Jodi73

IMHO The band is a tool, nothing more. I too have dieted down 50-75 lbs many times. I now need to loose much more than that. Thats what dieting got me. I have around three months to go an my supervised diet, and frankly, I am not sure I will go thru with surgery either. Not out of fear of the surgery, but because I am not sure I am ready. I know I have to make some BIG changes in how I think, and what I do on a daily basis. I am hoping this "supervised" diet will help with this. It is my first time dieting with accountability to someone other than myself. We will see....I really understand your questioning, and have debated with several people these same things. I am still on the fence...reading this board helps, talking to people who really know me helps too. Good luck to you! Jodi

HI, I am also in the first month of the "3 month" option for Aetna. My doc told me just to have my PCP document what I was doing for exercise, how I was doing on my diet, my weight at each visit, etc... He said that would be enough to show behavior modification. We will see I suppose, they seem to know what they are talking about, and have saw lots of Aetna patients, so I tend to believe them. Let me know if you hear differently! As for the exercise do you take it to mean we have to go to a trainer? I know the nutritionist is necessary, but I wsan't clear on the exercise ... Good luck! MAybe we will be scheduled for about the same time! Jodi

OK, Tell me about this "generation 2" I am scheduled for July, and I would like to know as much about the different types of bands as possible! Thanks! Jodi Super job by the way!!!!:crying:

OK, my dream shopping trip....hmmm. I would love to go into Ann Talor and find that perfect little black dress. The one you can dress up for date nights, or dress down for days. Also, I can't wait to find a great holiday outfit for the next employee Christmas party. I didn't even go to my hubby's last year, I couldn't stand the thought of all those people looking at me, wondering why he would even be with me...ughhh, the negative self perception is bad! I did go to my employee party, then stressed the whole evening about having to walk up front, in front of everyone, to get my annual bonus . Imagine dreading getting your bonus, thats about ridiculous. I CAN'T WAIT TO GET THIS WEIGHT OFF!!!!:crying:

My bmi dropped down around 4 years ago, but was 40+ the last two yrs. That is making me nervous too! It makes me feel better knowing you were approved quickly! Mine will not be submitted for three months, so.... By the way, did you have to do the three month or six month diet, and what are the factors there? Jodi:rolleyes2:

Dawn, I am in TN....Knoxville specificaly. Keep in touch, and let us know your progress! Jodi

I have Aetna POS as well.....They have a very detailed CPB on their website. Just do a search for CPB on the home page, then obesity on the next (CPB) page. It details exactly what you need to do. You mentioned having done the 3 month diet. Just be sure your doc noted your weight, and what you talked about at your monthly visits. That seems to be a common hang-up with approval. The lap band doc and staff will also help you a bunch with the details, remember they do this everyday, and have most likely dealt with Aetna before. They seem to be one of the better ins. companies about approving from what I have read here. I am in my beginning stages as well, starting the pre-op officially on 4/7, really starting now :tt2:. Hope this helps! Jodi

Brian, HI! It's so good to hear from people close by! I am in the beginning stages, just went for initial consult on 3/11. I feel very fortunate that we have good insurance and a great set of people working with me at the docs office. I will start my required 3 month post opt diet officially on 4/7 with my PCP, but I am making small changes right now. Trying to prepare myself! I believe I am down about 5 lbs. You look great! Have any good advice? I will keep in touch! Jodi

Hey , just touching base to see how you are doing! I had my first visit with Dr. Ray. You're right, very religous, he talked more about that then the surgery. I am a religous person, but well, geeze.... Anyway, things look good, looks like I can do the 3 month Pre-op diet, then they will send in my paperwork . I am keeping my fingers crossed... I have to lose around 15-20lbs. by my surgery, so I am working on that, plus I have psyh and upper GI appointments scheduled. His staff is extremely nice by the way, loved the insurance lady, and my nurse. They all seem very well tuned to what has to happen to progress you thru all the red tape. Hope to hear good things from you.

Thank you! Down 2 pounds on pre-op diet! Yah!!

