TQUAD64

Hello Gouna Gal: How exciting that you will be banded next week! Although I have not been banded yet, I have had 10 surgeries in my life, so I know a little bit about recovery. I recognize every person's recovery time is different and totally dependent upon the procedure and health, but I would recommend you give your body time to heal. Going back to work the day after surgery really does not give your body the recovery time it needs. :biggrin: Take care, Terry

Hi Romey: There is no shame in failing. You have identified the issue and you know how to fix it. The medical profession is there to support you in your journey. And we all know every journey has ups and downs. This is your opportunity to move forward and take control of your health. We know you can do it, because you took the first step and by having the surgery and the second step by posting here today. Please don't give up. Call your surgeon and make an appointment to see he/she. :biggrin: Remember there are so many people on this forum who have the same fears and struggles. You are not alone, so make the phone call. Best wishes, Terry

One day. Paper work sent to BC/BS on October 15 and approval came on October 16, surgery date November 11.:biggrin:

My primary care doctor told me, my patient advocate told me, the BC/BS insurance company told me, and so did my nutrionist that I had to complete the 6-month supervised diet.

My doctor stated hair loss is attributed to fewer calories and not getting enough protien in. I am not banded yet, but I am trying very hard to track protien intake, so I can make it a healthy habit.

Checking in. My surgery is November 11 @ 7:40 am...Alta Bates Hospital in Oakland.:tongue_smilie:

Ditto! Me too. My surgery is on November 11th and I have difficulty focusing at home and work. I am really fixated on this procedure and cannot wait for it to happen. It has been a year long process, so now it is time to move forward. I read a lot of the posts to help me make my shopping list for my post banding supplies. Plus, my surgeon and nutritionist have provided me a list, but really there is nothing like "User Feedback." Anyway, good luck to you.:tongue_smilie:

My insurance BC/BS, takes the start weight at the time of the 6-month medically supervised diet...Not the end weight. However, my surgeon thought this might be an issue, since be BMI went to 40.1 and instructed me to maintain my current weight, until we received insurance approval. Now that the insurance approved the WLS I am back to losing more weight for the surgery.

I got the news today that my surgery will be on November 11, 2008 @ 7:40 AM.:smile2:

I agree with all the posters. I was told not to go beyond the 40. BMI, until the insurance company approved the surgery. It is easy to lose the weight, but hard to keep off...Good luck

It's official. My pre-op meeting is 10/29/08 with Dr. Kim. My pre-op lab work is 11/07/08. My surgery is November 11 @ 7:40 AM. YAHOO!!!!!!:smile2:

I agree it is a long wait. There are so many various requirements which differ depending upon the bariatric center, insurance company, and surgeon. I started the process in January 2008. Between Jan and October 2008, I had to complete many, many, many requirements before I could even meet with the bariatric surgeon. I finally saw the surgeon October 8. I completed the H-pylori on October 10 and completed the upper GI on October 14. All paper work was sent to the insurance company on October 15 and I recieved approval on October 16. Looks like my surgery will be November 11, but I am waiting confirmation. Don't give up hang on. You can do this!:smile:

I would do what my surgeon requests. Each surgeon has different requirements, but really all that matters is what you and your surgeon agree upon is best for you. Good luck too you!:smile:

Hello Shira: I agree with the other poster that so many factors make every journey different. Here is my feedback. I am keeping my medical information to myself, thus no one at work or my friends know what is going on with me. My family only knows that I am having surgery, but not what for. Yes, HIPPA laws allow you to keep your medical information private. I spent 1-year researching and then in January 2008, I approached my PC for a referral to start the whole process. 6-months of a supervised diet, plus a pysch evel, then a referral to the surgeon, plus meeting all the extra requirements of the bariatric center. Start to finish....January 2008...looks like surgery will be November 2008. I have heard from posts that I have read that down time can be a couple days to 1-or 2 weeks, but really this is based on each individual. I am planning to take two weeks vacation time. Good luck with the process!

