TxMimi

Woohoo I am SO EXCITED!! My first apt was July 17th. And I got a phone call from the ins co today followed up by an email from the Dr Ofc. I will find out my surgery date tomorrow!!! I started my Pre-op diet today in anticipation of finding out @ insurance . So glad I did!!

Hello, I live in Mansfield and am looking for suggestions on a surgeon. whO to use or who to stay away from. If you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them. Thanks so much!

It was actually an RN from our ins company that called me. The Dr office had sent over 5 years weight loss from 2006-2010 where I had a BMI over 40. For 2011 my BMI dropped to 38. Now I am back up. The ins policy is pretty leanient and straight forward: 5 years BMI over 40 and an in network dr/hospital. Thats it. It does not allow for any other illneses due to weight, for the BMI to be lower. (I have high cholesterol) all it states per the benefits RN with all the paper work / documentation in front of her, is a BMI over 40 for 5 years. I had it for 5 years, then dropped to 38 last year. My last weight was taken last year in July as I have had 2 foot surgeries after that, being in a wheelchair and casted until after Jan this year. So no weights taken after July! The RN is going to re submitt it but is highly expecting a denial and was just trying to see if I had a weight for 2011 that would put me over 40BMI. Which I don't. She the RN had has the sleeve done and is an advocate for it! She sais she will do all she can to help me on her end, but in the end it is the medical directors decision. Thanks for the encouragment everyone!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! 50 pounds gone never to be seen again!!!!

My name is LaQuita and I had my first appt on Feb 22nd. Was so blessed to find out that our ins Co did not require any "hoops". No pshcy eval, no nut, no 6 Months waiting, nothing!!! I was SO excited. We have BCBS of TN BUT through my husbands Co there is a special provision for WLS so that none of this is required. Just a BMI over 40 /35 with Co mobidities. I' fit in the over 40 bmi. And proof of 5 years being "obese". I really don't like that word! I called yesterday and as of Friday the paperwork had been faxed over to BCBS for pre cert so I am waiting on them now. Aa of yesterday it wasn't showing up 'in the system, so I could not get an update from them. The surgeon won't see me and set a surgery date until he has surgical clearance from the ins. Co. So I'm waiting.......... I know after reading alot of others posts that this wait time is nothing compared to so many others. I just pray that the rest goes as smoothly. I've enjoyed reading all the tips / suggestions / and ideas u all have posted and I look forward to joining this 'club. Oh I forgot, I have had lap and surgery 2 times prior. First in 09, then I got food poisoning one time, started throwing up band prolapsed. Had to have it un-filled, then removed. Had 2 nd one put in in '10 then 8 months later I got the flu, it prolapsed too. It took several months to get it out. This was in Dec 11. I wanted the sleeve to start with in 08 but the insurance Co. Didn't approve them yet. Then in 10 when he took the first one out, he would only revise with a band not a sleeve. At the time I did not realize that other doctors would revise someone else work! You live & learn. Thankfully the Lord had lead me else where and Lord willing I will be having it within the next 4-6 weeks. Thanks again everyone for making this such an inviting & comfortable place to come! Blessings to u all!! First visit: Feb 22nd Faxed to Ins co March 2nd Waiting on pre-cert approval _CURRENT!

]Hi, I'm Barb and I've been lurking for awhile and even posted a couple of times. I'm in the very beginning stages of the process. Lol I started reading u r post and thought it was mine!!! Because this is what I was going to say too! My name is LaQuita and I had my first appt on Feb 22nd. Was so blessed to find out that our ins Co did not require any "hoops". No pshcy eval, no nut, no 6 Months waiting, nothing!!! I was SO excited. We have BCBS of TN BUT through my husbands Co there is a special provision for WLS so that none of this is required. Just a BMI over 40 /35 with Co mobidities. I' fit in the over 40 bmi. And proof of 5 years being "obese". I really don't like that word! I called yesterday and as of Friday the paperwork had been faxed over to BCBS for pre cert so I am waiting on them now. Aa of yesterday it wasn't showing up 'in the system, so I could not get an update from them. The surgeon won't see me and set a surgery date until he has surgical clearance from the ins. Co. So I'm waiting.......... I know after reading alot of others posts that this wait time is nothing compared to so many others. I just pray that the rest goes as smoothly. I've enjoyed reading all the tips / suggestions / and ideas u all have posted and I look forward to joining this 'club. Oh I forgot, I have had lap and surgery 2 times prior. First in 09, then I got food poisoning one time, started throwing up band prolapsed. Had to have it un-filled, then removed. Had 2 nd one put in in '10 then 8 months later I got the flu, it prolapsed too. It took several months to get it out. This was in Dec 11. I wanted the sleeve to start with in 08 but the insurance Co. Didn't approve them yet. Then in 10 when he took the first one out, he would only revise with a band not a sleeve. At the time I did not realize that other doctors would revise someone else work! You live & learn. Thankfully the Lord had lead me else where and Lord willing I will be having it within the next 4-6 weeks. Thanks again everyone for making this such an inviting & comfortable place to come! Blessings to u all!!

