jackie506

Welcome Phyllis and congratulations on your band date. You will do wonderful!! I just went for my consultation today. I have 2 more months of the supervised diet with my doctor and then we can submit (providing all of my pre testing is complete at that time.) I am trying to stay ahead of the game and have my primary care doc order everything so it is finished when the surgeon gets the ok because the surgeon will not order any testing until AFTER the insurance approves me. This way everything should be done and ready to go. The surgeon and nurse were both impressed with the tests that I already have scheduled throug my family doc. I have psych eval Monday and Sleep study next Thursday. Working on getting a ecko and endoscope scheduled. They told me to hold off on all the blood work though because I would have to repeat it at surgery if I do it this early.

Just had my consultation today. Went great!! I have 2 more months of supervised diet and the surgeon does not see any reason for BCBS of Iowa to deny. He says they are really good about approving it if you have everything finished and meet all requirements and send it all in together. I got for sleep study May 10, psych eval May 7, and doc is scheduling my endoscope and ecko. Then it is just finishing the supervised diet. I am excited and now scared again. I know this is normal. Just seems like it is so real now.....almost within reach. Still can't believe I went this far but I am totally committed to change. For the last 2 weeks I have eaten very healthy. I took my menu of what I have eaten to the nutritionst with me today and she was very impressed. I am getting eveything I need in my daily diet and I am eating all the right food.....I am having a hard time with the AMOUNT I am eating. I guess that confirmed for me that the lap band is the right choice. I can't wait!!!!

I have not been banded but I watched this same video. Listen to what she says 'I couldn't hold anything down. The only thing I could eat was chips and stuff like that.' I guess I tend to believe that she really didn't work with her band. She was still eating chips and cake and etc. This is just MY opinion but after watching it a couple different times I think she failed that band instead of the band failing her. I am not sure. I did find though as I kept looking at different videos that there are several other people on there from thes same person ( DrRRutledge) and all of them are saying negative things towards the band and positive about the by-pass. A couple different sites that I have found talks about if you are finding one doctor or clinic saying negative just about the band or just about the by-pass their motives need to be speculated. Just my two cents worth.

I agree. If we could do this ourselves we wouldn't be seeking surgery. I was afraid the surgeon would require some weight loss as well but he doesn't. His requirement is that you not gain any more weight before surgery (he goes by what your weight was at your consultation). You can loss or maintain but CAN NOT gain or he will cancel the procedure. Makes sense I guess. Thank goodness it is summer now so it will be to hot to eat sometimes. Good luck on your diet. Keep me posted. We could both support one another through the waiting process.

Oh yeah forgot to answer your actual question, yes BCBS of Iowa REQUIRES a 6 month supervised diet. No way around it. They will keep denying you until you have one.

Yes I am through wellmark. Just had my consultation today. Surgeons office told me that I need to finish my supervised diet, (3 more months) and then I should be set. I have been very proactive with this. I have talked with my family doctor and had him setting up the appointments and tests that they will need done for surgery. The surgeon told me today that is really helping because once I have the supervised dieet done I will have all my testing complete also. The surgeon won't even order anything until I am approved by my insurance because the insurance won't cover it if they haven't already pre approved the surgery before he orders all the testing. Makes it alot easier just to have my primary order these things for me.

Congratulations to you. You are doing EXCELLENT!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Can I ask where you got your band and were you self pay or did insurance pay for it? I am just wondering I have a daughter who is also almost 16 and she has struggled for years with weight and we are looking into it for myself and for her. Our insurance does not cover her until she is 18:cry

By any chance are you speaking of BCBS of Iowa? I am doing that 6 month diet AGAIN! Over the years I have done 2 of these with my doctor, 1 of them being for over a year. I regained all the weight and then some over time after each. BCBS Of Iowa policy states that the supervised diet has to be done in the 2 years prior to surgery. GRRRRR The first one I did was 99-00 (phen- phen) and then I done another one 3 years ago. I have continuously taked with my doctor about my weight over the years and I actually just messaged BCBS to see if that would count because it was not EVERY month for 6 months straight. My BMI is 48.6 and I am dreading summer. I see the surgeon tomorrow for my consult. Maybe they can push it through. Wish me luck

Hi Caitlyn. First I want to congratulate you on your weight loss and secondly I am very curious also, how did you get the lapband at your age. We have checked into it for my daughter and we were told she has to be 18 within the US. I know there is a doctor in MX that does younger patients but my doctor/surgeon says that she would have to go back there for any complications, fills and etc. I was just wondering. By the way, I live in Iowa and our insurance will cover this for her once she turns 18. We We have close to 2 years and that is ok because she is doing the physician supervised diet now. I figure we will go this route and hopefully this works but if not at least she has that done because our insurance requires this to be down within 2 years prior to surgery.

