Deedee12

Congratulations!!!!!! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Also, part of why I was so determined to know my fate was to consider self pay options as this is what I did for the lapband. I didn't want to jump through the hoops of daily food logs, nutritionist visits etc and still get denied any way as I had no plans to gain any weight and my BMI barely qualified (had to drink some water in the office to get to 35). Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

My surgeon was also quite shocked I was approved because she was not aware that their utilization review person submitted. When I saw her for a follow up and she was telling me to set my 4 months appointment with both her and the nutritionist as well as the psychologist and I told her I was approved! She went to go make sure I was not talking about the lapband removal authorization and the insurance coordinator confirmed it and I also had my letter was when she believed it. Prior to that, I had not followed up with my lapband company (True results) since my 3rd fill with them the year I was banded in 2012. They moved from my area. I just thought I would deal with the band until I couldn't anylonger! Call your insurance, yell, scream and tell them how the band is unlivable for you, how you comorbidities (I was prediabetic and played it up) was going to get worse and how this is making you anxious. Ask for a supervisor and advocate till they see that you mean it and they tell your surgeon what to submit. It does help that I am a physician and know the tricks to advocacy and peer to peer but what I outlined is EXACTLY what I did.....And maybe I got lucky. These insurance people are also human beings. Exhaust your options before you give up. My surgeon had ONLY 1 documentation which was my consultation Evaluation for the lapband removal. I'd not even done 1 lab work or any other work up! Good luck!! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Congratulations!!!!! You are truly an inspiration! Wishing you many more years of success as you continue to inspire and encourage others![emoji323][emoji322][emoji253] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I have Aetna and saw my surgeon April 24th, lapband out May 3rd and my surgeon thought Aetna would still require the 4 months doc assisted weight loss, psych evaluation, nutrition etc. I asked office to still submit surgeon's one assessment and they did and I was approved May 27th for the sleeve. My surgeon required a 6 to 8 weeks between lapband removal and conversion surgery. I am scheduled for surgery in August because of my schedule but could have done it earlier. Good luck. PS: Call Aetna yourself and also advocate for not jumping any hoops. They assigned me a case manager that kept me updated about the prior auth status and also called the surgeon's office to tell them what form to fill prior to submission. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Lol!!! We'll all be fine don't worry! The key is to think about the wonderful things life would offer at a normal weight. Obviously we are going through this because life was untenable the way it is. We'll support each other through our fears!! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Very cute kiddo indeed!!!! Looks like he's ready to inspire and rumble with ya![emoji108] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

August 16th here!! I also want kids back in school and in a regular routine prior to the life changing surgery. The wait seems so far!! Especially when I know I can get it as Early as 2 weeks from now [emoji25] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Good luck 303Nursemom, we'll be waiting and keeping our fingers crossed for you!🤞 Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

PS: Thanks Frustr8 for the encouraging words!!! Been equal parts amused, educated and enlightened by your posts Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello all, I officially scheduled for August 16th!!!!!! Made it official yesterday and went ahead and paid. Pre OP class: August 1st Post OP class: August 20th Post OP follow up: Sept 6th I'm beyond ready to start. I'm decluttering my entire life and home as we speak. Looking forward to walking this journey with you guys. Bariatricpal has been INVALUABLE!!!! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Congratulations Bianca!!!!!! Very happy for you! We may be August siblings! I'm looking at August 16th myself just to get the summer out the way! We'll keep each other updated and even consider starting August surgeries thread as we get closer. Congratulations again! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm sorry about the joint pain Gaylanscu, but in the next few months life will be different and hopefully joint pain will be a thing of the past for you soon!!, Yay!!!! Good luck and keep us posted! Definitely thinking of you as you embark on this life changing journey! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am having the sleeve done as this was what my surgeon recommended. I have gone back and forth with both the sleeve and the Bypass with uncountable research but will go with what my doc recommended. About doing the removal and the revision simultaneously or separately appears to be surgeon dependent. So, your surgeon could do do it simultaneously. My lapband never slipped and I didn't have any damage after the removal or during the surgery. Life just went a bit better afterwards. I did gain 6lbs in 3 weeks so I couldn't be more sure about the revision. Good luck and keep is updated as I would as well. Cheers. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello Dee Tee, I guess it depends on the insurance and the surgeon. After 7 years of the lapband of which the final 6 months were hell and bondage! I'd had enough. I self paid for the lapband was why I tolerated it for that long. I found out my current insurance covered bariatric surgery so I bit the bullet and met with the surgeon April 24th, got approval for lapband removal as my surgeon does 2 separate surgeries so that stomach can heal (I was initially gutted that I couldn't have the sleeve done simultaneously but now I am glad for all the research and preparation it afforded me). My surgeon was convinced that for Aetna, I had to do the process of 4 months supervised nutritional visits, psych evaluation, etc was needed again to qualify for the approval especially as my BMI is 35 (I am prediabetic and have been prescribed metformin which was my final straw by the way!!). I asked the surgeon's office review to please submit the one surgeon note that was in my file for the lapband removal. I wanted to know my fate early on and not go through all the hoops and be denied honestly! She submitted May 1st initially but they had the wrong CPT code, found that out May 8th, she then resubmitted May 15th and I was approved May 29th!! Even unbeknownst to my surgeon whom I saw May 30th for the first Dr. Supervised nutritional visit. I told her and she was flabbergasted as she didn't even know the office woman had submitted for approval. After that visit, I was given my surgery date as she said I didn't even need to do the 4 consecutive months visits any longer. She just needed 6 weeks after the lap band removal. My point is that it's okay to push the envelope and not even go with what the office says. Especially as this is for a revision. The reason I pushed was to know my fate early. They wanted to give me a June surgery date but I chose to wait till August, chose to continue to see the nutritionist and learn everything I need for this new tool but it's at my own leisure without all the angst of approval swirling around my head. Good luck!! I wanted to share my experience. Hope it helps. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello Xandriuh, please cut yourself some slack as Anxiety Disorder is indeed a medical condition and like all medical conditions, we cannot blame ourselves when we have an exacerbation of the condition....is like being mad at an asthmatic for having an Asthma attack or a Diabetic for having high blood sugars... these things happen within the context of the disorder. For someone with Anxiety, having surgery, no matter how benign or how knowing how low the risk is intellectually, it will trigger an attack and you "can't help it" at that moment. I am a big proponent of things always happen for a reason and what seem bad and awful one moment may be a blessing in hindsight. In my opinion, the amount of self reflection you have done and your proactive working on your self for the future has been well worth the incident. This anxiety attack may be the attack that prevents future and may be more consequential attacks. Relax, your surgeon will understand, you will not be the first, nor the last person that has had to cancel surgery on the day of surgery. Take care and keep your chin up. See you at the loser's bench. Cheers

