Tamihott

Congratulations! How exciting! I will be thinking about you, but I am sure you will do great! Keep us updated! Tamara

I have not have the Lapband yet but am in my 5th month of the 6 month supervised diet. I have gained three pounds, and I honestly have tried very hard. My surgeon made no mention of gastric bypass if I did not lose enough weight. I also know my particular insurance uses the very 1st weight as the weight they submit for approval. I have been on this site for a long time and if you look around there are lots and lots of people who have lost way more than 30lbs. Look around and all your questions will be answered! Good luck on your journey!! Tamara

Congrats on your approval! I too have BC/BS of IL and and on my 5month of supervised diet. You are right though all policies are different, as I only have to have psych eval 6 month diet and 5year weight history!! Good luck!

Congratulations on your date, how exciting!

I am on my 5th month of my dr supervised diet and I am still on the fence. Somedays I am like wow I want this surgery soo bad, and then the next day I am like what are you crazy! I worry about all the changes in my life too, and the quality of life after the band. I also know at this rate of weight gain, I won't have to worry about quality of life, because I won't have one. Just like everyone said you have to read the posts on this site with an open mind and remember this is not what happens to everyone, but it is good to know all the facts before doing anything. This site is great and you should use it everyday to help you sort out your emotions and doubts. Also keep in mind most people who do make the decision to be banded have thought about or researched it for a while so don't feel rushed to make such a decision. Good luck!

When I first posted my answer to this question, the asnwer was NO WAY! Well it happened tonight. After a week of vacationing in Fl my husband and I weighed in (separately) to see what damage was done. We have been on a very similiar diet and excercise program since I started my 6 month diet. I have lost 10 lbs since 11/07 on a good day and well now he has (after losing 1lb on vacation!! I know I thought it could not happen) lost a toal of 35lbs!! We started talking about he does not want to share his happiness with me, because he does not want me getting discouraged. He said no matter what you are getting this surgery. I see you struggle day in and day out without even results close to mine. He sarted on the I should walk miles a day and cut out soda (I only drink 1 caffeine free diet pepsi a day). I walk ast least 3 miles 5 days a week. I should be steadliy loosing. Anyway my husband while sitting the car tonight ask's (thanks to the disclaimer at the bottom of the Lapband commcerical "pts must be at least 100 pounds overweight to qualify for the surgery) "Are you even heavy enough to have the surgery???? I was like I know officially weigh more than you!! I let it out!! I was embarassed and shamed. I should not weigh more than a man. He was super like always and made me feel better. I think I had a break through I have never ever ever told anyone what I weigh, let alone a man. So the answer to the question is now YES he does know and I feel soo much better!!!:biggrin2:

I would ask them to get the approval packet together and send it out. You never know what the insurance company will be looking for on any given day. If you do not get approved, at least you will know exactly what they are looking for. If you get an approval then you will be 6 months ahead on your lapband journey. Good luck!

I have to see a cardiologist for pre surgery clearance ( I do not have any heart conditions that I know of), a pulmonologist, gastroenterologist for an upper endoscopy, a vascular study of my legs aka ultrasound, see a nutritionist, sleep study chest xray and tonsof blood work. I am glad as I do not want any surprises either!

Thanks for all the information guys! It really does make me feel better as usual! Tamara

I know how you are feeling. The stretch marks on my stomach are bad. They orginally were from being pregnant, but packing on the weight made them horrible. I also had them on my breasts and thighs and butt etc since pubery. I got married to my second husband and my soulmate with those bad stretch marks. I have since had another baby, so don't feel hopeless. You will find your prince and he won't care.

I am the type of person since my GB removal gets nauseated very easily. I asked my surgeon if there was any higher incidence of nauseau with the band. He stated no, but I was wondering if any of you experienced bandsters agree or not. Do you get sick to your stomach alot or easier since being banded. Thanks I love this site!!:w00t:

Thanks everyone for the word of encouragement! I love this site and it does help me through the rough days like today. I wish us all the best of luck and hopes for quick insurance approval!