Well here I am again feeling blahhhhh :tired and reading all these threads wishing I was already banded. I am really stuggling with this whole 'supervised diet'. I WANT TO EAT!!!!! :hungry: I keep catching myself thinking 'oh one ________ won't hurt me.' YEAH RIGHT! That is how I got where I am. That exact thought. Luckily I have caught myself before acting though. I am so afraid if I don't lose the weight the insurance will deny me for my 'lack of trying' (I am afraid that is how they will see it. MAN.....if I could diet on my own I wouldn't be seeking suregery DUH!!! Anyway, looking forward to the consultation tomorrow. I am hoping they don't say ,'you are really over weight and need to shed about 50 lbs before surgery.' Gosh so many different senerios going through my mind. I am dreaming weight issues EVERY night. It seems like lately that is all that is on my mind. I sometimes feel like Stacy is trying to sabatoge me. It seems like she is goating me to eat and by some of the things she says more and more lately. She talks about how she guesses she not a risk taker and she worries about what would happen to Morgan if something happened to her with a major surgery like this. She says 'I think things through and see the consequences' Well hello....what happens if she stays over weight? I don't really care what she does and how she chooses to live. I just get tired of her 'analyzing' everything about what I do or am doing. She is always wanting to go out to eat. She knows I am trying to diet right now. When I say no she says 'your getting the band anyway.' I know she is jealous because she would love to have the band also but she doesn't have a job or insurance to pay for it. I don't begrudge her that tinge of jealousy. I do believe we are good friends but I also think we are 'food buddies'. She is the one I have gone out to eat with the past 3 years while Danny is at work and the kids are at school. I told her yesterday we need to get in the habit of getting together and walking instead of eating. She acts like I am boring her when I talk of the band anymore. I know I am probably talking none stop about it because I am thinking none stop about it but this is a very big decision. I don't know I guess I do have to wonder what happens after I am banded and I am not going to go out to eat and etc. Maybe we will not be as close. I don't know....it is a risk I am willing to take though. My health and my family are coming before anyone and anything else this time. It is time to take care of me....not worry about so and so is feeling about what I am doing. I guess I am just upset with her right now about a few comments she has made towards me lately and just her whole demeaner with this.:angry She will have to get over it because regardless of what she thinks or feels I am doing this. I have to for myself and for my family. Courtney needs a better rold model on nutrition than what I have been and by gosh I will become that role model one way or another!!!!!!:clap2: I really wish Courtney could go through the surgery also. She is so self conscious of herself. She was really happy last night though. She is down 6 pounds. I got Casey's for everyone last night after track because I didn't feel like cooking. I need to STOP THAT! I bought myself popcorn chicken but only ate half. Luckily that was in my weight watchers book so I was able to see how many points I had. I went over about 7-8 points yesterday. Hope today goes better! Wish me luck!

