Boomer46

I was banded Oct 16.:clap2: Am doing great but I'm sick of the Protein Shakes and most Protein Drinks in general! Those fruity ones too. My Dr. says I should shoot for 70 grams of Protein per day. Since I am still in the "mushy" stage I am having a hard time hitting the 70 gram mark without a Protein Drink. Any ideas? I am supposed to drink 3 whey shakes a day, yuck!:help:

NM Sunshine - Much better name! Will see you at the over 50 site later!

Kacee,

thanks for your reply! You give me hope! I see we are not too far apart in age. My BMI teeters between 34 & 35 I am only 5'1" but have several co-morbidities. I have been worried that the surgeon will tell me to go home and just start dieting. I am sure that the self pay thing will be an incentive for me also!

Congrats on your success! Keep me posted.

Hello Everyone!

I have recently started my Quest for the LapBand and will have to pay out of pocket. Can you all tell me what is the worst thing that I can expect? :faint: What is the best thing that I can look forward to? :clap2: I have "yo-yo'd" my whole adult life. Do you know of anyone who has gained their weight back after having the LapBand? :cry

Hi!

I will be 61 in 12 days and also am starting my LapBand journey too. I am just in the preliminary paperwork process. I have the support of my husband and kids. We have six grandkids and I would love to see them all grow up. My mom died at age 70 following a brain anyuerism. She struggled with her weight her whole life. I see that I am heading the same way. Every pill I take could probably be eliminated if I could just loose the weight and keep it off!

Good Luck in your quest!

:help: Hi - I have BCBS of Nebraska through my husband's group policy at work. My BMI is 35 but I have sleep apnea, hypertension, arthritis, plantar fasciitis & high cholesterol. I am scheduled for my first evaluation. Sept 6th with Dr Taddeucci in Lincoln.

First call to BCBS they said there were benefits for the surgery if I had the right codes. Second call I gave them the code for LapBand surgery and they said I was not covered. Third time (it wasn't the charm) they said there were no benefits in our policy for any kind of baratric surgery.

Has anyone else had this problem with BCBS of Nebraska?

I am new to this too, but I wanted to respond to your post. I am 44 years old, 5'4", and weigh 247. I have diabetes, Borderline High Blood Pressure, sleep Apnea, and Fibromyalgia. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield Group Insurance. I attended the seminar on July 17th. I met with the doctor 1 week later, and I'm already approved for the surgery, which is scheduled for August 24th.

I wanted to let you know that it didn't take long at all for me to get an approval from my insurance company. The most important thing is to have all your information up to date and in order. What I mean by that is this, I had documented every weight loss attempt, every program I had joined along with the dates. My primary physician wrote an excellent medical necessity letter which helped.

I called the insurance company every day until they put me through to the person that was making the decision on my case. I got to know that lady on a first name basis! She called me the minute I was approved, and wished me the best of luck. You know the old saying, "the squeaky wheel gets greased first" and that is so true.

I wish you much success in your journey. I'm on my first day of the liquid pre-op diet, and it's going good.

Hi MissDarlene,

I have Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Nebraska and they told me today there are no benefits for this type of surgery in our plan. My husband called them last week and they told him they would cover it if we had the right codes. When he called back with the LapBand code they said they would not cover it. Go figure! But my husband wants me to have it and will pay out of pocket. I guess he wants me around to take care of him. Ha Ha!

I am very happy for you and your quick approval. Best of Luck & stay in touch!

hi

welcome. i also was self pay. here in houston the price is 12,900. i think the aftercare is key so i'm glad to have done it close to home.

it is the best thing i've ever done in my life. i'm sure you will feel the same way

good luck and let me know if any questions

Hi, Thanks for the support! Does the self pay thing help speed up the whole process? I see some insurance requires months or even a year of preliminary work.

Looks like you are doing great! Did you have many problems pre or post surgery?

:ranger: Hi, This is my first post. I have been lurking a little for the past couple of weeks. I live in rural Nebraska with my very supportive husband of 42 years along with my almost 12 year old grandaughter and 2 Bischons. I attended the information seminar 2 weeks ago and have my initial evaluation on Sept. 6th. I have a BMI of 35 but several of the comorbidities. Hypertension, sleep apnea, arthritis, reflux and now plantar fasciitis and I have the big "61" coming before the month is over.

It looks as though I am going to have to pay from my own pocket. Is it really worth it to go to Mexico? The surgeons in Lincoln charge $16,000 for the whole package including several fills. Is this in line with the rest of the USA?