Hi everyone! I am on my pre Lapband journey and feeling very overwhelmed. I have been seeing my PCP since November for my 6 month supervised WL thing and have only to date lost 10 lbs. I have been killing myself with diet and lots of exercise. I asked my dr again about her feeling of wls surgery and she was like I think you should try at least 3 more months (which is mandatory anyway) "before you put yourself through a surgery" She said it's not like you are wanting to get down to 120lbs??? I was like no but under 200 would be super. My dr is awesome but she also weighs 120 lbs wet. I just expressed to her how it is discouraging to have to deal with weight issues your whole life and never be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. She said keep up the good work and we will see at the end of three months. In the mean time I have my Lapband surgery appts going at the same time. He requires just for himself tons of testing. I have to see a pulmonologist, cardiologist, dietician, gatro dr and have a sleep study!! I know lots of you have had to do the same thing, but I also wonder how you get over the feeling of being soo overwhelmed! On top of all of that I worry that due to the fact that I have no co-morbidities and am missing 1 year of weight history due to a move out of state that I will end up being self pay. I just like lots of you have days where I wonder if all of this is worth it. I mean does it really work if you have the disicpline. Also I was looking at my super and supprotive husband and my 2 yo tonight and was like they both need me and what if I die from surgery. I know I am rambling and having some crazy thoughts. I just was wondering if anyone has any advice or has had the same thoughts. Thanks soo much. Tamara I am 5'5 and weigh 260 BMI 43

I am taking my daughter to New York to see Wicked on broadway for her 16th birthday! She loves broadway shows and so do I. We have soo much fun when we go there for the day and just do girl stuff!! I am counting down the days until March 26th!!

I have BC/Bs Il and have not received this paperwork either!

Congratulations on your approval. Just a questions unfortunately I am just starting my journey with BC/BS of Il and wondering if you have any advice of what I need to do and not do etc. Thanks Tamara

No way! I hope he does not know! I am afraid it will get out during the srgery process. I think he has an idea. Truth is we weigh almost the same, but come on he is a tall man ughgghgh

I as of last night, have been to 3 Lapband seminars. They were all different. The first one at Barix was the most detailed. We were sent tons of paperwork prior to bring along and then filled out tons more when you arrived. You were worked up ie bloodpressure pulse weight height etc. Then the surgeon spoke a nutrionist spoke and then you met one on one with the surgeon. It was a great set up just too far for me. I then went to Lehigh Valley hospital it was jam packed brief and they charge $500 for their program for 6 mo. Last night I went to my 3rd seminar, which was by far the best. It was a small group. I was given some great info Cd etc a nurse spoke then the surgeon. I just felt very comfortable, all in all I felt comfortable at all of them. I think I learned just as much or not more on here. Good luck you will be fine!

I am soo happy that you are doing well! Have a great holiday season and happy losing! I had my 2nd app with pcp supervised diet on friday and I have lost 10lbs. I had my psych eval on sat and are slowly getting all my medical records in order. I meet again with the surgeon on the 7th of Jan. I will keep you inforned! Tamara

I have not been banded as of yet, but am researching and going through it all right now. I have BC/BS of illinois. They require tons of stuff for approval and are very hard to deal with. I do have to do the 6 month diet and they use your weight from the first visit. My surgeons office told me as far as the 5 year weight history you have to have "morbid obsity" BMI of 40 or 35 with two co-morbities. If I loose 20lbs I drop below the BMI requirement, and my I was not always as heavy during the past 5 years. I am super worried I will be denied, but I am trying really hard to get all my ducks in a row.If I had a choice I would use Aetna PPo. Bcbs is hard. Good luck on your journey! Tamara

Congratulations on the surgery and your weight loss. I hear ya any weight lost is great. I live in Pa too, where did you have your surgery done? Tamara

I have BCBS Illinois, and am only on my second month of supervised weight loss and have already lost about 10lbs! Yikes. I do not have a super high BMI so I was worried about that too. I went to the ins website and read their medical policies about the 6 month supervised diet and was relieved that they use the 1st visit BMI. I think the main things are they want to see a change in the way you eat and excercise. What I was told is they want to see that you can stick to life and behavior modifications. My big problem is the 5 years of obesity. I only have 4 where I had "morbid obesity" I did 6 months of atkins and lost 40lbs so that weight is alot lower than the requirements. I am hoping to slide that one by them!! Good luck everyone Tamara

Ellisa, Good luck tomorrow!! I know you will do super! Let us know how things are going when you feel up to it! Tamara

Becky Sorry you have had to go through all that and still they denied you. It is a terrible stress I am sure. I was wondering if they told you why they have denied you. I even told the rep at bc/bs ok well then if you follow all of their guidelines and it is a covered benefit there should be no issues.....right and she just said you never know. It seems like a scam to me. It does get me down and make me want to give up but I think I should at least try. Maybe they just pick and choose by throwing a dart and whoever it lands on will be approved! Seems like that may be the way it works. Also what state is your surgeon in? Sorry for all the questions! Thanks again Tamara

Becky, What paperwork did you send in? Did you go to a nutrionist? That was recommended to me even though it is not required. Have they officially denied you yet? Thanks Tamara