tracie30

My surgery is scheduled for next Thursday. I just got off the phone with the pre-admission nurse who was asking me my history. He ask if I have sleep apnea and I said yes. He ask if I have a machine...I told a white lie and said yes. He said make sure you bring it with you. The doctor who would prescribe the machine is booked 3 weeks out. My surgery is next week. What if I "forget" it at home, which is nearly 3 hours away from my the surgery facility, will they cancel my surgery or will they loan me a machine? I hate lying but if I needed an emergency surgery would they say "sorry you dont have your cpap machine". I am 4 days without eating. I am a little moody and cranky. I just dont want to go through all of this and be told, too bad!! Anyone have a situation like this? What did you do?

I just started my 2 weeks pre-op diet today and wow!!! I am not handling this well. I admit...I ate like a pig up to yesterday. My doctor has me on the Carnation Diet, 6 shakes per day. Any one who claims Lap Band is the easy way out has never been on all liquids for 2 solid weeks. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any thing I should know to get through this? Thanks!!! Surgery date: 10/16/08

I will share the same "birthday" as all of you!!! I just signed my consent forms today and will start my liquid diet tomorrow. Not looking forward to that!!! Although I am very excited, I am starting to get a little nervous. Just having any surgery makes me nervous. I am in Ohio. I will be having my surgery at Hamot in Erie, PA with Dr. Ali. Please keep me posted with your progress.

Hi Everyone! I am 19 days from my surgery date. I will be seeing my dr. on Thursday to start my 2 weeks liquid diet. I was lucky that I did NOT have to do the maintenance diet with my PCP. Since I know my surgery date is coming up and in less than 1 week I will be on liquids, I am on a total eating frenzy. I have been eating anything and everything I want. There have always been things that were completely off limits in my life...like big macs but I have had 2 in the past week. Did anyone else experience this time of freedom before the journey starts?

Hi Cass! My date is October 16th. I can't wait. I would love to talk anytime. You can email me at traciebrown@windstream.net if you want to talk privately. Good luck!!!

Hi Anne, I have been on this fence with this issue. I just found out today that I was approved and there is a part of myself that want to stop people on the street and tell them..."I was approved for Lap Band". I have spent sometime pondering this since I started this journey and only told my best friend and my mom that I was going through the motions to get approval but I have ultimately decided not to tell. I have been heavy my entire life and I was judged based on that. I do not want anymore judgement. I would much rather have people talking about me for finding self control instead of hearing things like " she took the easy way out" even though there is nothing "easy" about the surgery. So here's my plan...I'm telling my boss that I am having "female" surgery so that I can take a couple days off to recoup. When the weight starts coming off, then I will tell them all about portion control and the benefits of excerise. It's no ones business other than those who acts as support for this life changing journey in your life. Best of luck to you!

After driving the insurance coordinator at my Dr.'s office, my insurance company, my best friend, my husband and myself crazy for the last week in anticipation of possible declination of coverage... I finally got confirmation today that I am APPROVED!!!! Yeah!!! I am so excited I can barely stand myself. I called my surgeon's office to set up my next appointment and schedule a surgery date but no one has called me back yet. I am sure I am in more of a hurry than they are but hopefully in the next couple weeks I will have a banding date!!! I will keep everyone in my prayers who is waiting for approval and those of you who are fighting appeals. Tracie

I currently have Anthem and their policy states that I have to meet the mental requirements, be over 35 BMI and have proof that I have been able to follow a diet and lose weight. Of course I had to do the normal stuff...blood work, upper GI, chest xray, etc. I met all the requirements of the insurance policy. Has anyone dealt with this type of Anthem policy? Does anyone know how long it takes to get an answer and how hard it is to get approved? My case was submitted on 09/10/08 to insurance and I am on pins and needles right now. I appreciate all your help!

Is anyone on this site using Hamot Bariatrics in Erie, PA? I am going to Dr. Ali who I think is a great Dr. and a great person. I would love to talk anyone who is having their surgery there or has had their surgery there.