PSJ71

Wow! I didn't realize so many other employers were changing as well. Thank you all for all of your great advice. I spoke to the bariatric coordinator at my surgeon's office, and she told me I would have to undergo a 3-month supervised diet with the surgeon. After I spoke to the fitness center affiliated with it, I really don't mind doing it. I was just hoping I could have had it done sooner for the New Year, but I guess for some reason it's not meant. As I was saying though, maybe this 3-month supervised thing will be good for me. It will help me start to work on my diet and exercise before I get the band. So, I will just embrace it and pray that after going through so much, they will approve me. So far, I don't have any comorbidities yet as far as diabetes or anything like that. I do have low back pain, high cholesterol, and infertility. So, I'm hoping that will be enough to get me approved. Also, MicheleK, did you have to have a 5-year weight history or anything like that? Once again, thank you all so much. Paulette

HI, I started the ball rolling with getting the lap band this past September. In November I started my testing. I have had most of it done, with the exception of the sleep study, an EGD, and attending a support group meeting. I was hoping to have the surgery sometime in January. Well, for starters, my primary care physician has not gotten my letter supporting the surgery sent to the surgeon. I found out 3 weeks ago my employer was changing all the benefits and now I have to choose from Aetna PPO or Health Net PPO. I have no idea which one to choose. I had Blue shield of CA and all they required was my psych eval and that dang letter from my primary care physician to be approved. Now, I have no idea what is going to happen since my insurance HAS to be changed by December 30th. I know since there will be no lapse, they cant' spring the preexisting condition thing on me, but this really has me upset. I found Aetna requires a 3 or 6-month supervised diet attempt. So, basically all the money I have been out will be all for nothing I assume if I have to do that. I'm so ticked off at my place of employment for not letting us all know they were going to be doing this. I never would have started everything had I known. :thumbup: I just don't know what to do. I have tried numerous times to lose weight, but of course, none of it is documented by a physician. If anyone can tell me how hard it was to be approved by Aetna or Health Net please let me know. Thank you for "listening."

Awesome, it sounds like the answer comes in fairly quickly. Hopefully, it won't take that long once submitted. I am anxious for Friday to get here and see how long afterwards it takes them to get it submitted. Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question! Best of luck to all of you with your bands. :cursing:

Hi there, I was wondering if there is anyone who has been approved and had surgery with Blue Shield of CA insurance. I have undergone testing and still have just a few more things to do before they submit me. I have my psych eval on Friday, which the bariatric coordinator stated that this is all that they are asking for a copy of. She said after she gets that in, she will submit it to Blue Shield of CA. I was just wondering if anyone else had it and could tell me a round about time it took to hear something back after needed paperwork was submitted. Thank you! :biggrin:

Oh my gosh, I am really excited. I had my appointment with the bariatric coordinator today and had most of my testing set up. I go next tuesday to have lab work, EKG, echocardiogram, stress test done. Then I go December 5th for the psych eval. December 17th for the sleep study. Then after that I go see my doc. I so hope my insurance approves me. She said it could be possible that I could have the surgery by the end of December or the first week of January! Wow!! What a way to start off the New Year!! I admit while waiting to see the coordinator, I got really nervous and "thought" about backing out. But, I thought Heck no!! I know I am doing this for a healthier new me. Anyway, I just had to share the excitement with you all. :w00t: I hope all is well :tt1: Thank you for reading. :drool:

I am just amazed at how some of these docs try and manipulate the patient's into something that they do not want. I know I went to my second doctor after going to the first seminar because for some reason something just didn't "feel" right about it. He didn't seem to tout one over the other, but it just seemed rush. I also didn't like the fact that there was so much money out of pocket just to get through to the initial surgery. Also, I found out they blatantly lied about certain things about insurance. First, there was to be 200.00 dollars up front for the psych eval, which we were told insurance will not cover at all, another 200.00 dollars for nutritionist, again told insurance would not cover at all, then 200 dollars for THEIR preop materials, and another 150 for THEIR postop things. After the doctor spoke at the seminar, he left and left the rest up to some other guy. I called my insurance myself to find out if there were any other docs that my insurance would cover and they directed me to the doc I have now. They also informed me that my psych eval would be covered, my nutritionist would be covered and I will only have to pay 50.00 for it. I told them about the other doc and how much they were charging for the psych eval and the rep told me that was a too high. It was funny when I called to cancel my consult with that surgeon, because she wanted to know if I wanted to reschedule and I said no, I found another doctor and my insurance DOES cover their psych eval and nutrionist. She just said flatly, "OH...okay. Thank you." I totally LOVED the doc I have now. He's wonderful! But, I think people should definitely go to more than one seminar if they are considering either surgery.

