Cate18

I had to have an abdominal ultrasound for just this reason. I was pleased to hear I had one of the skinniest livers of any bariatric patient the tech had seen. Go team me I guess !

I agree with Heather. I would also be interested to know if the center has some sort of distinction...like a bariatric center of excellence from a well known institution like the ASMBS. More than likely when you have your appointment with him is a good time to ask him questions like how many bands he has placed, has he had any challenging cases before, are you typical for his type of patient, what is his complication rate. They always say don't be afraid to ask plastic surgeons questions because it's your body they're shaping. And these are your internal organs ! So definitely don't be afraid to ask questions. In answer to your question, a fellowship is a type of education doctors can get after they finish medical school that allows that to specialize in a certain field like bariatric medicine or oncology or dermatology. Good luck ! I hope you make the best decision for you !

Metformin tends to be one of the most commonly prescribed medications for PCOS because the syndrome goes hand in hand with insulin resistance. It has also been implied that PCOS doesn't cause the IR, but the other way around. So some women (not all) find that treating the IR alleviates the PCOS symptoms. But, as a syndrome, not everyone is exactly the same, so not EVERYONE with PCOS has IR and takes metformin. I take Byetta (an injectable that also treats IR) and Glumetza, which is a type of metformin that's more easy on the stomach. Just a forewarning if you've never taken it before, metformin can make you INCREDIBLY queezy for quite some time. Stick it out and it WILL get better. I had to have pep talks every day from my husband. Best of luck, and I hope the metformin helps you !

When my brother came out from anesthesia, he started speaking in French to the nurse. We lived in a francophone area of the country, and the nurse was french canadian, so she was chatting with him. She came out to talk to my mom, and spoke to her in French. My mom replied in French, but it's not her first language and said, "Why aren't we speaking in English?". The woman said, "Oh I assumed you did because your son does". Of course my mom looks confused and says "My son has had four years of french and nearly flunked them all". But there he was, chatting away with our little French nurse. A day later he didn't remember it and went back to failing French. Totally bizarre.

I definitely agree with the post above me. What the insurance company covers, according to my doctor, is not what my husband's company policy regarding LapBand is. So although they say it's covered, the stipulation with my husband's company specifically is that they cover only 50%. Their policy with the 50% I have to pay is that it is NOT included in the deductible. If the people answering your call at your insurance company aren't being forthright be sure to ask to speak to a supervisor. You're spending enough money so that they can clarify for you !

Okay...let me kind of ask a followup question now that I've had time to think this through. If any of you had found out that it was simply not possible to have LapBand surgery in your current means, and wouldn't be able to afford it for...say...6 more years (assuming you wrote a GREAT thesis :thumbs_up: ), would you have a RNY ? Would you stick to your guns and say, "This is the right choice for me, and that's all I am willing to do" or would you say, "Anything is better than this (what I'm living with now)" Not looking for anyone to make up my mind for me, but just wondering how others think they might react.

Thanks to both of you for the kind words. I'm a bit upset because I can have gastric bypass without paying anything out of pocket, but I really don't feel like it's the right surgery for me. I just can't see myself risking owing 20k. I feel really torn right now.

I was wondering if anyone else has had this experience and would be willing to share. I have to pay 1/2 of the cost of my surgery, which will be approximately 10k out of pocket. I'm willing to do that if I have to. I've come to terms with it. However, my insurance company won't let me do a pre-authorization for my surgery. The way it works is I have the surgery, then my doctor sends in all of my information and says, "Please pay for this". Then the insurance company decides. Did anyone else have to do this ? Have any of you been denied ? Now...I'm willing to belly up 10k to the table, but to turn around and potentially have to pay another 10k, I don't think I could do that. I'm a grad student, and not the richest person in the world. I'm relatively certain I'll be approved. My BMI is at least 40, I had a supervised program (Feb 2007 to Oct or Nov 2007), I have insulin resistance, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and hydradenitis. Still....I'm nervous. Can anyone give me some insight ? Thanks !

I also got denied by Wellmark BCBS of Iowa because I'm a grad student at UI and they insist that any surgery I have get done at UIHC. But UIHC only does gastric bypass, not lapband. They told me it was all the same to them and they didn't care which one I had, but if one was offered at UIHC I had to have that. So no lapband for me on Wellmark. Now I'm on my husband's insurance and having to pay 1/2 out of pocket. Just curious--I'm guessing you're an RN at UIHC (I may be mistaken). They didn't fight you to have gastric bypass instead ? If so I'm calling shenanigans on the mean insurance man that was so rude to me when I appealed. I'm very happy for you though ! Congratulations ! I hope it goes incredibly well for you.

