mrsgriffin2u

Congratulations! I just got my approval and date today too! I'm waiting until 7/2 because I'm going on a cruise for 10 days in June and want to wait until after that trip. My surgeon requires a two week liquid diet prior to surgery. Let us know how things go after surgery. I love reading the posts the day of or day after surgery! :crying:

I just got word from Cigna (for Verizon Wireless Employees) that they will no longer cover the cost of fills after 12/31/08. My surgery is scheduled for the end of June and that means I probably won't have enough fills for proper restriction, right? If not, how much as self-pay fills? I have no clue... I'm going to the surgeon's office tomorrow and can ask, but you all are always so helpful! Thanks in advance! :confused_smile:

I am UBBER excited right now because I received a phone call letting me know that Cigna has approved my surgery!! How exciting! I actually didn't think I would be as thrilled as I am. I'll get my date tomorrow hopefully. If I can schedule it right, I'm hoping to have it the last week of June. 30 lbs down and 100+ to go. I can do it though. I have to do it! Thanks for letting me share my joy! :confused_smile:

I second this recommendation! I am so picky about my shakes and how they are "shaken" or mixed. This this is so great b/c I take my shakes (that I don't or can't blend) with me to work everyday. It's great and I drink it out of the same container w/a straw. The little whisk thing is great and there are literally no chunks of powder once you shake it! Fantastic!

I am extremely picky about my protein shakes. I just found one yesterday that is called Chike Banana Magic. If you like banana flavoring, this is great b/c it cuts the poor smell of whey protein and the taste isn't that bad. I've also used most of the Unjury flavored ones... Chocolate, Strawberry, etc. Nectar has Chocolate Truffle. I've also heard that Now has some great tasting ones too. My surgeon had Lapband and these are his favorites. The Chike has 27g of protein. Good luck!

I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. Looking at this from a different perpsective, my father had an affair with my best friends mom (who was also my mom's best friend) several years ago, I will share my experience. The affair ended up uncovering a lot of issues that were the reason why my dad felt the need/desire to have an affair. My parents at the time were very unhappy but never communicated it. This may not be the situation you're in, but the weight loss can be very hard for him. Your emotions are very similar to what my mom felt. She was crushed. My dad did come crawling back (his affair lasted over a year as well). After counseling and lots of prayer, my parents are back together and happier than they have ever been. It took a lot of time and they had to work through a lot of pain (b/c my dad was hurting too). It may not work out, it doesn't always turn out this way. I realize that. Don't give up on your marriage though, work through it if you can, especially for your boys. At the end, if things don't work out, atleast you can say that you made every attempt to uphold your vows. You know? I'm young, married only for a year in fact, so my opinion may not mean as much as someone else. I know this is coming from a very different perspective, but I can tell you what your children will feel. Good luck and if you ever need to rant, please feel free to send me a PM.

Who was your Dr. in M'boro?

Carowinds? As in Charlotte, NC? I'm from Charlotte and use to go to Carowinds everyday in the summer! I no longer live in Charlotte, but one day, after being banded, I will return and ride every ride again! Good luck!

My surgeon also requires given self-injections to prevent blood clots after surgery. Ours varies from 7 to 14 days depending on the patient. We've been instructed to inject it on either side of our naval. Hope this helps! :thumbup:

Hey there! I'm in Murfreesboro and am currently waiting to hear back from the insurance company. Good luck to you!

Gayle was right! I purchased a Magic Bullet several years ago when they were much more expensive and mine did not last that long. The blades literally broke right off the top. I loved it while it worked... it just didn't work that long. I'd recommend going with something else. Just a word to the wise! Good luck!

