bbbanded

My company got a new insurance on 1/1/12 and they have more requirements than the old one, Amerihealth. But the new one never notified us, all they told us was that they needed to verify the old insurance was going to cover it, and we got that letter, and that it was medically necessary, so we went to our PCP and they sent those letters in. They sent us the rest of the requirements but knowing my company, they most likely will not cover it. We are considering various options including self pay via loan, and Medicaid.

So, my new insurance denied my surgery last minute, literally one week before my surgery. Definitely had mixed emotions about the whole thing but I'm living, moms absolutely devastated, she was planning to do it too. I decided to throw my money into some new ink, which is normal at least it's not the foody I considered. I'm not too worried though, I mean sooner or later it'll happen.

I feel the exact same way! But everytime I get the feeling I think about the results and my mind is out of the gutter. Everything will be fine!

When I started my 2 week I had only the money to put in my gas tank for work, no negotiating. Got more money, got real food. So I determined I'll keep $5 for emergency and hand over my card (giolden ticket) to a responsible holder. IDK something about the freedom to do anything I want in the car I bought with the money I made turns me into a spending monster.

For the most part all of my dinners if I've chosen to have food instead of the shake I had lettuce. Its pretty shocking how you can honestly be satisfied by just that. I tell ya they really know what theyre talking about when they say chew chew chew, the time in between is marvelous.

To my knowledge the only thing that has any fat is the shake with 9g. That's pretty much all I can have though. Protein shakes, fruit cups, low/no fat yogurt, veggies, and sugar free Popsicles and Jello.

So I'm on my 2 week pre op, decided not to use my moms fried chicken as 3 ounces of meat. Went with a super high Protein shake. 1 container of plain chobani greek yogurt 1 atkins advantage vanilla Protein Shake 1 dole fruit cup (any fruit) 1 tea spoon of splenda no blendy, just poured it all into 28 oz Water bottle I got from the med center yuuuum and oh the protein!

No, its a meal plan some med centers have you go on before the surgery. In that case I would suggest a low cal diet, to shrink your liver, so you come out with a successful surgery.

Have they given you a pre op diet?

I feel ya, I was so discouraged when I found out the new insurance didnt cover it. But the medical center I'm working with has been really helpful with getting everything going. We were told that they only cover it if its proven to be medically necessary. So my regular doctor wrote a letter saying that it was, and like you, the letter from the old insurance saying that they were going to cover is supposed to add fuel to the fire, in a good way. I don't think we have a flat out answer as of yet, but I dont see any reason why it should be a no at this point. I'm guessing neither do they because they have me on the 2 week pre op diet. In the end, I wouldn't worry because, no insurance company in their right mind would rather pay more than helpful surgery than for someone to have continuous doctors visits for various obesity related illnesses. Thats my input anyway.

I think most places are a bit different. For me though, I first met with the I guess assistant of the surgeon, then the same day sat and spoke with the surgeon himself. When I sat with his assistant I scheduled most of my appointments, and found out I'd have to do 6 months of nurtitionist appointments (normally its three). I had to do a sleep study, then meet with a pulmonologist? Theeen an upper endoscopy, met with a psychologist for an eval. Then had to get a physical from my primary doctor, where I found out I needed a letter of medical necessity, for my NEW insurance. Then I met with the assistant again and she set an appt for me to do a chest xray an ekg and blood work. I got my surgery date at abooout my 5th month nutritionist meeting. Expect your surgery to be a good 3-4 weeks after your last manditory appointment.

MissUni do you by any chance work for omnicare? Because the same is happening with me!

I think my doctor only has people who are way over weight get the sleeve. Not even me who is 325 lbs, 18 years old, 52 bmi and 5'6 did he even mention the sleeve to, so Yo'd prob have to be pretty up there. xxTiana

Awsome, keep s posted!

In Philadelphia, so much temp to have the bread that goes with the eggplant. Dedication>Temptation! I think? Those symbols kill me every time .

I think it should be asked if it hasn't already been. What exactly is worn during the surgery? Please say a robe at least! O_o

Just installed the fact that tomorrow I start my 2 week diet, so I'll be having a shake, Water, and a fruit cup, instead of eggs, toast, and OJ. Yowza!

Congrats, mine is on the 27th! I found two that were pretty good, the atkins shakes were not horrible, what I so sometimes if I ha v ent had one in a while is pour it into a bigger container and shake it up so the consistency is a little thicker, I def helps considering its as thin as Water initially. And boost glucose control, my dad has always been a boost drinker so I would drink them as well and when I found the glucose control, because it has very little sugar and a lot of Protein I wanted to try it, its pretty good at room temp.

Nah the sites been MIA for two loooong days

Honestly the me now would prefer GBS because I'm lazy, I ultimately made the decision for myself to do the band because it's about making changes, all around no just eating right. It also has to do with my pride, one of my lovely deadly sins. I'd rather go around and tell people I had a band than to say I had gastric bypass. Idk not the prettiest ring to it I suppose.

From what I've heard, I don't get my band until the 27th but word of mouth has said you'll still feel sick if you have anything too high in sugar or fat. The average I believe is up to 40% you'll prob find that number anywhere. But there are always people that do better, that's how the average is so high, obv, so raise that bar girl!

First things first, welcome To answer your first question, my surgeon asked if I was a sweet eater or a volume eater. I told him volume, if I have a plate or food I have to finish it. So he suggested the band. Band makes you eat less. Bypass gives dumping syndrome. Basically the two different surgeries use your faults to make you productive. He also said because I was so young I could take the weight off working with the band rather than letting it fall off with bypass. As for the amount of weight loss. My nutritionist reassured me that the diet, mine anyway, with the band is designed to make you lose 1-2 lbs a week. And, that's the diet in itself, so with the help of diet AND exercise you're guaranteed to lose more. Hope this helps, good luck! xx Tiana

So excited for you, good luck!!! xx Tiana

My insurance required the 6 month visit with a nutritionist. I'm not too sure why myself why. It's been a long time coming though. I just recently got a new insurance company through work and Im hoping they will cover the surgery. All they need is a letter of medical necessity from my PP which I've gotten, just waiting for the word. My date as of right now is 1/27/12.

Wow that's awesome! Thanks for the well wishes guys