Jim1967

I have Cigna and had to do 6 months but recently I heard they changed that requirement to 3 months. I go to a center of excellence and my surgeons staff handled everything. I didn't have to see a doctor or nurse for weigh ins every month. I had to go to the center step on a scale in the waiting room and they recorded my weight and I left. Did that for 6 months. Saw a Nutritionist there at the center twice. They took my food logs and they documented everything and faxed it over to Cigna. I was approved in 4 days. Good Luck!!

Hi and Welcome the LBT!! It's kinda hard for me to give you advice as I am a guy and twice your age so my perspective on it is a little bit different. I could care less what others think aside from my Wife and my parents. That being said, everyone pretty much knows I had the surgery and I wish I did handle it a little different. While yes I don't care what people think I do constantly get asked how I am doing, how much weight I have lost and so on and so on. I had a co-worker come up to me and tell me they are ordering pizza for everyone for lunch "but you shouldn't have it" Umm excuse me??? I am 44 years old and its been a long time since anyone told me I couldn't or shouldn't eat something. I know she meant well but seriously, c'mon!! You have to make this decision for yourself as far as who to tell. I wish I didn't tell as many people. I wish I didn't tell my mother because now all my aunts, uncles and cousins now know. I am not hiding anything but I wish I thought it through. Remember you are doing this for you and your health. If you come across negativity just disregard it best you can. We have one pass at life. Make the most of it and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.... Take some time to digest it all and don't rush into telling anyone until you are 100% sure that's what you want to do Good Luck!!

This may sound strange to you all but in my opinion you don't feel restriction, you sense it. Check out the link to Dr Simpson for a great article on restriction. I think the name "restriction" is just plain bad because when someone hears it they get the wrong idea.... Just my 2 cents.....

Nerves is definitely normal. We've all been there. This was probably the easiest surgery I ever had. I was walking the hall of the hospital wing two hours after coming out of recovery (with a very lovely Nurse). You ladies will rock this thing and see that it is not so bad. Good Luck!!

After three weeks I wouldn't expect you to still be having gas pains but everyone is different. How often does it occur? Does it happen random times or when you eat something? May want to run it past your Doctor.

My appetite has diminished greatly since being banded. It took probably took 3 fills to get to that point. I am amazed at how little I can eat and how long it sustains me before the stomach growls and says feed me.

One other thought about having the medical card with your license. If you put a paper clip to keep them together there is no way they can miss it when looking for your license....I would hope anyway.

Hi All, I thank you all for your opinions and I respect them. I personally have decided to get a dog tag with a chain to go around my neck. I feel its better to be safe then sorry. I would rather have it knowing there is a chance some day it could help me greatly. I figure worse case scenario if something were to happen the first thing they would do is cut my shirt off and remove the chain. whether they were to actually take a minute and look it is another case altogether. I really like this dog tag on Laurens hope http://www.laurenshope.com/product/2065/ST54/swiss-army-medical-dog-tag-necklace/size

I have no problem taking big gulps of any drink just as long as I am not eating anything at the time. Everyone is built different though so while I can do that you may not. Every Surgeon has their guidelines they ask patients to follow. One rule is not to drink while eating and wait until at least an hour after eating before drinking anything. Now the eating part is something you have to learn and being 4 months post op I can tell you I am still learning. You have chew very very slow and small bites. If you eat to fast you can cause something as minor as burping to something more painful like a stuck episode. Stuck episode is when the food will not pass through the band and it just sits there until it either passes or you vomit. It feels almost like the food is just sitting at the top of your throat. It can be very painful so you learn quickly but it does take practice.

I know this topic has come up a lot over the years but I am looking to get a fresh perspective on whether or not Banders out there have considered getting a medical id. I know when we have the band placed we usually get an id card whether it be Realize or Allergan. I never got a card and when I asked about it I was told they don't have them anymore. I am thinking of getting one but not sure if it is really necessary.

I would do it over in a heartbeat!! I cannot feel my band but I can feel my port. So far I can do anything now that I could do before except eat as much. In fact I can do more now because I have lost some weight and I get around better. I have arthritis in my left knee bit it has not bothered me for the last couple of months. My only regret was waiting so long to do it. Your first couple of weeks of post op you will have some limitations such as not lifting anything over 10 pounds including kids!! I had my Cat jump on me in my sleep and that sent me through the roof. I was just only 4 days post op. I slept with a pillow over my belly for two weeks.

I have Cigna and was banded in April. I had to undergo a 6 month supervised diet in order to get approval. I was approved in 3 days after submitting. I heard Cigna has recently changed the requirement from 6 month to 3 month. Also, keep in mind Cigna's coverage may depend on what level of service your employer purchased. Assuming of course it is employer paid Cigna. I definitely recommend to anyone seeking coverage to fully know what they will and will not cover. If you call Cigna and ask for the policy in writing they will send it to you. I got mine via email PDF. Good Luck!!

Make sure you ask them to send the coverage policy to you in writing. Some insurance companies and mine being one of them may say it is not covered only to find out they do in fact cover it as long as certain criteria is met. In my case a 6 month supervised diet with full documentation from the Surgeon. They even wanted examples of my food journals.

I went to a seminar in September 2011 and had to wait a month and half to actually start because they were so booked. So first actual appointment was Oct 2011 and surgery was in April 2012. My insurance company required at the time a 6 month monitored diet. A month after my surgery I found out they changed it to 3 months. Those 6 months went fast and gave me plenty of time to digest and learn and train for being banded. One of the things I would change if I were to do it all over again would practicing taking the time eating slow and chewing. I saw the Nutritionist on Tuesday and she put down a piece of rubber that looked like a 4 oz hamburg patty and asked me how long it would take me to eat it. I said I don't know 20 minutes maybe......She said your eating too fast and not giving the brain a chance to catch up with the pouch.

That's great news!! Congratulations. Do you have a date yet?

First off congratulations on hitting that 100 mark. That is no small accomplishment. Second, worrying about gaining it back is nothing to be ashamed of. We all some where in the back of our minds have that concern. I hope it all works out.

I only drink decaf now. My Wife bought me a Kuerig for Christmas last year. Two splenda and low fat half and half. I have 2 to 3 per day. Has not hindered my weight loss. I do drink lots of water as well so not to get dehydrated as familygirl said above.

My Doc wants me doing 80 to 100g a day.

I wouldn't fool with that. I would call right away and get back in and be seen...

Good luck to you all. I remember when the day I got my insurance approval I felt like a kid at Christmas. Then about 20 minutes after that reality set in that it was real. Perfectly normal to be nervous. We've all be there. :-)

Wow what an awesome thread thanks for sharing. I tossed a bunch of old jeans off to good will wish I hung on to a pair.

I had to sign that same thing Jen. For me it is about what is more important to me the taste of that soda or the health and longevity of my band and pouch. If I drank beer like I drank soda preop I would be a serious alcoholic and I tell you it just isn't worth it. You work so hard to get approval and to actually get the surgery. Why risk it even if it were minimal?

Addiction comes in all forms....

My Surgeon came straight out and asked me why I chose the band over bypass and then stopped me before I answered and he said, "I just want to know your mindset. I am not trying to sway you one way or another". I told him my reasoning and then he said "it sounds like you know what you want and sound determined and educated on the band". He went on to tell me he believes the band will work for me just fine and we proceeded to map out all the pre-op testing and goals. This is strictly my opinion: Any Surgeon regardless of how great their reputation is tries talking you into something you don't want....FIND someone new!!

Hi Becky and welcome to Lapbandtalk. Making a decision for any surgery elective or not is such a personal decision. What you are going through is perfectly normal and most of us have been there. You already stated you know it is going to be a lot of work. That is a good attitude to have. I started out at 488 pounds and I went back in forth trying to decide what was right for me. I was so heavy and concerned the weight would not come off. After much consideration and the fact I didn't have any other life threatening health issues I decided the band was it for me. I was banded in April 2012 and so far I am down 67 pounds (not including preop loss). Whatever you decide just know this: All WLS which ever one you decide on is going to take a lot of effort and will power. I am not saying this to discourage you or scare you. I am just trying to keep it real. It is work but with the tools it doesn't seem as out of reach. My goal is 220 pounds and at 5'6 that still puts me in the obese class but I know that is a weight I can feel good with and live with. Any additional weight loss on top of that would be a treat.