Thanks so much guys! The ladies in my support group didn't give up they bras, just their underwire ones. Most of us had the same surgeon so maybe HE positions the port a little higher. If he had to wear a bra that probably wouldn't be the case! LOL I'll definitely address it with him pre-surgery. You guys are the greatest! :frown:

I am currently in F cup bras and am hoping after surgery these puppies will go down, but I'm concerned about bras. I pretty much HAVE to wear underwire because my breasts are so saggy and heavy. Many (actually all) of the women in my support group stated that they no longer wear underwire bras post surgery. Do any of you, or can any of you, wear underwire bras anymore? I'm actually planning on having a breast reduction after having children, but that is many years down the road. Is this something I need to bring up with my surgeon in order for him to position the port a little lower or something? Thanks! :confused2:

I would just like to encourage you all to visit a support group for lap bansters, especially if it's offered through your surgeons office. Although I haven't had my surgery yet, it was great to see those successful, and even those that aren't successful, having the opportunity to share best practices and moments of struggle ewith them. It's like seeing everyone on this site in person! :rolleyes2: At first, I really didn't want to go.... I'm a wee bit shy. It's crazy I know, but I didn't feel comfortable. By the end, we were all sharing phone numbers and offering additional support outside the twice a month meetings. I have enjoyed every minute on this site (even recommended it in the support group) and this additional support just makes this process even more encouraging! Good luck to all you pre and current bandsters!!

Thanks... I just really wish that I didn't gag everytime I drank them. I've even tried the powders and they smell horrible. Have any of you tried the tastless powder that you can cook w/ and put in broths? It's really expensive but may be worth it...

My PCP was disappointed in me this last weigh-in. It was my final weigh in prior to submitting for insurance approval. I lost weight (20 lbs during 6 month program) and I know it's not a lot, but hey, it's better than going up! She wasn't disappointed in the weight, but that I'm not getting the Protein shakes in as much as I should. I know that there are threads about Protein Shakes, but for those of you who are bothered by weird textures, what's worked for you? Do you manipulate the protein shakes in making smoothies, etc.? I think the Proteins shakes are too sweet, too thick, or just plain gross. I'm really struggling b/c I recognize this is a big part of my life post-surgery. I REALLY want to like them, but they almost make me gag... Please help! Thanks! :tongue_smilie:

I'm ready to leave it up to the insurance company... Today was my final weigh in after 6 months of pre-op dieting. It's not a lot of weight loss, but I'll take it! I'm excited and nervous about the next month or so. Wondering if I should request to have my surgery after my cruise... June 6th. I'm worried about sea sickness and band slippage... any thoughts?:confused2:

I hope this isn't too much information, but I'd like to know if anyone else has been experiencing this... so here goes... I am on my pre-op diet now (tomorrow will be my 6th month) and I've been really trying to change my habits the last two months. However, within the last two weeks I keep getting these intense stomach cramps and diarrhea at night only. It's weird I know. I was "googling" it to see what it could be and some sites it stated this can happen from a larger in-take of Water and change in eating habits. I have almost quadrupled the amount of water I drink, but wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this. Ugh... I feel so bad at night 3-4/week. Just curious...TMI?? :thumbup: Thanks!

Hi there! I also am going through my 6 month weight loss program. I started in November and had gained 12 lbs thru February (long story short.... I'm an emotional eater and during that time I was away from home on the holidays, mom had surgery, and I bought a house... all during my first year of marriage! Perfect recipe for an emotional eater, huh? LOL). Anyway... I was very worried about the whole insurance thing, and I've been told that the insurance companies look at your initial weight and check to ensure you've weight in atleast once a month. Well, being discouraged, I asked my PCP if there was anything to help with a kickstart to my weight loss. She wrote a prescription for one month of Phentremine, which is an appetite suppressant. I have been taking it for 3 weeks and have lost all 12 lbs. It really seems to help, but your Dr. will need to make sure it's ok for you to take. It makes most people's blood pressure go up, so if you already have high blood pressure you probably want to go a different route. Luckily, my blood pressure has always been low and the medicine hasn't affected it. You can also try practicing/preparing for the pre-op/post-op diets. Meaning, try eating slower, taking small bites, drinking Protein shakes (or atleast purchase samples to prepare yourself). You can also start putting your food on a small plate, then cut your portion in half. Only eat the first half, and then really examine if you are still hungry, or if you just want to eat the rest because it's there. This has helped me tremendously. Lastly, wait until you are truly hungry before you eat. You may already do that, but I never let myself get hungry before; it was as though I was scared to feel hunger of something (weird I know!). Now, unless I feel hunger "pains," or feel my stomach growling, I don't eat. I drink tons of Water and have given up all sodas (even diet). FYI: there are these little powder packets of South Beach "Tide me over," that have a little protein in them and you put them in water... HIGHLY recommend them! They're yummy... and they really do tide you over! :scared2: Sorry for the long response, but I've always learned from people's experiences on here, and now that I'm finally having some of my own, I want to pay it forward! Good Luck... please feel free to PM me if you need anything, even if you just need a word of encouragement!

