PATCHELTON

A lot depends on your insurance company's requirements. Some require that the surgery site be a "center of excellence" which means they have done x amount of surgeries (I am not sure of the whole criteria, but if they have the "center of excellence" label that is a plus). Many also require a documented 6 month (or two 3 month) diet attempt, and a BMI over 40 plus 100 pounds overweight, or a BMI of 35-39 with one or more comorbidity (ailments afftected by weight: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, reflux/GERD, sleep apnea, joint arthritis and there may be a few others I can't think of). You will need to attend the bariatric seminar, have a consult with the surgeon, a psych evaluation (some may also want a stress test or echocardiogram), and when these are complete, your paperwork is submitted to the insurance company. I needed a 6 month diet so I just used the dietician on the bariatric team. Cost me $35 and I had to document my weight every other week, then at then end she wrote it up and I had to take it to my PCP to sign off. Once that was done my paperwork was sent. I am not-so-patiently waiting for approval. Hope this info helps.

The show is on Wednesday nights 10pm on TLC. The confusion lies in that Season 1 started on TLC and when the repeats started they moved to Discovery Health. Now that Season 2 is on they are back on TLC. I have seen a couple of the new episodes and I am pulling for Tiffany too, but she is up against it long term with her family. Her mother (who could also use WLS) cooks everything in butter, and I think they were bugging her to eat more too. If their thinking doesn't change about food, I worry that Tiffany's efforts will be in vain and she will eventually stretch her pouch and start regaining. I love this show. I have learned a lot about WLS and plastic surgery from watching. Dr. Lomanico gets amazing results. Now if I can just hit the lottery, I could get him to do me (I will need everything lifted). I can dream . . .

I am still waiting for insurance approval for me to have the Lapband. I considered RNY but the malabsorption issue concerned me and I felt the band a better option. My insurance (Carefirst Blue Choice-Maryland) as many others do, required a documented 6 month weight loss attempt, BMI of 40 or more/100 pounds overweight, or BMI 35 or more with one or more comorbidity(diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, reflux/GERD, joint arthritis, sleep apnea, and possibly a few others). My BMI started at 37/38, weight 252, and every comorbidity on the list I gave you except diabetes. I have had my consult with the surgeon (Dr. Singh, St. Agnes-Baltimore), my psych evaluation (another requirement) and I saw the dietician on the bariatric team, but only for the 6 month diet, which I finished in mid January. I had a stress test and an echocardiogram (I work for cardiologists so I had it done at work), and my completed paperwork was submitted to insurance Jan. 28. My insurance didn't cover the psych evaluation ($150) and the meeting for the diet was only $35. Once approved I meet with the dietician for pre- and post-op diet, and with the nurse for a class. They make you jump through many hoops, but it is to make sure you are doing this for the right reasons and didn't decide on a whim to have surgery. I lost all of 10 pounds on the 6 month diet. I have increased my exercise (I walk on the weekends, do Curves during the week) as it is an important factor in success after banding. Hopefully all this info has helped and not given you a headache LOL!

I also had to do the 6 month diet for my insurance, and I went to the dietician on the bariatric team who will be adivising me on pre and post-op diet. For a small fee ($35 in my case) she set up the program and she documented my weight every two weeks. I finally finished it in mid January and she sent me paperwork to take to my PCP to sign off and mail back. Then it went to insurance. I have been waiting 3 weeks for insurance approval (seems longer than the 6 month diet). My PCP sent me for a stress test and echocardiogram (I work for Cardiologists, so I had them done at work--no out-of-pocket charges, just what insurance paid). If you have picked out a surgeon, check with their office and see if the dietician will supervise the 6 month diet for you. Good luck.