Well here I am again feeling blahhhhh :tired and reading all these threads wishing I was already banded. I am really stuggling with this whole 'supervised diet'. I WANT TO EAT!!!!! :hungry: I keep catching myself thinking 'oh one ________ won't hurt me.' YEAH RIGHT! That is how I got where I am. That exact thought. Luckily I have caught myself before acting though. I am so afraid if I don't lose the weight the insurance will deny me for my 'lack of trying' (I am afraid that is how they will see it. MAN.....if I could diet on my own I wouldn't be seeking suregery DUH!!! Anyway, looking forward to the consultation tomorrow. I am hoping they don't say ,'you are really over weight and need to shed about 50 lbs before surgery.' Gosh so many different senerios going through my mind. I am dreaming weight issues EVERY night. It seems like lately that is all that is on my mind. I sometimes feel like Stacy is trying to sabatoge me. It seems like she is goating me to eat and by some of the things she says more and more lately. She talks about how she guesses she not a risk taker and she worries about what would happen to Morgan if something happened to her with a major surgery like this. She says 'I think things through and see the consequences' Well hello....what happens if she stays over weight? I don't really care what she does and how she chooses to live. I just get tired of her 'analyzing' everything about what I do or am doing. She is always wanting to go out to eat. She knows I am trying to diet right now. When I say no she says 'your getting the band anyway.' I know she is jealous because she would love to have the band also but she doesn't have a job or insurance to pay for it. I don't begrudge her that tinge of jealousy. I do believe we are good friends but I also think we are 'food buddies'. She is the one I have gone out to eat with the past 3 years while Danny is at work and the kids are at school. I told her yesterday we need to get in the habit of getting together and walking instead of eating. She acts like I am boring her when I talk of the band anymore. I know I am probably talking none stop about it because I am thinking none stop about it but this is a very big decision. I don't know I guess I do have to wonder what happens after I am banded and I am not going to go out to eat and etc. Maybe we will not be as close. I don't know....it is a risk I am willing to take though. My health and my family are coming before anyone and anything else this time. It is time to take care of me....not worry about so and so is feeling about what I am doing. I guess I am just upset with her right now about a few comments she has made towards me lately and just her whole demeaner with this.:angry She will have to get over it because regardless of what she thinks or feels I am doing this. I have to for myself and for my family. Courtney needs a better rold model on nutrition than what I have been and by gosh I will become that role model one way or another!!!!!!:clap2: I really wish Courtney could go through the surgery also. She is so self conscious of herself. She was really happy last night though. She is down 6 pounds. I got Casey's for everyone last night after track because I didn't feel like cooking. I need to STOP THAT! I bought myself popcorn chicken but only ate half. Luckily that was in my weight watchers book so I was able to see how many points I had. I went over about 7-8 points yesterday. Hope today goes better! Wish me luck!

Congratulations. I am trying to do my pre-op supervised diet AGAIN (I have done supervised diets in the past but not the last couple of years. It is SOOOO hard. My thinking is 'if I was able to do this sticking to calories thing in the first place I would not be seeking the surgery.' Am I right? Anyway, I am so happy for you that do not have to do this. I am starving!!!! I am so afraid if I do not loss some weight this way they will tell me that I am denied. UGHHHHHHHHHHH

Congratulations to you!!! I am sooooo happy for you and extremely envious. I can't what and hope this whole thing will be done before Christmas. Surgery I mea of course, I know it will take a while to take off what I have to loss but it will happen.

What is the BCBS Federal insurance if you don't mind me asking. Is it through your emplyer or something? I have never heard of that before.

Yes mine is covered. I was told by 4 people at BCBS of Iowa that you MUST HAVE a physician supervised diet within the 2 years prior to requesting approval for surgery. I have started that AGAIN because mine has lapsed and I have my consultation with the surgeon in 2 days. I am 2 months into the supervised diet and the surgeons office and my doctor say things are looking great and moving right along. I know it will still be a wait because of the insurance and all but I am getting excited. I am scheduled to get some of the pre op testing completed so that way that is out of the way also. Wish me luck and good luck to you to. Please keep me posted on how things are progressing for you.

Thanks so much. It helps tremendously to have some support. She is going t o be involved in every aspect of this whole thing with me. In the end the only thing I will have that she does not is the lap band. She attended the siminar and will be attending all appointment with me. I have read about the 15 year olds also it just worries me. I quess I keep thinking 'I am the mom, I need to try this out before I have my child go through it.' kinda thing. She will be making her own choices when she is 18. She will get to see first hand the things that I have to go through and DO before and with the band so that is a plus because she will be making a first hand knowledge decision.