That's truly great!! I am sure it will all be smooth sailing from here on out, as you have gotten through one of the hardest things. I can't wait to be banded. I get more and more excited when I hear stories like this. The best of luck to you! :thumbup:

Wow, it does sound like he was an advocate of the RNY only. When I went to my doctor's seminar, he said if you suffer from GERD either of the surgeries will combat it. Unless, your fill is too tight with the band, in which case you will have some GERD. But, he says either surgery will get rid of the GERD. He didn't really play up either of the choices. He said there is certain criteria that may or may not make you suitable for each method. But, he said with the lap band you have to put in extra work, whereas with the RNY you can eat pretty much anything, but you might have dumping. RNY was totally out of the question for me. I definitely want the band.

Let me just say. This was in 2000 when I was single and no children. :wink2: Anyway, when I started the gym in May of 2000, I went three times a week and each of those days were different areas of the body. I had NEVER worked out before and was not at all athletic when I started. He did an assessment on me when I first went in--got my weight, measurements, and did a flexibility test on me, which I totally bombed. He also did an interview about my expections I had and long-term goals I wanted to accomplish. As for starting out slow, he put me on a high protein, low carb diet (basically for quick weight loss and protein also helps build muscles, etc). My first week, he only wanted me to do the treadmill at least 20 minutes a day at 3 to 3.5 mph. So, I went in 5 days that week. The next week is when we started the weight training. As for your problems with your back and hips, tell your trainer everything. Make sure he/she knows that you have these problems. There are so many different exercise combinations to get results. In fact, he/she will change it up from time to time as well. As for avoiding things you don't like. It isn't easy, but it is very gratifying when you start to see the progress. Also, I had so much energy at the end of my work-outs. I felt like I could run to the top of a mountain! In all reality, or at least in my experience, I have no seen a trainer YET that treats their clients they way they do on Biggest Loser. If they did, not many would be back. Yes, they do try and keep you motivated. They will say things like,"Come on, one more, I know you can do it." My trainer used to try to burn my muscles out, not painful, but it was weird, in my mind I felt like I could do more, but then they would just freeze or feel like it would lock up. Then he knew I had had enough. See if you can check around to different gyms and see if any of them offer any type of complimentary sessions just to let you get a feel of how they are. Explain to them that you have never worked out before, but you want to make some changes. I lost a WHOLE lot of weight, then I met my husband and we had a baby and well, the rest is history, I gained all that weight plus about 75 pounds more back. As for expense, trainers charge different rates, but a general idea my trainer was about 320 a month for 12 sessions. Yes, expensive, but it was so worth it to me at the time. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me anytime. Good luck to you

They do seem very similar. I have been leaning toward the Realize band. I guess what I was sort of worried about is not getting any restriction even after having all the fills possible with it. When I went to the seminar, he passed around both types. I just liked the "look" of that band. I hope things progress fairly quickly from this week on.

Thank you Restless Monkey! I'm so glad there are other night owls out there.

Hi All, I am in a dilemma as to which band to get. I keep leaning more toward the Realize band and just came from that area on the forum. However, I am concerned that if that band only holds 9 to 10 cc, and people are getting 6 cc and not getting good restriction yet, is there any chance it could be filled all the way and not have any restriction at all? I'm sorry this seems like a stupid question, but I don't have an appointment set up yet with my doc. I will see the coordinator on Friday though. In the seminar, my doc says he doesn't favor either of the bands, he likes both equally. He did state the port was smaller on the Realize, but he says it is basically just up to the patient as to which one they would like. I at least want to have a good idea of which one I want before I do go and see him. Gosh, I hope I get to have this done by the end of this year or early next. Thank you

