mamato3

Well it's official! I received my letter today with my surgery date. It will be January 7th. I cannot even begin to tell you all how excited I am! Of course, many of you probably know as you've been down this road already. HAHA I am a little bit in shock right now. Last time I spoke to them they said they were scheduling for February, so I did not expect to be having this done until then. It is a welcomed surprise though! 2008 is going to be the year that I finally lose some weight and become the healthy, thinner person that I've always wanted to be!!

Well I took your advice and went ahead and called. I dont know much more then I did before! haha All I know new is that my chart is in the hands of the person who schedules the surgeries and I have to just sit and wait until she sends me a letter giving me my instructions. They said it could be anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks! Well, I knew when I started this journey it would be a test of my patience and it definately has proven to be that!

Hey everyone! I thought I would see what you guys thought.... I am starting to feel very impatient. I have had my approval from the insurance company since Oct. 31. I have done everything my doctors office has asked of me (psych eval, nutrition class). I feel like they are ignoring me! haha It has been 2 weeks since I took the nutrition class and I have not heard from anyone. I dont want to be one of those annoying patients that calls all the time, but it is making me go stir crazy. They had told me my surgery would be early January, but since I have not heard from them yet, I doubt that will happen. Would you go ahead and call again? Or just wait it out? My surgeon is Dr. Brengman at Richmond Surgical Group.

Hi CoreynVA, I am having my surgery with Richmond Surgical Group, Dr. Brengman. Right now I am patiently waiting for a surgery date. I had my psych eval with Lisa Berman as well. Attended my nutrition class on Monday the 19th. I have had my approval from the insurance company since Oct. 31 and had absolutely no problem getting it. It's making me nuts waiting for them to call and schedule a date. I wonder if I should just call them and bug them?!??!

I think everyone heals and copes with pain differently. With that said, I had my gall bladder removed laproscopically a couple of years ago. My doctor told me that recovery from this surgery should be similar to recovery from the gall bladder. I had that surgery on Thursday and returned to work on Monday. I would think most people should feel ok to return to work in about a week, as long as it isn't work that is very strenuous. Just an opinion :confused:

Yes I do live in Virginia but I dont know that I would call myself a VA girl. HAHAHA I moved here about a year and a half ago after living my whole life in Colorado. I'm trying hard to adjust to the changes, like humidity, UGH! Right now I live west of Richmond. My surgeon is Dr. Brengman at Richmond Surgical Group. I am SO excited about this surgery. Even if I have to wait til January, I know it will be worth the wait. But I will do what you suggested and see about getting myself on a "cancellation list". I have my nutrition class on the 19th. Everything went along really fast and smooth except for a surgery date! Go figure.

Thankyou for starting this new thread! I always want to post, but never know where to do it, so I usually just dont. I enjoy reading what you all have to say though. Anyways, I found out today that my insurance has approved my surgery! YEAH!!! BUT... the surgeons office is apparently not scheduling anymore surgeries this year. I guess it is "crunch time" whatever that means. Oh well, I guess I'll be a newly banded person for the new year. She said I should be one of the first in January. Meanwhile, I will just focus on eating right and getting more exercise and hopefully lose a few pounds.

cannis - good luck to you on Thursday! I'll be anxious to hear how everything went. Which doctor is doing your surgery? I am feeling very positive today. I had my initial consult with Dr. Brengman this morning. He seemed to think that my insurance company would approve me no problem! YAY! He said I should hear from them in 3 to 4 weeks. I am so happy to say that it seems like things are moving forward nicely.

Welcome newnana! I think it would be great to connect with some people close by as well. So, you attended a seminar last week. What surgeon are you thinking of using?

Congratulations on getting started on the road to a healthier you. I am new to this site as well. Have my initial consult with the surgeon on the 16th. I just wanted to tell you, that I have also found that I dont get an overwhelming amount of replies when I post here. BUT, I read, read, READ, READ and READ some more. I have learned so much here. These people are truly an inspiration to me. It's amazing that a group of people that I have never met have given me such a positive attitude and helped me in finding the courage to move forward with this surgery. Good luck to you on your journey ahead.

I set up my consultation with the surgeon for Oct 16. I am pretty sure it should be covered no problem. Thanks, dustout for the website! I'm hoping to jump through the hoops and have surgery in January :eek:

I am only just beginning my lapband journey but I am ready now and wanting to get headed in the right direction. I have my first consultation on Oct. 16. It seems like I am gaining even more weight lately. Could you give me some suggestions on a diet I could start on now so that I can start to lose a few pounds? Should I just try to start eating as if I already have the band? Am I trying to jump the gun too much here? I am just feeling LOUSY about myself and my weight right now and I really need something structured in order to lose any weight.

I went to a seminar last night and they said that Anthem requires 2 comorbidities no matter what the BMI. According to my member services manual AND the lady I spoke to at Anthem, with a BMI of greater then 40 then no comorbidities are required. Does anybody have any idea which is correct? I have some other minor things wrong (plantar faschitis, stress incontinence, aching joints,already had to have my gall bladder removed and had gestational diabetes with 2 recent pregnancies which puts me at a MUCH higher risk of develping type 2 diabetes if I dont get this weight off). I am now SO worried that I am not going to qualify. My current BMI is 44. What do you think?