Hello Miss.Susan: I have BC/BS Calpers Netvalue, which required that I either see a nurtitionist or my primary care doctor for the required 6-month supervised diet. I saw a combintaion of both. If I could not make it to the nutritionist I went to my PC. So starting January 2008 I started seeing the nutrionist once a month on a Saturday, which was very convenient for me. She documented my weight loss and/or gains. We atlked about exercise, protien and always discuss the banding/surgery. We talked about nutrition and Vitamins, and so much more. Anyway, my six-months required attendance was completed back in July, however I continue to meet with her monthly because I value the information she provides me and she keeps it real!. :smile: I will conitnue to meet with her after the surgery as well.

Hello howluckyami: I am a government employee living in San Joaquin County. My mom is Medicare and is having her procedure at Valley Care in Pleasanton. She likes that center a lot. My surgery will be at Alta Bates Hospital in Oakland.

Wow babe134, you are moving quickly too. Best of luck to you. Hopefully you will hear something by tomorrow so you don't have to wait all weekend.

The bariatric center that I go to requires a current mammo gram and pap smear. I had my mammo in 2008 already and I don't need a pap because I had a hysterectomy. The doctor was okay with that and did not make me do a pap test. However, if you still have your uterus they make you do the pap before surgery at the center I go to. Plus, you must have a current mammo or no surgery.

I have cronic back pain and knee/joint pain. No other health issues. BMI is now 40.1, but was 42.2. Weight was 251 now 241. Blue Cross Blue Shield CALpers NetValue Hills Physician. Insurance paper work sent in on October 15th and approved October 16th at 5:00 pm. It went really quickly.

Yahoo!!!! I was just approved to have the surgery. I will find out tomorrow when the surgery will be. I am so excited and cannot wait to move forward. :wink2:

UPDATE: Great news, I was aproved this afternoon at 5:00 pm. I am hoping I get a surgery date tomorrow. Well I think I am also most there. I have BC/BS CALpers Net Value Hills Pysicians and the surgeon's office sent all the paper work in yesterday for insurance appoval. The doctor's office states with my particular insurance that I might have an approval anywhere from 24-48 hours. It would be nice to find out by Friday and not have to fret over the weekend about it. I hope, I hope, I hope!!!!:wink2:

Hello detroitgirl: I have BC/BS NetValue HMO Hills Physicians in California. Every insurance is different, because of employer policies. I also had to do the 6-month monitored diet and pysch eval prior. After I completed that, I was approved by the insurance to meet the surgeon. The surgeon at the hospital that I go too, requires that we attend an orientation class, a pre-op support class, and a nutrition class, at their clinic. These three requirements at the surgeons office must be completed prior to getting an appointment with the surgeon. Once you meet the surgeon at the hospital I go to and depending on what type of WLS you are having, there are several tests that must be completed. I will be banded, so I was required to have an upper GI and a H-pylori test. (I already completed these). Once we get all the test results back, the surgeon drafts a report and recommendation for the insurance. Then hopefully the insurance will approve it quickly. I am waiting for the test results to be submitted to my surgeon. There is a possibility that I might have surgery in November, but it looks more like December. I am also required to lose 10% of my total body weight....not excess weight...but total body weight. Again every insurance is different and every surgeon has their own requirements. Good luck with the process.

Hello Beautylocs: I have BC/BS Net Value with Hills Physicians, which required that I complete 6-months supervised diet and a pysch eval prior to approving me to see the surgeon. I started out at 251 in January 2008, which is when I started the supervised diet. I yo-yo-ed up and down, but never went over the original 251. (My BMI was 24.2). Anyway, in August 2008, I finished the required 6-months at 246 pounds. All paper work was submitted and approval was granted two days later. Right now I am waiting for my test results for the upper GI and the H-pylori tests. Once we have those, we send everything into the insurance for approval...At least I hope approval. Today I am at 240 with a BMI OF 40.1 Every insurance is different. Good luck with your journey.

You might want to check out this link on this web site: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f278/realize-band-vs-lap-band-70603/ There is heated discussion on whihc band is better. My doctor is giving me a choice as well. I am not sure which one I will select yet. Good luck with your decision. :thumbup:

Sounds great. And would be a great work out on those rainy days.:smile2: