bambam

Hi everyone - I went to the seminar last Saturday (the first step!) and had my paperwork with my history, diets, etc., all done and submitted by Monday. They said to be patient as it would go through a preapproval process with our insurance company and a nurse would call to go over the form with us, but it may take some time for the nurse to go through it all. I know I'm going to have to get a lot of patience through this process (something my husband says I don't have a lot of!). Can anyone give me an idea of how long it may be before I hear from the nurse about receiving the form and the next steps? Thanks! bambam

Lisa - I just read your post and have to thank you for posting and tell you CONGRATS!! on doing so well. I have just started the process but am so anxious to get the band. I've never been more ready mentally to make the changes I need to make and reading your post gives me encouragement that I CAN do this! Again, you have dome awesome!! bambam

Thanks for the posts Restless Monkey. I've read a lot of your advice - in fact I think you were the one who suggested Dr. Sewell's book on lap band, which I just bought and finished. Thanks! I did tell my hubby that while the surgeon will make a suggestion on what surgery he feels is best for me, in the end I'm paying and as long as I understand that lap band is not going to yield results as fast as bypass... as well as all the risks, complications, etc., and have a good grasp of the concept of it I would think it would be my decision in the end. I have a BMI of 43 with comorbidities and I wondered if my PCP thought I might be better suited to a bypass, but she may just have been making a general statement that it's not up to her. My SIL just had lap band and her weight was higher than mine with similar comorbidities, so I don't foresee any problems, just kind of surprised me when she mentioned it I guess. Sorry for the long response.. it's just nice to talk lapband with someone who understands! bambam

I've been on the boards for several months and have read 3-4 books on lapband procedures as well as talking to a relative who had it done so I know that it is a long tedious process to actually get to surgery, but I think that finally sunk in yesterday. I went to see my PCP to tell her I was interested in the surgery and will be attending a seminar in a few weeks. She was very supportive of it and spent a great deal of time talking with me about the risks and benefits of the surgery. At one time I was considering changing PCPs as she hasn't always spent the time with me that I would like and I have occasionally felt rushed. I saw one physician I was considering switching to and asked if he would support me in lapband surgery and he said he would prefer I tried to lose through diet and exercise (duh - me too! but I'm 47 and don't see it happening!) In his defense, he didn't know me from Adam. Anyway, I'm glad I stuck with my current PCP and even talked wth her about feeling rushed at some visits. As informed as I feel I am, I feel I finally have accepted that it will be middle to late 2009 before I am able to have surgery and that's okay. I want to be prepared for this so will do whatever it takes. My PCP said when I need a referral letter written she will do so, but said she can only suggest WLS, that it will be up to my surgeon to decide what kind is best for me. I really have my head wrapped around lapband so I hope that is the route the surgeon will want to proceed with. I know gastric bypass has improved, but it's still more extensive and riskier than I would like to go with. Anyway.. thanks for listening and for sharing. I have been soaking up everything on these boards that I can! bambam

I'm not banded yet so take this for what it is worth - but my sister-in-law just had the same issue. Her dietitician wanted her to avoid certain foods, but her doctor told her that was nuts - "you need to start eating normal food and get back to real life." She did what the doctor said. To me the doc trumps the dietitician every time :biggrin: If they have different plans for you I would let the dietitician know and ask her to fax her plan for you to your doc - let him review it and make the final call. JMO. bambam

Hollie - Congratulations on your AWESOME weight loss and on your willingness to speak up about your surgery. I'm 47 and have just come to the realization that the lap band is for me. I've never had a doctor suggest WLS to me (which dumbfounds me as I have a BMI of 43 and have had for decades). A family member recently had a lap band placed and that has given me the "permission" to think I can have a healthier, longer life too. I have done a lot of research on it and will be seeing my family doc this week to discuss it with her. So having the insight and willingness to commit to surgery at your age is something you should be commended for. You obviously take your health and your goals for the future very seriously. Way to go!! bambam

Melboyd - I just bought and read the same book by Dr. Sewell. I think Restless Monkey may have recommended it?? Anyway, I thought it was an awesome book - I like that it specifically is for lap band surgery (although it briefly explains all of the bariatric surgeries). I had hoped to attend a seminar in August then found while the physicians were covered by my insurance the hospital where they operate was not, so looked at October dates with a different set of surgeons (the hospital they use is a bariatric center for excellence) and the seminar happened to be the day after my husband's surgery, so now have a November date picked out so we can both attend. By the time I am able to get to a seminar I will be so well informed! I've read 3-4 different books and am on this site daily. In addition, my sister-in-law just had surgery and has already lost 75 pounds. She has been great to share her experience with me. I am so thrilled for her and just want to get this process started myself. bambam

I'm just starting the lap band process but wonder if my smoothie maker would serve the same purpose as a Magic Bullet? Thanks for any responses! bambam

You can't set the machine yourself to your own setting. You have to take it to the medical supplier for them to set it for you, so I don't think borrowing one to actually use would work. I would just call back and say you misunderstood, that you don't have a machine and be honest about it.