I just had to say, I really do LOVE this thread and have been getting caught up on them. I have to say, though, and I know it isn't funny, but I was laughing at some of them until I cried. I guess because I can relate to much. Not because I am laughing at any particular person, but man, you have to have a sense of humor to some degree in this life. I almost felt guilty for laughing, but then I thought, even through the disgust with myself with some things, I have laughed hysterically at myself from time to time. Being obese is really no laughing matter and I have fought it my entire life, but there have been some comical times, too. You guys are great and I love reading about your stories. I have also cried at some of these stories too. Bless all of you. big, big HUGS Paulette

Hi All, Things I won't miss about being obese are the following: 1) Feeling utterly disgusted at the site of myself in pictures and videos. 2) Being self-conscious about going to my son's school and being afraid a child will say something hurtful to him about me. 3) Being embarrassed and ashamed of my body when being intimate with my husband. 4) Not wanting to go to an amusement park for fear of the ride seat belt not fitting. 5) Not being able to bend over in the car if I drop something-- (Note)I have to have my husband push the brake to give me leverage to get over my belly). 6) Having trouble shaving my legs. 7) Infertility. There are many more, but I think these are the most important to me.

I just posted a question sort of like this about eating. I just wanted to say thank you to you all who provided this type of insight. I know this is something I really want to do. And this makes me feel better about my decision to have the band. I have a lot of bad habits to break, but I still feel the band is the right choice. I can't wait to be able to post my progress after I get the band. Thank you!

Hi All, I have my appointment with the bariatric coordinator this month. I hope after that things go much quicker. I still need to attend a support group, get a letter from my PCP stating they support my decision, take the psych eval and nutritional consult, and then talk to the doc. I have all my paperwork ready to go. My question is this though. Due to Aunt Flo, I caught myself twice this week eating when I wasn't hungry. I also know I tend to be an emotional eater. So, I am nervous now that if I can eat when I am not hungry now, then how in the heck can I be successful with the band if I don't get this under control? I really, really am at my wits end with being obese my entire life and I just don't want to fail at this too. I also work from home as a transcriptionist, so food is ALWAYS available. I really need some guidance and reassurance too. Thank you so much and thank you for reading my post.

Wow, I think that is just fantabulous!! :biggrin: This just reaffirms for me that I will be making the right decision when I have mine done. I go from one extreme to the other sometimes, but I absolutely KNOW this is going to be the only way I will be able to lose weight. I will be glad to one day be on here telling my stories about my band. I hope very, very soon. This is such wonderful inspiration and I wish you both the very best with your bands. Can't wait to hear more about your weight losses :wink_smile:

OMG, Gina I am so sorry your mother treated you that way. I am so saddened when I hear stories of people whose mother's of all people were so cruel. I guess because I had such a special relationship with my mom. She was always worried about my weight, but she was never ashamed of me. I miss her so. She passed away in August. But, again, I am so, so sorry this happened to you. Bless you.

I agree lucy. That's why I'm not telling my in-laws.

I have only told my family that I am planning on having it done and my very best friend. I do not want my husband telling any of his friends or his family. I just don't think his family would understand. Not that they are stupid, but I just really don't want them to know.

Hi Barbara, I'm from Oklahoma too!! I'm not banded yet, but hoping soon, maybe by the first of next year or sooner, I hope. :thumbup: Who was your surgeon?

Well, I can definitely see how that would be a bad experience. With this doctor I have they have two separate support groups, which I think there should be for whichever surgery you choose to do. Thank goodness, I would hate to have to be the only bandster in a support group. Thank you for sharing that.

Unfortunately, no, I don't have the band yet. I have gone to the seminar and found out I don't have to do a 6-month diet though I had to change my appointment with the Bariatric Coordinator from October 16th to November sometime. :embaressed_smile: I have so much going on right now. But, I am hoping at most by the New Year. I'd do it tomorrow if I could. :cool2:

Oh my gosh, restlessmonkey, you hit the nail on the head. That has always been my problem. Sure, I can lose weight if I diet, but if I feel hungry HECK yeah I'm going to eat! So, I know exactly what you are talking about. When I tried Weight Watchers I did okay, but I ALWAYS felt hungry. So, I know what you mean!

Wow, That is wonderful!! Gosh, the more I read, the more and more anxious I get to have it done. I wish I could get it done next week! lol. You all are great motivation.