Hello all. I have been reading and reading and posted a few messages on here. For those who have not read those I will tell you a little about myself. I am a 34 year old mother of 2 teenagers. I was married almost 1 year ago (Wednesday is our 1st anniversary). I have struggled with my weight all of my adult life. After I had my first baby I could not get the weight off. Was still struggling and the second one came along. I tried EVERYTHING!!!! Went to my family doctor back in 99-01 and I was on phen phen. Worked GREAT!! Lost lots of weight, felt wonderful about myself, promised myself I would not ever be as big as I had been. Guess what, I kept that promise to myself because I am not 64 lbs heavier than I was when I started dieting and lost so much. I have set TERRIBLE eating habits for my children and unfortunately, my daughter is also experiencing obese. She is almost 16. Her insurance will not cover the procedure until she is 18 so right now we are doing supervised diets with our doctor and the whole hoopla. Obesity runs in my family (my mother, her mother, her mother and etc.) so I am not sure how things will go. We are all being very positive. She was the one person that I wanted to tell about me trying to get the lap band but also the least person I wanted to tell. I felt as though I would be 'abandoning' her. Being the wonderful person she is, she is supporting me. So enough of that. I have been very proactive (that is my nature) through this whole thing. I researched and researched everything I could for a few months now. Read Dr. Ortiz's book and a couple of others and approached the family doc. He was amazed at all the literature I brought with me and the place that I had found (only 40 miles away), I had called my insurance and knew my coverage, had already called the surgeons office and talked with the coordinator so what I needed was for him to say 'Jackie I stand behind you and will write a letter of recommendation.' He not only did that, he asked for the literature that I had about the surgeon I had found (I had printed all his credentials and etc) and thanked me because he knew nothing about this place so close to home. He has sent other people 180 miles away. Amazing huh? Anyway, I asked him to schedule me a sleep study because the surgeons office already told me I would need that done and that is set for May 10. Attended me seminar last Tuesday night and the surgeons office called today and scheduled a consultation in 3 days. I am so happy. I know I know I know, I have a long way to go yet but I am happy that the ball is definately rolling at this point. Just had to share this news with someone. :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Hello everyone. I was just wondering if anyone else has blue cross blue shield of Iowa and if they had the surgery did you have to go through a lot of hoops to get it approved? Denials before approvals? I am just starting this journey. Done a 6 month diet with my family doc 2 others times and succeeded with them just gained all the weight and then some back. Surgeon at seminar said if it had been over 2 years I should start again. So here I am again going to the doc monthly and all that hoopla. I honestly think sometimes the reason for all of this is so that the insurance company can see how committed you are to pursuing this whole thing. Oh well......that is another complaint for another night. So I am now on weight watchers...yet again....and I am starving as I type. GRRRRRRRRRRR Please give me any feedback you have in regards to this insurance. I am so afraid that I am going to jump their hoops and they are going to shoot me down. :angry

Thanks LAPBANDIT. I just went and purchased that book. I hope I have the success that you have. Congratulations to you.Sounds like you are doing wonderful. Keep up the great work. You really are very inspiring to others.

Ok...so I am starting on this wagon AGAIN!! I have done 2 supervised diets in the past with my doc but they were over 2 years ago so the surgeons office suggested restarting one with my doc. They told me that insurances usually make us do this to 'prove' that we are capable and commited to change. I understand all of that....I really do....my problem is...I just can not get motivated. I feel like I have been down this road so many times in my past and even if I loss the weight I have regained it and then some. There is a reason I am where I am now and asking them to cover surgery. I done my first visit last week and honestly I have been trying but then I think this one won't hurt me....YEAH RIGHT!!!! I need LOTS of words of encouragment and someone please give me a great diet plan that maybe they followed. Any suggestions? I HAVE to do this. I have to prove to myself I can. It is sooooo hard!!!!!!:angry

Congrats to you. I am so excited for you. I am just starting on this journey. (the whole insurance thing and etc.) Hopefully not to long and I can officially join all of you 'bandsters'.

Thanks so much for the thread links. My thinking is the same as yours. I REALLY like the band. Just a BIG life changing decision and I am afraid of making the 'wrong' choice. I think I just need to listen to my instinct. My thinking is that I didn;t want by-pass because I do not want to loss that fast. That just freaks me out. (not that it is not something good for others-I just don't feel it is right for me) I guess I am still one of those people that think 'if you loss it to fast it is to good to be true and it will come back plus some extra. The whole thing with the cutting and rerouting scares me. I have always tried to be an active person and if I could just get about 50 pounds off I would be motivated to MOVE again. I have lost weight the old fashioned way SEVERAL times but once I slack off on the exercising I always gain it back. I want to do it the 'right' way and I think the band would be just what I would need to be able to do that. Thanks again for the information. It helps alot knowing others are out there that struggle or have struggled with the same things.

I was wondering if anyone has any insight as to which is better...lap band or roux en Y. I was all set and thought I really wanted the lapband. Researched it, read 2 books about it and etc for 2 months. I went to the seminar last night and some of the things they told us about people who have had lap band and it did not work so they had to go back in for the other surgery and such. I am really confused. I am trying to make an INFORMED decision but I am telling you I am getting more confused as this goes along. Please give me some advise and share some of your experiences. I have read and read and read and read some more on different forums and I just don't know what to do. :phanvan