Sheila

Well, the great countdown has begun! Today I started my pre-op liquid diet. Surgery is scheduled for next Monday. I can't believe it has got here this quickly. I got my letter of approval the day before Thanksgiving and the time since then has just flown. I went Friday for my pre-op tests and I have lost 7 pounds since November...was I shocked! So far today has been ok on liquids, but by the time Sunday gets here.......who knows? Once again I want to thank everyone on this board. You have been an inspiration and a fountain of knowledge for me. Even though I haven't posted a lot, I am a lurker and am on here everyday...sometimes several times a day. Sheila

Hi Linds, Welcome to the board. What an inspirational post you have given us. I am scheduled for my surgery on Jan 19 and looking forward to becoming a loser. Isn't it wonderful finally finding some hope for losing this weight and gaining our health back! Keep on posting and let us know how you're doing! Sheila

Just wanted to let you know that there are a couple of other doctors in the Columbus area. They work in the Mount Carmel Hospital system and their practice is Mid Ohio Surgical. I think the names are Timothy Price & Philip Custer. I'm not 100% sure of the first names but I know the last names are correct. I called OSU and they tried to convince me to choose the bypass, so I got away from them quick. I am going to Dr. Duckett in Maumee Ohio because of insurance reasons. Good luck in your journey! My surgery is scheduled for Jan 19. Sheila

I have a 17 year old daughter and I so look forward to shopping with her, in her kind of stores! She said she can't wait to take me shopping and buy stuff for me. I also want to be able to do things with my 11 year old son. He is very active in sports and loves to do things outside. I'm getting ready for him...camping, hiking, amusement parks, professional/collegiate football games, etc. My DH likes to travel and do things, but the last few years have been so hard with this weight. I can't wait to be able to do ANYTHING that I want. I guess basically, I'm ready to LIVE.

The seminar I attended was ok. The doctor only does lapband (no RNY) so everything that was discussed pertained to the lapband. He also had the nutritionist and psychologist that he recommends there and they each spoke for a few minutes. The insurance coordinator was there to answer questions also. At the end of the session they allowed you to schedule your initial visit with the surgeon. Since I had already been researching, there wasn't really anything new said that I hadn't already read about. I guess it is just one of those hoops you have to jump through to get the surgery. They did pass out a packet of information that helped with the rest of the process though. Sheila

Hey Mel, I am not too far behind you...surgery is Jan 19. I don't have to start my diet until after the new year. Jitters haven't kicked in yet, but I'm sure the closer the date gets, the jitters will appear. I have lived and breathed this process since May and I finally got approval the day before Thanksgiving. Sure did make me thankful too! Good luck on your surgery. Looking forward to hearing all about your experience. Sheila

WOW!! As a pre-bander it is so hard for me to fathom being able to walk away from Cookies. I am so proud of you and those pounds lost will more than make up for the cookies. Way to go! Sheila

One more thought: I understand that GEHA also covers the lapband procedure. Sheila

Hi Jayla, I just received approval from Anthem Federal (Blue HMO). I live in Ohio and work for the federal government. I had called Mail Handlers in case I would have to change insurance companies, and they did tell me they covered the lapband, but what you're told and what actually happens isn't always the same thing! I just know for a fact that Anthem Federal approved me and I am thrilled! Surgery is scheduled for Jan. 19. This should be the best year for me in a looooong time. Sheila

Woohoo!! I have finally been approved by my insurance and I have my surgery date. Jan 19 is the date. What a wonderful way to start the new year off. I am so ready to be a bandster. Even though I don't post a lot, I am on here lurking every day and the info I have gained from all of your experiences is invaluable! Thank you all so much for sharing your knowledge with us. I'm sure I'll be posting more now that I have been approved and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sheila:p

Hi Carmen, Thanks for your reply. That is encouraging!! Hopefully it is an approval and I'll be good to go. I've already met with the surgeon, nutritionist and had my psych eval. I am so ready to get banded and join those in bandland!! Sheila

I received a letter from my insurance (Anthem Federal) that has me totally confused. It states "This is not an approval for claims payment. This approval is a confirmation of medical necessity only" yet it goes on to say "Based on the information provided to us, we are pleased to authorize the inpatient admission referenced above" The reference is an internal Anthem number, so doesn't really tell me anything. There isn't any other procedure codes or anything on the letter. I am waiting to hear back from my surgeon's office to see what they say before I call Anthem again! Just wondered if anyone else has received this kind of letter.

