Ready4it

I saw something along those lines, albeit not exactly that in my list of exclusions. I had to call them and ask if weight loss surgery was covered in my benefits. They said yes with 35+ BMI and co morbidities, or 40+ BMI. Call them and find out. Don't say you are asking about the lap band surgery though.

I haven't been banded yet, but I am pretty sure the "steri" means sterile strips, nothing to do with steroids.

I'll let the others answer the rest of the questions but wanted to clarify that!

I used to drink Sprite every day, maybe a few a day. I am proud of myself and can say I have not had Sprite (or any soda) since the day of my seminar which was well over a month ago. It was one of the best decisions I've made.

Now, my surgeon says NO CARBONATION! And as of now, I have no desire to have any. I know if I have one, I will want more and more. I'm good without it. Water and Crystal Light are my thing now.

You can try to check myuhc.com but in the end, I had to call them and ask if it was covered in my plan. It is good to check if your doctor or what not is in/out of network.

My doctor said I am probably going to have a small band put in. Frankly, as long as it does its job, I'm not worried.

Yep, mine sure does. I'll be on a two week pre-op diet. I really don't see how doctors don't require one, but eh, thats just me. It is two weeks out of my life, no biggie.

I am very glad this thread was made. I really don't believe I have sleep apnea because I barely have any signs, if any, for it but my doctor wanted to check and make sure. I'm nervous for my sleep test, but hope it will go all well..

I Have UHC and was approved within 30 days along with my wife. I would check your policy manaual and see what it says. Our plan was changed this year with the same insurance company. I will forward you a copy of my letter that got us both approved. If you have any questions e-mail here or at vcw61@excite.com.

Chris

Pre band

St. Louis

250/

Can you send it off to me? I have UHC as well, my email is ready4band@gmail.com. Thanks! And congratulations to you and your wife. :bounce:

Joyce, if you want to go here, it should clear up some things for you. It is doing cycling on a stationary bike and the instructor changes it up, making you do different types of exercises. The link can explain it better than I can!

Could someone explain spinning class to me. Is it just riding bike, how long is the class?

Thanks

I think it is great everyone is getting involved in this! I haven't gone yet as I am waiting until I lose a little more wait, but once I do, WATCH OUT!

Are you others enjoying it? I really can't wait to start it. :biggrin1:

You are not supposed to have sodas because it can expand your pouch. Just because you aren't feeling any problems from it, doesn't mean there aren't any. I've given up sodas and I'm still in pre-band.

or BMI of 40 or more? Does that sound right? I took notes when I was on the phone with my insurance co. and it seems that if my BMI was at least 40 I did not need any comorbidities. Does that sound right to any of you?

Yes, it does. I think that is what I've heard with many people. I also have UHC and that is what they told me.

Thank you so much! I will definitely keep everyone posted. I'm so excited about it. If I wasn't so tired from the 13 vials of blood out, I'd be dancing around happily!

As I've mentioned, I'm from Knoxville, TN and am now one step closer to getting the Lap Band!! I am so happy about it. Next step is meeting with the surgeons again...

Thats pretty normal or so I thought. I know I will probably have to have one just for them to check on me and what not. I'm 18 and no problems in that area, however just to be careful, I'm sure they will do it.

Ahhh, I am SO happy right now. I went to my PCP at 8:20 this morning and told him all about what was happening, that I wanted to do the lap band and a bunch of other things. He actually recommended it to my mom (for her) about a year or so ago, so luckily he knew all about it. We talked more about it, about the diets I've tried/failed, how much weight I've put on each year, and that he wants to look at my thyroid. Then I pulled out the sheet that had all my blood labs on it and he said one of those was testing for it, so it was okay. Anywho, he ended up saying that I was a prime candidate for it and he hasn't worked with UT Medical Center yet, but is very much looking forward to it. Most of all, I am so happy he is for it and approved it! He was very impressed with all the research I had done.:whoo:

Then came the blood tests, ahhh!! I had a total of 12 blood tests, some needed to be frozen/refrigerated/room temp. The poor lady was sooo nice to me but she was overwhelmed. We ended up having to stick both arms to get all the blood out, but we did! It wasn't too painful, although my arms are sore and beet red. I am so excited though! He is going to fax my surgeons the paperwork and I'll find out when my appointment is!!! I almost cried when he told me he wanted me to get it, haha. :clap2:

Do you think it will be any different since I am younger? Like, my skin bouncing back faster? I hope so! I don't want to go for a TT...

