Apples2

Most insurance companies are the opposite. Out as soon as you open your eyes

Oops..Gillibean....saw that you said you quit 2 mo. b/4 surgery. Thanks for the reply

Gilliebean...how long b/4 surgery did you quit? Like I said, I have not smoked since Sept. but only smoked about a pack a week but if I had a drink, I smoked more. It was easier just to quit. I have a two day trip planned with a friend who smokes and we are sharing a room. Maybe I will just ask her to smoke outside so the second hand smoke does not affect me. At this point I a soooooooo paranoid about anything stopping this surgery.

I think I totally lucked out. My surgeon comes weekly to OUR clinic and hospital. I only had to travel to see psych 45 min away and that was it. As said above, whatever distance you need to travel will be worth it. Good luck with everything!

I, too, have had so many questions answered. Most were already answered...I didn't have to ask...I just had to read. I have a good support system in my husband but he really doesn't know exactly what I am going through. I go to this site and there is always someone with an answer. Why did the hospital keep you overnight? Take care and Happy Healing

Don't worry about the psych. I worried enough for everyone. It was a breeze. I kicked myself afterward for worrying so much. Pretty simple. I had a test that lasted about 1 1/2 hours...basic questions...some were "way out there". Talked to dr. for 45 min and that was about it. She just asked questions about any psych history, weight history, family history, etc. You'll do fine. Good luck!

Forgot to ask. Who is your surgeon? I'm with Dr. Fortier. Felt as if I could rely on him as soon as I met him. I have had good feedback on him

Nice to talk to another MN person and wish you luck with your pre-op process. How many months are you into it? My doctor just had me do a three month. Started Nov 12 with my first visit to him. Weighed 236 at the start. I am down 36lbs in the three month period. Should hear from his office manager today whether they will approve or not. Think I am a little nervous this morning? I have co-morbidities but none that were documented in my clinic file except for high blood pressure. Had talked to my GP about joint pain, family history of diabetes and heart disease, etc. and a couple of years ago talked to him about getting into the lap band program. Again, nothing documented. So my dilemma is that there's not enough documentation for weight, diet plans tried, when I would visit my dr. and talk about just how my weight had affected my health. My surgeon tells me not to worry and he thinks it won't be a problem since I have done so well in the last three months. He documented all my co-morbidities and sent them to the BCBS. They contacted his office earlier in the week and were questioning what diet plans I had tried in the last few years and wanted proof. That got me thinking and scared that they were going to turn me down. Just need to get through today until I hear something. BCBS might just make me do the full six months. There are worse things. My surgeon is so confident that they will approve this week. We'll see. I will keep you informed.

I quit smoking way back in Sept. b/4 I went to my initial program meeting on Oct. 1. I have a silly ? My dr. is pushing for a Feb 19 surgery date (still waiting on ins. approval). He wants me to start the 10 day liquid diet as soon as I hear if I am approved (I am supposed to hear tomorrow). Last week my husband had a conference at a casino. I spent a lot of time just playing and sitting in a lot of second hand smoke. I am just hoping that it won't affect me if my dr. happens to test for nicotine. That would be just too much. Does anyone have an answer for that?

GraceUtah.................what a great job on your weight loss! Wow! You must be so proud and feel so good. I am pre-op, have lost 36lbs and am in waiting for ins. approval. I am to hear something tomorrow one way or the other. I can hardly breath. The anticipation is just too much. I want this so badly!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Nat, I imagine that my band date will also be in March unless I hear something soon from my ins. company. I wish you luck. I decided that I can handle anything that comes my way. Have handled so much with what comes with being overweight...it can only get better!

I am on pins and needles waiting for insurance approval from BCBS of Minnesota. Was told by my doctor's office manager that I would hear within 14 days. All paperwork was submitted on 1/29. Got a call yesterday saying that they needed some sort of documentation to prove that I actually had tried a diet plan in the last couple of years. (For some reason there were very few weights documented in my clinic file over the last 10 years...even though I discussed my weight issues with my GP numerous times). Was able to find a receipt from NutriSystem and provide it for them. Anyway, since that phone call I have been in a panic thinking that maybe the insurance company won't go for it. I know I should be patient and think positively. I was told last night by doctor's office manager that I should hear by Friday. I can't sleep and feel sick to my stomach. I know that this surgery is the best thing I can do for myself. All I want is to live the rest of my life healthy and to be able to do all the things I used to do. Is that too much to ask for? I know the band can help me keep my eating in check and that can only be a good thing. Just need to get through today and tomorrow.

Good advice, Periwinkle. You can be so close yet so far away when you want to be accepted to the program. Good luck with your surgery (and the days anticipating it). If I get approval this week, I should be able to have the surgery on Feb 19

Need to clarify that my BMI was at 39 and had been for more than five years. My surgeon wanted me to be at the 40 mark

My surgeon kind of helped me out with my BMI. I suddenly got shorter. Drank lots of water on the way to my appt. and b/4. Couple heavy, layered sweaters, heaviest jeans that I could wear. It all worked to get my foot in the door. But, have been waiting for approval from ins. co. and they are questioning everything. I am on pins and needles.

I am hoping to be in your boat a few months from now. I am a positive person and only see the good in all of this. I, too, feel so much better after by 30lbs weight lose. My knee that was bothering me no longer hurts and I have the energy of a 19 yr old again. I am 52 yr. old and feel like I wasted the last 12-15 years of my life being too heavy to enjoy things. I want my life back and I am determined to stick to all the rules and live the rest of my life being happy and active.

Some surgeons just expect that the six mo. diet be in place b/4 HE will approve sending everything to your ins. co. for approval

Have not had the surgery yet. Most of my friends have questioned me. I have lost 30lbs b/4 surgery and they doubt why I should have the surgery if I can take off the weight. I know I would still be a HUNGRY skinny person

Would love to live my life without worrying about acid reflux. I think I have been on Prilosec since it came on the market....about 12-15 yrs. I imagine that if they find a hernia, I will have to deal with it at the time. If it is found pre op, and my dr. will not think of doing the repair, I will have to find another dr. that will. I have decided...no matter what... I am having this surgery. I want this life change. I have everything that a person could want. I am happy but this excess weight affects everything I do. Started the process November 12, 2007. Have lost about 22lbs and already feeling so much better. Even last weight during a vacation to FL last week. I am so concerned that I will be thrown out of the program for having a hernia and am encouraged by your comments. Thank you.

I have a question for all of you that have had a hernia. Is there always an upper GI done b/4 surgery? I have had acid reflux problems for about 15 years (about the time I started gaining weight). I have never been diagnosed with a hernia and have worried that my dr. would not do the band if it was found that I have a hernia. I want this surgery so badly but I also want things to go smoothly post op and not be miserable because of a hernia. It's nice to see posts from people who have had them repaired and things went smoothly post op

Can't imagine waiting 2 years for approval. Congratulations on your stick-to-it attitude and patience. I started this process Oct. 1 and my post op diet on Nov. 12, 2007. To date I have lost 18lbs. Hoping for approval by the end of Feb.