Lauren87

RestlessMonkey: Wow, I'm really surprised to hear that! Obviously follow what your surgeon recommends as they're all different. Thanks for adding that into the thread, I have never heard of that.

Julie, Are you getting enough protein? Even post-op surgeons usually like you get get in 60 grams (obviously this would be done through protein shakes or something else in liquid form). In my pre-op diet, I've found that when I drink my protein, I feel substantially better and little hunger. Best of luck!

BEK1986: Thanks for your support! I think today will be a lot better, thank goodness! It's always nice to hear that have survived the liquid diet--at least I know it can be done. :confused: Congrats on being 3 months out, that's awesome! Best of luck in the coming months! Brockbabe82: Thank you for the suggestion! It's nice that I'm taking a few summer classes, so studying is a nice--maybe not nice--distraction. I'm still working on collecting post-op items, so that will definitely be something that I will fill my time with. Congrats on your weight loss, it looks like things are going really well! Keep up the good work!

Vanity, Congrats on your surgery date! Yes, you are very lucky that you don't have a pre-op liquid diet! Today was day 1/14 and it was pretty rough...612 calories later, I'm looking forward to another day. Best of luck!

Congratulations on your surgery, Shannon! It's good to hear that you're not in too much discomfort as I am having my surgery later this month. I wish you a speedy recovery and continued success!

HH, I did not mean to be offensive; I was simply stating why I chose the band over other other procedures. You are correct that different surgeries work for different people, and I was trying to explain how my decision was made. Thank you for providing insight to those still in Limbo.

Hi St®awberry! First, I think it's great that you are considering the lap-band. While I haven't had my surgery date, I have read many, many success stories on this forum. Yes, there are those who lose LARGE amounts of weight, some that loose very little, and some who have complications. Regardless, this is a "tool" (which is always stressed) and much of your success will depend on your hard work. I have close to two hundred pounds to loose and I'm confidant that the band will help me get there. For me, another reason why I chose the band over other procedures (besides the aforementioned reasons) was that many of the other options are considered "malabsorbtave" and for me, I don't feel like I can ever be healthy if my food is not absorbed. I tend to be one of those people who believes that your body is a vessel and I just can't make myself believe that I would be healthy. Allowing my body to function similarly to how is usually does is what I'm aiming for with the band and you're still able to absorb all of the nutrients as you normally would, just modified. Just remember that follow-up is key with this surgery. Best of luck to you, no matter what you choose!

Thanks! Stay on liquids longer?! Oh my! I start the liquid diet in two days and am already looking forward to the mushies! Yeah, I'm not sure when exercising will come into play--I suppose when my surgeon clears me, but will definitely be slow going at first. :sad:

Hi all! I too am a June bandster, June 26th at Heartland Spine and Specialty Hospital in Kansas. Good luck to those who have surgery this month!

Congrats on your loss "getting in shape" that's great! Thanks for your encouragement when it comes to the liquid diet--you're putting my nerves at ease!:cursing: I'm sure you'll continue to do well in these next few months as a bandster; your loss is already a great success!

Hi! As I am a twenty-something, I thought I'd throw myself out there and introduce myself to the other twenty-somethings that have been banded or plan on getting banded. So, here I am! I'm scheduled for surgery on June 26th and start my pre-op liquid diet this Friday. :cursing: I'm a bit nervous about being on liquids for 21 days (along with the surgery in general), (14 before and 7 after surgery) but I know how important it is in preparation for the surgery--no pain, no gain, right? Being able to come to this forum has been great, especially in preparing for the day of surgery and the liquid diet. Seeing that others have been through the same thing makes this whole process a lot less scary. Thank goodness for all of you out there supporting each other, it's amazing. Congratulations to those of you who are well on your way to a healthier you and to those of you who are patiently awaiting banding. :sad: --Lauren

Hi all! For those of you who have already have your surgery, congratulations! Also, for those of you who have a date, congratulations! I hope that all of you are doing well and at a great place post-op and pre-op. I too am scheduled for a June surgery; June 26th at Heartland Spine and Specialty Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas with Dr. Stanley Hoehn. I wish you all the best of luck and hope you all reach your goals; we're all in this together!

