jodie1961

That is great!

Shmily you look fantastic already, I am so inspired by your pictures. Also, have to tell you that your profile pic is beautiful, the headband always catches my eye because it reminds me of a tiara. My dearest friend is always saying she is the Queen bee of her home, you remind me of her! Congrats again, keep up the good work.

I agree with PdxMan. Get fitted at a runner's store, even if you are walking not running. They know how to fit your personal traits with the best fitting, most supportive shoe. I cannot believe as overweight as I am, they fitted me before I walked a 1/2 marathon (my first ever). The shoes with a discount were $110, and the best money I have ever spent. We trained for 20 weeks, 3X a week, at the least 9 miles a week - up to 22 miles in the last week before our week off, then the 1/2 marathon. Probably 250+ miles on that pair before I did it. Only had a blister one time, towards the end when shoes were stretched out (and it was on the ball of my foot)....the runner's store fitted me with inserts to tighten up the fit. And off I went. If you continue to have trouble after getting good shoes, go to a podiatrist. We need our feet to be fit, to continue our journey. Good job on your 5 miles ... keep it up!

Sounds good. I need to get back with it myself. Last year I walked in my first 1/2 marathon, took 3 hrs and 50 minutes. I was #2000 out of 2012 entrants. I am so wanting to have my surgery by end of May so I can recoup and start training again. The YMCA starts a jumpstart program May 17th, but the real training starts in July. Hoping to cut some time off. Keep up the good work, you inspire me to get it going. Thanks.

LuckyinLove...have you heard anything yet? I go to see the surgeon tomorrow. They said it would be a few hours all together. See the nutritionist about pre-op diet and post of diet, etc. Should get my date for surgery too. Hope you have gotten some answers by now. Hang in there, thinking of you and praying for a good outcome.

That is awesome! So glad you don't have to go thru any more of the insurance hoops. You are right, end of June is not that far away. Time keeps slipping by so fast. Another reason I want to get this weight off - I have 4 grandchildren and still have 2 kids at home, very active and I don't always feel like going, and going and going. Can't participate in many of their activities. I will so enjoy having more energy, and being able to do things with my family! I will keep all of us in my prayers for our surgeries, and recoveries. Keep in touch while we go thru this together!

They called all the tests came back good. See the surgeon May 2nd. You will be approved, if not now, fight it and it will go thru. I am gonna go with now for you...then, keep me posted on your progress. Maybe you will get your surgery close to mine, we can work it out together. Hang in there girl.

I have only told my husband and 4 grown children, one friend and one co-worker. Now that it is closer I told my mom (wasn't sure how she would take it) and my sister n law. So far all are very supportive. I was a bit worried about work, with the pre surgery diet, and the post surgery diet, all the dr visits I have gone to, but most know I had a lap band several years ago. It is obvious it was not working, so I have told them I am having it removed, which is true, if able they will do the rny Bypass at the same time, but coworkers will think the diet is for the band removal.

Good luck on your lift! You have done an amazing job!

My band worked great at first, but almost a year into it, I kept getting stuck. Then I had my gall bladder out, my lap band surgeon did the gall bladder. ( When I awoke, he told me he thought the band had slipped, so he completely took off my band and repositioned during the gall bladder removal. I had to go thru the whole shebang again, Clear liquids, full liquids, pureed, etc. My band never gave me any restriction after that. Had a 10cc band with 10 cc's and no restrictions. spent about 6-7 months trying to adjust to work. After 5years of getting food stuck on top of the band and having to go to the bathroom to throw up the stuck food, I went back and asked to get it removed. The rny bypass was something I decided on after making my mind up to get the band out. I am so glad to be on track now, looking forward to seeing the surgeon 5/2/14. Hoping to have surgery before June 1st or after July 15th. Coworker will be out with new baby in the middle. Good luck on your approval, and keep on them.

Keep us posted on your progress, it is always nice to share and have someone in your corner!

Hi Sara G....I have BC/BS Anthem. I just got approved for lapband removal and revision to rny bypass. It took a bit longer because they approved the removal and denied the rny bypass first time. After communication opened up between the dr office and insurance, it was approved this past week. You should have no problems. If you do have a partial denial, make sure YOU call and ask the insurance company what you need to do next. The doc office misunderstood in my case and had me spend 2-3 months extra doing things not needed. When I finally spoke to the insurance company (and asked for a supervisor) I found out what they wanted. So stay proactive on your case if need be. And...good luck on your journey!

