Jason Can Do it!

I was banded 2 months ago and am feeling great, just wanted to update everyone. I've had two "episodes" where I ate too quickly and/or too much and I threw up. Not pretty, but seriously, it was a major lesson learned. It's all about re-learning how to eat and I was just stupid... I knew I was being stupid, but did it anyway... and I paid the price. When I eat slowly, when I'm aware of what and how much I'm eating, I've been fine! I think you need to have 1 or 2 of these "episodes" to learn a lesson the "hard way"
I had my first fill yesterday. Was easy to do, no problem!
The weight is coming off slowly now, just like they said... about 1-2lbs per week. I'm already down 30-something pounds since my heaviest and feeling better than I've felt in 15+ years!!!
I love my band, but am still learning how to make it work for me. The weight loss and good feelings are so motivating to keep it all up and to keep complying with all the do's and don'ts.
Be well, everyone!
Jason

I was banded 2 months ago and am feeling great, just wanted to update everyone. I've had two "episodes" where I ate too quickly and/or too much and I threw up. Not pretty, but seriously, it was a major lesson learned. It's all about re-learning how to eat and I was just stupid... I knew I was being stupid, but did it anyway... and I paid the price. When I eat slowly, when I'm aware of what and how much I'm eating, I've been fine! I think you need to have 1 or 2 of these "episodes" to learn a lesson the "hard way"
I had my first fill yesterday. Was easy to do, no problem!
The weight is coming off slowly now, just like they said... about 1-2lbs per week. I'm already down 30-something pounds since my heaviest and feeling better than I've felt in 15+ years!!!
I love my band, but am still learning how to make it work for me. The weight loss and good feelings are so motivating to keep it all up and to keep complying with all the do's and don'ts.
Be well, everyone!
Jason

Thanks so much everyone! The support is an incredible part of the healing process and should never be underestimated! Just went for a long long walk on hte boardwalk. Daydreamed about my new life ahead. Feeling much better!

Thanks so much everyone! The support is an incredible part of the healing process and should never be underestimated! Just went for a long long walk on hte boardwalk. Daydreamed about my new life ahead. Feeling much better!

Thanks so much everyone! The support is an incredible part of the healing process and should never be underestimated! Just went for a long long walk on hte boardwalk. Daydreamed about my new life ahead. Feeling much better!

Thanks Bee! Just venting... I'm so ready to move on already!! Good luck to you as well... Most people say it gets better and better so let's just hang on to that hope!

Just banded gang. All went great!!! In hospiral overnight and only have some discomfort from gas. Just walked a bit and felt good. No pain meds. Feeling good!!! Congratulations to my 8/23 band buddies and all the August bandsters!!!

Just banded gang. All went great!!! In hospiral overnight and only have some discomfort from gas. Just walked a bit and felt good. No pain meds. Feeling good!!! Congratulations to my 8/23 band buddies and all the August bandsters!!!

Just banded gang. All went great!!! In hospiral overnight and only have some discomfort from gas. Just walked a bit and felt good. No pain meds. Feeling good!!! Congratulations to my 8/23 band buddies and all the August bandsters!!!

Hi guys!
Was banded 6 hours ago and sitting in a hospital room overnight. Everything went great!!!! I'm surprised actually how little pain I feel. No pain meds so far. The only thing I have is major discomfort from gas but that's discomfort, not pain. I just got up and walked for 5 minutes. That felt good although I was moving in major slow motion.
Sipping Water. Working up to 4 oz and hour by tomorrow.
So excited for this new journey. It's day one of the REST OF MY LIFE!!!!
Thank you for the great posts and support here!!!!

Just banded gang. All went great!!! In hospiral overnight and only have some discomfort from gas. Just walked a bit and felt good. No pain meds. Feeling good!!! Congratulations to my 8/23 band buddies and all the August bandsters!!!

Just banded gang. All went great!!! In hospiral overnight and only have some discomfort from gas. Just walked a bit and felt good. No pain meds. Feeling good!!! Congratulations to my 8/23 band buddies and all the August bandsters!!!

Hi guys!
Was banded 6 hours ago and sitting in a hospital room overnight. Everything went great!!!! I'm surprised actually how little pain I feel. No pain meds so far. The only thing I have is major discomfort from gas but that's discomfort, not pain. I just got up and walked for 5 minutes. That felt good although I was moving in major slow motion.
Sipping Water. Working up to 4 oz and hour by tomorrow.
So excited for this new journey. It's day one of the REST OF MY LIFE!!!!
Thank you for the great posts and support here!!!!

