slimteacherin08

I am to be banded Monday, August 25th. Right now I am stressing. Tropical Storm Fay has cancelled everything for today and tomorrow. I was suppose to go to see my PCP today. She was going to sign my paper to give permission for surgery...seems how she has reviewed all my labs and is fully supportive of me having the surgery. Then I was to take that paper to my appointment with the surgeon, which is Thursday afternoon. Now I am curious when I am going to get that paper from her. This storm has caused a wrench in everything. I am hoping that she can see my Thursday or if the surgeon will allow, maybe even Friday and then fax over the paper to his office. I guess we will see. I am going to call everyone involved as soon as this storm is over. Still hoping my banding is Monday!!!! Fingers are crossed! :thumbup:

Oh good....I was just curious because after that appointment I go to meet with Christie. I made those appointments back to back because I live in Titusville, and I figured if I am already in the area I would make my appointment for then. Only three more days for you! How exciting!

Donna was very nice. The whole staff seems very supportive and on top of things. I am excited about my surgery too! Can't wait till the 25th. What is the pre-op meeting with Dr. Fusco like? You probably had that this week, right?

I will be banded on August 25th and my pre-op diet is a liver reduction diet. Three days before surgery start the diet. I have to have two clear liquid meals a day and one regular meal (anything I want.) Then the day before surgery I can have nothing but clear liquids. That is all I have to do before surgery.

Thank you! I don't drink coffee and have already given up soda, but was curious if you could suggest a protein shake that is decent.

Hello all! Has anyone been banded by Dr. Fusco through Lifeshape in Melbourne, Florida? I was curious what to expect on August 25th for my surgery. I meet with the aftercare nurse on Tuesday. Then with Dr. Fusco on the 21st.

I was checking in to see how things were going. I wanted to give you a heads up with CIGNA....I was finally approved on Friday after three weeks of waiting and having to strong arm them. I would say once it has been submitted give them a week. Then start calling every other day! I did this and still got the run around. My paperwork sat in predetermination forever. Once when I called I was told it was in nurses' review and I would have an answer by the end of the week. Well, I had to threaten CIGNA in order to get an answer. I told them that if my husband had to get his company's benefits people involved we are set to call them, and then you can work it out with them. Because after all....it is the company's money you are making a decision on. Less than an hour later I was approved. So just stay on top of them. Just wanted to give you a heads up! Hope all is going well! My surgery date is set for Aug. 25th...so I am so excited right now!

Do you have to meet with a nutritionist before your surgery? My nutritionist said that for the part of the post-op diet that is liquids not to worry about sugar free. She said that everything doesn't have to be sugar free, because you won't be eating much as it is and you will need something in your system. When it comes to mushie and solid food stages she said to only eat three 4 oz meals daily (no snacking!) She also gave me sample menus for each stage of the post-op diet. It seemed to be pretty straight forward. I will find out in two weeks how straight forward it is. I am thinking just like any diet it will require work to stay focused.

I know! I felt very empowered today! :biggrin2: I feel like a new me today.

After waiting for over 3 weeks, I finally was done playing the insurance game. I am getting close to my August 25th surgery date and I decided I wasn't going to let CIGNA cause anymore sleepless nights! Last night I was so worried that it wasn't going to be approved, I couldn't sleep! I mean why else would it take so long. So this morning tired and cranky I decided to call them and tell them I wanted answers. I spoke to two different upper management people telling them that by the end of the day today I should have my answer (just like two of the customer service people told me. I guess they weren't suppose to tell me that.) I also had to threaten for my husband to contact his company's benefits department and get them involved if I didn't get answers. He works for a huge government company in Florida. I asked her if we needed to do that. At 9:45am I got off the phone. I called them back at 1:00pm, to see what had been done. I found out...... I WAS APPROVED! She told me that it was approved by 10:30am and that the paperwork was sent out in the mail today. I guess I had to show them how much this meant to me! I am excited to join the this special group and I can't wait to see the results! I am looking forward to my journey!

