NWgirl

I am 23 and my insurance didn't specifically say they needed a referral, but I ended up calling my pediatric Dr (birth-20) to get weight records and he decided to write me a letter stating that I had tried formal weight loss programs to no avail and that I would be a good candidate for the surgery. He also included my growth chart showing weight/height, which documented obesity at 7 years up.

And to you too! I'm definitely getting excited!

Don't over think the response you may receive- I made this mistake. When I told my guy, he was hesitant about the whole thing. Not hesitant like, "why would you waste the money?" or "this is foolish," but more so wondering about how safe it was and assuring he loved me no matter my size (that's easy to say when you're the beanpole!!). I talked everything over with him, we watched a video on youtube of a procedure, and we researched any questions he had. After watching the video and learning more about it and realizing the surgery is not "traditional" WLS, he was 100% behind me. Just last night, I was telling my boss (who is like a second mom to me) that I would be taking time off for a procedure. I did not tell her what procedure then because of embarrassment/shame for having to admit I am a failure. She was genuinely concerned and asked me to tell her when I was ready to. After sleeping on it, I decided to tell her the full truth. I wrote her an email early this AM explaining everything and a few hours later I got an email back filled with love, encouragement, and support. I was so scared of what she could have said that I looked past how she has always been supportive of anything I do. It also doesn't help that she is super skinny/gorgeous- she just turned 51 but looks like she's in her mid-30's I guess my point is, tell the people who love you. I am sure you will be given a lot of love and support. If you're not, then they just don't understand and it's not worth your time to dwell on it.

I found out I was approved in the AM and called my surgeon's office in the PM. They had been notified the day prior, so I was glad I called. Was able to schedule my surgery date but had no idea why they had not called me first? it can't hurt to follow up and see if they know. Besides, they are getting a nice chunk of change for their part :-)

oh yeah, started in January and will be banded in march- 2 months total. I also was about BMI 41/42 with slight hypertension (no medication) and no other comorbidities. I did have a letter from my pediatrician that included my growth chart to age 16 and documented obesity since 7 years old. I am 23, almost 24.

I am also anthem bcbs, but am under a national plan with Kroger. I just had to do sleep study, dietician visit, psychologist visit, physical therapist visit, nurse practitioner visit, ekg, basal metabolic test, and surgical consult. Had to have BMI over 40 and a chart containing diets I've tried in the past with years and estimated weight loss per diet. Was submitted and received approval within two weeks. From my research, anthem is easy with their requirements. the only thing I noticed that was weird is they do not cover nutritional counseling/Dieticians (which may explain why there is no required diet)... good luck!

I had this happen to me last year. I am still insured under my parents, and so last year I went to Oregon Weight Loss Center and they said the same thing (they would check on insurance, no need to worry, bla blah). I received a letter in the mail from OWLS outlining my benefits. Being worried it was too good to be true, I decided to call insurance and verify again. I was then told it was not covered. In the end, the customer service rep who I called did a three way call with me to the insurance coordinator at OWLS. Turns out she just assumed because of my insurance plan (my stepdad is employed at BCBS and they offer three separate plans, only one of which covers bariatrics) that it was the plan that covered WLS, but did not bother verifying. There was no apology on her side. I am now insured under my step-mom's Kroger insurance, which covers bariatrics. Needless to say, I decided to go with another clinic that OWLS.

Low carb was not a requirement for my surgeon, just low fat. It seems like I am staying around 100 carbs per day (sometimes more, sometimes less) due to the Protein shakes. I did finally get official approval and have scheduled my surgery for March 20th! I am definitely buckling down and want to lose another 10lbs by surgery day.

My Dr gave me a booklet with all the necessary info. They are a center of excellence and allow the following: - Phase one (first two weeks after surgery): 2% milk, low fat yogurt (no seeds or chunks), Protein supplement, Soups without lumps/chunks, tomato Soup w/added milk, non-fat milk powder, pureed soups (must strain through a sieve after blending), low-sodium vegetable juice, maximum 10oz per day 100% fruit juice diluted 1:1. Phase 2 (2-4 weeks after surgery) is pureed foods. Phase 3 (4-6 weeks after surgery) is soft foods. After 6 weeks, you can start to eat "normal" foods. They recommend introducing new foods one at a time to make sure you can tolerate.