Hi "MustLooseIt!" It looks like we're going in on the same day! Go us! I know what you mean about being a little nervous. Although I've been waiting for two years, I'm starting to get nervous now that I have a date. You're right, one thing at a time, don't freak out! This is probably the best thing that the both of us have ever done. =) Good luck and you know where to turn for support!

Dana, I don't have Aetna, but I do know what you're going through. As of this week, I've been scheduled for surgery, but it's been a l.o.n.g two year process with my insurance company. You're right to be worried about them denying you, but whomever you're going through should be able to look at the requirements and make sure that you meet the insurance criteria before they submit. From my experience, if the insurance co. has the band covered in the plan, they will cover it, so even if you're turned down, once all of your materials are correct, there's no reason for them to deny you. Good luck and best wishes!

I've recently picked up a vanilla flavored whey protein mix. The center that I'm going through recommends adding extracts to the powder and blending with 1 cup crushed ice (no added liquids). I went to the grocery store and picked up orange, peppermint, and rootbeer extracts. I will say that I haven't tried these yet, but they seem promising. =) Good luck!

maizemommy- Thanks so much! I really hope to attend a meeting too! See you there (eventually, once banded)! Lauren

Hey, no problem for the speedy response! Ok, I see where your coming from now that I can see your measurements. I can sure hide 330lbs well. Let me tell you, people never guess it. Good to hear you did attend a seminar....I didn't ask questions at mine so don't feel like your alone. It's a scary time and place! Like I said earlier, each insurance company is super picky about requirements so make sure to check on that. Good luck on your journey!

Hi Everyone! Congrats on your losses so far and your upcoming surgeries! So, technically I'm not going to be banded in Springfield but I go to school here in Springfield (MSU) so I'm here more than I am at home. I'm actually hoping to get banded in KC (in-network provider, parents are there, etc.). I'm not sure of the function of this post but this is kind of like my, "hey I'm here!" post. What's interesting about this thread is it's actually more active than the ones for KC...hmm, since I'm in Springfield so much it's nice to know you all are out there in cyberland but also in the same city. Does Dr. Edwards offer a support group for his patients after surgery? Since I won't be able to go home for support group meetings it would be nice if he did so then I would still be able to attend a support group. Ok, I feel like I'm rambling so I'll bring this to a close! Nice to know you guys are out there! Best of luck on your continued success! Lauren

Hi Jayme! Welcome to LBT! Although I am not in the -35 BMI range I might be able to give some words of advice to you. Here is goes, and don't think any of this is meant to be harsh or rude, I'm just presenting to you, at the best ability I can, the information I have. Most insurance companies want you to have a BMI of 35+ to be considered for surgery. As far as co-morbities go, these are (but are not limited to) high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc. If you don't have any co-morbities and have a BMI under 35 your chances for approval are very limited...but not unheard of. Each insurance company has its own set of standards and criteria so it's best to check with them about the requirements. A lot of the lapband system requires you to use a lot of self-control and discipline...it IS just a tool, not a magic fix. You can actually resist the band and gain weight. There is nothing preventing you from sucking down milkshakes or eating ice cream. So yes, you can regain weight...absolutely. I haven't had surgery but I can tell you foods that are off limits. 1) (Drink) Soda (no carbonation is allowed) 2). Most breads, they gum up and clog the band cause you to PB 3). (sometimes) Red meats, they tend to have trouble going down. Those are the big ones that I can think of but there are many, many more. It really varies person-to-person. Have you attended a seminar yet? There are really helpful in understanding the system...and they could answer a lot of the questions you just asked. I'm not going to ask your weight, but with a BMI of only 33 I have trouble understanding the need to lose 80lbs...and I think a physician would too. The lapband is typically for people who are morbidly obese (by l00 lbs. or more...and that is typically specified in the insurance paperwork, i.e. "BMI of 35 OR 100lbs over the person's ideal weight). With a BMI of only 33 you fall below the FDA BMI range...and you may have trouble finding a surgeon who will perform the surgery with a BMI that low. Good luck, where ever your journey may take you. Lauren

Hi Sue Magoo! That's what I would have thought too! The weird thing is that the program I am going through uses a team approach...same dietician, psychologist, and so on. I know that they have been up-and-running for some time so I am not sure what his hold-up is. I am sure he's seen tons of patients. I too think that I would be fine to go back to school after 2-3 weeks. I see no reason why I can't move back to school. My parents would be helping me move...so it's not like I'd be doing any lifting. Plus, I mean, how hard is it to sit in class? It doesn't take a lot of energy...at least not physical =) I feel that I can't bring this situation up to him because if I say that I won't be able to have surgery over Christmas break (because it's not 6-weeks) that he'll want to push me back to the next summer. Quite frankly, I do not want to see my date pushed back...summer 2009 would put me at 2-years since attending a seminar...huge bummer! Thanks for the imput and congratulations on your amazing loss! Woohooo!

