HappyMe2009

Welcome! I am December 7th too! Went for final pre-op yesterday. Funny you should mention Protein drinks... I am trying to get this Muscle Milk down as I type. It's not bad while I'm drinking it and holding my breath (:confused:). The after taste is what's got me (:ohmy:). Anybody have something that they've tried and like better than Muscle Milk?

I have no clue about the gum b/c I am not banded yet, BUT this was hilarious to me! Sorry for laughing... :ohmy:

I think they're more concened with you treating your anxiety and depression, moreso than you "having" it. They talk to plenty of people with anxiety and or depression, you won't be the first or the last. Just be honest with your answers and it will be over before you know it... no big deal, you'll be fine!:confused:

From the list, (thanks KarynA) you and I have surgery on the same date, December 7th! Do you have to start a liquid diet? If so for how long? I think I will take that whole week off and should be ready to return to work on the 14th. What about you? I have a desk job, so hopefully I will feel like sitting for hours by then.

This is the exact test I had done. Tube thru my nose, swallow water with a straw while the tech puts the tube down my throat, continue to drink water and swallow at intervals while she monitors for 30 minutes. Totally awake the whole time... and as soon as I walked out I cried like a baby... .. it wasn't painful, just extremely uncomfortable.

Thanks for the responses! I have been known to "over analyze" things, so I figured my Lap-Band journey would be no different. :biggrin: I will take everyone's advice and pray that I don't ever know what sjm described as a bad blockage... that's my worst fear! My doctor's office suggested I buy a baby feeding set (plate, spoon and fork) to get used to portion size and the amount I should be able to chew and swallow comfortably, so I will try that as well.

Thanks for the welcome Karyn! TRUST me I understand about not feeling the love for Aetna...I was so down in the dumps when my surgery was denied, especially since everything else (pre-op tests and evaluations) had already been done! First, I would disagree that it is pointless to appeal based on your BMI b/c my BMI has never been 40 or over. My surgeon's office submitted my appeal, but I went to each of my doctor's and got letters of recommendation for surgery from them and how the LapBand would improve the conditions they were treating me for (THANKS SUZANNE) and I wrote 2 letters (one personal, one statistical..THANKS SUZANNE AGAIN) and took all of those letters to my surgeon's office and they submitted them to Aetna along with a letter from my surgeon recommending surgery and it's health benefits to me. I didn't send any photos. Another member here (if you haven't guessed, her name is SUZANNE, lol) shared her letters with me and I will be happy to share mine with you if you decide to move forward with your appeal. Just like you said, the worst they can say is "no" and they've said that already, so you don't have anything to lose! I say GO FOR IT! Let me know if you have any more questions or if I can help.

The two questions aren't related, but instead of making 2 threads.... 1 - I've noticed a few posters mention that they take papaya enzymes after surgery. Is that the case for most bandsters? If so, why and where do I buy them? 2 - My cousin had Lap-Band surgery 2 years ago, and develooped gallstones and had to have her gallbladder removed yesterday. I have seen a few posts mention gallbladder "issues", is this a common side effect from being banded? Of course I will check with my doctor on these questions as well, just wondering about personal experiences .....

THANK YOU so much for that bright light :tongue_smilie:.... As my date draws near, questions just pop up constantly, so I am glad to have a place where I can get answers based on experiences. I LOVE seafood... so the thought of not being able to eat it again was a bit disheartening, but not enough that I would forego getting my life back... :smile:

THANK YOU KIZ! I will make sure to KEEP papaya enzymes on hand. There is nothing that I hate worse than vomitting and all of the stories of PB'ing and sliming scare me more than the surgery itself :tongue_smilie:.... if there is ANYTHING I can do to prevent those episodes, I will do it and if you have ANY other suggestions to ward off PB and sliming demons, please share them!

Hi everyone! I am delighted to say that my denial was reversed and Aetna (HMO) approved my surgery yesterday!!:tongue2: I have a tentative surgery date of December 7th. It's been a "process" and very frustrating at times, but when I read that letter yesterday, all my woes have been worth it! Congrats to everyone who has been approved and to those that are in the appeal or denial process, KEEP PUSHING on... don't take their "NO" for an answer...

Hi everyone! I got my approval letter yesterday, and after being initally denied by Aetna, saying I am overjoyed is an understatement! :tongue2: My surgery is scheduled for December 7th in WDC with Dr. Brian Long. I have a one week liquid diet and that's it, all of my tests have been completed. I am a bit nervous but THANKFUL that I have found this site and made contact with such nice people willing to share their stories and give advice. BEST OF LUCH TO ALL OF US "DECEMBER DELIGHTS":thumbup:

I am sorry to hear your appeal was denied. I only pray that my appeal will be approved with Aetna, but with my BMI not being over 40, I am doubtful. My surgeon's office suggested switching insurance during open season and they recommend BCBS because they are more lenient. If I am denied on my appeal, I will look in to that and then self pay will be my route. Good luck on getting a loan. Have you tried carecredit.com?