I had my psych eval last week and I too was surprised how well it went. It was just very time consuming. I didn't get any feedback though as to how it went. He just said that he has a new way of analyzing the results and he should have be able to get the results to the surgeon in a couple of days. Prior to his "new way" it was taking him 2-3 weeks. I think I am going to call my surgeon tomorrow to see if he's received the results yet. Don't mean to bother him but I want to stay on top of things. My initial consult with the surgeon is Oct. 2. I am so ready for this surgery!! I really want the new year to start with the band in place!!

I just got home from my appointment with my PCP and she agreed to write the recommendation letter for me. WOO HOO!! I wasn't sure how she would feel about WLS but I went armed with info about lapband to leave for her to read and an example of a letter for her to write to the surgeon. She was pretty easy to convince. Just wanted to know why I chose lapband over the other WLS. Seemed like a no-brainer to me but I told her why anyway!! My initial consult with the surgeon (Dr. Duckett) is October 2. I am really ready to get this done and join the banded side. Patience has never been so hard for me!!

Has anyone been able to get approval from your insurance after being told that they consider the lapband "investigational"?

Hi Everyone, Well, I went today and had my psych eval done. I was in the doc's office from 10:15 until after 1:00. It was painless though. That 400 question questionnaire was something else altogether. Nothing difficult just very time consuming. Anyway, he said he has a new computer program that allows him to analyze the questionnaire much quicker than before and he should have the results to my surgeon in a couple of days. One step down.....many more to go. Sheila

Come on, I can't believe that there is no one from the Buckeye State on here!! Where is everybody at!! We need to get this local support moving. Surely there's someone out there.

Hi Everybody, When I was looking for a doctor to do my psych eval, one of them told me it would only take half an hour to an hour. In reading posts on different forums it sounds like 2-3 hours is more realistic. Anyone know what the difference is and does it really matter in the long run? I know there is a personality test that some docs require, but is it necessary?

Hi Janet, I understand your needing someone to tell you about this experience. My sister had the surgery in December and has been my inspiration. She has lost 70 some pounds and just told me yesterday that she is now off all pre-band medicines. She is ecstatic and I am just as happy for her. She shares all of her experiences with me and told me she is paving the way for me. I am eternally grateful to her! Good luck in your journey. This site is a wonderful place to learn from. I too was very tired of reading about the rny because I knew I wanted the band so I was happy to find this site.

Cathy, Please keep me posted as to your outcome. I work for the federal government and Mail Handlers is one of the companies available to us. Currently I have Anthem HMO but I'm not sure if they're going to cover lapband. I am in the early pre-band stage so it hasn't even been submitted yet. Our open season for insurance changes occurs during November, so I want to be able to change if I need to. Please keep me updated. Thanks, Sheila

Hi Bren, Welcome to the group. You are located in one of the most beautiful parts of our country (at least I think so!). Good luck on your journey. Sheila

Alexandra, I will be thinking and praying 'or you tomorrow. I'm sure your surgery will go fine. I am looking forward to hearing all about it in a few days. GOD BLESS

Alex, I am in the pre-band stage. I have my psych eval in Sept and my initial consult with the surgeon in October. I am worried about my insurance though-Anthem Federal (HMO)- not really sure if they cover this. I got conflicting information when I called them. So I decided to go ahead and get started and then deal with an appeal if necessary. I'll have to rely on Alexandra's expertise if I have to appeal!!

Anyone know of any support groups in the Columbus Ohio area?

Hi Everyone! Well, my journey is beginning. I have my psych eval scheduled for Sept. 11, and my consult with the surgeon is Oct. 2. I am praying that my insurance is approved and I can have this surgery before the holiday (Christmas). I am ready for my life and body to change! The thought of re-gaining my health and energy back is just so exciting. I have learned so much from the postings here. Thanks to everyone for sharing. I live in the Columbus Ohio area. Anyone else in Ohio?