girly831

What was your starting weight?

Wish I could say I weight 142lbs. That would be great! HI I am 43 years old and weigh 142 lbs. I have gained almost 20 lbs over the last 5 years. I used to weigh 151 when I was 32, but lost 26 lbs just exercising and eating normal. Nothing crazy but not over indulging. After I had my son, I have found it extremely difficult to get back to 120s. I am a runnner, vegetarian and indulge only sometimes. I am fed up with struggling to get my weight down. I just started weightwatchers and realize that I am eating beyond my allowance, but I seem to so tired all the time. As for working out for some reason the pounds dont seem to be coming off like it did 11 years ago:-(. I guess after 40 the efforts need to be doubled. I try hard but sometimes I feel that this cycle will never end !. Sorry for such a long post, but I was looking for some guidance regarding the lap band.

Thanks so much for the info!!!

I would definitely give the office a call. Kelley answered right away and genuinely listens. She emailed me the forms within a few minutes and I have faxed off all my info and application this morning. Here is the number 619-656-5251. Good Luck! I will let you know as soon as I hear something. Hopefully good news! Thanks so much for the info on obesitylaw. I talked to Kelley today, she's so nice and I felt so much better just talking to her. She sent me the papers already and I hope to fax them back to her by tomorrow. I really hope they approve me this time with their help. I submitted my information on line last week and still haven't heard from them. Looks like you may have gotten a faster response with a telephone call. I guess I should try that in the morning, I'm getting pretty anxious checking my email constantly.

Thanks so much for the info on obesitylaw. I talked to Kelley today, she's so nice and I felt so much better just talking to her. She sent me the papers already and I hope to fax them back to her by tomorrow. I really hope they approve me this time with their help. Here's the chain of events: 1.20.11 My surgeons insurance coordinator submitted my paperwork 1.28.11 aetna denied me 2.4.11 insurance coordinator had me sign the authorization forms for Walter Lindstroms group at obesitylaw.com to represent me. She faxed it to them. 2.16.11 per aetna, appeal received 3.10.11 Aetna denied my appeal 3.11.11 I faxed denial letter to Kelley Lindstrom at obesitylaw 3.11.11 2nd appeal is sent 3.30.11 2nd appeal overturned - surgery approved!!! But I didn't find out until 4.8.11 4.9.11 the official letter arrived in mail 5.5.11 6am dr. Michaelson changed my life I hope this helps you!!!

I also have Aetna, and I went thru the same thing. I have boderline BMI of 35, but I also have 3 comorbities and was denied. Already contacted obesitylaw.com for help but have not heard from them yet. I hope they can help me get approved. Who paid for it? I'm not sure who Allergan is. Thanks for any info. I have Aetna, for me they required 3mo supervised diet and 2 years history of being over 40bmi which I didn't have So i was denied twice. Had to enlist the big boys at obesitylaw.com for help (the surgeon's office told me about them and Allergan footed the bill) They were the nicest folks and after two appeals, I was finally approved! woohoo Good Luck!!!

I've been denied by Aetna and would appreciate any help-you can email me @ christine_gicking@glic.com. thanks I bought something online that helps get you through the insurance approval and also helps you keep track of who you spoke to and when, etc. If you want a copy sent to your e-mail, post it and I'd be happy to send it to you. I hate for anyone to have to pay $50 for it, when I bought it and can share the information!!!

[Did you get approval from insurance yet? I'm in the same boat as you, borderline BMI. I've already been denied by Aetna 2 times. I'm still hopeful I will be approved by the end of the year. So frustrating!!!

