jenniferann6

Anne, To begin, I went to a seminar at a Dr's office that pretty much specializes in lap-band. 3 month program consisted of an 1800 calorie a day diet, which was supervised by a nutritionist, recommended by the dr. office. Each visit was $75; I had to go every 30 days, 4 visits in all; she was also the exercise "component" . Everything I ate/drank had to be documented, and what food group it was so that I could take a glance at it and the Dr. and nutritionist could too; and see what food groups I was eating and what I needed more or less of. Exercise was walking at least 30 mnutes a day, and that too had to be written down. Within 5 days of visiting the nutritionist, I also had to visit my PCP (4 visits in all) for them to weigh me and review my diet/exercise log. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE PCP TO WRITE THIS DOWN WHEN YOU VISIT, THAT THEY'VE REVIEWED YOUR DIET EXERCISE LOG AND TO CONTINUE ON IT! AND THEY ALSO HAVE TO WEIGH YOU AND WRITE IT! That was done for 90 days-Nov. 15 thru Feb 15 which was a few more days then 90, but I didn't want to give the ins. company any reason to deny me. I had to have a psyc. evaluation which was $175, she was also referred by the dr.'s office. A 5 year weight history which I think with Aetna has now been changed to 2 year history. I basically had a check list provided to me from the dr. office and I followed it down. And here I am.....

Anne, To begin, I went to a seminar at a Dr's office that pretty much specializes in lap-band. 3 month program consisted of an 1800 calorie a day diet, which was supervised by a nutritionist, recommended by the dr. office. Each visit was $75; she was also the exercise "component" . Everything I ate/drank had to be documented, and what food group it was so that I could take a glance at it and the Dr. and nutritionist could too; and see what food groups I was eating and what I needed more or less of. Exercise was walking at least 30 mnutes a day, and that too had to be written down. Within 5 days of visiting the nutritionist, I also had to visit my PCP for them to weight me and review my diet/exercise log. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE PCP TO WRITE THIS DOWN WHEN YOU VISIT, THAT THEY'VE REVIEWED YOUR DIET EXERCISE LOG AND TO CONTINUE ON IT! AND

I know everyone has mixed feelings of Aetna, I've been a member for 8 years and have always paid in, just haven't used them for any thing major other than having babies or Dr. visits. I did the 3 month diet, had all my ducks in a row and my Dr's office submitted everything on the 28th of Feb, on March 6-six days later, I was called from my Dr.'s office and told that I was approved for surgery on March 28th. I'm excited and have waited for a long time for this day. Good luck to everyone! Hang in there, it goes quick!

I'm APPROVED!!! And am so excited! I thought it was going to take forever, but it's gone very quick! So anyone out there who's just starting, hang in there! I started Nov. 15, 2007, 90 days was up on Feb 15th, everything submitted to Aetna on the 28th of Feb and Dr. Wilkenfelds office called this afternoon and have me on the surgery schedule for March 28th!!!! Skinny Jenni, here I come baby!!!

I STILL HAVE TO SEE ANOTHER PSYC, SHE DID NOT RECOMMEND ME FOR SURGERY-MARY BETH GEORGE WAS VERY RUDE AND COLD-DR'S OFFICE SAID GET ANOTHER OPINION, SAVE YOUR MONEY AND USE CAROL PAYNE IN THE WOODLANDS, SHE'S VERY SWEET, AND THE ONE RECOMMENDED BY WILKENFELDS OFFICE

DO NOT USE MARY BETH GEORGE IN KINGWOOD TEXAS, SHE WILL NOT RECOMMEND YOU FOR SURGERY UNTIL YOU'VE SOUGHT OUT MORE TREATMENT FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES. I HAVE TO SEE ANOTHER PERSON FOR THE PSYCH EVAL, THE ORIGINAL ONE THE DR'S OFFICE RECOMENDED. I REPEAT, DO NOT USE HER, SHE IS TEENY TINY AND COULD CARE LESS IF YOU GET APPROVED:angry:- my nutrst was not covered either-but I was able to do the exercise program with her as well. If your in Conroe are you using Peggy? She's nice; I found a person to do the the psyc eval for $100 in Kingwood, she specializes in the over eating thing or whatever they call it. The only difference is that I only have to do 90 days, not 180. And, yes, I agree, it's alot of money, things have been tighter here too, I've heard it is so worth it though.

I'm very nervous about my psych evaluation letter. The 15th of Feb. is when I leave all of my paperwork to be submitted to Aetna. First of all it is very impersonal, and drug all of my past from 20 years ago into the letter, which I think was not necessary. Also, I noticed that her license # is not on the letter-will this affect approval. Second, it was all "good" until the very last paragraph which states: "Client would be a better candidate for bariatric surgery if she took time to prepare for sugery by addressing psychological issues. Major areas of concern to be addressed would be potential for symptom substitution once food is no longer an option and eating behavior that causes reflux. I recommend that client seek psychotherapy prior to and after surgery to address these concerns." My sweet DH says that I can go to a different therapist, but that I should seek out the opinion of other bandsters first. Any insight would be great. I would not reccommend the therapist I used either-she was $75 cheaper, IMHO not worth saving the money though. She's in Kingwood Texas, will give more info, just PM me. :thumbdown: Thanks to all in advance for your help-I love the sight, yall have answered so many questions just by my reading things you've posted!

I haven't had the band yet, but in my opinion, yes, I would call to get a fill-I've read on this very informative site that most people get one about 6 weeks after surgery.

How have you done? I hear it takes about 6 months to get "mature" with your band?

hey Tabatha, thanks for the encouragement re: Dr. Wilkenfeld-I'm almost thru with my 90 day program! Feb 15 to be exact-

My kids know that I'm going through the process to have it done and are happy for me, they know that I don't want the whole world to know, they are 14, 10, 6 and 5. My mom had it done, so their familiar with the after-effects, i.e. what she can't eat, things like that. We all eat pretty healthy anyway, so it won't be a major adjustment, they just won't see me grazing as much, I hate grazing.....

hey lucyb, I'm in Conroe too, actually, outside of Conroe off 105 toward Cleveland. Congrats on your surgery, sounds like your doing great! My mom used Collier as well, I'll hopefully be using Wilkenfeld. Nice to have someone so close! Will be watching your ticker!

pj, her name is Mary Beth George, number is 281.812.7529, she's right off Kingwood drive, you may want to call Peggy again until you actually get her on the phone, she's not real good at returning messages, or at least she hasn't in the past, usually I call to confirm our appt and she's not called back on them.....when you first meet her, you think "Eat woman"!, that's the way she was described to me and they were right, she's very nice. anyway, let me know if I can help you around.....

pj333, where are you? I'm in Conroe, Dr. Wilkenfeld- my nutrst was not covered either-but I was able to do the exercise program with her as well. If your in Conroe are you using Peggy? She's nice; I found a person to do the the psyc eval for $100 in Kingwood, she specializes in the over eating thing or whatever they call it. The only difference is that I only have to do 90 days, not 180. And, yes, I agree, it's alot of money, things have been tighter here too, I've heard it is so worth it though.

kim, so sorry to hear about your husband losing his job, glad he was able to get one quickly...where are/were you at in your process? I'm almost through, have 3 more weeks of exercise and food journal, will be submitting everything on Feb 15th. You sound very positive, that's great!