I am waiting for insurance approval. When I had my consultation with the surgeon (Dr. Singh, St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore) I told him my PCP was concerned because my liver enzymes were frequently elevated on my blood test for cholesterol. He told me that could indicate fatty liver disease moreso than a reaction to cholesterol medicine, and fatty liver disease can become non-alcoholic cirrhosis. He didn't say the surgery would be cancelled, just that while doing it he would take a sample for a liver biopsy to find out. Also once I get a date I have to do liquids 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after banding. The before is to help shrink the liver and make the surgery easier. Don't know if anyone has tried this or heard about it, but in the current issure of Prevention Magazine there is a short article about milk thistle as a supplement and its main ingredient silymarin. Says it can detoxify the liver and help fatty liver disease, which (I didn't know this) can lead to diabetes. They suggest 200 to 500mg of silymarin a day and note that not all brands have enough. Trader Darwin Milk Thistle at Trader Joes and Natures Way Thisilyn are two that do. I plan to tell the surgeon's office once I am scheduled because they will be adjusting my meds anyway. I have pretty much every co-morbidity except diabetes. From what I read you need to buy what has been standardized to 80% silymarin, which means my 250mg milk thistle capsule has 200mg of silymarin in it and it states that on the bottle. I got the Trader Darwin, about $10 for 100 capsules. Prevention recommends 200-500 daily so I take one twice a day which gives me 400mg. And they said to be sure and tell your doctor. I figure anything that makes my liver a better surgical risk. The Nature's Way brand is more expensive but is availble at places like the Vitamin Shoppe and online. Has anyone tried this? I would love to hear about some experiences. My sister had RNY about 2 years ago and her PCP actually put her on milk thistle (though she doesn't remember why, and plans to ask him).

Great thread. Lots of good tips. My goal is more sleep. I prowl at night and sometimes get 4-6 hours in. That is, if you don't count the nap I take in the recliner when I fall asleep in front of the TV:lol:. I have a quote that hangs on the wall of my Curves, and if I remember it correctly it is "You cannot fail if you don't stop trying." My motto.

I have not been banded yet (going on 3 weeks waiting for insurance approval) but I have been eating ground turkey for years, so I will share some of what I make with it. My meatloaf is a make-it-up-as-you-go-along kind of dish. I use oat bran instead of bread crumbs or cornflakes (heart benefits) and depending on my mood I will use a meatloaf seasoning packet, or even a taco or chili seasoning packet (if you like a little zing to your loaf). Sometimes I throw in an egg, sometimes not. Sometimes with the taco or chili seasoning I will add chunky salsa instead of tomato sauce. If I want less zing I will throw in Birdseye Pepper Stir Fry (good on pizza too--consists of 3 colors of peppers and onion chunks) whatever cheese I happen to have (fat free or low fat shredded cheddar or mozarella or the parmesan/romano that you put on spaghetti, or even fat free feta). I usually make a large loaf about 2 lbs. or slightly more, and I add the wet ingredients then the oat bran and adjust if too wet or dry. I am not a scratch cook by any means, but my meatloaf is pretty good if I do say so myself. I also make chili with ground turkey (the 97/3 turkey is lower in fat than the ground chicken): 1 pkg turkey, browned; 1 pkg chili seasoning (I think there is a reduced salt one); 1 can Beans undrained (kidney, black, pinto--whatever you like); 1 15 oz can tomato sauce; 1 7 oz can chopped green chilis. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes, spread shredded cheese over top to melt (I use fat free cheddar or mozarella) and enjoy. I think the above foods are permitted but if not sure check with your dietician.

I am glad to hear it comes in light, because I have looked at it in the store and felt it had too many sugars. I am not banded yet (waiting to hear from insurance) but I have had problems with constipation for years. I was disheartened to hear of the post op problems. I take a stool softener twice a day NOW, so any tips on things that help will be appreciated. If you are eating the Activia, would it hurt to take acidopholus too? Or should you do one or the other? I eat yogurt almost every day anyway, but have been doing the fat free variety. I guess I can afford a few extra calories if it helps relieve the feeling that you have a cork stuck you know where.:mad:

Whoever told you that was mistaken. I think they are confusing Vertical Sleeve Gastroplasty with the older procedure called Vertical Banded Gastroplasty. They are two distinctly different procedures (the older one included a band and stapling if I recall correctly, and according to my doctor it isn't done anymore or almost never done anymore). Vertical Sleeve Gastroplasty does not involve a band of any sort. If you would like more detailed information go to Obesityhelp.com where the procedures are described in detail with pictures.:mad:

I have not been banded yet. My paperwork is with my insurance company so I am waiting for the authorization. My coworker had band surgery and came back after a week and it was too soon for her. She didn't have enough time to take off more. I am fortunate that I have plenty of vacation and sick time. I plan to take 2 weeks minimum, even though I have a sit-down job. This is a big step for me and I want the time to adjust. I am all stocked up with protein shakes, chicken broth, frozen sugar-free popsicles, sugar free jello and such. I found a check list here somewhere and what I didn't have already I have purchased most items. Still need slip on shoes, and liquid Tylenol. I asked at Target and they don't carry adult strength liquid Tylenol, so I will look around. Have the Gas-X, heating pad, ice pack, paper tape, gauze, blender, even toilet tongs LOL! I think I might need a UHaul to get to the hospital!