I'm so excited I could cry. After a week of bad insurance news and stress this week, I was just approved by Aetna!
Here's the story and I hope others can benefit from the lessons I learned this week.
I am 37 BMI with Hypertension. 35+ and one comorbidity qualifies me for Aetna under my specific plan. I've been worried about Aetna approving me all along since I'm so borderline but I've gone through the process by the book, checked all my facts and was really hopeful I get approval. On Monday I got an email from Surgeon's office that insurance DENIED me. The reason is still somewhat unclear, but it had something to do with the length of time I've been on HBP medication and some uncertainties about my weight fluctuations the last few years. I was shocked because all this was well documented in what was submitted and neither aetna nor surgeon could give me specifics on why exactly I was denied. VERY frustrating.
The Surgeon's office wanted to cancel my 8/23 surgery date until I went through a 30-60 day appeals process. I was like, "NO WAY"!! I've got this date, have been working on this for 6 months--thinking about it for YEARS--and I've made arrangements to take off the week after to recover, etc. I cannot find another week off for the next 4-5 months so I was pissed off!
I called the Surgeon... of course, Murphy's Law, he is on vaca all week and unable to help. So I enlisted the help of my primary care physician of the last 15 years--who I love and knows my history better than anyone--and he did a "peer to peer" review with an Aetna doctor today and reviewed my case and advocated on my behalf. After a short call and review of all the facts, I WAS APPROVED and I'm able to keep my 8/23 date. I was prepared to self pay anyway but that's not ideal... not only because of the cost involved but because down the road, God forbid something serious happens, insurance wouldn't cover that either. So I wasn't psyched about that hanging over my head.
The most important lesson for me here was don't let others get in your way and be persistent... advocate for yourself and enlist the help of others who care and are prepared to help... like my PCP did for me today.
I'm so looking forward to 8/23 and thank you all for the great posts here. It's been very helpful to follow along the last few months and hear your stories. Will keep you posted!
Jason

I'm so excited I could cry. After a week of bad insurance news and stress this week, I was just approved by Aetna!
Here's the story and I hope others can benefit from the lessons I learned this week.
I am 37 BMI with Hypertension. 35+ and one comorbidity qualifies me for Aetna under my specific plan. I've been worried about Aetna approving me all along since I'm so borderline but I've gone through the process by the book, checked all my facts and was really hopeful I get approval. On Monday I got an email from Surgeon's office that insurance DENIED me. The reason is still somewhat unclear, but it had something to do with the length of time I've been on HBP medication and some uncertainties about my weight fluctuations the last few years. I was shocked because all this was well documented in what was submitted and neither aetna nor surgeon could give me specifics on why exactly I was denied. VERY frustrating.
The Surgeon's office wanted to cancel my 8/23 surgery date until I went through a 30-60 day appeals process. I was like, "NO WAY"!! I've got this date, have been working on this for 6 months--thinking about it for YEARS--and I've made arrangements to take off the week after to recover, etc. I cannot find another week off for the next 4-5 months so I was pissed off!
I called the Surgeon... of course, Murphy's Law, he is on vaca all week and unable to help. So I enlisted the help of my primary care physician of the last 15 years--who I love and knows my history better than anyone--and he did a "peer to peer" review with an Aetna doctor today and reviewed my case and advocated on my behalf. After a short call and review of all the facts, I WAS APPROVED and I'm able to keep my 8/23 date. I was prepared to self pay anyway but that's not ideal... not only because of the cost involved but because down the road, God forbid something serious happens, insurance wouldn't cover that either. So I wasn't psyched about that hanging over my head.
The most important lesson for me here was don't let others get in your way and be persistent... advocate for yourself and enlist the help of others who care and are prepared to help... like my PCP did for me today.
I'm so looking forward to 8/23 and thank you all for the great posts here. It's been very helpful to follow along the last few months and hear your stories. Will keep you posted!
Jason

I'm so excited I could cry. After a week of bad insurance news and stress this week, I was just approved by Aetna!
Here's the story and I hope others can benefit from the lessons I learned this week.
I am 37 BMI with Hypertension. 35+ and one comorbidity qualifies me for Aetna under my specific plan. I've been worried about Aetna approving me all along since I'm so borderline but I've gone through the process by the book, checked all my facts and was really hopeful I get approval. On Monday I got an email from Surgeon's office that insurance DENIED me. The reason is still somewhat unclear, but it had something to do with the length of time I've been on HBP medication and some uncertainties about my weight fluctuations the last few years. I was shocked because all this was well documented in what was submitted and neither aetna nor surgeon could give me specifics on why exactly I was denied. VERY frustrating.
The Surgeon's office wanted to cancel my 8/23 surgery date until I went through a 30-60 day appeals process. I was like, "NO WAY"!! I've got this date, have been working on this for 6 months--thinking about it for YEARS--and I've made arrangements to take off the week after to recover, etc. I cannot find another week off for the next 4-5 months so I was pissed off!
I called the Surgeon... of course, Murphy's Law, he is on vaca all week and unable to help. So I enlisted the help of my primary care physician of the last 15 years--who I love and knows my history better than anyone--and he did a "peer to peer" review with an Aetna doctor today and reviewed my case and advocated on my behalf. After a short call and review of all the facts, I WAS APPROVED and I'm able to keep my 8/23 date. I was prepared to self pay anyway but that's not ideal... not only because of the cost involved but because down the road, God forbid something serious happens, insurance wouldn't cover that either. So I wasn't psyched about that hanging over my head.
The most important lesson for me here was don't let others get in your way and be persistent... advocate for yourself and enlist the help of others who care and are prepared to help... like my PCP did for me today.
I'm so looking forward to 8/23 and thank you all for the great posts here. It's been very helpful to follow along the last few months and hear your stories. Will keep you posted!
Jason

