HolliJ

Exactly. I don't think they'd deny you if you meet all the requirements and go through the three-month diet. You'll be ok

From what I've seen, it really depends on your insurance policy. Everyone has different requirements. The surgeon's office typically calls them and finds out what benefits you have. Some people have to do a 6-month physician-assisted diet. So that slows things down. Sometimes it depends on your surgeon, how long it takes to get the paperwork, etc... For me... I had my seminar on 5/28. My consult was on 6/15. All my other appointments fell between 6/22 and 6/30. They're supposed to be submitting my insurance paperwork like... today-ish. And I have my surgery scheduled (tentatively, until insurance is approved) for July 28. So if everything goes as planned, my time from seminar to surgery will be exactly 2 months.

I haven't had my surgery yet, but it's on the 28th. I'm requesting off (using vacation) on the 28th, 29th, and 30th. Since I have that Friday off, I don't have to use 4 days. And I'm expecting to go back on Monday.

I had my consult on June 15th and my pre-op appointment is tomorrow. I got the last of my needed paperwork on the 2nd (Thursday), so I haven't been able to submit it to the insurance company. When I go in tomorrow, I'll give everything to them. But I stopped eating junk food and stuff about a week ago. I'm eating chicken, fruits, veggies, etc... I don't even think I've had bread. Just oatmeal and bran Cereal. No soda, no sweets. I wasn't told to do it, I'm just sick of all the junk I'm eating and all the money I spend on it. And I want to get a head start before I have my surgery. Anyone else do this or did you wait until the last minute before you stopped eating all the "bad" foods?

Hahaha, Protein Shakes (the ones I've tried in the past) were pretty gag-worthy. I need to research and buy some healthy, good tasting ones that aren't too expensive.

Doesn't look like it hindered you too much! You look great! What an amazing loss!

And really, the last 10 years has been my "last meal". I've eaten more in that time than I ever need to again.

Once I get an actual surgery date, I'll practice the new things like chewing slowly, eating small bites, finding Protein Shakes I like, etc... I should probably be doing it now, lmao, but it feels like I'm wasting time when I chew slowly when I don't have to. I know, I know...

Exactly what I've been saying! Once I really decided on the band and it got real, everything feels so much different. I've also been reading books on emotional eating and on the lap band, so maybe that's helping, as well. I'm not craving foods right now like I used to. Maybe certain things about why I eat came into awareness. I guess I always KNEW, but really seeing it in words... it changed me. So that, "OMG I NEED _____ RIGHT NOW, GO GET IT, NOW" devil in my head is MIA. Don't come back, please. I'm not completely ok, though. Two times I was headed to the 7-11 to get a Mocha Iced coffee (which is LOADED with sugar) and both times I turned around midway.

Oh, forgot to mention I've lost about 8 lbs.

The first surgeon I looked into had a $3,700 program fee. I said, "Forget it". The surgeon I'm using now has NO program fees, NO consultation fees, and NO administrative fees. He's awesome.

I'm thrilled that I don't have to do the whole 6-month physician supervised diet nonsense.

I'm dealing with United Healthcare right now. I know what you mean, lol. We're going to be submitting the paperwork next week. Hopefully I have everything they need/want. I was told to provide: -- Weight history for 5 years -- Diet history -- Note from PCP (I don't have a PCP right mine because mine opened her own practice and I haven't gotten another one because I never need to go to one! So I'm using my endocrinologist, who I've been seeing for 5 years. He wrote a note for me) -- And then meet the BMI requirements, see a nutritionist, and get a psych eval

Also, $500 for fills? Are you serious? That's disgustingly greedy. I probably would even smile and say "Hi" to a surgeon that wants to charge that. That just pisses me off.

That's what I was thinking. I know my surgeon will do fills for other surgeons (even Mexico), so maybe there is someone close that will do the same?

I would drive for less money and a better surgeon, for sure.

What kind of note is required from your doctor in regards to agreeing to the lapband? I don't have a PCP, but since I've been seeing my endocrinologist for over 5 years, the chick at the surgeon's office said that was ok. I called them up and said I needed my weight history and a letter saying blah blah blah. He said he wanted to see me first and the earliest appointment was a month later (which was just on the 30th). All month I was worried he wouldn't agree to it and would try to get me to do something else. First words out of his mouth about it was, "I think it's a great idea." I was stunned! So he told me he would type up a note and sign it by the next day because he was going on vacation for a month later that day. So I request the copy of my records and then pick them up the next day. Well, I was expecting some kind of separate letter, but all he did was put a note on the bottom of the appointment transcript saying: "I agree with Lap banding. I think this will be a terrific option for this patient. I will be more than happy to support her decision with documentation as needed." Do you think this is ok/enough? If it's not, I won't be able to get anything more from him until the end of July! And that's when my surgeon would like to do the surgery (if I'm approved by then). My pre-op appointment is on Monday and I'm going to give them all the paperwork I gathered at that point.

Man, reading through my records... it sounds like I've never attempted a diet at all! I mean, I went quite a while between appointments. But they're like, "Not watching what she's eating and not exercising". Yeah, cuz like, I didn't go to the doctor while I was dieting! I didn't need to! It was when I gained weight back (and more) that I went for help. They also screwed up my weight on one document. The first one said 226lbs and another one, a month later, said 245lbs. Yeah, so it sounds like I gained 20lbs in a month! WTH? lol! I don't know if that would help me or hurt me (or have no effect at all).

I had a glucose tolerance test a couple years ago and scored one point (lol, like a sports game) above the borderline diabetic line. 120-something. I don't remember. When I had my appointment the other day and just had a finger prick in the office (not fasting, but hadn't eaten in about 4 hours), it was like 82.

BAM! And that's how it's done. :thumbup:

Hope everything works out for you! It would drive me INSANE to hear a doctor say that to me. It's like, "Hello!? I'm pretty sure I've TRIED BEFORE." Idiot. I'm a letter person. The way I can fully express myself is through writing letters. That way I can get everything down. Were it me, I'd write a letter explaining why I think I need the lap band. I'm not suggesting that - I'm just saying it's something I'd probably do. I can be pretty damn convincing. I saw my endocrinologist today because I don't have a PCP right now. I've been seeing him for 5 years and wanted to get a note from him. I've been waiting for the appointment for a MONTH now and I've been so worried that he wouldn't agree to it and would want me to try this-and-that instead. So I go in today and he's like, "I think it's a great idea." Wow.

Exactly what I was going to say! You said it all! :thumbup:

I think it depends on the surgeon and/or insurance company. Neither of mine requires any classes.

But as for what was discussed... Just weight history, diet attempts, why I started gaining weight, what I know about the surgery, the lifestyle change that takes place, what obstacles may stand in my way, etc... It was a piece of cake. I know it's worrisome, but as long as you're doing this for the right reasons and know what you're getting into, you'll be just fine.

I just had my final appointment with the psychologist yesterday. The whole process for me was a pain in the ass. Not because of the session itself, but these people trying to rip me off. I saw one guy last Monday, who wanted $300 for a test (not covered by insurance). Then I called someone after that and they wanted $160 cash for their psych eval. My mom finally stepped in and called her old psychologist, who agreed to see me the next day. Then I took the PAI (Personality Assessment Inventory) the following day (charged as a session). Then yesterday I had my follow-up appointment. I wish I could have found someone who would have just seen me ONE TIME and signed off. I ended up paying $120 (from all the co-pays) for one stupid little letter. $30 co-pay is ridiculous.