WOW!!!! You look awesome !!! I actually thought at first that the first pic could if been of u r mother maybe? It's amazing how much our weight "ages" us all. Keep ip the great job!

The Torain syrups can usually be found, for sale at one of your local coffee shops like Starbucks, Or American's Best COffee, I don't know what you all have in your area, but if you ahve some place local place like this, check it out. Also our Kroger & HEB grocery stores sell these on the isle with the coffees. HTH

I have a beautiful LBD I bought YEARS AGO when we lived in Ga. I LOVED the dress, it was too small then, but I LOVED ITk so I bought it with a goal to someday make it into that dress and wear it out on a a date with my husband of 28 years now! LOL I will wear that dress one day! It is my goal to be in the LBD! Thanks for sharing everyone,

You look AMAZSING! Thanks for sharing your pics. They are an inspiration to us all! Keep up the good work!

Thanks for sharing! It's an inspiration to us all! Keep up the good work !!!

It could very well be constipation. Think of u r intestines & colon & how high up they go I'n such a small space. If u r constipated u r colon could be having spasms & causing the pain. But I'd check if out witj a Dr to be sure. Are u taking Miralax or something similar? Maybe ask u r pharmacist for something else to get y though the weekend. Feel better soon!

I had t his same thing happen to me TWICE!!! I had 2 differnt lap=band, and they both prolapsed after I got sick one time with food poisioning and the flu the next time. I had pain after having my saline removed while waiting to have the band removed, there was no erosion and it was 3 motnhs after I had to have the saline removed at the Er until I had the band removed. You should be okay. The pain, for me was gas from having the band IN, but not filled and yet having some restriction. Best of luck to you on the revision.

WIth our BCBS we can check EVERYTHING on line, wven approval / pre-derterminations/ denails and claims. This is what I plan to do!

Lots of luvk to you, we have BCBS of TN and we live in TX!!! LOL I too am waiting for my pre-cert info to be returned. It's hard but I know its just a matter of time before I will ahve the surgeryl DOn't have a surgery date yet, but have been told that once the paper work is approved I will meet with the Dr, then within 2 weeks I will have my surgery!! We may be sleeve buddies!! Have a blessed day;

You look AMAZING!!! Thanks so much for sharing the pictures! I do have one ? If u don't mind...what are u doing for the excess skin from all the weight loss? One more. What was u r start weight ? End weight? And u r height? Good thing I'm not a teacher.....that's mire than ONE ? LOL Thanks for sharing

I like these b/c they are quick and easy but I agree they are MUCH BETTER cold!!! I liked the grape the best. There are a few different flavors. Give them a try! Oh BTW: As when you go ij if they give discounts for buying a case. The Vitamni shop I go to does.

Hi there, My name is LaQuita and I live in the DFW area I am looking for some suggestions for a surgeon. I have not seen anyone yet and would like to hear your feedback please. Here's my story: I have had 2 lap bands in the last 2 years, Both had to be removed b/c of skippage (prolapsed) one was b/c I got food posioning and t he 2nd was b/c I got a bad case of the flu. The throwing up is what caused both of these to prolapse. Not anything I could do about either situation! This is one reason I would not suggest a laband to anyone, Secondly, you still have to pay for fills. Two years ago I origionally wanted the sleeve, but it was too new and our current insurance (United Health Care) would not approve it. Now we have BCBS/Tennessee (yes even though we live in Texas) I am praying that I won't have to re-do all the 6 months of evals and seminars since I have had the lap-band done before. I have a consult on Wednesday with True Results in Hurst, Tx. But am open to ANY suggestions inone in the area has for places to go or not go! Looking forward to getting to be a part of this 'group' Blessings to you all LaQuita

Hello, I'm in, well almost, heighth wise Im in. Im 5'2, As for having had VSG, not yet. I have had 2 lap-bands in the last 2 years. Both were taken out due to prolapse. (One time I had food posioning and the 2nd time I got a bad case of the flu) throwing up alot these 2 times caused my band to slip (prolapse). I told the Dr the last time just to take it out. This is one reason I would not suggest the band, too many complications, PLUS you still have to have fills and pay for them out of pocket! I wanted the sleeve , 2 years ago, but it was still too new and my insurance (United Health Care) at the time would not pay for it. Now our insurance is BCBS of Tennessee and I pray they will approve it (as m y BMI is now back up over 40) and I hope they won't require all the previous 6 months evals and so forth. I have my first consult on Wednesday.!