cherieinnv

14 lbs on pre-op diet but am now approved and have date--June 27--and am getting serious! Look out!

I am being banded in a month and am trying to follow a 1200 calorie preop diet. I actually like chocolate soy milk with chocolate protein powder. Once I am banded, I plan to get therapy to address my need for food. I have lost weight before, only to find that I struggle with the feeling of deprivation, also of the new self image. I'm trying to find hobbies that are an outlet for my impulses. Right now, I'm painting Tshirts every night after work!!

Hi! I have Aetna and there are many plans within Aetna. My plan allows a 3-month supervised diet within the last 2 years and then a 3-month followup diet. I had 4 months of doctor visits last year and then did 4 months this year. They denied me at first but my surgeon's office went over my history with the reviewing nurse. They approved me and I'm scheduled for surgery June 27th! I'm excited but plan to see my PCP next week and then in June before the surgery so I have 6 months, just in case. Hang in there!

My surgeon, who is very knowledgeable about insurance, says the Aetna requirement for a 6-month supervised diet can be satisfied if you have been on a 3-month medically supervised diet (3 consecutive months) with the past two years, and 3 months "followup" months. So after 3 months, I am submitting to Aetna this week, because my PCP put me on a diet over a year ago and I saw him for 4 consecutive months. I also had to see the psychologist and a dietician, and come up with the 5-year history, which took some legwork to come up with one of the years. I had a "missing" year and a retired doctor for that year and I had to track the doctor down to find my records. She is meeting me tomorrow to give me a notarized statement for that year. Let's hope that works!

Plateaus are a natural thing. Your body always tries to find balance. You have lost 50 lbs!!!! that's fabulous, but your body is a little confused. It might be time to up your exercise to something more intense (but not enough to hurt yourself). How about pool aerobics? Keep going and convince your body you are serious, and it will start dropping weight again soon!

I think it's normal for any sane person to be nervous about making a major lifestyle change. I have not been banded yet and took 2 years making the decision. After a lot of reflection, I realized that being fat all my life is a big part of my identity. I also tried every diet and succeeded, only to fail eventually because I went crazy with hunger. I have talked to several people who have been banded and they have never had a problem with "sliming, PBing, etc." so I am not too worried. You are doing a great thing to improve your health and become the beautiful person you truly are. You can do this and we are all here to help you. Best of luck!!

I have confidence in Dr. Teng and in Tina, the coordinator. I won't be going to the next support group meeting because the last one was a sales pitch from a plastic surgeon. I'm also working from home right now and don't want to drive to the west side (my office is in the Lakes). I have completed 99% of my insurance requirements ad have one more appt. with Dr Teng next Tuesday, when we will submit for approval. Must go to bed now. Pls stay in touch!

Hi Mary! Dr. Teng is my surgeon. How about you? I love Anthem, by the way. I hope to buy a home there one of these days. Sharon

Congrats! I hope Aetna is that speedy.

My name is Sharon and I'm hoping to have band surgery in the next few months. If I can get one last piece of paperwork by next Tuesday when I meet with the surgeon, it'll go to Aetna for approval. I frantically dieting to try to show my "commitment" and hope it goes well. I am diabetic and have arthritis in my joints, so hopefully that and 100 lbs overweight will buy me a lap-band. I'd love to find a lap-band buddy (male or female) in the Henderson area to give moral support and maybe walks. Anyone out there? :redface: