RhondaMarie

It might just be that you need a slight unfill. There is no need to assume worse case just yet. You need to speak to your physician and just discuss what's going on. If it is worst case... it could save your life.

Go get it Girl!!

I apologize everyone. My computer freezes EVERYTIME I go to tge webpage. It's stucking on ads. So frustrated! Not a bug fan of the Android app, but trying!!

MOST of this depends on your insurance payor. Each plan for each payor may have different requirements. My surgeon asked my PCP for a med nec letter. They find that less procedures are denied if they provide everything up front. It's not like I had weight watcher or gym reciepts to turn in. The biggest factor for me to "pre-qualify" was BMI and it helps I have co-morbids. My insurance does require the 6 months of supervised weight monitoring. I am not exactly sure if the surgeon requires or the insurance requires all of the other pieces. in my case those pre-op studies included: 1. EDG (found hiatal hernia) 2. sleep study (found sleep apnea) 3.

Wow... I feel bad for you. I don't really PMS like that so all I can offer are words of encouragement. You have made it this far through pre-op and 12 days post. You are only a few days away from a huge step in the process. I don't have a scale at home either. That may have to change. Seeing that number fall is a serious motivator for me. If you are up for it, maybe getting out and about will help stave off those cravings and keep your mind occupied. I start my pre-op on 9/12. I won't lie... I am scared to death of not being able to do it!!

Well... from some of the other posts I would have a couple ideas... 1) make sure you are getting in ENOUGH calories. Less is not always more. I am stalled pre-op side and need to heed this advice! 2) Perhaps go back to the beginning and try a liquid diet again... just progress through the stages faster. A lot of people post that it has helped them. No matter what your fitness plan is make it change. Try a different activity... if you are doing the treadmill even changing t a cross trainer may give you a boost. The thing that has helped me was just simply stretching my workouts from 60 mins to 90. It isn't always convenient, but I have seen a difference in the past few weeks since doing this. I think it is that concept of needing to create muscle confusion to maximze your time and efforts.

Thinking of you!

I have intermittent HTN & it qualifies for me as a co-morbid with BCBS of PA. Also... weight that counts is first weight BMI combo like someone said. The insurance companies want to see you lose to show you are making positive changes.

70g and 1000 calories is what the nutirition team here recommends. Try low-fat cottage cheese... tuna without all the dressings... Yesterday I was behind Protein and Water so I ate some beef Jerky. Not bad on anything but sodium which made me drink water better. I wouldn't do that everyday, but it woked. Nutrition here says to add a scooop of you shake powder to yougurt, cottage cheese, pretty much anything to get to the goal of 70.

I didn't say these patients can't call to question if A or B is covered. Some, however, do not allow patients to call & request auths .. or to call and question an auth in process. I work in the front end of a hospital with a HUGE focus on revenue cycles. It causes big issues for the patients. There is an even worse issue. Speaking on a diagnostic testing side... I live between 3 big cities. If you go to a specialist there & want to have your test done at home (aka out of their health system) they wont even attempt to obtain an auth for a test their doc wants!! RIDICULOUS!!! They send everything to a PCP to piecemeal & may add weeks to the waits! That's great patient care!! It's a lot of decisions being made to save administratively that totally screw patients.

Not every insurance will allow patients to call & inquire about auths. Isn't that terrible? There are some patients (not necessarily lap band patients) that REALLY suffer for it.

As someone who works in a hospital.... It's tough because an employer can't mandate what employees eat... only WHERE they do it. There are more docs than you can imaging that smoke... drink more than anyone should and have other extreme vices. Perhaps if you mention it to the physician they may address the staff traipsing through the waiting room. We had a big no no when techs were walking food past patients who were fasting. They had to go the back way. Unfortunately, you can't discriminate only on the flaws/vices you can see ... the most put together perfect on the outside people often have the worst habits in private. I understand where you are coming from though. I would not go to a sloppy, grossly overweight doc who reeks of ciggies. Nor would I go to a hair dresser with sloppy whacked hair on her own head!!

That's awful. It's ridiculous how eating healthy costs so much more than junk. How can it cost more when it has less ... less sugar... less carbs... etc. It's a shame that people trying to eat right struggle to pay for it. As to whatever situation you're going thru... I am not ashamed to admit I have been there and I can only hope and pray that better days are ahead.

