Jersey Boy

I had my band done by Dr Bertha from Advanced Laproscopic Sugens in Florham Park I am very happy with Dr Bertha and the fantastic staff at A L S. It made everything so easy and comfortable. I had it done at St. Clare's in Dover NJ. The hospital staff was (is) great. I wish I had done this years ago.

I would love to attend a Conference in NYC or in NJ. I live in Northern, NJ so the cost of a hotel is irrelevant, as I could commute. Please count me in and keep me posted. Thanks :thumbup:

My pain is was/is in my shoulders also. I'm 5 1/2 weeks out and if I drink cold things too fast the pains there. standing and walking around helps. it doesn't last long but I still have it after 5 1/2 weeks

I was banded on 7/29 and have had the shoulder pain, mostly left, for a week. I was told to expect it but was not told how long it last. If I drink something warm like chicken broth it helps. :thumbup:

How come it seems as if only the ladies are this support forum??? Don't the mail bandsters take the time? or are they afraid to reach out for help? I am not afraid to ask. My date is 7?29/08 and can't wait.:tt2:

I'm starting on my journey. I have a surgical date 7/29/08 and my approvall from Horizon BC/BS of NJ I live in Sussex county I travel alot. I am a service rep for a large pump company. I go from Eastern VA up into Canada on the east Coast. All large industrial pumps. I would like to find a mentor to have some one with experiance to talk to about the journey as I go along. My BMI was 43, before the six month weight loss program, and now it is at 40. I need to loose another 60 lbs getting me down to around 200 at 5'8" I am a male (hence the jersey boy moicker), married with two grown children and two fantastic grandchildren. I ride a motorcycle, fish, hunt, and play golf when I have time.

I too have less than 24 hours and I am very nervouse. I've had other surgeies so this shouldn't be a big deal but when you facter in all the thoughts of not being able to eat (when your a food addict) it is scary. I have been working on tgetting this proceedure for a long time and I am prepared to do what I have to do to make it work. Failure is not an option. Good luck and I'm sure we will do fine. Everyone that I've talked to that has followed the program has made out well those that have not folled it some have had some seiouse problems, others haven't actually had problems they jst haven't lost the weight they wanted to loose.

I know what you mean. Horizon BC/BS of NJ are very strict also. Tomorrow is my surgery 7/29. I had a date in Jan. but did not have a documented supervised program in the last two years so I had to do the six month supervised program and was approved in less than a week after submitting my appeal. All the other requirements had allready been met. Good luck on your journey.

BSWHIP08, I'm sorry I took so long to answer. I'm having my surgery tomorrow, 7/29/08. I can't wait. Dr Bertha is my surgen. Any thoughts???

Usually those forms go directly to your sugeon and they take care of them. I never saw any of those forms, but if you sent in the paperwork hen maybe thats why they sent the forms to you. I'm only guessing. Good luck.

Is that you Babs????:teeth_smile: I saw your pictures and you look GREAT. I can't wait for our wacky week end. I only have two days left before surgery and I'm getting a little nervous. Wish me luck. And it was my friends from Mass and Conn that named me Jersey Boy. Works for me.:thumbup: Talk to you soon THE ONE AND ONLY "JERSEY BOY" PS I'm looking better and better on my ride also

I was Finally approved after the six month "supervised" weight loss period, and a length letter from my PCP stating that we have been working on weightloss and maintaining weightloss for 14 years "unsuccessfully" It took 1 week then i got on the schedule for surgery and will have my band doe on 7/29/08. I can't wait. I'm getting nervouse now, with jut over a week to go.

I finally got my approval letter today from Horizon BC/BS of NJ after six months of dieting "again" I've only been doing this for 15 years actively, but not under my doctors strict supervision. I completed the six month supervised weightloss program and have been approved and have a surgical date of July 29th. I can't wait. My surgeon is Dr Bertha from Florham Park has anyone else had him? I've met him several time and like his manner, and approach.:tt2:

I got mine when they denied me the fist time but if you call the case worker at the Phone on you ins. card they should be able to help or you may be able to get if you can log onto the ins. website and be able to negotiate the site. good luck

I was turned down the first time. A week befor I was scheduled for surgery BC/BC standerdized the approvall criteria. Before I only need a referal from my PCP and the phsyc eval and dietician eval then they said I (we all) need a six month supervised weightloss program with in two year prior to surgery, which I did not have a supervised program in the past two years. As soon as iI completed that, we re-applied and was approved within a week. The case worker, at BC/BS were very nice and extremely helpfull. I started with a BMI of 43.5 (286 lbs) after the six months I'm at a BMI of 40 and (264 lbs) If you get the requirements from the insurance co inadvance and be sure that you company doesn't have an exclusion to WLS its easy and doesn't take as long as it sounds. I got a lot of help and encouragement from friends on this site. Talk to people and all will be willing to help. GOOD LUCK

I finally got my approvall after the six month supervised weight loss program my date is now 7/29/08

I have Dr. Bertha for my surgeon. I have a Jly 29th surgical date at St Clare's Dover. I have not attended any of the support group meetings prior to this because I travel extensively, and have not been home when they meet. I will make it a point after the surgery.

Thanks and good luck with your lets keep in touch

I Am!!!!!! I finally got my approval, after the six month supervised weight loss. My date is july 29th I can't wait. I am so excited!!!!!!!!

I have Horizon BC/BS of NJ and it took 1 week after completing all the criteria. I got mine today!!!! YES!!!

Can anyone tell me, fore sure, if the insurance co uses the weight before the six month supervised weight loss program or the weight after? I had a date prior to approval, and 6 days before my scheduled date the insurance co change their criteria, and said no exceptions. If I stick stricktly to a weight loss program I can loose weight but cant keep it off and can't stick to a plan because I'm allways hungry. If I loose too much weight will they deny me saying I can do it with diet and don't need the surgery? I've lost 26 pounds since Dec. but I'm affraid to continue prior to approval.

Thanks Jersey Girl 2U, I feel much better LOL

BC/BS Fed, must be different than Horizon BC/BS because in Jan they told me all I needed was a PCP referall, psych and nutritional eval, then in Feb said I needed a six month supervised WLP. My doctor is DR Bertha. I had a BMI of 43.5 with high BP, High cholesterol, hight trigliserides, sleep apnea, sugar, ETC. The insurance people said no exceptions, and Dr Bertha's people said I just have to wait.