Hello all, I am getting ready to go to the seminar and in hopes of changing my life for ever. I have already got pre-certified from my insurance so hopefully the next 6 mo. will go by quickly. I am very nervous but excited. I am looking for new friends and experiences so talk to me and I also would like to know other peoples receipes and do's and don'ts regarding diet after the surgery. Beck:wink_smile:

Another question. Did BCBS require for you to have a 5 yr history with your weight and weight loss.

Im not sure of the time frame but I do know you have to have a history of trouble with your weight. They dont look it up though, they just asked me how long I have been stuggling with my weight. I tell them since I was born, I was 2-3 weeks early and weighed in at 9lbs 3 oz.

I have been over weight my entire life as well. How are you doing. Is your diet seem to be going ok today? I read a lot of good and bad stories on this website. I was reading today about the fills. On what is too much or to little. I hope I find my "sweet" spot as everyone calls it. How much protien do you eat a day?

I dont keep track of how much protein and stuff I eat a day. I know I know, I should be.. I just make sure I get protein in with each meal. Like for breakfast I have a cup of cheerios with Pediasure instead of milk. Pediasure has about 7 grams of protein so that tends to hold me off a little longer then just milk. Im really not going by a certain diet right now. I am concentrating more on cutting my portions, knowing my signals that Im full and stuff like that. I dont go out and eat junk food or stuff like that. Right now Im just eating a lot of chicken products. I cant wait until I get to my "sweet spot" I have however finally cut my portions enough that I dont have pain after I eat so that is a good thing. I had a big lecture about that at my last fill because everytime I would eat I would get this SHARP pain in my left shoulder into my chest making it hard to breath. Dr.Kaplan told me that I am eating way too much at a time and that is why I was hurting so I am cutting my portions, not quite down to the cup size portion, but getting close. It takes time.

I am from WV and I have bcbs and I had to do a 6 month preop. I am now waiting for a date from he doctor. I also received a letter from bcbs that they had approved me. In the 6 month period I lost 30 pounds. I was told that was good but I feel that I should have lost more don't get discouraged just stay focused and things will be alright.

I am new to this website. I need to know how to check your messages. I log in but don't know how to get the post that I have put in get to the answered one please help me!

Thank you Kay7, I am so stressed out worrying myself to death not I am not going to get approved. I called bcbs they say I was approved as long as I pre certify. My bmi is 51% so I know that I won't have a problem there. What I am worried about is the only thing I can vouch for is my weight. I don't have high blood pressure or diabeties so I am worried I won't get approved. Then there is a sleep apnea I don't have that but I have major sleep issue's, bad knee's but never had them looked at. So now I am worried I won't get approved.

Hello everyone. I'm from Belpre, right across from Parkersburg. Dr. Kaplan banded me June 30th and my husband August 25th. We're both doing well. If you have any questions, just let me know!

After the seminar today - I am super pumped up and cant wait to get to my surgery date. Hopefully I will get approved thru BCBS...if not...I will seek other means of financing this. One way or another...Im doing this. I need this change in my life. Im tired of being overweight! Its time for a new beginning.

I just received your reply. I am soo glad that my 6 months is now up and bcbs has approved me and I have been scheduled for 9/19.:thumbup: I can't wait. I have been trying to see if anyone could tell me how long the surgery is, and how long were they off from work. I am also going to have a hernia repair at the same time.

I belive you will be happy once everyone began to tell you that you are losing. don't get discouraged just keep your mind on what you want and it will show results.

good luck. I will be keeping in touch with you when I have mine done.

I have losted a total of 35 pound in 6 months. :thumbup: I was hoping that I would lose more but my dr. only wanted me to lose 15 pounds.:thumbup:

Keep in touch.

Do you have bcbs insurance as well. It just seems like it is going to take forever to get started. What have you experienced the do's and don'ts for the pre weight loss for the insurance. Do Linsey and Jeannie take care of everything for you as far as the paperwork go for the insurance? I have already been told that you have to exercise. Do you also have to lose a certain amount of weight?

I have Anthem BC/BS PPO and was not required to do the 6 month diet. Dr. Kaplan does require you to go through 6 nutrionist visits with Lindsey, though. My seminar was March 15th and I was banded June 30th, so it's about a 3 month process. Brenda (At Jeannie's office) takes care of all the paperwork for you. I lost about 30 lbs during the pre-op 3 months by following Lindsey's diet plan (1200-1400 calories) and exercise. There wasn't a certain amount that I was supposed to lose.

So I had a weigh in on the 5th. I was down another .5 lb so down 26.5 lbs I made my last 2 weigh in appts. September 16th at 1pm and October 3rd at 1pm then I am finished with my supervised diet. On October 6th my paperwork will be faxed into the insurance and then I wait to be approved. After that I go see Jeannie and Lindsey once more and Dr. Kaplan then start preop and my EGD. Also I will get a surgery date. YAYAYYAYYAY.

That is awesome Froggi!!! Now you are down 27lbs that you don't have to worry about after the surgery. I am still waiting on my call to get the 6 mo. program started. I can't wait. At least you are closer to the approval. Do you have bcbs and did you have to do a year plan? I can't remember who you said your insurance co. was. I have to do at least 6 mo. plan with mine. :-(

So I had a weigh in on the 5th. I was down another .5 lb so down 26.5 lbs I made my last 2 weigh in appts. September 16th at 1pm and October 3rd at 1pm then I am finished with my supervised diet. On October 6th my paperwork will be faxed into the insurance and then I wait to be approved. After that I go see Jeannie and Lindsey once more and Dr. Kaplan then start preop and my EGD. Also I will get a surgery date. YAYAYYAYYAY. :thumbup:

Good job!!! It will be here before you know it!

Great Job Froggi! You are doing great!! Good Luck on your approval!! I cant wait to get to that point. :thumbup: