abqann

I am beginning my journey with Dr Sanchez at Lovelace West side in Albuquerque New Mexico. Are there any bandsters here who have used this facility and Dr.? I am very impressed so far and am interested in anyones elsed experience.So far I have had my Consult, gotten insurance varification andstarted the 3 months supervised diet. I also have my EGD scheduled. I am hoping for a December banding Party! Thanks

Hi. You go to Settings, then there is a list under that, select Notifications....Good Luck!

I just want to give everyone heads up regarding insurance coverage. I spoke to my carrier BC/BS of New Mexico. They do cover lap band for patients with a BMI 35-40 who have co-morbidities, without a huge list of other hoops. That was the good thing I have been very excited because knew I was qualified and just had to wait it out.and go through the steps. I called again today and asked some more questions. What I found out is that even though those are the requirements for the insurance company , my employer has tacked on another more strict condition and you have to have a BMI of 40. No exceptions for co morbidities, or the fact that the plan covers it. I am so upset right now. ( crying of course ) So I either an sol or I would have to gain a minimum of 25 lbs to qualify. So I am basically out the $450 program fee I paid, and the $250 copay for the endoscopy. I was too upset when I spoke to the surgeons office to ask for a partial refund of the program fee. ( they will probobly remind me that it was non-refundable) Anyway just a heads up for those who are borderline, to not take the insurance companies or surgeons word without asking a ton of probing questions, and restating the information back to them, to make sure it is correct.

Thank you all for your responses and support. I did my due dillagence at they beging by checking with the insurance company when I first started the process. My Dr office checked with them to pre qualify me. The part that makes me angry and upset is that I would have expected that the insurance coordinator as a professioal would have known what qustions to ask, as in does the employer have special requirements and what are they. My employer cannot be the only one who does this. When I started the process it never dawned on me thet they would have this requirement, different from the carriers. I am not even sure whyI called and asked more questions that day. I just wanted to make sure everything would be ready to submit in December. I do believe everything happens for a reason and maybe this was not the path I should take for my journey. Good luck to all of you !

Thank you for your support in this. I am trying to decide if I should complete the nutrition counseling for this month ( last session was scheduled for today) or not. I was so upset yesterday I did not go to work! I was told by the nurse that my employer does not bend on this requirement for a bmi of 40. The thing that upset me the most is that I called and asked about coverage, and the Dr office did the same. Also I am upset that the insurance person at the Dr office either did not know what to ask or just blew it off. She was kind of flippant with me when I spoke to her yesterday, just said oh yes I had another patient that was denied for the same thing recently. I am kind of mad right now, and am thinking did you even think to let me know or just go on my merry way thinking I would be approved? The other plan my employer offers requires a bmi of 40 and 5 years of weight documentation with a bmi of 40 for the entire time. I may look into my husbands coverage. He has United but his open enrollment is in June. So do I keep plugging away or take this as a sign that it was not meant to be? Not sure what to do.

This is an amazing journey of self discovery. My heart is so sad, yet inspired you are able to put this place you are in into words. Also I feel hopeful because just expressing it is a huge thing, even in this somewhat anonomus forum. We all can relate to the "What if I loose the weight and and not happy" dark thoughts. There are many skinny unhappy people in the world. No matter if you have 85 pounds or 285 pounds to loose we all struggle with our demons. Loosing weight in and of itself will not make you happy. I do think that it gives you the confidence to put your toe out the door and try something you have yeaned to do ....go to the park, fish, walk the dog in a new (!!! ) place, say hello to a stranger etc. These things wll inspire you to do new things...and That my friend will lead you in the direction of " happy " .Happy is not a destination, it is a state of mind, It is a decision we make, and it becomes a habit and soon it is a part of you. The dark place becomes smaller and the heavieness receeds. Enjoy your journey the Lap Band can be a tool to get you where you want to be. Sometimes the place we wantto be is the scariest of all. Just take baby steps!

I saw the clip with the 2 female patients on his website. One showed what she ate in a day. It consisted of several large spoons of yogurt and some other not identifable mushie stuff. If I had not already researched the band and what you can eat and the changing of eating habits I woud be completely turned off by it and would not even consider the band. . I cannot imagine eating unidentifiable food for the rest of my life. Foertunately I know that this is not necessary and it is possible to eat most regular foods in moderation. ns reach ny health goals.

medicgipson, I LOVE your post and question. I am in the 3 month supervised diet phase of my journey and hope to have my banding party in late December or early January. I have had the same feeling reading these boards, about people trading one compulsion for another. I have lost and gained the same 75 lbs at least 4 times. My issue has been that even the motivation of how great I looked, what size I was, how great I felt, how much energy I had I never learned how to maintain the eating habits required to keep the weight off. I am a food addict, I am a happy-mad-sad-bored-tired-eater. These are mental hungries. They will still be there after I get my band. However, I am confident that once I reach the "sweet spot" and have good restriction the band will assist me in not overeating. I am not a fan of throwing up, gas pain, productive burping etc. and see this negative reinforcement as a very good thing. It will be my job to concentrate on learning new behaviors to deal with the mental hungries. I do have an advantage in that I actually like healthy food. So what I eat will not be a problem. What I need is help with portion control (I have a tendency to eat waaay past being full) which I am confident the band will do for me. I asked my surgeon if it was possible to be a regular person who eats only when hungry and stops when satisfied, she said yes and gave me a time line of about 2 years to get there. I can live with that. What I cannot live with is having to continue to add medication for blood pressure, high cholesterol. and eventually diabetes to my list of pills. ...Good luck with your journey and decision! Ann

I am not telling many people. I do not need the horror stories or the negativity. I have listened to many conversations that others have gone through it and watched the emotional fall out. My Husband and adult daughter know. I will tell my adult son when I have a surgery date. I have 2 friends at work I have told, one had bypass last year and the other is just a good friend. That is all. I may change my mind after I am approved but I doubt it. Probably after when I can be of encouragement to someone who is contemplating the procedure. I figure it in nobodies business. .I must say it is HARD sometimes not to tell because it is on my mind ALL the time! However this is a personal decision, just like getting banded, so what ever each of us needs on the journey is what is important.

Has anyone experienced increased reflux, mucus production and coughing after having the endoscopy? I had mine 3 weeks ago, they found a large hiatial harnea, the size of a tangerine. My chest hurt for a week after that and I have had a real problem with coughing and mucus ever since. I take Nexium for the reflux. Since I started that I do not have the sore throat in the morning or the acid taste in my mouth. But I have had a real issue with the thick mucus, enough to really interfere with my sleep. When I went for my follow up I was so surprised about the hiatal hernea that I forgot to ask about the coughing and mucus. Thanks !

Maybe the way they go in , nose or mouth , depends on what they are looking for. Or just Dr preference. I am glad I had anesthesia. I had a scope of my nose years ago ago and found it pretty scary. I have a deviated septum and cannot breath through one nostril. I was sooo claustrophobic and thought i was going to suffocate. My ENT said afterward we should have given me some sedation.

No they go through your mouth. When you get there you have an IV placed, for fluid. You wait around for a while then the anesthesiologist will sedate you a bit, then take you to the operating room, Then the last thing you will remember is rolling onto your left side and having a bite block thing put in your mount to keep it open, then you wake you wake up in recovery. You will probably have a slightly sore throat. They will give you the results of the scope, and you wake up some more and go home. It is actually pretty simple....Good Luck!

I applaud you for checking into the benefit/risk for these medications. In my earlier post was not trying to make it sound like you should blindly take what ever the Dr tells you to take. I am a firm believer in research and education for all patients. I started Lipitor this week after my Dr made sure my liver function was ok. My reason for taking is is that my numbers have jumped drastically in just 1 year. I have added fish oil ( my Dr said to take 4000 mg per day ) and also am really working on changing my diet. Fortunately my husband is very much on board as his numbers are up as well ( he already has has a heart attack and stents placed ). Do you eat oatmeal? I know that this is a foot that binds with cholesterol. I did pop onto the Crestor web site and see that they have a savings plan you can join to lower your costs. Lpitor has one as well and they will cover the cost so lower my copay to $4.00! Good luck and a huge congratulations on your weight loss!!! I am hoping for my banding party to be in December as I have to finish the 3 month sup diet. Again Good Luck and congratulations you have done an amazing job!!!

It kind of depends on your insurance coverage, if they require referrals or not.Check int centers of excellence in your area for a good program. I understand how frustration it is for one of your Drs to tell you to loose weight the normal way. My pulmonoligist told me I did not need WLS and I should buckle down and do it the old fashioned way. I would not care but he is the guy who signs off on my ability to have anesthesia ( i have asthma) so I am a little worried about it.3I also know that these decisiond are between you and yur doctor. Just thought I woul give my perspective on it..**** Luck.

