SUCCESSFUL4LIFE

Yes... I am soooo thankful that I have Oxford as well & that they do not require any pre-op diet. I know that Aetna requires a 3 month pre-op diet... Aren't you glad you have Oxford???? I am.

Congrats! on your decision. I am also a "Pre-Baner" My surgery is in Late November 2010 or sometimes in December 2010. Good luck

I posted a list at the bottom of the messages. I hope this will help you. You can also go to www.tristatebariatrics.org for a list of support groups in Dutchess & Orange Counties....

Fishkill New York in the Westage Building (Tri-State Bariatrics) Dr. Peter Kwon & Dr. Wayne Weiss www.tristatebariatrics.org. Fishkill=Thursday's 1pm-2pm - General Support Group: 200 Westage Drive Business Center Suite 119 - Fishkill, NY ------------------------------ Hotel Sierra - 100 Westage Drive Business Center - Fishkill NY November 4th @ 6pm-7pm December 2nd @ 6pm-7pm ------------------------------ Middletown Office: Mon, Tues, & Thurs=General Support Group 6pm-7pm (TUES 6pm-7pm-Bypass Support) (TUES 10:30am-11:30am) General Support Group Wednesday's - Excerise Support Group 6pm-7pm ALSO EVERY 2ND THURS OF THE MONTH FROM 7:15PM-8:15PM MAINTENANCE SUPPORT GROUP... :thumbup:I HOPE THIS HELPS...

Which surgeon is doing your surgery? I'm having mind done by Dr. Wayne Weiss who is partners with Dr. Kwon. They have an office in Middletown, NY & also an office in Fishkill, NY. They have a Physiciatrist that is credentialed with most major insurance companies so that all you'd pay is a co-pay. They also offer support groups in Middletown 3times per week & once a week in Fishkill. In their Middletown office they also have an exercise group that meets once a week. The support groups are free. Give them a call - Tri-State Bariatrics

Also be very careful by just choosing any Protein Shake, because some are loaded with extra sugar & carbs. Your surgeon's office should have a list for you. Here is a list of what my surgeon's office & nutritionist recommended...EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control/Designer Whey/Carb Minders/Body Fortress/Isopure-Zero Carbs/Pure Protein shake (21 grams)/Unjury/Nectar/Nitro-Tech/NVE Stacker 2-Protein water/MyoPro whey by EAS/Precision Engineered Whey/Muscle Milk LIGHT (15grams)/Cytomax Protein (1/2 bottle is one serving)........... SLIM FAST OR ATKINS shakes ARE NOT AN OPTION!!!! - Badnews per my Doctor. I hope this list helps. Have a great night all of you Lap-Band Buddies

Becareful when & if you buy the muscle milk, because there are two kinds. Get the Lowfat-Lite/Low Carb one. I've tried the Unjury, Muscle Milk Low Fat, Designers Whey, & EAS-Low Carb. The one that I like is the EAS. They sell it in bulk @ Sam's Club. All of the above are on my list from the Bariatric's Surgeon's office...

A program fee? I'm in New York & never heard such a thing. Well I guess every Doctor/location is different. Good luck to: Pre-Banders, Post-op Banders, & Almost Banders....

Most of the Surgeons in the New York area make the support groups (2) as a pre-op necessity before they even see you for your first consultation. I am pre-op & I had to go to an all day seminar, watch the video explaining the lap-band procedure (pros & cons),get labs, ekg, egd, attend two support group sessions, see the psychiatrist & nutritionist, chest x-rays, done & complete before meeting the surgeon. I am glad that the strick rules applied, because this is to make sure the patients mind is made up & the education is what's important. Like yourself I enjoyed the support group meetings as well. They also offer an excerise support group that meets once per week. I haven't gone to that yet but plan on it..... Much success with your weight loss journey.

I think that Oxford Healthplans is the only ins that does not require a pre-op diet. The only thing is, is that my surgeon requires a 5% weighloss to help shrink the liver prior to surgery. I have 12 pounds to lose then I hope to be banded in December 2010. All of my labs, EKG & the all day seminar are done. My Psyc. eval, chest x-ray & EGD are being done in 3 weeks. I've been working really hard on my diet to get rid of the twelve pounds by November.... Good luck to all of you!!

Congrats!!!!!!!

A m e n !!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the knowledge Yvette & best of luck to you.:thumbup:

I called my Ins (Oxford Health-Plans) & they told me that they did not have any requirements for pre-op weight lost. Also one of my co-workers was banded last year & said that it was not required at that time either... So I guess the 5% pre-op weight-lost for me is Dr. Kwon's orders... Thanks for your input & the best of luck to you on your weight-lost journey:thumbup:

Thank you so much for your response & best of luck to you on your weight-loss journey:thumbup:

Has anyone been banded by Dr. Peter H. Kwon??? If so does he require you to lose 5% or 15% of your pre-op weight before Lap-Band Surgery? My Insurance does not require the 3-6mos pre-op diet (thank god).. Also suppose if I lose so much weight during my pre-op, that my BMI goes so far down that it's under the required by my insurance do you think they will still pay?? So far I do meet the required standards for my insurance to pay.....:cursing:

OMG!! I have not heard anything stories such as this one pertaining to the "Lap-Band". I do know about true "Gastric Bypass" stories where patient's have died from complications.... I've been working for Gastroenteroligist for almost 20yrs & with any surgery there are risk. Even with Bunion surgery there is a risk. It's sad to say, but hear-say is like a broke down chain letter. By the time the story hits your ears it's worsened a million times over. The Lap-Band is considered to be one of the safest weight reduction surgeries out there..... Now you listen here my New Lap-Band Buddy; you will do just fine with your surgery. Think positive, listen to your Doctors, & most of all listen to your body & pay attention to "Y O U!!!" The only horror stories out there are the "Negative People" who are not educated about the Lap-Band..... Good Luck/God Bless You, & Much Success on Your Journey to a healthier you..

THE BEST OF LUCK TO YOU ON YOUR NEW JOURNEY. I HOPE TO BE BANDED BY DEC. NO LATER THAN JAN 2011 AND COUNTING THE DAYS TO BECOMING A BETTER ME. I TOO AM A POSITIVE PERSON & NEGATIVE PEOPLE JUST DON'T TAKE THE TIME TO WEIGH BOTH SIDES OF A SITUATION. I OVER-POWER THE NEGATIVITY WITH POSITIVE ENERGY. *****MUCH SUCCESS TO YOU & ALL OF MY NEW LAB-BAND BUDDIES. I'M NOT BANDED YET BUT CONVERSATION, & LISTENING IS ALWAYS THE BEST WAY TO START******:thumbup:

:thumbdown: Some people say it out of jealously, especially other females. As long as you are healthy, doing what your Doctor is telling you to do & you are "HAPPY" that's all that really matters. Just do you because people will "ALWAYS" have something to say.......

You are not alone. I have decided to go forward with Lap-Band surgery as well. I don't have a surgery date yet, but it's in the works. Good Luck on your Weightloss Journey...