Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

6 months is a long time



Recommended Posts

I've gone to a seminar, picked a surgeon Dr. Trivedi @ Advance Laparoscopic Associates and now I have to do the six month diet, OMG, I don't know how I'm gonna survive waiting the six months that BCBS wants, Insurance companies stink:tt2:, LOL..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I Agree...it kind of does stink. Especially if you are ready to start!

BUT it is also a blessing, as it gives you that time to develop some fantastic eating habits, as well as time to think, and figure out exactly what you have to do to succeed with the band.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just do like I did, which was begin on my own- I call it practice in being banded. Now that my surgery is almost here finally, I am so grateful to be prepared! I think that's the point of the 6 month supervised diet- to get you ready. As I keep hearing over and over on this board, the band is only a tool, and its usefulness depends on how you work it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It will be ok........ I bitched up a storm about the same issue with BCBS. & 7 months later in retrospect that time was a good for me to really be sure I knew what I was getting into. No regrets,from me its really is a life style change and you need to wrap your brain around

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I started the 6 month supervised diet in Feb. I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I haven't lost any more weight than the 2lbs I lost initial, but I have had a lot of time to think about what is going to work for me. I feel like it is a blessing and a curse all in the same time. Wishing you a speedy 6 months! Good luck!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

When was the last time you checked the requirements? BCBS of Texas said they just changed the 6 month requirement to 3 months this January which I only learned about when I went into the program. I was braced for the 6 month ordeal since i had just checked the requiements in November.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree... Insurance does stink making you wait 6 months. I have finally completed the six months and now been waiting two weeks for an approval. I have BCBS(Pa). I live in Texas and yes BCBS (Tx) has changed theirs to 3 months.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Take this time while waiting for insurance approval to really wrap your head around how Lapband surgery will change your life. I, too, was required to have the six month supervised plan. At first I was upset because I felt I was ready to jump in and have the surgery. In retrospect, I am so happy that BCBS had that requirement. It gave me time to "practice" eating like a banded person and provided me with adequate time to prepare.

I woke up from surgery NOT feeling like I had the rug yanked out from under me. I felt truly prepared for what was to come. Those first few months can be tough b/4 you get your fills and feel that you are at your "sweet spot". Take this time to read everything you can on LapBandTalk. The wait is worth it.

Wishing you luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for all the replys I will take everyone's advise and use this time wisely so I am better prepared when I have the surgery!!!:thumbup:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am in the middle of my 6 month pre surgery stuff also. Some have said the 6 months goes fast, it is going slow for me. I'm so ready to have this surgery. When I first learned about the 6 month wait, I was mad, I had been considering this surgery for 2 years and was ready, had I known, I would have started the process 6 months earlier LOL.

But each month I go to my required monthly nutritionist visit and learn something new and talk about how I am preparing. Each month I get a little closer to the surgery.

They have gotten me to change 1 thing each month in the hopes I won't be in total shell shock when I get the surgery. I understand the reasoning behind preparing for it and all that, but I still wish I could get the surgery next week LOL.

Try not to watch your calendar too much, that has been my problem.

Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just wanted to let you know I go to Dr. Trivedi @ Advance Laparoscopic Associates. I had my surgery in TJ, Mexico...but go there for my fills. Everyone in the office is very nice and the thing I like most about them is that they don't make you wake weeks in-between fills.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Eve411

      April Surgery
      Am I the only struggling to get weight down. I started with weight of 297 and now im 280 but seem to not lose more weight. My nutrtionist told me not to worry about the pounds because I might still be losing inches. However, I do not really see much of a difference is this happen to any of you, if so any tips?
      Thanks
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×