I think the benefit to lowering your cholesterol and triglycerides outweigh the risky side effects. Cholesterol and triglycerides build up in your arteries and cause blockage of the blood vessels taking oxygen enriched blood to the heart muscle. If they become blocked the heart muscle will be without oxygen and can be seriously damaged. This can also happen in your brain.and cause.stroke.My Dr is putting me on lipitor because my triglycerides are up 100 pts and my Cholesterol is up 50 pts in just one year. That coupled with my blood pressure jumping and requiring 2 meds ( HTZ and lisinopril) she felt it is important to get it under control. I feel certain once I am banded and loose the weight these pills will be able to be gone....along with the Nexis for reflux caused by the hiatal hernia we found Friday. Which will be repaired with the banding..My husband had 2 major arteries in his heart that were 95% blocked when he has his heart attack and required 3 stents to maintain blood flow. I am not willing to go through that which brings me back to why I have started this journey. To Get Healthy!!!! So we must be willing and able to make the sacrafices and do whatever we need to to to reach our goal. Keep your eye on the goal, without waver and take all necessary steps to get there.

I am in the process of getting all of my pre op stuff done. My employer does a wellness check every year so I went and had labs drawn for that and the next day went for the first set for my surgeon. I was pretty shocked to find my triglycerides are up 100 points from last year to 259 and my cholesterol is up 30 pts to 243. I made an appt with my primary right away. What I am concerned about is whether this will require more expensive testing with a cardiologist. My copay for the EGD is already $350.00, and the program fee is $450, the surgical co pay will be about $500. I am not doubting having the band, I f I had any doubts they are gone because these lab results will only get worse if I do not do anything. But does anyone have any experience like this? I was hoping to get my band in December but if there are a lot more tests with large copays I may have to put it off until next year. the other frustration with this is that I am borderline with my BMT ( 36) and the nutritionist and insurance adviser at my surgeons office said not to loose much weight.And the best thing to lower these labs is to ,,,,,,,drum roll....loose weight !!!! I am so ready to get this show on the road!!!!

Thank you both for the response! As soon as I can arrange my schedule I plan to go the support group.

Dany1970...Please update us, I read your post and hope you took the advice and contacted your Doctor..I am not banded but spent 30 years as a Respiratory Therapist working in hospitals and have had several surgeries,,,No it is Not normal to be short of breath and clammy.....Let us know yo are OK !!

Have yu checked out myfitnesspal.com?

That was a question at the seminar and my surgeon said you do not have to go off it. I have a very strong ,sugar free light soy latte every morning. I know I will have to hold on the soy milk until I go to full liquids but I cannot imagine giving up coffee.Now I fully expect to listen to my body and see if it will be tolerated post op, I may have to water it down a bit. However: I am down with quitting diet Dr Pepper, and Coke Zero, I probably have 10 a week. I am down with quitting alcohol for a while , I do have a few cocktails on the weekend .I am ready to embrace portion control. And the new words "No More I am satisfied"...will become ny mantra,. I am even down with and ready to go Head to Head with the Head Munchies Monster . BUT, I am Not giving up my Soy Latte!

Thanks for all the replies. After the seminar when the woman from the office called to tell me I was approved, I said to her, you mean it is covered and I have to get tests and stuff first before it is approved. She said no it is approved. Well having dealt with Dotors and insurance companies in the past , AND being a realist I took what she said with a grain of salt and figured she did not know what she was talking about. However hope did spring eternal within.. I met with the sergeon August 24. I found I have to do 3 months supervised Diet Which I start with the nutritionist Sept 9. I am looking at December for my sergery. I want to get it scheduled and done before the end of the year in case they stop covering it after the first of the year. Open enrollment is in December so I wll be paying really closeattention to that this year. If is is still covered I may push it to the first of January when I could take more time off work and use my spending acct for the hospital co-pay.

Hello, I want to a seminar July 9, received insurance approval July 25, but do not meet with my surgeon until August 24. How much longer can I expect to wait to be banded? Having made the decision, I am ready to make this life long change and want to get going. Thank you , Abqann

My Dr does all fills under fluro just to be sure the restriction is correct. I know it adds to the fill cost, but I prefer to get it right, rather than guessing how much to put in. I wish I was waition on a fill instead of the stupid 3 month nutrition counseling......Oh well it will be a great Christmas present for myself!