Honestly, I was going to have "pig-out" days, but then I'd take a bite of it and think, these aren't so good anymore. They really lost their taste and I felt so bad eating them. I've had little portions of what my favorite foods are, but most of all, I am ready to get going with the process.

I don't see why a doctor would give you the go ahead, that is a little messed up, IMO. I was just told that I couldn't weigh more than I did on the day of the seminar (272) and I've lost one pound so far. I am maintaining it and once I get closer to my surgery, I will be on a pre-op diet with liquids only.

Did you end up getting it???

Hey Ready.... How long ago did you live in Fruita and Palisade? I actually lived in Glade Park. but no one knows where that is, so I just say Grand Junction...

That is what I used to say too! It generalized it since most people only know about Grand Junction. I heard it is growing greatly? Hard to believe! I know where Glade Park is. :confused:

I moved out here (Tennessee) on Thanksgiving of '99. I miss it, sometimes. Mostly the friends we had there, but other than that, I love being here. What a small world!

I'm 18, recently graduated HS in May, and am taking the right steps to be banded. I am so excited and hope I can get this. I've been large my entire life and I'm tired of it. I want desperately to take control of my life and know I'm going to be healthier overall. :confused: I have my first appointment with my PCP on Thursday to sign off for my surgeons and I am also getting all my labs done, should be fun!

I'm towards the end of the -teen spectrum, but I'm still one!

I wanna do this and I'm not a crazy ate, haha. :huggie:

Best of luck y'all!

Thanks so much!!!

It will be nice to see one of those tests. I've had a lot of problems in the past two months with a horrendous kidney infection and two kidney stones. Surgeries for both! Should be interesting...

Usually, how long do these take to get back? Again, thanks for answering these! I figured they were pretty normal.

Hi everyone... I'm from Colorful Colorado.. The western side.. Grand Junction, Colorado.... It's a beautiful place to be... Love my "Rocky Mountains"... Grew up, got married and had my children in the Denver area. Moved to the Western slope 20 years ago.

Hey UN5-3051... I was born in Springfield, Missouri a long time ago. :huggie:

Hey, I lived there! Well, I lived in Fruita and Palisade, but still!

I'm from Knoxville, TN. GO VOLS!!!

I was doing it every day, multiple times a day, but then it just discouraged me. I had my mother hide it from me and brought it out today. I didn't lose (wasn't expecting to) but I'm maintaining that weight, which is good to me! I've been eating how I want to, limiting my food and sugar intake, but eating well at the same time. It makes me excited to think what it is going to be like when I do really try and know that it will be permanent.

I'm going to try to stick to every 3-4 days. We will see!!!

I am getting a little nervous about seeing my PCP on Thursday. I more than qualify to get the lap band, my BMI is over 40 (almost near 50) and I am so willing to do all the things necessary. I have already done so much. I don't drink soda, I am on all sugar free things now, and I'm cutting my portions down. I am just scared he isn't going to sign off because I am 18. I've been big all my life, tried so many diets and failed. I want to get this when I am younger (now) to have a better life! Everyone says they wish they could've had it at my age. I want it at my age and hope he says yes! I think he will, he really is an awesome doctor but we will see.

Now, what was your experience with your PCP? Was he/she warm to the idea? Did he/she recommend it to you? Did they help you with needing to do the things to get the insurance approval? Provide anything else you can think of!