Hi Ladies and thank you for your responses! DoingItIn09, congrats on your successful surgery! I am very pleased with Dr. Long's staff as well, it's Aetna and it's denial of my surgery that has me up in arms! Hopefully my appeal will be approved and I would love to be in contact with you to hear the "what's and how's" of your before and after. nc_liz I hope all goes well with you too! I love Sibley and the staff in Dr. Long's office. I was there yesterday matter of fact. My appeal will be submitted tomorrow. Pray for me.... Keep in touch ladies!

I have Aetna HMO and was DENIED today! I did all the pre-op testing, sleep study, etc., and I was denied because my BMI is 37. I am so frustrated right now. My surgeon's office is going to help with filing an appeal, but my high floating balloon has had a whole pricked in it... :frown:

Well, I will answer my own post, just in case anyone is interested.. LoL. I went to the seminar and was very pleased with Dr. Long, his knowledge and experience in bariatric surgery, and his staff was so pleasing and accommodating!! I am pleased thus far, and I go for my 4 or 5 hour appointment on June 5th. If anyone is looking for a Dr. in Washington, DC, I would recommend Dr. Brian Long, based on the experiences I have had with him up to this point. Good Luck to US!!

Welcome, Congratulations! :wink2: I go for my 4 hour appointment on June 5th and am told to have surgery dates in mind when I come! I'm nervous but so very excited to feel like I am in control this time and I will do it.... Good Luck to you!

OK, it's been a minute since I updated on my progress/process. Not sure where I left off but I did get authorization from Aetna to see Dr. Pinnar for 1 visit. I felt like a mission was accomplished, so I decided to take on another mission. I went back online to see if I could find a Dr. closer to me and low and behold I did! Dr. Brian Long! And he was hosting a seminar that coming (last) Saturday! I went online and registered and I went to the seminar last Saturday! :cool2:! I was really comfortable with his team and his expertise, so I decided to move forward with my free consultation. I took the first available appointment, which was this past Thursday! I completed all my history online and when I arrived they were prepared and ready to see me. Well imagine my SURPRISE to find out that they had contacted my insurance prior to my arrival and had all documentation filled out and DR. LONG IS A PARTICIPATING SURGEON WITH AETNA!! Now, I am thoroughly surprised because Aetna told me there wasn't a bariatric surgeon in network which meant a higher payment for me and a BUNCH of headache in getting approved. Not taking my surprise for granted, I decided to surprise them and I had 3 years of documented, supervised, medical weight management records! (:waytogo:) amd they were soooooooooooooooooo happy that the "hard part" was done. Next they scheduled me for all of my pre-op testing (upper G.I., nutritionist, sleep study, psychologist, personal trainer, and lab work) all for the same day (June 5th) and she told me to have some dates in mind when I want to go to surgery when I come in on the fifth (:cursing:)!! I can't believe I went for a boulder blocking me to a sled taking me down the hill! GOD IS GOOD! I am nervous, but I am so excited to be taking control of my life and my destiny!!!! I will keep you all posted!

OK, it's been a minute since I updated on my progress/process. Not sure where I left off but I did get authorization from Aetna to see Dr. Pinnar for 1 visit. I felt like a mission was accomplished, so I decided to take on another mission. I went back online to see if I could find a Dr. closer to me and low and behold I did! Dr. Brian Long! And he was hosting a seminar that coming (last) Saturday! I went online and registered and I went to the seminar last Saturday! ! I was really comfortable with his team and his expertise, so I decided to move forward with my free consultation. I took the first available appointment, which was this past Thursday! I completed all my history online and when I arrived they were prepared and ready to see me. Well imagine my SURPRISE to find out that they had contacted my insurance prior to my arrival and had all documentation filled out and DR. LONG IS A PARTICIPATING SURGEON WITH AETNA!! Now, I am thoroughly surprised because Aetna told me there wasn't a bariatric surgeon in network which meant a higher payment for me and a BUNCH of headache in getting approved. Not taking my surprise for granted, I decided to surprise them and I had 3 years of documented, supervised, medical weight management records! (:tt2:) amd they were soooooooooooooooooo happy that the "hard part" was done. Next they scheduled me for all of my pre-op testing (upper G.I., nutritionist, sleep study, psychologist, personal trainer, and lab work) all for the same day (June 5th) and she told me to have some dates in mind when I want to go to surgery when I come in on the fifth ()!! I can't believe I went for a boulder blocking me to a sled taking me down the hill! GOD IS GOOD! I am nervous, but I am so excited to be taking control of my life and my destiny!!!! I will keep you all posted!

Hi Everyone! I live in Charles County and work in WDC. I am not yet banded, but I am seeing Dr. Brian Long at Sibley Hospital in N.W. I figure I can go for fills and appointment during work hours and cut down on my drive from Waldorf! :cursing:

WOW! GREAT information. Thanks ladies! I love this site, there is so much to learn and so many people willing to share!

I have seen this term used several times in different threads, but what does it mean??? There is probaby a million threads answering this question but I don't feel like searching...