I created a group for teachers with the band. Figured we could share our progress, ideas for lunch or anything else on our minds. Join if interested..... Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum - Teaching With The Band

I figured I would post this in rants and raves. I figured this was the most appropriate spot for this. Seems how my mother is driving me CRAZY! In November I decided to research the lap band and discussed it with my husband. By January I made arrangements to go to a seminar to learn more and made the final decision. In December, while my parents visited for Christmas I told my mom what I was looking into possibly doing. Told her about the seminar I was signed up for and that my husband was VERY supportive. She seemed happy for me. After the seminar I found out my insurance required 6 months of PCP visits. I immediately made an appointment to begin the process. By the end of January my mom mentioned that she was going to have the lap band done too. She would pay for it all out of pocket if necessary, but was going to have it done by Feburary. I was excited for her, but at the same time a little shocked. She didn't say anything about it in December. It was all new to her. But I was glad she was interested in it. Then all of a sudden she was going to have it done ASAP! It almost felt like a race. I continued on with my 6 months of PCP visits. She meanwhile tries forcing getting the lap band done. But I guess after two doctor changes and the fact that she has too much scar tissue for the procedure. She is going to have gastric bypass. The pysch has not cleared her for surgery yet. He wants to make sure she is mentally ready. So she visits with him once every couple of weeks. I meanwhile have finished up my PCP visits, did my pysch., nutrition visit, etc....and everything is in insurance hands for approval. Today I called CIGNA to see where I was in the process; and it is at nurses review. So they said I could find out about approval this week or next. I was excited. When I talked to my mom today I told her my news. She said "good, good" and then abruptly changed the subject. I have noticed that we use to share our process with each other and now that hers has been delayed she puts me off. I guess I am going off on here, because it kind of hurts. I know there are underlying feelings there, but she doesn't say anything about anything. It frustrates me. She is my mom and we use to be able to talk to each other, but it seems like she is changing. She is drawing herself in. You know how moms, usually listen to anything. I have learned to censor what I say, especially if it is about the lap band. After today's phone call, where she also said that when she goes the the shrink this week, she is going to tell him that he needs to clear her for surgery. Is this normal? Has anyone else had to deal with their mother or another family member responding this way? Part of me doesn't want to tell her when I do get approved and when I do end up with the surgery. Just let her see when she comes for Thanksgiving. I know that might not be mature, but I am frustrated! :thumbup: :wub:

I contacted CIGNA today. I guess my paperwork is in the predetermenation stage with pending in the computer. The insurance specialist for my surgeon says it is in the right spot. I continue to await their decision. It was so hard not to advocate to the customer service rep all the reason it needs to be approved. So I guess I will continue to wait. I am just so excited. I can't wait to be a healthy me!

I teach 1st Grade! I will hopefully be banded in August (pending insurance approval.) It will be interesting to see how lunch does go!

I am planning on having my surgery next month and my husband and I are discussing the recovery process...He asked a good question and I was hoping someone here might have an answer or suggestion. My husband is taking the day of my surgery off from work to take me to and from, and to make sure everything is okay at home. We were wondering if day two of post-op would require someone else being home with me? How was the week of recovery? We are trying to plan ahead so he can put in for his time off. Thanks for the help!

I don't know what CIGNA's stand is if your BMI gets below 35. I don't think they are looking to see if you lose (per say) during your six months, but just to see that you made efforts. Also, CIGNA now requires proof of your weight from two years ago. I believe this was new this May. I was able to use the records from a doctor's visit from two years ago, where my weight was documented. I guess this is so CIGNA knows that you didn't just decide to gain all this weight just to have the surgery! I just had to laugh. I know it is silly, but you are right they have all the control and we have to play their game. I just hope I am good at playing it! Anything I learn along the way I will share with you! Good luck to you and keep me posted!

Kimberly, I have CIGNA too. I started back in January with a PCP visit for the six month PCP/diet history. In January I also did my psych. eval. and my nutritionist vist. Then I continued visiting my PCP for the next 5 months. A little over a week ago my surgeon's insurance specialist sent everything off to CIGNA for approval. Now just waiting for them to give the go ahead. She has dealt with them for years and feels it was a solid submission. I would say get started with everything now. So once those visits are over everything can be faxed over.

I wanted to have the procedure over the summer too, but seems how I went to the seminar in January and found out my insurance requires 6 months diet history with your PCP, it has taken a long time to get here. I was hoping to get the surgery before school started. We go back to school August 11th and they have the surgery date set for August 25th. I will miss school for it, and my principal is very understanding and supportive. She fully believes my health comes first! So I am blessed for that!

I am glad to know others had to play the waiting game too. I am keeping my fingers crossed and my hoping my fingers won't cramp up!

I finished my six months of PCP/diet history the end of June. My surgeon's office faxed all of my records for diet history, psych, and nutrition to CIGNA on Friday, July 18. They say I will have a wait anywhere from 7 to 30 days. I was told it was a good solid submission and they wouldn't of sent it if there were holes in it. They seem pretty sure of approval. Still waiting is the hardest part. I have a tentative date for surgery scheduled for August 25th. A month away. I hope to hear from my insurance soon. How long have others waited? Keeping my fingers crossed for approval soon!!!