Hello LLane RN, how are you? And how is preop diet going? I bet you are at the edge of your seat! I just wanted to give you my update. I too got my approoval today and I could not be happier!! I met surgeon first time 4/24 to have my lap band removed after 7 years od bondage (not all bad, but felt like it). I was disappointed to find that my surgeon would not do the revision simultaneously...but now I am glad she did not as I have had the chance to not go off how I was feeling with the labpband and do some very necessary research both on the site and generally. I did tell the office to go ahead an submit as I did not want a long wait and wanted to know my faith early on in the process. Request was submitted initially on 4/30 but they had the wrong CPT code and it was resubmitted immediately and we waited 1 week to come find out the new CPT code request was also cancelled same day. So they resubmitted again on 5/13 and they made me wait exactly 2 weeks to hear back today as yesterday was a public holiday that the request was approved. I met surgeon once, lap band removed on 5/3 and approval today. I am yet to meet the Nutritionist, Psych etc. I plan to still do all that but it feels good to know the approval is in and I can do all other appointments at my leisure. Thanks to your encouragement and this site for all the GOLDEN nuggets, it was invaluable. Good luck to you LLaneRN, I'll be praying that your surgery goes very well and your recovery is speedy!

Thank you! Please keep us updated about surgery and all! Good luck and well wishes. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello Randi, thanks for starting this conversation! I'm a lurker myself and I finally decided to do something. First thing being taking my lapband this morning!![emoji114][emoji114][emoji114][emoji114]. It was 7 years of a horrible relationship!! This past month was the final end and with the inspiration of those I've read on bariatricpal, I saw my surgeon last week, insurance approved the removal in 2 days after my initial consultation. I'm waiting for the approval for gastric sleeve revision that was submitted 4/30. I'm hoping not to go through the hoops again!🤞🤞 My surgeon wants to wait 2 to 3 months between removal and revision which I'm fine with although I was initially gutted I couldn't do it simultaneously! I agreed with her reasoning. I've been up and about since removal this morning and will be going to work on Sunday with no problems. I hope to get the sleeve end of summer after a worry and lapband free summer holiday. I'm 5'3" and 199lbs as of this morning. So "low" BMI within a hair's breath of 35 (drank some Water at the surgeon consultation[emoji3]). Totally beyond stalled with the lapband and hated life after the band! Paid out of pocket too[emoji25][emoji25]. Everyone here has been inspirational and I pray to actually get to a weight I've thought was impossible and I hope to share for that person like me. Thanks to my new found pals[emoji8][emoji7] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello Randi, thanks for starting this conversation! I'm a lurker myself and I finally decided to do something. First thing being taking my lapband this morning!![emoji114][emoji114][emoji114][emoji114]. It was 7 years of a horrible relationship!! This past month was the final end and with the inspiration of those I've read on bariatricpal, I saw my surgeon last week, insurance approved the removal in 2 days after my initial consultation. I'm waiting for the approval for gastric sleeve revision that was submitted 4/30. I'm hoping not to go through the hoops again!🤞🤞 My surgeon wants to wait 2 to 3 months between removal and revision which I'm fine with although I was initially gutted I couldn't do it simultaneously! I agreed with her reasoning. I've been up and about since removal this morning and will be going to work on Sunday with no problems. I hope to get the sleeve end of summer after a worry and lapband free summer holiday. I'm 5'3" and 199lbs as of this morning. So "low" BMI within a hair's breath of 35 (drank some water at the surgeon consultation[emoji3]). Totally beyond stalled with the lapband and hated life after the band! Paid out of pocket too[emoji25][emoji25]. Everyone here has been inspirational and I pray to actually get to a weight I've thought was impossible and I hope to share for that person like me. Thanks to my new found pals[emoji8][emoji7] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! So happy and relieve for you! Must feel good. Waiting for mine, fingers, toes and eyes crossed!!🤞