Yes that is the pair from BIG MEDICINE. I watch it all the time. I am not banded yet, but I have learned a lot from their show, once they got around to showing some band surgeries. Thought for a while it was only going to be RNY topics, but they cover Lapband too. Even the daughter (Garth's sister) has a Lapband. Been to a seminar and it is a general information meeting, describing the procedures, and answering general questions. Specific questions would be addressed in the private consultation with the doctor. Good luck on your journey.:glare:

Atenolol is given to lower blood pressure, and sometimes to slow heart rate. I take it for blood pressure, but this is the first time I heard of someone having to take it prior to surgery. I'd be curious as to the reason they give you when you call.

I began this journey at 252 lbs. I am also 5'7". I have only had one person tell me to my face that I didn't look heavy enough for surgery and that was a post op bandster! A coworker said "You are doing this for health reasons, right?" At 63, I really don't plan to turn into a red hot mama, but who knows? Because I am tall, my BMI was about 38, but my insurance criteria was as follows: BMI 40 and 100 lbs overweight, or a BMI between 35 and 39 with one or more comorbidities (chronic conditions affected by excess weight) such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, acid reflux, arthritis and a few more I can't think of. Of the ones I listed, I have everything but diabetes. I have elevated liver enzymes on my cholesterol bloodwork, and my PCP is concerned. The bariatric surgeon said that could indicate fatty liver disease rather than a reaction to cholesterol medication and that could lead to non-alcoholic cirrhosis (great--something else to worry about!). I even saw an article about a study of people with BMIs lower than 35 having weight loss surgery, though I doubt insurance is covering that. Your BMI alone won't determine your eligibility, but I would suggest checking with your insurance company and see if they can send you a copy of the section covering weight loss surgery in their manual so you will know up front if you qualify. My plan is through my work, but I asked and they sent it to me.

Basically it is a group of messages responding to a theme or type of question or topic. Unless you put your message under an existing thread a new thread starts with your topic. Hope that answers your question.

In general the range is 18-60, but I will be 63 on 2/12. I have completed the seminar, 6 month diet, psych evaluation, consultation with bariatric surgeon, and am waiting for insurance approval.

I have read the above posts, and it seems that different doctors approach the surgery differently. My PCP is concerned about elevated liver enzymes on my cholesterol blood test, and the bariatric doctor said that could be reflecting fatty liver disease (as opposed to a side effect of the cholesterol medicine) and he plans to take a sample for a liver biopsy during the lapband surgery. They do require a liquid diet 2 wks before and 2 wks after surgery. I have the papers from my PCP to get the chest xray and bloodwork for PAT once I have a surgery date. I have also had a nuclear stress test and an echocardiogram. One thing I would check though is what your insurance requires. One of the posters said she had BC insurance, and her plan could be different, but I thought most BC plans require a 6 month documented weight loss attempt. I live in Maryland and have Blue Choice, the HMO under Carefirst Blue Cross/Blue Shield. All of the plans to my knowledge in this area require the 6 month (or 2 3-month) diet. I used the dietician on the bariatric team, who basically told me she didn't care if I didn't lose any weight, but I shouldn't gain any. I just finished that up and she sent me the documentation to take to my PCP who had to sign off on it, then I mailed it back to the surgeon's office. They called me last week and told me all my papers were in and they were submitting to insurance. So I am hoping to hear this week maybe. Please check your insurance on whether this is required. I heard even Medicare is requiring it. As for the liquid diet, the 2 weeks before is a new requirement from the bariatric doctor. My sister had gastric bypass almost 2 years ago and didn't have to do it. In my case the dietician and psychiatric nurse were not covered by my insurance but the surgeon's consultation was and the surgery is covered. It's a lot of hoops they make you jump through, but it is because they don't want you making this decision on a whim. As for tickers, I can't get tickerfactory ones to work. I go through the steps and end up with just a placeholder (box with a red X) that is a link to their site. The one I have is a different site, not as big a selection, but it worked, and the process is basically the same. Design the ticker, then highlight the url's in the first window, click on copy then on Lapband talk click on Edit Signature, and when you have the signature box, put your cursor in there and click on paste. You will see the codes but if you scroll down and select Preview Signature you will see the end result. Hope this all helps.

Exercise that will work for you is whatever you will do consistently, whether walking, going to the gym, working out to a dvd at home, or whatever. The key is regular exercise. I am waiting to be banded and was going to Curves 2-3 times a week, but nothing was happening because I ate too much. When I started this journey I looked for a way to increase my exercise and decided walking was how I wanted to do it. I asked around because I wanted an interesting place to walk or I knew I wouldn't stick to it. I found a park about 10 minutes from my home. It is on a river, has piers for fishing and just watching the wildlife (mallard ducks are gorgeous) picnic areas, and a walking path about a mile or so in length. It has variations in the direction you can go, but basically circles the outer edge of the park. It is technically closed from Nov/Apr but they don't lock the gates, so people go there all year to walk their dogs, or just walk for exercise. One of my coworkers told me to be sure and take peanuts for the squirrels, so I am one of several squirrel feeders that come there. They are so tame that many of them will come right up to you and take the peanut from your fingers. It makes the walk fun and I usually go around twice. I even keep peanuts in the trunk because one time I ran out and found myself apologizing to a hopeful squirrel because I didn't have a peanut for him, LOL! Sometimes there are few squirrels out, sometimes lots. I even found myself walking in the rain juggling my umbrella and a bag of peanuts in case I saw any critters! So sometimes I walk briskly and continuously, and other times I stop a lot to feed nuts to the squirrels. I look forward to going and can't wait until the daylight lasts longer so I can stop during the week on the way home from work. Right now I can only do weekends. If it is cold I layer up and still go. I use Curves during the week. It might not sound like much, but the walking (I lost about 10 lbs during my 6 month diet) added to my exercise has brought me down from 2x slacks to 1x so it is working. Now if the band helps with quantity I will be on my way. Good luck with your journey.

Hi Steve, It is unlikely you would have a consultation appointment if the doc didn't think you qualified. I can give you the criteria for my insurance, and I think for the most part it is the same in general with others. You need a BMI of 40 or more and be at least 100 lbs overweight. If your BMI is between 30 and 39 (as is mine--about 37) you must have one or more co-morbidities (ailments adversely affected by excess weight) such as: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, acid reflux, arthritis in weight bearing joints, and there may be another one or two I can't remember. I have all of the above except diabetes (sweets are not my problem--too much quantity is). If you want to know for sure, I would call your insurance company and see if you can get them to send you the criteria. If your insurance is through work, you should check with your benefits person who can possibly copy the section of the manual spelling out the criteria. That is what I had to do. I was trying not to tell them what I wanted other than a copy but they said the manual was too large so I told them weight loss surgery and they send me the pages covering the info. Hope this helps. I have had my consultation, psych eval, and just finished up a 6 month diet attempt required by my insurance. Hopefully yours won't require that, but many do want a documented weight loss attempt. My personal feeling is the diet if too succesful makes the insurance company think you can do it on your own and don't therefore need surgery, because the nutritionist I went to who is part of the bariatric team told me she didn't care if I lost any, just not to gain any more. They want to do the procedure so they don't want you to do too well during the 6 months. Catch 22! Good luck on your journey

I have just finished up my 6 month "diet" and Dr. Singh at St. Agnes will do my band once approved. His office called me yesterday to tell me all the paperwork is in and they are submitting to insurance as of today. So I may know something as soon as next week. My sister went to Singh for her RNY, but when I came to the conclusion that I needed surgery I chose the band because I didn't want to go as drastic as RNY. Singh's a sweety and Dr. Averbach (he's Russian) sounds like Count Dracula LOL! I am hoping for a surgery date in February. I will have to do liquids two weeks before and two weeks after surgery. Before is to shrink liver, after is for healing, if I got it right. Been going to support group and coming here. I have learned a lot from both. Stay tuned . . .

I am waiting for a surgery date, and I copied a list from one of these threads. I have most of the stuff either bought or it was already there. My sister who had gastric bypass laughed when I told her about toilet tongs, said it didn't occur to her and she never really needed them. I have protein drinks (Permalean donated by my sister, plus stuff I bought), sugar free popsicles and jello, chicken broth, and a few things for the mushy stage. Because of what I read here I think I will hold off buying any more until after surgery. I may have enough to get through two surgeries LOL!

