CoCoA-RN

Congrats on deciding to go for the surgery. Good luck in your process and be sure to keep us updated as you unlease the new you.

Hey, So before you submitted you information the first time...you had only had the sleep study and your BMI reference of 35? I was reading over the Obesity Surgery Bulletin by Aetna Insurance and they have their criteria clearly defined. It looks as though if it's 40 or more they will do it or if its above 35 with 2 or more comorbidities. I am hoping that your appeal works so that you can continue on your way with the process.

Welcome, Congratulations on being approved for your sugery....I am just like you! I have Aetna and i am worried about being approved also so I will probably be calling them after mine is submitted also to see! I will be done with my 4 doctors visits in June and go for pre-op consults in early June also. Hopefully I will be approved and banded in July of this year. Good luck with your surgery and be sure to keep up updated with your progress.

The only people I saw during my 3 month diet was my PCP and that was it. I met with the surgeon a couple of times but other than that my PCP just had me cut my calories down to 1500 and exercise 3-5 times a week for 30 min-1 hour. I am also worried about Aetna approving me for the surgery. My current BMI is 43 but I don't know that it has been that for 2 years, but I also have high blood pressure, borderline diabetes, chronic fatique, lower back pain, and a few other things. I want to know if you had any other co-morbidities besides the study and the BMI? Will be finished with my 3 month diet in June and would hate for them not to approve me on a technicality. Can you tell me a little about the diet that you did? I did 3 months with a nutritionist and my primary care physician and I might have to do another 3 months. Did you see anybody else during the 3 months?

I do believe that Aetna should cover you with just having a BMI of 40 or more. I think you have to have comorbidities when your BMI is between 35-40. I have Aetna too and so does my BFF and she is already banded...she had a BMI over 40 without comorbidities and they covered her. Good luck

Im am not sure what the longest period is for waiting but after going through a quite a few postings here I see that most waited about a week or 2 before they got approved.

I am also worried about Aetna approving me for the surgery. My current BMI is 43 but I don't know that it has been that for 2 years, but I also have high blood pressure, borderline diabetes, chronic fatique, lower back pain, and a few other things. I want to know if you had any other co-morbidities besides the study and the BMI? Will be finished with my 3 month diet in June and would hate for them not to approve me on a tecnicality.

I think I would have mixed feelings about being complimented or someone asking about my weight loss. I mean I don't think I would mind some of my friends saying "you looked like you've lost some weight", but sometimes it feels kind of awkard. It is rude to ask someone if they have lost weight especially if you don't really know them like that. Only my close friends and family know about the LBS and I would want to keep it that way. Be proud of your weight loss and keep up the good work, and don't sweat it if no one says anything as lond as you know that you are making progress.

Welcome, I have yet to get my surgery date, but it should be sometime this summer around July. I have been reading a lot of intros and comments from others but newbies and people that have been banded for a while and it does seem like everyone has success as long as they follow the band rules.....and well those that don't seem to be the ones having trouble or complications. I have been told over and over again it is a TOOL and we have to use it as a tool to help ourselves succeed. I am super excited and my sugery is still months away, so I know you must be excited also. Not to worry...you are not the only one that has anxiety about the procedure....I think all of us do...but we are all here for each other. Good luck and be sure to keep us updated with your progress.

Hello Just wanted to swing by and see how your sugery went? Hope all went well

Welcome Jennifer, We certainly will support you here as well as God and your friends. It does make it a little harder when you don't have family support, but you have to do what's best for you and your future health. Good luck to you on Band Day and make sure to keep in touch with us following the surgery, we will be behind you 110%.

Thank you ever so much for the caring information and sharing your story. Taught me a lot.....looking forward to starting my journey.

Welcome, Certainly glad you decided to joint he ban-wagon to a successful path. I am very excited as well to be doing this process and being apart of something that others can witness, comment on and take part in. This is like a huge support system which is needed when it comes to having success. Have also tried the all kinds of diets but all have failed me. I am in the same boat as you when you say it has been an exhausting journey. Look forward to hearing from you as you continue through this journey to a successful you.

Welcome, You have a very amazing story. It is truly a blessing to be able to go through the procedure with your sister. I think it's better to have a strong support system when doing this and to have someone so close to you sharing this very unique experience is great. Keep up the good work and look forward to hearing more successful stories from both you and your sister.

Welcome, I am also new to this and I am excited to be sharing my journey with everyone and getting the input of others. You are absolutely right that we can get way more input here than we can from one seminar. Good luck with your journey and looking forward to more success stories.

Welcome Jamie, My name is also Jamie, and I am excited for you. I expect to be banded in early summer 2011 and can't wait. I am glad that you have joined this site because it is truly a blessing. There are so many friendly people here to share their stories, and you will be free to ask questions and voice concerns and get honest feedback. Certainly wish you the best of luck with your journey.

Hey I have Aetna also. Just wondering...you said that they turned you down the first time because you had no co-morbidities? So had you gone through the diet process and everything and they turned you down, or was it at the beginning? How much wieght did you loose on the diet program? What was your starting BMI? My best friend and I both have Aetna but we also both have co-morbidities and BMI's over 40 so it made it a little easier. I wish you luck. Will certainly keep my fingers crossed for you as well.

Good to know that Im not the only one that's afraid of the liquid diet. It's good that you only have to do yours for a week because my surgeon told me that mine would be for 2 weeks prior to surgery. Not to worry though...my excite plus the help of all the supporters on LBT will help both you and I get through the liquid phase started on our new journies. Good luck and keep us posted.

Good Luck. Very exciting yet nervous time, but im sure you will come through with flying colors and be very glad with your decision and success.

I think being nervous and excited are both part of the process. I am due to be banned this summer and ever since I started the process I have have both feelings. I think that as it gets closer the more excited and nervous I get. I find that LBT is an inspiration, because there are tons of people here that can give their input and have had it done. Everyone's body is different but it is good that we can all help each other through our very unique journies to being healthier & happier people. Good luck

Congrats to you Shavona, It was truly meant to be and you didn't have to jump through a million hoops again. Best of luck on your surgery and make sure to keep us updated with your success

Congrats on being banned. It is good that you have had little pain. I expect to be banded this summer in July and hope the same applies to me. I can usually tolerate pain pretty well, but everyone is different. How is the gas pain for you? Have you had very much as far as gas pains? I heard walking a lot does the trick...does this seem to work? Well good luck and much success for you and your new journey.

Hello everyone, I am super excited to start this new journey. I am in my late 20's and for years have struggled with weigh loss and gain. Due to my PCOS condition, it has made it even harder to keep the weight off even when I loose due to my crazy hormonal imbalances. My best friend was banned in 2010 and she loves it and it is working out great for her. I am a nurse and I am fully aware of the risks that are associated with being obese and therefore, decided it was time for a drastic change. I am due to have the surgery sometime in early summer. I am even more excited to be able to hear from others and follow their journey. Look forward to sharing with each of you as well as you being able to share your stories with me as I began my transformation into a newer better version of myself.