daco525

I was also told by my surgeon not to lose more than 5 lbs. Luckily my doctor is allowing me to report my weight from my scale at home which he is documenting at each monthly visit. I think this was his way of letting me do what I want and keeping himself somewhat out of it. My surgeon said he needs to note each month "no significant change" pertaining to weight.

Love it! I hope to reach Banlandia in May...I am still fighting the Wicked Witch Insurance battle. Three more months to go...I'm half way there. I just hope it goes smoothly and I don't run into any "flying monkeys" who try to derail me.

My doctor is willing to write a note for however long I want. I am going to take a month and I think I will just say I am having abdominal surgery. This still leaves me with plenty of sick time if I have any complications. I have other friends that have had the surgery and they returned after two weeks and they wish they had stayed out longer. I guess the adjustment is different for each individual. To me this is one of the biggest decisions I am making for my health and yes...I am taking a month for ME time. This past year was a very difficult year for me...for several personal reasons. I need to prepare mentally and emotionally for a positive change for my life. This is going to be my year for change.

I can't wait to hear how you make out. Best of luck.

I plan to have the lap band in May, as long as all goes well with insurance approval. Anyway I have lots of accumulated sick time and I really want to take off one month to focus on me. I figure it would be a nice time of year to get into a good walking routine and focus on healthy eating. I feel like I need a "ME" month. The kids will be in school, hubby at work. I don't want to reveal to everyone at work why I am really out for the month. Does the doctor just right a general note stating this patient is under my care and can return.... "date". I am trying to prepare for the questions and I am not sure what to tell people as to why I am out. I don't want to lie but I am not ready to tell everyone. Too bad I couldn't say I was having my gall bladder removed but I already had this done 3 years ago....Anyone else in this situation...any ideas or suggestions. I know people may notice weight loss but I am always dieting so I can just say I am back on weight watchers.

The only reason I am afraid to start the diet now is I still have 3 months of weigh in for insurance approval. My doctors already informed me not to lose more than 5 lbs or I may be denied. My last weigh in is May 1st. I plan to start a rigid diet then and hopefully I will receive approval and have the lap band at the end of May. My BMI is currently 38 with co morbidities (diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol)

Being a diabetic I have always been encouraged to eat a low carb diet. I think you are doing a good thing for you body eating this way. I will hopefully be banded in May and then I will consider going back to the low carb lifestyle. This time I plan to make lasting changes. Best of luck to you. I am glad you found a satisfying lifestyle that works for you.

Great info. Maybe I will be one of your future patients, Dr. Schulman, I am leaning towards having the lap band done with Dr. Davis. If all goes well, weight comes off, then I am sure I will need to look at having some reconstructive surgery. I had my first meeting with Dr. Davis' staff (Rodgewood Office). I loved his NP, a real down to earth guy who I felt very comfortable with.

How exciting, February is your month. Maybe you should plan a valentine's wedding next year....just a thought...I am celebrating my 18th wedding anniversary this valentine's day. Best of luck to you...you have alot to celebrate. i bet you will be looking gorgeous in your wedding dress.

Thank you. Best of Luck with your surgery.

Are you on any medications. Have your doctor document all these borderline conditions. Do you have any problems with joints (arthritis) or any acid reflux. I have had prolonged problem with my feet and mild acid reflux. Conditions I have lived with and not sought medical attention. Now that I am going through this process I am under a podiatrist and gastro's care. I am going to have them write a letter on my behalf as well. The more support you have the better. I know this sounds terrible but I believe in the long run if the ins company thinks they are saving money by giving you this procedure you have a better chance. If they think you are at risk for "expensive" complications they are more likely to give it to you. Also document any family history of obesity related problems. For example both of my parents had heart attacks in their early 60's. I have some of my parents medical records to verify and when I spoke with my ins co they said this should be documented in the drs. letter. Good Luck.

I have to do a 6 month documented weight loss program with my family doctor. When I first brought up the lap band to my doc he seemed opposed and gave negative feedback. I went out on my own, did my own research, located my own surgeon, spoke with people who have had it done and went to a meeting where they discussed the procedure. I went back to my family doctor, gave him all the info I learned and proceed to present my case as why this would be a health benefit for me. He agreed and said "I will do anything you need for me to help you". I thanked him and told him this is what I came here for, his support. If I did not get his support, I think I would have looked for another doctor to do my 6 month visits with. I have been with my present doctor for over 5 years so I did not want to do this but I wanted someone on my side. I don't know anything about your plan but I would start with calling them, make sure there is is no weight loss exclusion, ask them exactly what they need for approval and document the date and name of who you spoke with. You meet the standards for NIH so you should not have a problem as long as you give the ins what they want. At least this is what I have been told. Good Luck.

My employer is thinking of changing health benefits. As employees we currently choose between BCBS Horizon or Traditional Plan. I currently have BCBS NJ Horizon (PPO Direct Access). There is no weight loss exclusion on my current plan. I am told that they are eliminating the Traditional Plan and everyone will be on Horizon. Here is the concern: some people are saying that our present BCBS Horizon coverage could change. Does anyone know if there is actually a BCBS NJ Horizon plan that has a weight loss exclusion. I should be ready for approval for lap band in May. I can't imagine all of a sudden having a new policy with an exclusion. Are there actually alot of plans out there with weight loss exclusions.