Hi Crystal My name is Stephanie and I'm 24. I have been researching banding for over a year now and was finally able to get on an insurance plan that covered it this January. I am hoping to have my surgery in the next few weeks and wish this would have been an option for me when I was 17- it reminds me of all of the weight I wouldn't have had to lose!

I have heard you need to make sure you are getting enough protein as well. My surgeon gave me a basic calculation of body weight x .3 = recommended protein.

I have been doing the two shakes/one meal per day for about a week. I did go lenient on Sat/Sun, so have only lost about 10lb. I am going all for it this week because I should have my surgery scheduled soon. My surgeon's office submits for approval before scheduling a date, so I know I've been approved and now am waiting for surgeon's office. I should have surgery in the next few weeks.

I don't have any suggestions as to when you should start looking, but as far as financing goes. Care Credit does plastic surgery and if you go to their website, you can find plastic surgeons that accept it.

As for surgery date, I was submitted for approval first and will schedule surgery after. I received a call from my bariatric coordinator with my insurance company this afternoon saying she had exciting news for me, but due to the time zone difference, we didn't connect! When she tells me 100% I have been approved, I will call the surgeon assistant and ask about scheduling. They did say once I received approval, it would only be 2-3 weeks to surgery.

I was going to go with Oregon Weight Loss Surgery too, but found my insurance requires a center of Excellence. It just so happens that Legacy Weight Management Institute (which is literally on the same floor, right next to OWLS) is. I am getting my surgery with Dr. Valerie Haplin. I have heard great things about Emma Patterson, I am sure you will do great!

I got a letter of recommendation from my pediatric doctor who I saw from birth to 20. I would have gone to a normal primary care Dr, but did not find a new one until I had scheduled my orientation at the surgeon's office. Check your insurance requirements, some do require a letter from the PC before you go to a surgeon.

I go on a liquid diet after surgery, so I decided to drink two protein shakes a day with one healthy meal. My Dr's diet stated that I was to follow a low fat diet, but I wanted to kick start the weight loss and feel like I am doing something.

Hi Nikki! I am also pre-op, currently waiting on approval... Where are you getting your surgery at?

Call them or look at the insurance booklet. If it says something along the lines of "No coverage for obesity related treatment or surgery," then they probably do not cover. You really need to call and ask yourself, as insurance plans vary so much.

Good for you No one is going to make you go any where else, although do keep in mind that there is a sister site for the sleeve if you ever have questions that can't be answered here.

There is a thread floating around on this. try typing gastric plication or Iband into the search forum link on the top right.

I really like the Better Oats Good n' Hearty varieties. Each packet has about 9g of sugar.

My surgeon did try to talk to me about the sleeve, but I shot her down pretty quickly and said I was not interested in cutting out a huge part of my anatomy while there was a less severe option available. I think on the Dr's mind is that they want you to lose the most weight possible, and when they see larger people (I was 110-120lb overweight when I started), they want to give them the fastest and most result producing procedure. They also want you to be successful, because even if you mess up your WLS by doing/eating the wrong things, it still reflects on them. I knew for myself that I can lose the weight- I'm still very young and motivated. I have had no problem losing 40lbs in the past with a simple change in exercise/eating, and I think the band will keep me going in a downward direction. I would honeslty be happy an 80lb loss, even though I really want to lose it all!

Gastric you traditionally lose more weight and don't really need followup care. With the band, you have to go in for followup care for fills, etc. If you feel you'd be better off getting a one stop procedure, the gastric is the way to go. If you are willing to put the time in and religiously go to your Dr's for fills, then do the band. Obviously each procedure has its positives and negatives. You need to research both and see what seems like the best procedure for you. Everyone is so different.

Was this an actual tear, or was it an erosion of the band into the stomach? I am so sorry that you had such a terrible experience and that your Dr's would not listen to you. Are you maintaining your weight well? Are you considering a revision surgery to another form of WLS?