sophinator

Okay...was just thinking about that because I remember 10 years ago I had gallbladder surgery and it was like my stomach was bloated and the waistband hurt ...not the incisions but my insides...possibly from the gas?? Not sure.

Hi there, I have Anthem Blue Cross CA. I was wondering what 'steps' you have to take before your initial consult with the surgeon. I am attending the seminar Wednesday. Thanks for any help!

Thank you! Congratulations on your date :rolleyes2:

Do all insurances require medical records??

Congrats on making good choices and working through the reasons you ate to begin with. Many wishes for the safe return of your husband ...so he can see how even more gorgeous you are!

Okay so this is my blog right? So I can complain if I want to?? I am usually of the mindset that complaining gets you no where and what's the point anyway but I feel like having a small pity party. I will be done with all my pre consult appointments next Friday...I cannot even see the surgeon until Dec. 22nd...he requires a 2 week all protein shake diet prior to surgery and I have three weeks off at Christmas. I was REALLY hoping to have surgery during that time. My next time off is in April! It wouldn't be so bad but I am on the borderline with my bmi. I am at 40.7. I have borderline high bloodpressure but that would not count as a comorbidity. If I lose any weight it will ruin my chances of insurance paying for it. If my surgery can't be until April will I have to do the psych and nutrition consult again??? I'm frustrated because as soon as I went to the seminar I hit the ground running with all my appointments and now it is like I hurried up only to wait! Grrr... Okay no more complaining I know there are a lot of people on here who have worse things to worry about and it is not the end of the world...just wanted to vent!:cursing:

Thanks! I'm trying to stay positive...like so many people just ready to get the show on the road! You sure are a luckydog :cursing: Congrats on the great weightloss!

I haven't been banded yet but I've had 2 c sections. I recovered easily from those. I am wondering if Lap Band is similar to gall bladder removal?? I had mine removed laproscopically after my first c section and other than just moving slowly afterward the pain was mainly from the gas. This is what I hear a lot of people say about Lap Band so I figure it is probably pretty similar.

Well today I had my nutrition appointment. I only have to go to one of them and one psych eval. It was relatively painless aside from the weigh in which I guess I will have to get used to. On a down side I was really hoping to have my surgery done during my winter vacation (I'm a teacher) and the liason between patient and surgeon told me the surgeon's next open consultation date is December 22nd!! Therefore I will be lucky if I get this done before spring break:frown: Praying my appointments don't need to be redone by then!!! I guess what is meant to be will be...

I have my nutrition appointment next week and the psych evaluation the following week. I think I have read everything on here there is to read twice. When I read posts from the people who have lost like 30 pounds in 3 years I am soooo fearful that will be me. Over a year ago I went to a diet doctor who put me on phentramine. In the initial consultation he was talking to about 5 or 6 of us he said now there are some people this doesn't work for but it will work for the majority of people. I swear, right then, I knew I would be one of those people it didn't work for. I wanted it to, I followed the plan he told us to follow...but I never lost more than 30 pounds. Thus, when I see posts like that it really begins to freak me out. I wonder if I'm going to be one of those people who goes through a surgery and still doesn't lose weight....aaaaagh!

Thanks everyone for your support and inspiration! I know the doubt is normal. So many of us are here because we've tried everything and it hasn't worked...just a little scary to think you will go through all this and it won't work. I get a lot of inspiration from reading peoples stories and also from two friends I know who have had this surgery and done well. Best of luck to all of you on your journies!!

So how did it go??

I am going to my seminar Wednesday...I was just wondering what 'steps' are needed before you make an appointment with the surgeon for the first consult?? I have Anthem Blue Cross CA. Thanks!

I did call my insurance...and they don't require a referral..but my dr. does. That was pretty easy to get though so no problem. I have my nutrition consult on Nov. 2nd and psych on the 12th...then will get to see the surgeon. Woohoo

Well I think each surgeon has their own process...however ultimately they all want the same things :blushing: I have to have a referral from my pcp, a consult with a nutritionist and a consult with a psych. I had to call my insurance first to make sure they didn't require more meetings with the nutrit. and psych and they didn't. Once those are done I can meet with the surgeon.

I have thought of this. Leave it to moms to help make us worry :blushing: Gotta love em! Best wishes to you!

Thank you to both of you...Congratulations Bklynike on doing so well! I bet that was a really good feeling! I hope to join you in that soon Successful4life hoping to be banded in December or early Jan...best of luck to you both on your journey!

I have made the decision to have Lap Band surgery and have just begun the process of preliminary tests. I am going to meet with pcp next week and have a nutrition appt. the 2nd of Nov. and a psych appt. the 12th. I did not come to the decision to do this surgery quickly. My life has been filled with diets. I've tried everything from Weight Watchers (lifetime member since jr. high) to phentramine. I have a wonderfully supportive husband who loves me as I am. However, I don't love me as I am. I have no energy to play with my kids. I want to be able to cross my legs when I sit. I want to be around for awhile and have a good quality of life. I was filling out the paperwork for the surgeon and it asked the question how long have you been obese? It hit me then I have been categorically obese since I was 25 years old(I'm 41 now)...how did I get here? I am praying that all of this turns out as I wish it. That the tests go quickly and smoothly and that insurance does not become an issue. I want to begin anew. I am so looking forward to this next chapter of my life and can't wait to get started!!:smile2:

Thanks so much for your reply! I go tonight so I guess I will find out. Good luck on your journey!!

Thanks to both of you! Just would like to get the process rolling but wasn't sure if I needed to wait until after the seminar. I've done a lot of research so I am pretty aware of what will be happening. Thanks again!

Hi there, I'm new to all this and will be attending a seminar on the 20th. When I signed up they asked who my insurance was through and I am just wondering ...what exactly do they do in the seminars? Should I make an appointment with the surgeon or should I wait until after the seminar? Not sure exactly where to begin??? Thanks!