Feb 7th everyone signed off on my case so it could go to insurance. Drs. office didn't send to them until Feb 28th. Then took until end of March to find out insurance didn't need anything they sent (first request denied, by the way) except a peer to peer review by phone or an appeal the whole time. April 7th peer to peer review done by my doctor and the insurance doctor..approved! But, April 14th found out the paper work wasn't right...requested revised approval letter...took until today, April 23rd to get it done! So...signed, sealed and delivered APPROVAL!!! I go tomorrow for my chest xray-EKG and blood work. Patience has been worn out...but now I can see the light. I will pray for your answer to come much quicker. Chin up! It really does come through.

Good luck tomorrow with the rest of the tests. Hopefully they will show that your EKG was just off. Hang in there.

I got the call today! The insurance got the approvals on one form, and the dr office called me and sent orders for the pre-surgery lab work and tests. When they get that all back, they will schedule me to see the surgeon. Then the surgery date. It will either have to be really soon, or have to wait until my coworker comes back from having her baby. She is due in 6 weeks. I am okay with that.

Wow...May 6th! Maybe turning in with a date will get them on the ball to send the approval quickly. Even if it is a little later (June), that would be awesome. Keep us updated on your progress. I will try to get back on track. I can't let these things run my life. Thanks to this board and people like you it is easier to get through the rough patches!

Good luck on a fast answer...approval for surgery!! After 6 months of back and forth with insurance, I have my approval for band removal, and now approval for the RNY bypass.......but, they are on separate letters, one from Dec 2013 and the other April 2014! So, my Doctor's office won't schedule surgery until the insurance revises the letter to show both approvals on one form. It has been a week since they requested that. No word yet. Frustrated doesn't even describe my emotions. Praying all goes well for you, I would hate for anyone else to go through this.

I shared a bit ago...I was approved for band removal and denied for revision to bypass..after a long wait, and etc..found out I could request a peer to peer review (my doc to speak w/the insurance doc)

after that they (ins) said I could appeal. I was approved after the peer to peer...didn't even have to go thru the appeal process. I was denied because they said "not medically necessary" Thank goodness I spoke with a supervisor at the insurance before doing the appeal. See if you can do this. Worth a shot! Best of luck.

I am sorry I didn't see this earlier. My lap band removal was approved w/my revision to RNY bypass being denied. Long story, but the insurance clerk at doc's drug out the process...all I needed according to my insurance was peer to peer review (my treating doctor to insurance doctor) to discuss reason for needing the revision surgery. Anthem bc/bs told me if I were to appeal first, I would give up my option for the peer to peer review. I called my doc office and they scheduled a review time (by phone). I got my approval letter that week! didn't even do an appeal letter. (now my dr office wants both approvals to be put on one letter, so I am waiting again for that). But...maybe a peer to peer review will help the insurance company to understand you are not doing this for weight loss but the effects of the GERD from the original surgery. Good Luck.

Okay...what a long process. First request in December for both band removal and bypass revision surgery....

Band Removal - approved

Bypass revision - denied

more stuff to do, etc, peer to peer review .....now this done April - Bypass RNY -APPROVED!! Don't get too excited yet....now my surgeon's office said they have to have both approvals on ONE letter. They cannot use the two separate approval letters??? What?? So, now I am waiting for the insurance company to send them a new letter w/both approvals. They have been trying to get thru to the insurance since Monday this week, no go yet. I am sooooooo getting worn out. Anyone else hear of this before?

Congrats! I got my approval Saturday, basically been waiting since December for process to go through. Regular doctor appointment was scheduled for the 21st, but the receptionist said they may re-schedule w/the surgeon instead so they can get surgery set. I am so relieved to finally be on this side of the insurance approval. Good luck on the rest of your tests, etc.

Where do you get powdered chocolate Peanut Butter (PB2)?

Thanks for the input...I am lucky to work where they will let me come back 1/2 days as well. Looking forward to seeing the surgeon and scheduling the surgery now.

Barring any complications...how much time is reasonable to be off work for gastric bypass/rny? I have up to 2 weeks of vacation time, but wondered how long is normal for a desk job?

Hang in there...you can do this! After all the hoops you have to go through, all the tests, all the classes, all the appointments....you CAN do this too. Drink Water til you can't put anything else in you. Keep us updated...let us know when you have surgery and how you are doing. And congrats on making this life changing decision.

Congrats on your losses and your gains! I can't wait to start my own ....got my approval letter from insurance today. Looking forward to playing w/my grandchildren again. Enjoy your new life!