MRSA is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is a strain of Staph infection that is resistant to treatment with antibiotics. It can be passed from patient to patient if proper hand washing, etc., (basic healthcare cleaniness guidelines) is not done by your health care team. Patients with open wounds, weak immune systems, etc,. are more susceptible to it. It's just something to be aware of and is one of the risks that goes along with surgery. Hope this helps. bambam

Heather - thanks for your response. My BMI is about 43, so I wouldn't think it would be an issue, but with insurance companies you just never know. I've gone off my diet and am just trying to maintain my weight until I am able to have my consultation, etc. I don't mind going up a few pounds, but worked hard to get off the weight I have. I've put myself in a holding pattern until I am able to meet with my doctor for a consultation. Again - thanks for your response! bambam

You guys are killing me with this thread - especially the size long and nipples going south!!! Simply becase I relate to both and I haven't even had lap band surgery yet but like everyone else I've lost and regained weight... and my age is a big part of it too. Have to share - one day I was looking in the mirror and saw a bump on the "underside" of my boob - thought what the heck... do I have lint in my bra??? Then realized.. it was my nipple - dang - REMINDER TO SELF - take the time to situate the girls correctly when getting dressed in the morning! I'll definitely need a lift and implants when I lose weight - heck I could use them now :thumbup: bambam

I work for a medical clinic and there is no excuse for not calling you to let you know your appointment needed to be rescheduled, or for having to reschedule that often. It sounds like your doc needs a more reliable person to do the fills. I would talk with your doctor. It may be he isn't aware of how often your appointment has been canceled due to these "emergencies" - especially if it is someone else who is going to be doing your fills. If you are frustrated I'm sure he has other patients who are too and he needs to address the issue of why the followup care is being treated so offhandedly. Trust me the last thing he wants is unhappy patients. I'm trying to remember if you had visits with absolutely no services received. If so, you should not be charged. Bring this up with him as well. His office should have made sure there was no charge and nothing filed with insurance if you received no services at all. You really need to have a talk with your doctor IMO. bambam

Kaytie - I'm SO GLAD you posted this! I haven't even been to the seminar yet!! - Oct. 1 is the next one I can attend. I have checked with my insurance and the surgery is covered. The only "requirement" they seem to have" (other than age, BMI, etc which I meet with no problem) is a mental health eval. Of course my doctor may require more. Financially I can't have surgery until next year... but I am so anxious to get things rolling. I too feel I am obsessed with this surgery!! I've read various web sites, checked out books from the library, and am reading as much as I can on here to make sure I am well informed. I feel I'm in limbo. My health insurance requires that I not have a sustained weight loss in the last 2 years, so I've gone "off" my diet and am trying to just maintain my current weight until I can meet with the doctor. Presently I'm down about 20 pounds from my highest on my doc's scale... so feel I don't dare lose more weight which is a really odd concept for me to grasp. For someone who has been on a diet constantly for the last 1-1/2 years the thought of not dieting is just plain odd. Good luck to all upcoming bandsters! bambam

I have to hijack this thread briefly - Ladies - you have all done such an amazing job!!! It is so fun to read about the little things that make such a big difference in our lives. I'm just starting the process but have all the things you have mentioned to look forward to. Leslie you started at the weight I am at now and it is so encouraging to see what is possible.... thank you all for posting and keeping my faith and hope in this process going!! Sometimes I slip into the "I've failed at everything else" mentality but then I tell myself I will NOT fail at this! I think when you get to the point where you consider surgery and all the work it entails - you want it more than ever before. bambam

This is my first visit to the powder room - I gotta hang out here more often!!

I viewed my health insurance policy and the requirements are pretty basic but one states "no sustained weight loss in 2 years." I had lost 40 pounds but have gained about 15 of those back (same old story) so have lost about 25 in the last 2 years. Has anyone else had a similar loss and not been approved for surgery? I hate to intentionally gain more of it back. I had planned to attend a seminar next week, but while the physician was covered under my insurance the hospital where he operates was not (odd) so now I'm hoping to get to a seminar with different bariatric docs (who operate at a center of excellence facility - so probably a good move) in early October. Also, I've seen many posts about the testing requirements before surgery (colonoscopy, upper gi, etc) - were those required by your insurance or doctor? Appreciate any input. Thanks! bambam

Hi Paula - After seeing xgrl's post above I did some research and saw that Ames had a surgeon doing the full gastric bypass (not what I want). You must be so excited about your surgery next week! I've heard great things about Dr. Glascock. (sp?) Thanks for talking about the process you went through and letting me know you worked with a dietician here in Ames. I am going to the seminar in DM next month at Iowa Health and am anxious to learn more and see if I can get the process rolling. Part of me worries that I don't be approved by the doc (I already know my insurance covers it) because I gain and lose weight - then I think DUH - we wouldn't need the surgery if we had no problem losing it and keeping it off!! I'm so ready to make the commitment - too many people my age (who appear to be healthier) are dying of heart attacks and it scares me. But still part of me worries "will I fail at this too?" Maybe that's normal - I'm sure we feel we have all tried every diet known to mankind. I just keep reminding myself that the band is there to help me eat less and if I listen to it I'll do fine. Thanks for letting me ramble! Best of luck on Tuesday and please keep us updated on how your surgery goes. You'll be in my thoughts!! bambam

I'm in Ames but just starting the process with my seminar next month. I'm looking at DM. Didn't realize Ames had a bariatric surgeon? Best of luck to you and please keep me updated on how you are doing, etc.

Hi Amelia - I'm just learning about the process and have signed up to attend a seminar so I don't have any helpful information for you, but wanted to say hello! I lived in CL for 20+ years having moved to a different part of Iowa just a few years ago - am still employed by a River City business. Good luck to you in learning more about the process (it seems pretty overwhelming!). bambam

Haffdime - Yes I will be coming to DM for the meeting. I have been reading a lot on the forums and online to try to inform myself, but know I will learn even more through the seminar and continuing to read everything I can get my hands on. I did call my insurance company to see if they would cover it and they will - so that was a relief! Best of luck with your surgery - you must be so excited! Please keep posting and let us know how you are doing. I'm anxious to hear your experience. bambam

Thanks so much for this thread. I am from the Ames area and am just beginning the whole process - having signed up for the informational meeting in Sept. I was interested in having Dr. LeMasters perform surgery (if I get that far!) and am happy to see your comments about her. Keep posting - I am so new to this that I feel overwhelmed, but excited about the possibilities! bambam