pumpkin5

I'm not banded yet. I have many banded friends and associates. One bandster is on many conference calls with me at the office - everyone knows she's on the line because we can hear her throat girgling. I always have to remind her to mute her line. Do other bandsters have this problem? What causes it? This lady is obviously not disturbed by the fact that she girgles, but if I have that problem post banding I would not like it. Is this condition preventable?

Hi Lin - CONGRATULATIONS!!! I can only imagine how excited you must be to start your journey to health. How are you feeling? Do you think you'll be able to go back to work 5 days post op? How are you resting at night? Are you taking walks? How much did you weigh when you began if you dont' mind me asking. Did you have trouble with trapped gas in your chest and shoulders? Sorry for all of the questions. Oh, and are you taking a protein supplement? I read that is crucial to prevent hair loss as well as muscle loss. Ok, I'll stop now. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I can't wait. I'm not scheduled yet, just had the medical director review my file and then it will be submitted to insurance for approval. . .we'll see.

La Chula - are you on the October Bandster list?

Thank you. I'm not banded yet, so I'm just absorbing all the information I can find. How are you feeling? What other supplements do you take?

Why is it "now" required post band?

dezadoo It's encouraging to read all of the posts of bandster role models. I'm not banded yet, but I want to be a good bandster that reaches the regular diet of high Protein, low fat, vegies and fruits - AND incorporate physical activity into my life forever. I know I will struggle with this. I've lost a little over a 1000 lbs in my lifetime - I'm very good at losing, not so good at keeping it off. I'm very nervous about being a failure again with the band. How do long term bandsters get past that? Will I always be afraid that I'm going to gain it back? Is that just the way it is after people reach their goal? Thanks everyone for posting here. Exercise is such a big piece of weight loss, but doesn't seem to get as many hits as other subjects. I'm going to try and do better. I think I'm just lazy! I like to sit on the couch and watch TV.

Hello All! October will be an exciting month for so many. I hope to be an October bandster too. The last thing on my long laundry list of required items by the surgeon and the insurance company (CIGNA HMO, TX) is a visit with a Dietician (MD). My appointment is scheduled for, Tuesday, 9/26 (took forever to get in). Is it strange that I haven't met with the surgeon yet? The only appointment I've had was something called medical certification at the place the surgery will be done (AIGB Hurst, TX). During this visit I met with a Physician Assistant, who determined the additional items I needed. All items on that list are complete (including results) except for the visit with the Nutritionist. I look forward to going along during this journey.

Still waiting - packet has not been submitted to CIGNA yet. Final items needed for the packet are coming up in the next 2 weeks. 8/9 PCP Begins Referral Process to Lap Band Surgeon 8/10 Sign PCP Medical Record Release 8/11 PCP advises referral to surgeon ready and provides me with the telephone number to call for appointment. 8/14 Darla takes intake form at Surgeon's office, someone else will call me back. 8/15 PCP Medical Records Released 9/1 Psych _Eval 9/5 Med History Review (find out I need a consultation with a nutritionist (MD) and need a stress test and heart sonogram, and blood work drawn and results). 9/5 Called to schedule the stress test and heart sonogram. Scheduled for 9/8. 9/5 Request for nutritionist referral from PCP (could take 1-5 days) 9/5 PCP calls with name of nutritionist. I call to make an appt, but can't until CIGNA approves, may take 5 days. 9/11 Nutritionist calls to advise that CIGNA approved the request. Can't be seen until 9/26. 9/5 PFT at PCP Office, and request for x-ray results 9/6 PFT Results and CXray results pick-up 9/8 Stress Test and Echo sonogram done at Cardiologist office. 9/11 Stress Test and Echo sonogram results rec'd by Surgeon. 9/113 & 9/14 check with Nutritionist for cancellations in order to get seen sooner than 9/26. No openings. 9/24 Get blood work drawn at PCP office. 9/26 Nutritional Consultation appointment scheduled. ??/?? Nutritionist consultation report? ??/?? Bloodwork results??

I can so relate to your problem. My eating has been out of control! I wonder what I'm going to do if/when I can't self medicate with food? Waiting and the uncertainty is overwhelming at times.

I forgot to tell you I'm in Keller!

Hello and congratulations! Dr. Carter will be my surgeon as well. I'm having the procedure done at AIGB in Hurst. I'm not approved yet, still gathering all of the stuff required by CIGNA HMO of Texas. Which insurance carrier do you have?

gonnabethin thanks! - which health insurance carrier did/do you have? How many months/years was your journey from the time you decided until you got the approval?

I've decided that I need lapband surgery. Interestingly enough it seems that you must first decide that you want it before you know if it will be approved. Since 8/11: PCP Referred to a lapband surgeon. Not seen yet, because I needed my medical records released to the surgeon's office/facility where the lapband procedure will be performed. All medical records were forwarded to surgeon/medical facility on 8/16. I searched for and found a CIGNA PhD/Psychiatrist provider. Saw her on 9/1, and passed the evaluation. The report will be forwarded to my surgeon within the next 5 days if not sooner. Allowed to schedule an appointment with the surgeon/medical facility for Tuesday, 9/5. Not sure what to expect during this appointment - didn't ask because I was so excited that I was allowed to schedule one! Don't have any idea if I meet ALL of the criteria listed below. I ws told that each insurance company adheres to their own time schedule for approvals. Could be up to 4 weeks after everything has been submitted before I will know. I'm encouraged though that at least I know for a fact that my specific plan does cover the procedure. The plan I belong to covers weight loss surgery to include lapband. CIGNA requires the following information in order to make a determination: Complete history & physical by the primary care physician. Psych Evaluation (PhD or Psychiatrist) Nutrition Consultation Detailed weight loss history to include documentation compliance with 1 physician directed weight loss program lasting at least 6 months and being completed within the last 6 months to include:Diet therary (low calorie diet, Atkins, south Beach monitoerd by a physician) Increased physical activity (exercise program done on a daily basis; suggested writing on a monthly calendar and giving that to your PCP to sign as reviewed and make it part of your medical record) Behavioral therapy to reinforce dietary therapy and increased physical activity. Consideration of pharamcotherapy with FDA-approved weight-loss drugs. [*]BMI >40 (without additional co-morbidities) or BMI >35 (with additional co-morbidities) such as: Life threatening cardiopulmonary problems (severe obstructive sleep apnea; pickwickian syndrome; obesity related cardiomyopathy) Type II Diabetes Clinically unmanageable hypertension Coronary artery disease Obesity related pulmonary hypertension [*]Documented 5 year history of morbid obesity. (one chart note for each year documenting your weight is all that is required). [*]Must be 18 years old and/or has reached full expected skeletal growth. Unfortunately, I think I've been eating non-stop. My current BMI is 43. Wish me luck during my appointment on Tuesday, 9/5. I think they referred to it as the medical release appointment! Anyone else with CIGNA HMO in Tarrant County, Texas, please share!

The protein shake is called www.myocel.com and he offers it for sale in his office. Knowing that you all can do the liquid/shake diet for two weeks, really helps me deal with my fears. I have a great fear of being hungry! Reminds me of my childhood - big family and I'm the youngest! I'm glad you're all here with me. Hang in there everyone!

I'm wondering if it is typical for most doctor's to place a patient on a protein drink for 2 weeks prior to surgery? I'm nervous about going 2 whole weeks with no solids.

Thank you Allie. How do you feel?

Hello everyone - The items needed by my insurance company have been gathered by the surgeon's office. I'm waiting for an appointment for a psych visit. I'm anxious to find out if I'll be approved so I can get scheduled for the procedure.