I'm so excited I could cry. After a week of bad insurance news and stress this week, I was just approved by Aetna!
Here's the story and I hope others can benefit from the lessons I learned this week.
I am 37 BMI with Hypertension. 35+ and one comorbidity qualifies me for Aetna under my specific plan. I've been worried about Aetna approving me all along since I'm so borderline but I've gone through the process by the book, checked all my facts and was really hopeful I get approval. On Monday I got an email from Surgeon's office that insurance DENIED me. The reason is still somewhat unclear, but it had something to do with the length of time I've been on HBP medication and some uncertainties about my weight fluctuations the last few years. I was shocked because all this was well documented in what was submitted and neither aetna nor surgeon could give me specifics on why exactly I was denied. VERY frustrating.
The Surgeon's office wanted to cancel my 8/23 surgery date until I went through a 30-60 day appeals process. I was like, "NO WAY"!! I've got this date, have been working on this for 6 months--thinking about it for YEARS--and I've made arrangements to take off the week after to recover, etc. I cannot find another week off for the next 4-5 months so I was pissed off!
I called the Surgeon... of course, Murphy's Law, he is on vaca all week and unable to help. So I enlisted the help of my primary care physician of the last 15 years--who I love and knows my history better than anyone--and he did a "peer to peer" review with an Aetna doctor today and reviewed my case and advocated on my behalf. After a short call and review of all the facts, I WAS APPROVED and I'm able to keep my 8/23 date. I was prepared to self pay anyway but that's not ideal... not only because of the cost involved but because down the road, God forbid something serious happens, insurance wouldn't cover that either. So I wasn't psyched about that hanging over my head.
The most important lesson for me here was don't let others get in your way and be persistent... advocate for yourself and enlist the help of others who care and are prepared to help... like my PCP did for me today.
I'm so looking forward to 8/23 and thank you all for the great posts here. It's been very helpful to follow along the last few months and hear your stories. Will keep you posted!
Jason

I'm so excited I could cry. After a week of bad insurance news and stress this week, I was just approved by Aetna!
Here's the story and I hope others can benefit from the lessons I learned this week.
I am 37 BMI with Hypertension. 35+ and one comorbidity qualifies me for Aetna under my specific plan. I've been worried about Aetna approving me all along since I'm so borderline but I've gone through the process by the book, checked all my facts and was really hopeful I get approval. On Monday I got an email from Surgeon's office that insurance DENIED me. The reason is still somewhat unclear, but it had something to do with the length of time I've been on HBP medication and some uncertainties about my weight fluctuations the last few years. I was shocked because all this was well documented in what was submitted and neither aetna nor surgeon could give me specifics on why exactly I was denied. VERY frustrating.
The Surgeon's office wanted to cancel my 8/23 surgery date until I went through a 30-60 day appeals process. I was like, "NO WAY"!! I've got this date, have been working on this for 6 months--thinking about it for YEARS--and I've made arrangements to take off the week after to recover, etc. I cannot find another week off for the next 4-5 months so I was pissed off!
I called the Surgeon... of course, Murphy's Law, he is on vaca all week and unable to help. So I enlisted the help of my primary care physician of the last 15 years--who I love and knows my history better than anyone--and he did a "peer to peer" review with an Aetna doctor today and reviewed my case and advocated on my behalf. After a short call and review of all the facts, I WAS APPROVED and I'm able to keep my 8/23 date. I was prepared to self pay anyway but that's not ideal... not only because of the cost involved but because down the road, God forbid something serious happens, insurance wouldn't cover that either. So I wasn't psyched about that hanging over my head.
The most important lesson for me here was don't let others get in your way and be persistent... advocate for yourself and enlist the help of others who care and are prepared to help... like my PCP did for me today.
I'm so looking forward to 8/23 and thank you all for the great posts here. It's been very helpful to follow along the last few months and hear your stories. Will keep you posted!
Jason

I just started seeing someone, and I really like this girl, and told her I'm getting banded in a few weeks (8/23!!!!). She is trying to talk me out of it saying I look great, just diet, just excercise, we'll start biking together.... Blah blah blah! I've been doing that for 20 years and am still in the same, or even worse, place! I finally told her: "I'm doing this, I've wanted this for 5 years, I've researched this and talked to many bandsters, I've been under surgeons care and going through process officially for 6 months.... So Either support me or BACK THE &$/! OFF!!!"
I was much more charming and diplomatic than that
And she got it and now she's awesome about it!
Totally supportive.
Only you make this decision. Only you have been there with yourself for whatever many years with however many ups and downs. No one can tell you otherwise.
Good luck to all!
Jason

Congratulations!!!! Let us know how it goes!

Congratulations on even being here and asking questions. I spent a lot of time on these boards before registering. Definitely go to a free seminar in your area... I did that and it was a great first step. You ask all the questions you want and more importantly there are (typically) people there who have previously been banded or had bypass. They were more resourceful than the doctors and I found they loved answering questions and offering encouragement. I'm not sure if insurance will cover me but I'm prepared to self-pay by financing over time. That's another option for you to look into. Good luck to you!