Thanks for the info on obesitylaw.com. I sent a request to them today to help with my appeal. How long did it take start to finish for you. This will be by second appeal. I just don't understand how they can deny when 2 dr's say this is crucial to my health. Congratulations to everyone that was approved. I have Aetna and was denied. the denial was uphelp in the first and second level appeal by Aetna. It was so stressful. The final appeal is an independent external review process. This is where the decision goes out to an independent doctor not associated with the insurance company who will decide based upon the information provided if the patient meets the standards published by NIH and other medical groups. Mine did and the decision by Aetna was overturned. The entire process took almost 10 months and was SO stressful. All of my appeals were done with the help of http://www.obesitylaw.com It cost me nothing and Kelley is the BEST !! She called me 2 days before I was going to Disney to tell me the good news. She even offered to give me passes to Disneyland that they use to take out the employees in the office each year. Unfortunately I was going to Disney World in FL so I couldn't use the passes. She was so nice I decided I would tell everyone who was having issues with approval about them. They provide an awesome service to people who could really use help. I believe her husband Walter had both Gastric bypass and a Lapband revision later on. Good Luck to anyone having to deal with Aetna.

I also have Aetna, but was denied. I am appealing, but wasn't told anything about a nurse handling my case. When I call the reps are not helpful at all. I faxed my appeal to the expedited line and left a message 3 times now with no response. They are supposed to let you know within 72 hrs. This is really stressful and I am praying they approve me. I was scheduled for August 10. Approved!!! I'm so excited. It only took 5 days! I wish the same for everyone else that is WAITING.... So stressful!

Has anyone been denied by Aetna, filed an appeal and they approved the surgery? Just wondering how good my chances are of getting approved after denial. I've already started the ball rolling with asking my Dr to submit a Medical Necessity statement.

Congrats!! Wish I had gotten that same call. Starting Appeal process with Medical Necessity Letter from family doctor. I hope it gets approved this time-very disappointed.

I found this great stuff...powdered Peanut Butter. It's called PB2, you can only order it online. Try Lindasdietdelites.com, they have it for $3.99. It has about 80% less fat, sugar and calories per serving. It tastes great and you can you it for lots of recipes including in shakes. Any shake combos you have come up with? Partial to peanut butter and bananas here. Read a coffee one on the boards here that sounds delish....looking for any ideas~ Appreciate any you can post....THANKS!

So have I! I'm glad to have found other people from this area. My surgeon is Dr. Boorse's associate Dr. Harrison. My surgery is scheduled for August 16. I have heard very good things about both Boorse and Harrison, so we should be in good hands :-)

Hello! He is my surgeon too. I already met with him in April, but my surgery date is August 10. There are alot of appointments, but I too feel confident that I am very prepared and there is alot on the internet so do your research. Good Luck to you. Let me know how you are doing. I have begun the journey with Lehigh Valley Bariatric. There are so many appointments I can't keep track. I must say they cover all the bases and I feel confident that I will be well prepared when the time comes for me to get my band. I was just wondering if anyone has used Dr. Boorse? I will not get a chance to meet him until two weeks before my file goes to the review board for approval (July 12) so when they asked me to pick a surgeon I had to go by reputation alone.

My surgeon is Dr. Boorse at LVH. Good Luck!!![ I am from Allentown! Who's your surgeon??? I don't have a date yet...I meet with my surgeon next Thursday, so I'm hoping to get a tentative date then. I'm hoping for mid-July-early August for my surgery so I have enough time to recover before school starts back up!

Good to hear!

It is overwhelming with all the appointments. I do think it will be worth the trouble to lose this weight that has been hanging around for way too long! Good luck to you

Only 60 pounds!!! Do you have any comorbidities like diabetes, high blood pressure? I too only need to lose about 65lbs. I say only very loosely! I am scheduled for lap band August 10, 2011.

I'd say that is too much after having any surgery! I just got the call!!!!!!! I am so excited and scared and every other emotion that goes along with that So my question is....I can suppose to have surgery on May 24th however my husband and I have tickets for a baseball game that is about 5 hours away from where I live, so we will drive there and back and spend the weekend in the City. So I would have surgery on Tuesday and then leave for the game on Saturday morning....Do you think that is too much to do after having the lap band surgery???? Thanks so much!!

Lehigh Valley Hospital- Dr. Richard Boorse He is with General Surgical Associates, ph 610 439 4055.

That is fantastic. Hope I have the same success to lose 65!!! Keep up the good work.

Can you tell me how to add the weight tracker to my profile?