Hi everyone! I just stumbled upon this thread and thought I'd join in. My BMI is right around 50-51...so, I suppose I should belong to this thread. Anyway, I am 20 and hoping to have surgery this summer (Bariatric Center of Kansas City--Dr. Hohen)...if I jump through enough hoops. Hoops aren't new to anyone as most of you know, I'm sure. Being a college student in Springfield (roughly 3 hrs from home, things get complicated). The latest hoop involves the time of my surgery. The psychologist I'm seeing wants me to be home for 6-weeks after surgery...and I won't be finished with my 6-month supervised diet until late June. Then, if I allow up to 30 days for insurance approval, that puts me into August...thus, the psychologist wants to push surgery back until Christmas break...the problem with that is that the break isn't 6-weeks long...so I'm not sure what is going through his mind. Anyway, I'm sure I'm rambling...so I won't bore those of you who are reading I look forward to meeting all of you in this thread and congrats to those of you who already had surgery and have lost fabulous amounts of weight! :smile2: Lauren

Hey Steve Well, if you mean approval from my insurance when you say "blue card," I can't answer that question. I've not been approved yet...originally, Coventry just wanted to see a 3 month failed diet plan. However, they've made several ammendments, thus, I'm still waiting. I am on month 2/6 for my physician supervised diet. SMMC went ahead and gave me the green light to start my other testing, that's why I've already seen Dr. Sabapathy. Basically, after they had received all of my records (5+ years!) they let me make an appointment with Dr. S. Yes, I did/have met with Dr. Sabapathy before insurance apporval--as you've already read. :wink2: I don't know if that was much help, but hopefully you've gained something from this post! haha If you're in doubt go ahead and call Shelly at the records office and "check the status of your file." Pay no attention to her message about getting back to you within 48 hrs...sometimes it takes 2 weeks...but, hey, it's worth a try! Keep us posted! Let me know if you have any more questions!

Hi John! I too am going through SMMC to get the lap-band! I too am waiting...but for a 6 month supervised diet and exercise program...go Coventry. I don't have the knowledge of the others who have posted but I'll share with you what I know. I was very apprehensive about Dr. Sabapathy to being with...I mostly took issue with him questioning my decision based on my age. However, after my third appointment that was resolved and now I couldn't be happier with him. Once we were on the same level, things went very smoothly. I will agree with the others that I have been less than happy with some of the office staff. Records is one office that I avoid unless I must go through them...grrrr. Congrats on the weight loss so far! 15 pounds is a giant step forward! Keep us posted! Lauren

AppleSmith1226: You know what's weird, my primary insurance is United! Coventry is my secondary...because my mom works for the state, she has a good policy they just tend to be a little strict. I couldn't agree with you more about the healthy/kids part. I am at risk for PCOS and hope to get this weight OFF before I develop it. Thanks for the support...it's crazy how much we are alike...long lost twin?haha 678iamgreat: Thanks! With my will and determination, I know I can lose more than 50% of my excess weight. Even losing 50ish pounds would make a world of difference. As much as people talk about this being a tool...I plan to use it as one. It's not for the psychologist to determine how much weight I will or will not lose. I see your already 54lbs. down!! Congrats! That's great! Keep working hard and thanks again! LovingWhatIs: I too had heard about the 5 year thing...it's irritating when they try to push me into bypass...when it's not something I want. I think it's great that you were so proactive about your head hunger. I think a lot of times, that is the downfall with a lot of people. I can see that you are really determined...good for you! Congrats on your loss so far! KukeChik: No, unfortunately there was not a list. The bariatric center I am going through has ties with one psychologist...he was nice but seemed to put a blanket statement over young adults--which I did not appreciate. Sorry to hear that you were denied...that's never fair. Good luck on your upcoming surgery! Keep us posted!