Hey, I would suggest a book my doc hands out when you start this process. Its called "The Real Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery" I have only read about half, but so far it has been very informative, somewhat funny, and inspirational. the authors had RNY by the way, but there is alot of info on LB in there too! Good luck to you! Jodi

:w00t: Looks like its a green light for me, for now! The nurse said I could do the 3 month post-operative diet( we have Aetna) instead of six, they have a psychologist on staff, so those appointments are scheduled for a couple of weeks from now, and everything will be submitted at the end of the three month diet. The insurance chick at the office seemed to think Aetna would approve rather easily, I hope shes right! I cant wait to get started! One more hurdle jumped!

More detail, we do not pay co-pays at office visits, just 20% after the fact (in network)

Thank you so much!! We have specifically Aetna POS II.

Ya know, that would be great, I am stuck at work until 6:00 where I cant make long distance calls. I am assuming they close at around 5:00, then its the weekend. Do they have weekend hours in the ofice by chance, if so I could call tomorrow, if not I would really appreciate you doing that, thanks again! Jodi

I was a little confused, your work policy requires 12 what in two years? Doc visits or weight checks or something? Yep, need all the good vibes I can on Wed. I gues I am more nervous about the money than anything, I wish I knew ins would approve me, before I forked out the $$ upfront. It is very tight financialy for us right now, and if I waste $750 for nothing, well...you can imagine. There is just no way I could do this out of pocket. Where was your support group meeting? I'd like to come to one soon...talk soon! Jodi

Dumb question.....that is Baptist in Knoxville? I called the number and it said I needed an area code.

Thanks for the info, I really did not get weighed period in 2008, guess its a by product of my embarrassment over letting myself get to this point! I will try and figure something out between now and then I guess. About the program fees, they are for pre-op appointments, nutrition counciling, maybe some Vitamins, basically a money maker for them I think. I checked with Parkwest, they said their fees are around $3000, so I figured I was getting off way easy at $750. Do you have any of these fees? Maybe I should check with your doc. Both Foothills and Parkwest said that all of those "fees" were not covered by insurance, ...ever. Hmmm, maybe I should check on that. We are not required by our insurance to pick a PCP or have a letter of recommendation or or referral from one, so I just never have gone to any one doc for a long period. Thanks for all your help, in retrospect, I guess I should have! Talk soon, Jodi

What did you think of Dr. Ray? Just curious, I haven't been to my intial consult yet, going on 3/11. I am very anxious about the whole insurance thing. We have Aetna, I have read good and bad things on here about them, mostly good though, so I have a good feeling about getting approved. Also, what made you choose FWLC as opposed to Parkwest or Baptist? Yes, I am nosey I just want to get as much info as possible about all the options available! Have you attended any support groups yet? I am actually in Knoxville, so one near me would be good. Anyway....thanks for the reply, I would love to chat as we go thru this process! Good Luck! Jodi

:tt2:WOW, three kids, I have one girl, age 8, she is enough for us! Aetna's requirements are a BMI over 40, no co-morbitities, or 35+ with. I am unfortunately at around 44. So I just need a phych eval, supervised weight loss for 3 or 6 months, not sure what determines that, and a 2 year history of obesity. That is where I am struggling, as with a lot of overweight people, I rarely go to the doc., frankly, I am very healthy except the weight. I think I have 2007 covered, but not 08. Got any suggestions? Maybe I have 06 too. Looks like you can start spring off right with the surgery! Thats a lot of $$ out of pocket!! I am hoping for less than three. Maybe I am way off base! There is the 750.00 program fee, then our ins has a 2000 max out of pocket. Are there other costs I need to know about!? My hubby will croak! Jodi

Wow! You only have a month to wait!! I am not approved yet, still gathering records and stuff, we have Aetna. My first visit with the doc is 3/10. I am curious, how did you choose your doc? Mine was $$ pretty much. They seem to want the least upfront fees, times are tight around our house! 26 days and counting for you!! Jodi

Well I do not have any answers for you.....but congrats!!! I live in Knoxville as well, I am just starting this process with Foothills Weight Loss Clinic in Maryville. I really only knoew of two places that did it, there, and Parkwest. Who is Dr. Shaw? I would love to chat with you along the way! Good luck, post of your progress! Jodi

I recently attended a seminar given by Foothills Weight Loss Center and am gung-ho about the lap band surgery! I would love to chat with anyone near me! I have my initial consultation on 3/10 with Dr. Ray. Will post with updates! good luck to all! Jodi :wink:

I have Aetna as well, and am wondering the same thing!! I did see in another post, that it was the discretion of your doc...wonder if thats true? I sure would love only 3 months!