detoxes.. dont shut yourself out from the world..keep yourself busy with things not surrounded around food.. best wishes you can do this!

thats a good question.. i would call your insurance company they will give you a definite answer!

i have the same fear. i am 95% sure I want a sleeve and then I start thinking what if this doesnt work and I dont lose..I cant do another surgery after this one.. ugh!!!! i am going to do a support group this time and pray that is the key that will help me stay on track..

I had a list of 50 questions for my surgeon... my first question was had ever had an malpracitce suits. Here are a few of my others:
1. What size bougie do you use?
2. Will you be able to use any of the same incisions from my band?
3.What are the worse complications that you have seen occur?
4. What Vitamins are recommended after surgery?/
5. Will I have self adminstered blood thinners after surgery?
6. Will I have JP drain?
7. Will I need an abdominal binder?
8. How much of my stomach will you remove?
9. Do you sew over the staples in the stomach?
10. How frequent are my follow up visits?
Hope some of these help!

that would be sooooo cool! i asked my surgeon if he would take a pic of my stomach once he removed it. he said yes! LOL

that would be sooooo cool! i asked my surgeon if he would take a pic of my stomach once he removed it. he said yes! LOL

that would be sooooo cool! i asked my surgeon if he would take a pic of my stomach once he removed it. he said yes! LOL

ok i thought i was the only one. why is it that healthy foods are hard to get down! UGH!! i have had my band since 2011..it has slipped at least 3 times... currently it is empty and i'm going through the insurance process to get revised to the sleeve! i cant wait to start my new journey!

I had a list of 50 questions for my surgeon... my first question was had ever had an malpracitce suits. Here are a few of my others:
1. What size bougie do you use?
2. Will you be able to use any of the same incisions from my band?
3.What are the worse complications that you have seen occur?
4. What Vitamins are recommended after surgery?/
5. Will I have self adminstered blood thinners after surgery?
6. Will I have JP drain?
7. Will I need an abdominal binder?
8. How much of my stomach will you remove?
9. Do you sew over the staples in the stomach?
10. How frequent are my follow up visits?
Hope some of these help!

Congrats one getting to the losers bench! I wish you well in your recovery.

Absolutely!! Any of the docs at Northshore University Health System- Evanston hospital.
Mine was John Linn MD
I "interviewed" several Bariatric surgeons and practices in different health systems in the Chicagoland area. Because I'm also a healthcare provider, I may have come at the "choosing" process a little differently.
Needless to say, the continuity of care from all team members is superb. They are all on point with one another and their commitment to excellence is second to none. Very very cohesive.
The surgeons at Northwestern University's group are very good as well, but seem to have more post op issues. Didn't want any part of that.
The care at Evanston was first rate, as well. Would highly recommend them.
Dr Linn is lovely, but you don't really get to "know" how much so until you have your EGD with him and then post op. Many docs leave post op apps to PA's and such. He is there for every follow up, and will spend as much time with you as needed. Never rushed, and he gets to know you well.
I had a concern about 3-Ish weeks out, and he wasn't on call. His partner returned my call (Sat night) within minutes, discussed it, alleviated my concerns, and not only did he call me the next day to check up on me, Monday morning my surgeon ALSO followed up- they had already talked and boy was he on it! (Turns out it was a normal thing post op lol)
Anyway, that's my story, experience, and sticking to it!
As an aside, I'm seeing him Tuesday morning. I can't wait to show him me in size 10 pants- down 106 from surgery!!! He gets as excited as his patients do!!!
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I am starting the process to revise my band to a sleeve. When I got my band i was self pay, however now I have insurance that will cover removal of my band and the revision. I understand that i'm probably going to have to go through all the testing. I have blue cross blue shield..PPO. im wondering if anyone has this insurance and if you were required to do a 6 month diet since I already have the band.

@KristenLe... thank you so much I looked up my hospital and it is a center of excellence for bariatric surgery.