I just went the once. He offered if I felt like I had anything else I wanted to talk out with him to come back, but I think they generally won't ask you to come back unless they feel like you have unrealistic expectations of what the band can do for you, or they have a suspicion that you have underlying food issues above and beyond normal patients (like major binge eating, past bulimia, pica, etc). Not to suggest that's what's happened with you. I do know someone that just had bad luck with their psych eval and got a very very thorough psych that didn't want to approve anyone until they met a few times. So while it's generally for suspicions, it may be just a bad luck of the draw :wub: I strongly considered mentioning my history of bulimia, but am 100% sure that it is in my past and not recurring, and I wasn't wanting to have to "hug it out" with my psychiatrist over three months. Best of luck ! You'll get through it !

I'm in a strange circumstance where, as a grad student, only procedures done at the university health center are covered. Therefore, even though "weight loss surgery" is covered, only gastric bypass is done at my hospital, so I can't have a lapband done. I even appealed and the doctor in charge of insurance appeals said, "Lap band and gastric bypass show the same long term results, we aren't going to cover lapband simply because you prefer it" (that made me want to slap him, incidentally). But I guess my question is, in the off chance anyone else has had this situation come up, did you consider gastric bypass ? I think I feel like at 25, I'm just not ready for bypass. Don't misunderstand me. I realize the lapband is a big commitment, but I'm just not sure I want to have my insides rerouted for the rest of my life. Anyone else have this happen ? What were your thoughts ? Were you willing to consider gastric bypass ? Did you talk to a bypass doc ? What did you ultimately do ? Just want to hear some other opinions. Trying not to rule out the dreaded self-pay quite yet, but as a grad student my options are limited. Thanks in advance !

I haven't posted in quite some time. Probably because I was so convinced that I would be approved that I was just dancing along not worrying too much about anything. Well what a frustration ! Today I found out that my insurance took several weeks to get to my file, only to tell me that my doctor is out of network and not covered. I took a deep breath when they told me and thought...wait for it...."Duuuuuuuh". I know he's out of network ! But you geniuses don't have a single lapband doctor IN network. You told me since there was no doctor in network that you would automatically review my file ! I'm trying to stay on the sanity train, but is it ever hard. Now I completely understand all of you that have posted all of your stories about insurance, and I definitely commiserate ! Not trying to be a downer, or a griper, but just typing that made me feel so much better. Anyone else have something similar happen and have any suggestions ? This seems to be a first for my doctor. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I'm not a health insurance expert, and I realize every one's health insurance is different, but are tests like those usually covered or at least partially covered ? Or should I expect to pay for those things and my GI test out of pocket ? Anyone have any experience with that ? I'll be sure to call my health insurance company, just wondering what other people have run into.

I think that there are so few people that are completely honest that so long as you put something even close to reasonable, it's not a big deal. I remember one time I got my license and then 2 months later my wallet went missing. At the time I wasn't getting on the scale at all so I just guessed what I thought my weight was. I think I said 190. When I went back to get a replacement wallet I couldn't remember what I guessed and I said 180 or 185. The woman said, "Oh wow. Lost 10 pounds in two months. That's a big accomplishment. Lots of people couldn't manage that". And she said it all the while looking down her nose at me with this kind of "yeah right I don't believe you lost any weight" look. I remember wanting to reach over the counter and flick her between the eyes (waiting for over an hour for my number to get called didn't help I don't think). I'm looking forward to the day when I get to say I lost 100+ lbs. No flicking necessary.

My husband (whew...sounds weird to say that since we just got married a few weeks ago, and I'm still getting used to HAVING a husband) is now fully on board for the idea of surgery. I think it helps that his mom had a RNY procedure. It helps that she has prepared him for what his contribution to the life style change will be, and his dad can attest to how their life/relationship changed. So in that respect it's helpful having her experience. At first we had a heart to heart about it, and he told me how he was feeling. When we have these "straight talk" convos, we tell each other what we really think. Not directed in a mean way. He told me that he was unsure if it would be successful for me. He didn't think I would be able to give up the munching, and thought that I would eat less, but still choose high calorie foods. He thought I could hold on for a few weeks like my other diets, but that ultimately I would fall into old habits. I'm not sure what changed his mind, but two months later he was completely up for it. Maybe it was the success I had when I took phentermine and it took away my appetite. So maybe what that convo really did was to reinforce the idea in my head that I wasn't going to let that happen, because I wasn't going to let his bad predictions come true. I'll let you all know how it turns out if I finally get insurance approval !