I can't tell you the last time I had a stomach flu this bad, BUT.... 1) sooooo glad I got BEFORE my procedure 2) It's a good practice for the liquid diet! My Carnation Breaskfast mixed with Water is all I can get down. 3) Maybe I can drop a few before my final weigh in :-) Every little bit helps!!

I, too, had my pre-ops. One more weigh-in, consents and, of course, insurance approval to go!! We are getting so close everyone!!!

If it helps... the 1/2 cup of cottage cheese IS an option on my pre-op diet. Clearly you shoud try to not cheat, but I agree that it could have been A LOT worse. Some people have no pre-op ... some people have highly restrictive plans... Just fo your very best. I am working towards my pre-op already because I don't wanna walk into a wall when Sept 12th rolls up.

Lordy be careful crushing any pain pills without physician supervision!!! They can get into the blood too fast and cause major complications!! I spoke to my office b/c I have issues with most pain meds. I asked for something like Ativan to take the edge off instead. My CRNP thinks liquid Tylenol would be more than sufficient post-op. I am not into feeling pain either, but allergic to opiates and Ultram makes me itch like fire ants are crawling on me. I think I will take the pain as much as possible!

That sounds great! My pre-op diet would start Sept 12th. The more the merrier!! Thank you!!! I wasn't happy when they changed it from 2 classes to 3 just because I am trying to save my PTO time for post-op. HOWEVER, hearing some of the questions asked (and re-asked) by people helps me understand why the Bariatric team here thought it was too much info for one class for some people. We even had to pass a test to show basic comprehension of the main theories!! They include that in our paperwork to the insurance company. They also mandate a one month post-op with the dietitian one on one and my insurance authorizes 6 visits that first year after surgery to help remain successful.

Prayers sent to ya!!! I am so jealous you are now. This last month is gonna be a killer!! Please let us know how you are when you are up to it!!

I haven't been able to post or reply in here!! If you are the one that fixed it... THANK YOU!!! My date is 9/26... just finished third nutrition class this morning. I have my pre-surgical labs in the morning. After that, all that remains is final weigh in, approval and final meeting with the surgeon!! Today I was told my pre-op diet would be expanded from 10 to 14 days as part of a new hospital policy so that's kinda nerve racking. I will admit... NOTHING scared me more than going to these last 2 nutrition classes. One was for pre-op diet and one for post-op diet. Seeing the requirements and strict nature of the diets... it gives me palpitations! I am already slowly working my way towards the pre-op diet one to two meals a day. I do better with slower transitions. I know I can do this. I can. I even have a "thin" friend that agreed to do the pre-op diet with me to support me. Aren't I lucky?!?!? I am excited and nervous and overwhelmed and hopeful!! I look forward to sharing this adventure with you all!

I had... 3 Nutrition classes (general, pre-op diet, and post-op diet) Psych EDG where they found the hiatal no history of refulux so no need for the upper gi I got hooked up with my doc when he took my gallbladder out so nothing to look at there either sleep study I have my pre-admission labs, final 6 month weigh in and a final consult with doc left I think other's are right that it def depends on your doc's schedule. When he takes your history and decides what he wants included in the work up for you a lot could be determined by how fast you could get it all done. If you have an open schedule it will move a lot faster. If they are thinking four months now... I would ask to schedule a date for surgery on your first visit. Especially if you risk getting around the holidays. It might give you incentive to push thru everything else.

tomorrow is your big pre-op start!! I am so jealous!! Good luck!! Stay in touch and let's get our Bandster month hoppin'!!

I get fustrated with the 6month wait, too, BUT that being said I am very grateful for it as well!! I fully agree with the time to gradually adopt changes. Taking 20+ minutes to eat a meal sounds easy... in a fast-paced life it isn't! Even the time to practice chew, chew, chewing takes some time to truly make something second nature. Honestly, I don't know that I have ever stuck through an honest to goodness diet for 6 months. I either thought "I got this" and didn't or I got frustrated and quit. I am happy to say I am gradually adopting the lifestyle and while I have slips, I am thinking 24-7 about behavior changes now. Just promise yourself to make the most out of the 6 months. It has actually gone by pretty fast!! I love the countdown ticker, too!! I look at it every few days and say "Holy Crap!! It's almost time!!"

Aw!! Good luck!! As I get closer to my date (9/26) I get more and more anxious to hear all of your experiences!!! I can't wait to share your successes with you!

Can't wait to hear!! Good Luck!!