I take a daily called Complete One which I purchased from Puritan Pride, you can request a catalog or look online. I take B complex, recommended by my dr. since I am diabetic. I take 600 mg. calcium am and 600 pm., recommended by my nutritionist. I also take magnesium to help with calcium absorption, recommended by nutritionist. I think there is alot of benefits to taking the fish oil. I personally put ground flax seed on my yogurt daily, I think you get more of the omegas from this than the fish oil, but at times I opt for the fish oil.

Thanks for all the info. I think I am headed in the right direction for an approval.

I am really working hard to get all my ducks in a row for an approval in May. I am counting on approval based on medical necessity due to co-morbidities. I take medication daily for diabetes type II, hypertension and high cholesterol. All is controlled and stable with meds. I have also just begun seeing a podiatrist for bone spurs, they are now giving me orthotics and I have a sleep brace. I am also now seeing a gastroentrologist for GERD. This just developed three weeks ago and I had an endoscopy today. I was thinking it would be in my interest to have both of these drs (pod & gastro) also write a note on my behalf to support medical necessity. They may not be co-morbidities but these new medical issues would be greatly helped by weight loss. Has anyone else been this route?

After I went to my seminar, I wanted to start the process immediately. I called and had my psych and nutritional eval done and one appt of the 6 month before I even met with the surgeon for consultation. He was impressed with how much I had already started. He said all I need to do is finish the last 5 month weight loss visits, which ends May 1st and then he anticipates BCBS approval in two weeks and he thinks I should be banded memorial weekend. I hope it all goes this smoothly. I have a BMI 38 but several co-morbidities. Good luck to all.

I have been able to go below 35 in the past but only to gain it all back and then some...story of my life...and many other people here. I did decide that two weeks before my last weigh in I am going to really begin eating healthy. I too want to begin making the changes and habits that will be needed for success. Best of luck to you. One great thing that happened at the surgeons office was I met a wonderful couple that was banded a year ago. Each one of them lost over 100 lbs. After talking to them I really know this is the right decision and I am even more motivated. I don't even know them and I am soooo proud of them!

Bad news..I have recently developed acid reflux. Good news...is this a comorbidity? I made an appt tomorrow with a gastroenterologist. My BMI is 38-39 with co-morbidities. If this counts as one I will use it to my advantage.

I had my consult with the surgeons office on Friday. I was told not to lose more than 5 lbs. on the 6 month weigh in. My BMI is currently 39 with several co-morbidities. Maybe it depends on your ins. I have BCBS NJ, they said I could be denied if I am too successful.

So you did not get an actual date months in advance. I thought I might get a date at my consult with the surgeon's office. I know I will not have everything completed until May but once I am approved I want the surgery to happen right away. If I hand everything in to the office and they schedule me for three weeks after that would be great. Good luck.

Here is my concern. On May 1st I will have completed everything the insurance company requires. I actually have my last appt for the 6 month weight loss visits on that day. I plan to drive over to the surgeons office with everything. If it is submitted and approved within 2 weeks I wonder if I will have a long wait to get the surgery done. I really want to get it done the end of May. Some people on here seem to already have tentative surgery dates. Has anyone received approval from insurance and then the surgery was scheduled within two weeks. I know this sounds petty but I don't want to get an approval and then find out you have to wait to get an appt for surgery another month.

I really hope you get your approval. I understand the anxiety. I too have a BMI of 38-39. I have type II diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension. Everything is controlled by meds. I am jumping through the hoops. I have 4 more supervised weight loss doctor visits. I am hoping to receive approval in May. It feels like I am waiting an eternity. Let us know how it all goes for you.

I had my appt with the surgeon's office for lap band consult. Prior to this appt I went to the informational seminar, had the psych and nutrition eval done and sent to their office. Next week I have my second appt with the primary for supervised diet. Anyway I have several co-morbidities, the office seemed certain that we would be doing the surgery at the end of May. They gave me a checklist of a few things to get to their office: most recent bloodwork, the letter and notes from supervised diet and pre-op packet and physical filled out by primary and sent to them within 30 days of surgery. I told them my last 6 month appt was May 1. After leaving the surgeons office I became concerned that I don't have a surgery date for the end of May. I will be getting everything in on May 1, I think I am taking a chance that even if ins. approves it right away will the surgery will be able to be scheduled within 3-4 weeks. I know this seems silly, but I don't want everything done and approved and I need to wait another 2 months for a surgery date. Should I call the office. Some people have their dates way in advance.

I am trying to get everything ready to submit in May to the ins co. I am now hearing something about "exercise" or going to a trainer. What is all of this about. I do have records of a gym membership in the last 2 years but I have not gone to a trainer. Are people actually going to a trainer and having a report sent on their behalf?