I am waiting for approval, hoping for a date in February. Just finished my 6 month "diet" required by insurance. Even though to some extent I was cutting back (lost 10 pounds) I have had so many last supper meals I can't count. The bariatric people tell you not to, but one post-op in a group said don't pay any attention to that. She ate all the stuff she knew she wouldn't be able to eat any longer, or in the quantity she was used to. I must admit I have done the same thing. I love pizza and have had more than a few these last 6 months, and spaghetti, and subs, you name it. At the same time I am working on the real issue, head hunger, trying to mentally prepare myself for the drastic change. Some days I am really good (today I am eating carrot sticks, celery sticks, snow peas with a little ranch dip, and a small can of V8 for lunch, and for a snack later instead of a snack pack full I counted 20 almonds and brought them with me. For breakfast I had a 4 oz fat free yogurt and an apple. I know it will be a while before I can eat even this stuff post op, but I am doing better than a sub by far). I am eating my way through my pantry, and once I get a date I have two weeks before and after on liquids, so I will pack up whatever is left and give to a food pantry. Bottom line is, you are normal as far as I can tell. We really need to look at the addictive behavior that makes us eat so much bad stuff.

Tell your DH that the Lapband isn't the ONLY thing that can be replaced if problems develop (lol).

I am waiting for a surgery date and have just finished my 6 month supervised weight loss "diet" which is required by many if not all insurances. Every office does it differently. I met with the dietician from the bariatric team to start the diet. Check with your surgeon's office and see if they offer that. It is really a Catch 22 thing though. When I finished talking to the dietician she told me she didn't care if I lost any weight, but I shouldn't gain any more. I lost maybe 10 pounds, but I didn't rigorously diet. The problem is, if you are successful the insurance company may deny coverage of your surgery, saying you can lose on your own. But the bariatric team wants to do the procedure, which is why they don't particularly want you to lose much if any weight during the 6 months. As for comorbidities, the list includes high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea, arthritis, reflux, pretty much any ailment that is affected adversely by excess weight. My BMI is around 37/38 but I have everything on the list but diabetes. My surgeon also said my elevated liver enzymes (on cholesterol test) may also be due to fatty liver disease which can become non-alcoholic cirrohsis, so he plans to take a sample for a liver biopsy when he puts in the Lapband. I am chomping at the bit, wishing my date was tomorrow. Now I am waiting for the letter from the dietician which comes to me, and I have to take it to my PCP for sign-off, then get it back to the bariatric team, at which point my paperwork goes into the insurance for approval. I weighed 252 at the beginning, and now around 240-241. Not bad for hardly trying. I did have two bouts of strep throat which probably knocked off 5 pounds, since it is hard to eat and I had lots of chicken Soup and sugar-free popsicles. So, there you have it. Hope I answered your questions.

Compared to all of you, I got off easy. I had a psych nurse, who talked to me and asked me questions about work, home, and family. She also asked me if my sister (who had RNY about 18 months ago) had tried to influence me. I could honestly tell her no, I came to the decision all on my own, did lots of research. and decided the Lapband was the way I wanted to go. I am waiting for approval. Just got my very last weigh-in for the 6 month "diet" and once I get the letter about that and take it to my PCP, that will go back to the bariatric team, and I believe then my paperwork goes to insurance for approval. Hoping for sometime in Feb.

I was beginning to think this was a thread on Oprah, but while we're on the subject, wouldn't it be cool if she had a show with only WLS guests. There are more than a few celebrities who have had it. Carnie Wilson had RNY, K Ali (Muhammad Ali's daughter--not sure how first name is spelled) has had Lapband, I saw a Discovery Health show about a female rock singer who had Lapband, and anothe show featuring Gil Gerard who used to be the TV Buck Rogers, and I believe he had the vertical sleeve. I remember he lost 143 pounds (I didn't recognize him when they showed him before surgery!). Maybe Oprah would get inspired. All the losing and regaining she has done surely has taken some toll on her health, as it has with us. I am waiting to get banded (hopefully in February) and look forward to a new relationship with food. More power to anyone who can lose weight and keep it off, by whatever means.