While I'm fairly certain that the poster is aware that tanning has been linked scientifically to skin cancer, I don't think that's what she was asking. Though something tells me you knew that. I can't think of any reason why sun tanning or a tanning bed would be a bad idea related to the lapband. The only thing I could think of is if your incisions/wounds haven't completely healed you should be careful. Especially if you're a burner like me. Sun tanning's my little secret. I do melanoma research and I've been known to pop in the bed from time to time. It's all in moderation. Enjoy your sweet tan and your shrinking belly !

This may be a silly question, and I'm honestly asking this because I'm interested in the answer. Does everyone think that it's possible to keep this to themselves ? If you're a person that works closely with other employees at work, someone that has close relationships with the people you work with, do you think it's possible to make this choice, and to change your lifestyle without people being concerned ? I think it's not that people are necessarily being nosy or butting in, but I think if I saw a close colleague of mine eating very little (I've seen some of the food journals of people on this site and not to be critical at all, but I would be concerned if I saw my friend or colleague eating a few bites of refried Beans for lunch and that's it if they were dropping significant weight without knowing it was medical intervention). So do you think it's feasible that I could keep this to myself ? Or do you think and some point I'll be forced to respond to someone's question ?

Byetta is another blood sugar control medication. Diabetes/insulin resistance cause large fluctuations in blood sugar (if you already know this sorry !). Byetta tries to eliminate the extreme highs and lows. I think glucophage/metformin work by keeping it low, and you can sometimes bottom out. Byetta keeps it in a good range. Usually Byetta is paired with another medication like metformin. The Byetta webpage is here The BYETTA (exenatide) injection Site from Amylin and Lilly It works if you're religious about taking it and you watch your carbs while you take it. If you stick with it for a full month it shouldn't make you queesy. Make sure if your PCP prescribes it that they start you on 5 micrograms to start. They can also prescribe higher amounts and starting on a higher amount can sometimes make you nauseous. Just a couple more things about Byetta--it's injectable, but the needle is just as long as a pencil eraser and is very small gauge needle. Also, it can be incredibly expensive if you don't have insurance, and I know that my last insurance company didn't cover it. So just a heads up. Make sure you check to make sure it's covered before you make plans to get it ! Good luck !

Awww sorry ! I hope that wasn't offensive to anyone.

I had this problem a few years back. I started keeping a box of baby wipes under my sink and just have a pee and then give a little wipe and then I'm good.

I'm so sorry to hear that you had to be subjected to that. Granted I don't know her or her family. But what a sad thing that this woman can only measure happiness and worthiness in the fact that someone is married. As though she/you/any other woman can't be happy/successful unless she's married. Congratulations to you that you realize your happiness is so much more than being a part of a relationship. Keep your head up high. I know I'm behind you !

I'm a graduate research assistant. I'm kind of wondering about the timing as well. I'm sure I will need to have plenty of time to recuperate, etc. On top of needing to plan around classes I'll have to plan my research around this too. So what are anyone's thoughts on Thanksgiving break if it's approximately a week long ? I just want to get the ball rolling before I have to even start thinking about defending my thesis. Is a week around Thanksgiving good for someone that is young/resilient/in as good health as could be expected ? I know there are a million threads of "how long until I can go back to work" but from a student perspective would a week long Thanksgiving break be good ?

I always like analogies. When I was bigger, I was like a mack truck (pick a different analogy if this one offends you). A mack truck takes way more gas to run than a golf cart. Now I'm a golf cart. I take less gas to run. When I got the band, I went from filling up (aka eating calories) for a mack truck to filling up for a golf cart. Since I didn't have near enough calories to run my mack truck, I burned pounds. Now that I have almost enough gas, I don't lose as fast because I don't have to burn my reserves. Like I said, I like analogies and I think people respond to those better. If all else fails and they're being impossible, tell them it's magic and it disappears like those new fangled disappearing stitches ! LOL. Good luck and hang in there. I've seen your pictures/blog and you've had amazing results !

Mine is 2 weeks of clear liquids (broths, sugar free drinks like crystal light, etc). I was told that my doctor used to allow other types of liquids, but that he was tired of people "expelling" on his surgical table. Queue the eye roll here. But I guess it's a good test of character and determination. So I'll do what it takes !

I think maybe you're referring to Byetta (made by Lilly company). It's an injectable medication, and it's supposed to really help in controlling blood sugar, which alleviates PCOS symptoms. I'm taking Glumetza (same as metformin, but easier on the stomach) and Byetta for PCOS. My results have been mixed, but it's more because if I forget to take it for a few days I have to start taking it slowly again or else I feel sick like when I first took it. Though when I'm consistent it's been really helpful. Hope this information is helpful !