OK... seminar is done. The doctor seemed real nice and so now I have scheduled my first consultation for Oct. 16th. YAY! Now, the only thing I am worrying about a little is this: According to my insurance member service manual and what the person that I talked to at the insurance company said, If you have a BMI of greater then 40 then no comorbid conditions are required. According to what they were saying at the seminar last night, they think my insurance requires the 2 comorbid conditions regardless of BMI. Now I'm stumped. I went ahead and scheduled the consultation anyway, but I hope it isn't a waste of more of my time. I guess we will just have to see.

Wow 23 pounds! Thats awesome. I cant wait to say goodbye to my first 23 pounds. Dont cave in to the chocolate cake! The only one who will benefit is Mr. Ukrop! hahah

Hi PrettyBrownEyez- My seminar is scheduled for Oct. 4. I am so anxious to meet the docs. I have a list of questions already too! My insurance is Anthem COVA care through the state of Virginia as my husband is a state employee. It has treated me well so far. I had a baby in June and Anthem took great care of everything. According to the lady I talked to at Anthem about WLS, I shouldn't have any problems with approval. The surgeon will just need to send a letter for their health service review and beings I have a BMI of 44 it should not be a problem. You mentioned getting a copy of my previous weight loss efforts. Is that a requirement from the surgeon, or from the insurance company? Just curious because I really haven't seen a doctor that much in the past 5 years except for illnesses and to have 2 babies. Are they going to make me have 6 months of Dr. supervised dieting? Hmmm... probably my first stumbling block. :cry So you are one week post op. How are things going? Do you feel starved? Are you having lots of pain? Tell me everything. HAHAHAH Kidding. Hope you are feeling great.

MaryWalker... Only a couple more days until your surgery. Just wanted to wish you well. I know things are going to go great. Cant wait to hear from you after surgery. I'm counting down my days til the seminar. HAHAH!! Just imagine how tired you all are going to be of hearing about me counting down when I'm already doing it and it's just for the seminar! Anyways, I read every single day about the lapband and I think I have gone through in my head about every thought and emotion. This is really going to be a challenge. But, I already know I'm in it for the long haul. I am anxious to get started with everything.

Thankyou all for your thoughts on this. I have decided I will just try to keep it to myself. I'll come here and talk with all of you and maybe I will get involved with a support group. I do feel like I need some support through this whole thing. I am nervous about it and a bit scared. I keep thinking to myself, "this is the rest of my life!". I know I can do it though. Anyways... thanks again.

So I have only just begun my lapband journey. I have been extremely hesitant to tell anyone that I am considering a lapband because I fear the negative feed back I might get. Well, today I decided to confide in someone who I thought would be understanding and supportive. BOY WAS I WRONG! GRRRR!!! Just as I suspected, she was negative and relayed a horror story of someone she knows who had had a lapband years ago. She was like, you can lose weight on your own, you dont need it. WELL, I'm am so bummed. I told her, sure I can lose weight. I have done it many times before. I just cant keep it off. So she says, dont say you cant! SOOO, I guess I am just going to have to keep this to myself and not expect the support of any of my friends. Luckily my husband is supportive, I would just like to have more then 1 person on my team, ya know?

Thankyou for the suggestion. We attend church as often as our schedule will allow, which isn't nearly as often as I'd like. That is a great idea. I will definately give it a try. Thanks again!

Wow...thanks for the rundown. I now know I am going to have to be patient and put in a lot of effort to get this done. I know it will be worth it. Hopefully this time of year isn't as busy as summertime, but who knows. I'm thinking scheduling appointments and classes and whatever things I need to get done over the next few months is going to be a nightmare. I have an 18 month old toddler and a 3 month old infant. My husband and I have a hectic schedule because I work on most of his days off except for every other Sunday. We haven't been in this area too long so we dont really know anyone well enough to have them babysit our babies. Anyways, I am rambling. I am sure I'll figure it out. Where there's a will, there's a way. I DEFINATELY have the will! Thanks again for all your info. I'm glad I have this place to come and get info and support!

Elissa, I'm right there with you worrying about being denied. I dont think I am going to have any problem because the insurance we have is good and I already called the insurance company and they definately cover the lapband. But I figure about the time I get my hopes up, I will be denied. Just my luck. HAHAHA. Anyways, I'm also stressing about this taking months and months to get done. I have made up my mind and want it NOW. I know I have to be patient, but it is hard. I guess I have been fat my whole life, what's another 6 months, right? Anyways, good luck to you. I'd be happy to try to keep in touch on our journey for support!

MaryWalker20.... I wish you the very best of luck with your upcoming surgery. I am sure you are so excited! I will be anxious to hear how your surgery goes. Wow, May to September...that is quite a long wait. I hope I dont have to wait that long. I guess I have to do what I have to do though. What do you think were the obstacles causing it to be so long? Insurance issues? Scheduling appointments? Is it just this particular office, do they always take that amount of time? Is it typical to wait 4 or 5 months no matter who your surgeon is? I'm prepared to jump through whatever hoops necessary to make this happen for myself. Thanks for your info!

Hi... I am attending a seminar on Oct. 4 as well. I'm 5'4" and about 260? (I dont own a scale! too depressing) Anyways, I know you were looking for someone who has already gone through lapband surgery, but it would be great to keep in touch and motivate each other through this process. I am in Richmond, VA. Good luck to you as you start this journey!

Congratulations and good luck! :clap2: I will be very interested to hear how the pregnancy goes with the band. I am not yet banded, but I hope to be soon. I have had 2 pregnancies that were no picnic beings I am so overweight. I had gestational diabetes and in genearl just felt like poop. We want to have 1 more baby, but I REALLY want to lose some weight first. I am hoping the lapband is going to happen for me so I am of course very curious how a pregnancy goes with the band.