miss meliss

Hang in there Lonestar! I am feeling your pain. I will not be able to submit my forms until April 7th. I know I will be impatient by noon that day. I'm watching your progress with my fingers crossed!!

I am jumping thru the Aetna hoops myself at this time. I have learned that your BMI can not be lower than 35 for the past 2 years (per new rules 02-08-08). If you have been lower than that and it was because of a goofy diet then you can write a detail desciption of what you did and if you gained it all back immediately. Also if you use a regular doctor you have to do a 6 month diet. If you use a baractiric center and work with thier dietitian then you only have to do a 12 week diet. Good Luck!! ... Meliss :cheers2:

Hey Everyone! I have enjoyed reading your posts. I am halfway thur my 3 month monitored diet (for my insurance). It is good to read other 40ishers and see you don't have to be 20 to lose weight. I'll continue to watch this site for inspiration. Thanks!

Gosh! I don't think I like that saying (in like flynn) as much anymore. hmmm....

I am so excited about the 5 years switching to 2 years! I have been trying to track down year 5 and I have been stressing about it. I will also send this change to the insurance handler at my doctors office. 2 years ... I'm in like Flynn!!! (what ever that means) :smile:

I am glad I could help! The diet is not really a weigth loss diet but training for the way to eat with the band. The 1st month she asked me to give up carbonated drinks and to add protien to my morning meal. She asked me to start taking smaller bites and chew, a lot. I had to keep an excercise log showing at least 3 times a week of 15 min. exercise. It could be as simple as walking or lifting light arm weights. I went to my 2nd appointment yesterday. She asked that I stop drinking with my meals and told my why. Also, I need to start taking chewable vitiams. Continue with exercise. I asked her about how much wieght should I try to lose... she said don't worry about it. This is a time to educated me on how to live with the band and prevent disconfort in the furture. She said she has never had a problem with Aetna expecting weight loss. However, if I didn't modifiy my behavior that she could not recommend me to Aetna. In fact she has had people gain weight because they where nervous and eat more right before the surgrey. She also has been going thru a list of foods that most people have problems eating. This much easier than a pcp. The office is scheduling everything in the order it needs to be done. This is what they do and they deal with Aetna everyday.

Hey Polly, I am in the process of being approved (postive thinking!). I started with my pcp and it was going to be 6 monthes of dieting and a lot of worrying that there might be a slip-up or missed documentation. After 2 monthes I went to a Lap Band Surgen with an experienced staff. By going to a dietian (at that office) I only have to do the 12 week monitored diet. Also I feel like I will less likely to be turned down because the office didn't do the proper documentation or forgot to do something. I hope this helps! I have Aetna POSII.... Meliss

Con-grats! I have been watching your posts and I am so happy for you!! I am going thru the 12 weeks surpervised diet right now. I live in Burleson and have a POS II also, so I am happy things have worked out for you. Who is your Doctor?? I agree on the Socialized Medicine. When my dad had cancer, he went to MD Anderson in Houston. Lots of UK and Canda people there to get help that wasn't possible in their country. Yehaw, back at y'all!!

Michelle, This a beautiful and painful thread. I think I will copy your list and post in somewhere in my kitchen to inspire. It really made me stop think. Looking better will be a nice side affect to being banded. However, the real reasons are the ones you and other banders have stated here. Happiness, Health and less worries (will I fit on a ride at six flags, an airplane, a friends backseat?). Thank you! Not banded yet but hope to be in April!

Thanks skculpepper!

I have just started my 6 month supervised diet for Aetna. Your comments have been very helpful. How much did y'all lose during your supervised diet? I hate to over think this....but it is very important. Can you lose to much or to little? I would love to here the amount you lost and still got approved.

Thanks! I'll look him up!

Thanks for the advice! I didn't know there was a Texas forum!!

How is it going? I have an appointment with Smith & Ferrara in January. Has it been a good experience?

I am in the process of chooseing a doctor for Lap Band Surgry. I am so excited that in the near/distant furture, I will have for a healthier/slimmer/active future!! If you have any advice on doctor who was a great experience or a bad experience, I would appreciate your advice. Thanks!!!!

He Guys! I am just getting started and I live just south of Fort Worth Texas. I am looking for a doctor in the Fort Worth area. If any of y'all are having/or had a good experience with a doctor in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, I would love to know their names and I can check and see if they are on my insurance! Thanks!

Has any of y'all tried to get approve thur Atena? After you completed the 6 month medically superived diet, about how long after that did you get approved for Lap band surgry? I'd like to know what to expect. Thanks!