hnladue

Barbie.... Isn't Dr D A hoot!! I love him!! The upper GI was no big deal!! No soreness, nothing!! Was in and out before I even knew it and the nurses there were wonderful!! (also the anesth. was cute!) Dr D made a special visit to my PCP so he could get to know her. She liked him. I have an appt with Theresa (Dr D. wife!) next thurs for the nutrition info. Then wed after that more blood tests and EKG. monday after that see my PCP for surgery clearence and a week on liquids!! Can't come quick enough! He's told me 3 weeks off because I lift stuff ('puters). Dr D really got the ball rolling. Seems like Dr Galvin just sat on things and didn't want to do my surgery. Lose your 20 pounds!! Get going!! The more you lose the better. I have 5 to go! Let me know if you have any questions!! Tangerine-How are ya??

I was told I have sleep apena but I didn't need to have the cpap if I didn't want it-I'm not that severe but I do have it. What sleep center did you go to?

Good Luck T! I couldn't get my date until I had everything done and approved!! My appeal took 2 weeks. Don't ya just love how slow insurance co's are when it comes to approving something!!

Also make sure they don't overmedicate you AFTER the surgery. Studies have shown that sleep apena and pain drugs don't mix. Keep your CPAP machine ON if you do have one.

Yup. RGH. Date has been moved to April 8th. So far I like them. When I went in for the upper GI, I had 3 nurses!! Better then Highland. My dad had 1 nurse to 21 patients.

My dr has said 3 weeks. But maybe more. I do a lot of lifting.

And the date is:-----> April 7th!! Barbie you will love Dr D!! I have to go to a few other appts first... Need my pcp pre-op approval, ekg and chest scan, more blood work, meeting with Theresa (Dr D wife) for nutrition guidelines. They also asked I lose 5 more pounds. They require a 20 pound loss before surgery. No biggie! For 5 days b4 surgery I'm on liquids only (Atkins or slimfast)-That won't be fun but I'll do it!! T and B keep me informed how you are doing!! I'll be off for 3 weeks after surgery. --Heather.

I got approved and I have BCBS. I am 39.5. You have to have 2 co-morbidites here to get approved.

Sounds more like a skunk!!! Red with 2 white stripes.... hhmmmmm...

got the callback already. ..... that IS the approval!! Think they could find a better way to word it??? Gheesh! I go in Wednesday to get my date. Yippee!!

My mo is my support group, but it took her a long time to accept why I wanted to do this. I'm not yet banded but she still throws question bombs at me!! This weekend it was How will you poop?? Gheesh mom!! She doesn't understand portion size and all she thinks about is what she's going to eat next. It'll be hard with her around, but I'll just have to tell her to knock it off!! At least she agrees that the band will be a good thing for me and even she's considering it too.

Got the wierdest letter from Excellus friday.... Said they received the appeal and have reversed their determination. They are open for any requests for authorization or claims..... Eh??? Does that mean I'm approved?? I called Dr D. office and they are checking.... today could be a good day!

Try this if you want: I lost 9 pounds in 15 days. Breakfast: 100cal yogurt 1cup fruit Lunch: weight loss shake (I used heralife 180cals) Dinner: fish and rice or chicken and sweet potato and salad. Drink only Water no Snacks. It sucked doing this, but I got down to the weight I needed to be at to get approved. My dr was amazed at what I needed to do to drop weight. Some metabolizems need a swift kick in the butt to get going.

I don't know Dr Trus, but please be careful with Highland Hosp. If you stay the night make someone stay with you and make sure the nurses/dr's are doing their job.

I just received a letter from BSBC saying they received my appeal and are reviewing it (mind you they were faxed the forms 3 weeks ago) and they will have an answer in 30 days..... WTF.... they sure know how to drag their feet!! Must be they will give the final approval because denials happen a lot quicker!!

I have BCBS also and they did require a YR of phy. assisted weight loss effort. So maybe it's the plan that your employer picks that determines what your requirements are??

And a 3rd on that!!! My body, my business!

Can someone send some sexual advances my way??? It's been so long... I don't remember who gets tied up!!! But seriously. Glad you don't have that boss anymore.!

Barbie, I started well over a year ago when Dr Glavin was here. I had almost all my requirements when he left and I had to wait for Dr D to start so I could continue on.

Is that a standard straw or a McDonalds type straw(ie Hose!)!!!

Dr D is good!! He's a bit goofy and I feel rushed when I'm in with him. His wife is really nice. I don't remember when I went to his dog-and-pony show

Hi All!! I'm in Rochester and I'm seeing Dr DiBenedetto at RGH for my lapband. I'm almost approved. All paperwork is in and I've met all the requirements. Just waiting for the date!! I go in next week for an upper GI. yippee...not! Just an FYI... I would NEVER use Highland. PM me for details. Please use caution!!

Mine required a year of phd support and a 10% weight loss before they would approve. I got there, but had to take up a very bad habit for 15 days to get there! (ate 600 cals a day to drop 9 pounds) Not recommended!! Now the doc is asking me to lose 1 pound a week. I told him he was nuts!! I'm lucky if I can lose 1 pound a month at a 1000 cal/day diet!!

You're lucky!! I had to show 1 yr of phd support and 5 years of trying to lose (WW, Atkins, Southbeach etc) and THEN they had the nerve of requiring me to lose 10% of my weight before they would approve. OYE! But I got there. Just waiting on my surgery date.

Whose the oldest person to get banded?? My mom is thinking of joining me. She's 63. What kind of complications do older people have? --Heather.