Bjc1227

I have anthem and I was approved on the first try. It took less then 3 days

Thanks for getting back to me. That's great to hear.

Last summer I decided to lose some weight for my daughter's wedding. I planned on taking off 20 but ended up losing 10. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on something I'd probably never wear again, so I decided to make my dress. I finished just in time for the wedding and was very pleased with myself. The bride was beautiful, the wedding was wonderful and I was happy until the wedding pictures came back. I wanted to dig a hole and hide. I had no idea how large I had gotten. This got me motivated to finally make a decision about having surgery.

I haven't been asked for bloodwork yet. Is that from the doctor? It seems like a 6 month wait is much more reasonable than a year.

I can imagine that a 50 lb. puppy would be a handful. They seem to have an endless amount of energy. It's good to have a friend who can take your pup till you can manage.

My dog is 12 - 13 lb. I was mainly concerned with bending over to hook his leash. I'll have to remember the small pillow for bending over. He does sleep next to me at night and is a great comfort.

I'm at Longwood U. down in Farmville. I just assumed all the state universities used the same insurance. Live and learn.

I saw Susan Kaufman for the counseling visit. She is very pleasant and the hour went by quickly. I also liked Dianne Vitt, the nutritionist.

Has anyone run into difficulty being approved by Anthem of Virginia? I started my year on February 1, 2012 and joined WW online. I'm talking regularly to the Cova Care Coach, and had my appontments with the nutritionist and counselor. I have my proof that I joined WW. If I don't lose weight on WW will they deny me or if I do? I had no co-morbidities when I started but have since gone on blood pressure medicine. Any information will be appreciated.

Welcome Beckysue. It sounds like you will be banded before me' date=' My year won't be up until February 2013. I haven't seen any sign of other patients of Dr. Trehan that are current but I'd be happy to also be in a support group. Have you had your first visit with the dietitian and counselor yet? I had both appointments in April, on the same day and was very pleased. What insurance do you have? I'm with Trigon BC/BS.[/quote']

Sorry, insurance is Anthem.

I have been to the learning session in march 2012 at Martha Jefferson and had my first visit with Dr. Trahan (mr.) may 2012 my insurance requires 6 month supervised diet so I am working on that along with dietitian' date=' mental health and labs. I would love to be in online group with other that are Dr. Trahan's patients.[/quote']

Welcome Beckysue. It sounds like you will be banded before me, My year won't be up until February 2013. I haven't seen any sign of other patients of Dr. Trehan that are current but I'd be happy to also be in a support group. Have you had your first visit with the dietitian and counselor yet? I had both appointments in April, on the same day and was very pleased. What insurance do you have? I'm with Trigon BC/BS.

That is strange. I met with my nutritionist for the first time about 3 weeks ago and she was very positive. I wonder if you should mention her comment when you talk with the surgeon. They're supposed to be working together.

Have you had the counselor evaluation yet?

Hi! I am a lifetime member of WW. I've been a member for the past 35 years. I was always good at losing weight--the problem--keeping it off. I've been a yo-yo dieter for most of my adult life which isn't good' date=' so I'm going to get the LAP-BAND surgery and begin anew. My WW leader in my hometown is also a member of my church, and she is not too happy that I am having the surgery. But, we all have to do what is best for us! WW is always going to find fault of us, but just push it aside and do what's right for you.

Note to 'BethfromVA'--Where in Virginia do you live? I live in Victoria, work at Longwood University, and am being banded in Richmond hopefully in September. Would love to talk with you. Peg[/quote']

Hi Peg,

I've wondered how Jean felt about the LapBand surgery. Of course, it's only natural that she would think WW is the best. Some years back I was able to stay on it and lose but as you know, it's not easy to stick with, and the weight came back and then some. I've known women who have been going to WW for years and they never lose. It's become more of a social thing. I don't have the patience or time for it and I got so tired of the constant push to buy the WW products.

I've heard your surgery was a success. Take care of yourself. Bonnie

My surgeon is Dr. Michael Trahan at Martha Jefferson Hospital. I went to his seminar in December and had our first one-on-one in January. His staff was friendly and helpful and I was comfortable with him. I knew before I met with him that I wanted the LapBand. I'd been thinking this over for a long time and after seeing the success that a woman I work with has had, I knew I needed to stop procrastinating. My insurance is Anthem BC/BS through the state and I'm required to wait a year, which started on February 1, 2012. I've visited the nutritionist and the counselor. I also joined WW online and have regular phone sessions with Value Options, as required by the insurance. The year is actually going quickly, just not quickly enough. I'm ready to do this.

B-52, congratulations on your success. More important than just looking better is our health. My blood pressure has been borderline for ages and gone over the border this year. I'd like to see that go down. I won't be able to lose the endocronligist but once a year will be good enough. My PCP tries to get me in every 4 months and I resist. I would love to cut him to once a year.

These last couple years have felt like life on hold and ready to move on. I've had my eye on a little red motor scooter, and I don't want to be the fat lady on the scooter. I have this urge to run but I'd kill my ankles. My kayak is gathering dust. So much to do and too much weight.

I believe if you really want something nothing can stop you from achieving that. It just takes will power. Good luck

I think you're right. I'm a great believer in the power of positive thinking.

I started this process Last May and almost gave up on the insurance company. I hung in and now I am having my surgery next week. It took a full year and I am 64. Looking forward to a new beginning. Hang in there and it will happen. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I hope all goes well. I'm sure you're very excited to finally be having surgery. I hope to keep up with your progress. I would with a woman that was lapbanded in October 2011, and watching her has been wonderful. She's come off her blood pressure medicine. She is shrinking before our eyes and she feels great. She is the reason I finally got myself moving. Again, good luck.

I used to be fairly active and want to get back to that when I'm able. I'll be 62 in December, with 100 lbs. to lose. Being height challenged (5 ft.), it's a lot.

My surgeon, at the informational meeting said he had few patients in the 60 and over range. He was saying that the rate of success was lower as you age. I am determined.

Right now it seems like I have a long way to go till my surgery, but life has taught me, time goes by before you know it. My year of working with the insurance company began on February 1st this year. I wish I hadn't waited so long to come to this decision. I kept thinking I could lose weight through Weight Watchers. I'd done it before but it always came back with a vengeance. Anyway, I'm imagining, if all goes well, that I'll have surgery mid-march, I hope. I have to do this for me.

My ankles seem to be always swollen, clothes never fit, my knees are starting to ache if I walk any distance. I still think I'm too young to be falling apart.

Anyway, nice to meet you and any advice you care to share, I am happy to listen. I live alone so an extended family here would be a good thing.

Thanks.

Bonnie

My regular doctor told me last fall that I was pre-diabetic. I was somewhat freaked out, so I did some reading on what foods to avoid. I did't really change much except eating fruit instead of drinking juice, and cutting back on breads. The next time I saw the doctor he said all my levels were normal. Now, if I could only do that with my blood pressure.

Thank you for the advice. I will add that to my notes.

My surgery is still a way off but I had also worried about caring for my dog after surgery. He's small so I'll have to bend down to hook his leash. I do have to walk him when he goes out. I'm probably worrying needlessly.