I am currently in my 5th month of the pre-op weight loss program with my PCP. Unfortunately, I have struggled this entire process to lose weight. It's been a real emotional time in my life and obviously food was where I have always turned. Well... I had my 5th weigh-in today and I FINALLY LOST 12 LBS!!! I am so excited that finally something is going right. Of course, my first reaction was to go eat (again, I'm the dreaded emotional eater). I talked myself out of going to McD's... I don't want to gain those 12lbs back. My doctor was proud and my husband, for the first time during this process, seemed proud of me too. It means more to me than anything to finally have my husband on board with this whole process. Can't wait to get banded to only continue this momentum! :wink:

So... I'm in my fifth month of my six month weight loss monitored program. Then, BAM, my surgeons office asks for 5 years of medical history. I never had health insurance growing up (father was self-employed) and don't have 5 years worth of medical history. Has anyone else had to provide this information?? More so curious than anything else. I have followed this thing to a T and now they spring this on me. Ugh...

hey annieb! ok, here's my timeline... Went to dr. in november with concern about losing hair. i've never really had any health issues so they ran some tests. my dr. asked me if i had ever considered wls... i honestly had never considered it. she weighed me and gave me some information. 12/3 - decided i was going to do it. i called the insurance company (they cover 100% up until 12.31.07 if the process is started, but 2008 wls is no longer covered). so they assigned me a case manager/health care advisor who is my conduit b/w the insurance company and surgeon's office. then scheduled an appointment for a lapband seminar and consult with a surgeon. (both were on the same day b/c my surgeon gave the seminar). i also scheduled a nutrition consult. through december i really focused on research. you tube actually has videos of fills and of the surgery, so believe it or not, from this site and you tube i could have given the seminar instead of the surgeon. i knew the answers to all the questions other people asked! :mad2: 2008 - meet once a month with PCP and i have my psyc appoint. in about a week. i also need to go to one support group at my surgeons office (not required by insurance, but is required from the surgeon). once i'm approved they will schedule me for the surgery! i've followed the rules to a T so hopefully there will be no complications! What have you done so far? don't let this timeline frustrate you. my biggest recommendation would be to call your insurance company and ask then EXACTLY what they require... do you have any comorbidities?

annieb99... don't panic! at first 6 months seems like forever, but trust me. you'll be doing so much during that time that it'll fly bye! you have to go to dr's every month, consults, a seminar, and sometimes even support groups. it'll seem like you just started the process... good luck! feel free to PM if you need anything.

every insurance company is different as far as what is required. are you going through your insurance or self-pay? my insurance requires a letter of medical necessity from my PCP, 6 month weight-loss monitored program through PCP, surgeon consult, lap-band seminar, nutritionist consult, and psyc consult. i've done all but the psyc b/c it's hard to find one who does bariatric consultations. i finally found one yesterday and i'm scheduled for next week. i'm nervous though b/c i'm afraid they're going to find a crazy gene or something! :smile: right now i'm taking phentermine briefly before surgery to help with pre-op weight loss. i'm also trying to get the nerves to start these Protein Shakes. i hate milkshakes, so i really will have these... i love smoothies though so i'm going to try to make those instead. :biggrin:

Thanks guys for your input! I defiitely only want to take these for a month or two as a booster for weight loss. I am almost done with my 6 month hold with the insurance company. They said April will be my last month and then the approval process starts. The insurance company has me almost to the point of a nervous breakdown!! Not really, but they do have me stressed. I cannot get any straight answers from anyone and fear they are going to find some loop-hole to deny the surgery. Thanks again for letting me ask stupid questions and vent! :eek::grouphug: