I am a 4 yr lapbander, 75 lbs lost..
I eat what I want just less amount wise.
I do avoid new foods in a public place just in case?
I can not eat leftovers, as they are too dry and don't stay down.

If anyone wants anymore information just pm me..

I have to post three more threads to be able to pm so this is my third.\lol

You might want to join us on the regular board... I'm sure the girls/guys would like to get to know you.

Leenie

I went to a seminar last night about the lap band. I am seriously considering it but I am very nervous as my twin sister almost died having gastric bypass. I know that the lap band is safer but it is still in the back of my head.
One question I have is I am in the process of getting a divorce I am trying to decide whether to stay on my husbands insurance (Horizon blue cross blue shield) or switch to my own. A friend of mine who has already begun the process has Aetna and she only has to do 3 months of a medically supervised diet. I don't know how long my current insurance requires but I am looking to get this done as soon as possible.

I had/have Horizon Blue Cross/Shield and they want 6 months supervised dieting w/your doctor. But your plan may be different. Good luck !!!

I'm so angry my insurance won't cover LB surgery. I don't know if this is too personal of a question but how did those of you who had the surgery pay for it if insurance didn't cover it?

I did find out that insurance covers a nutritionist. Now i'm just dieting and exercising the old-fashioned way.

Some people take out loans, or dip into their savings.

I am considering WLS. I went to a seminar on 2/7/09 and already schedule my initial consultation with the surgeon for 02/23/09 (they wanted to see me sooner but I am a busy bee) my only concern as everybody is if Horizon blue cross/blue shield will make me go thru hoops for their approval. I am 33 years old, BMI 43 and High Blood Pressure. They told me I needed a record of my weight for the last five years, a proof that I had diet before (they said supervised diet but there are some of us that do not wait for doctor approval to do any diet) I am glad that I documented my attempts to lose weight. I lost 80 pounds in five months in my last one and got almost to my goal, just to get it back and then some more. I also need the Medical Necessity letter. I want to prepare for everything the insurance throw at me, so I will really appreciate that if I miss something, please let me know. Glad to join this forum. ^_^

Welcome Kainu, glad your here too.

May I ask which surgeon you are seeing?


.

Thanks, Lennie. I am going to be with Dr. Strein in Englewood Hospital.

I hear Englewood is good !!!! good luck and keep us posted :hug:

I am new to 3 chicks. I am a college student and am seriously thinking about surgery for weight loss my BMI is 41 and I have elevated blood pressure. The problem is that I don't have any insurance. Any suggestions about financing or pro's and con's? Thanks

Smpuent,
I am also a college student and considering wls. I'm in about the same situation as you. I will probably use my mom or dad's insurance. I know my mom's covers it without any hitches. However Certain places I've been researching have payment plans. There is a dr by me with a payment plan, plus I read that the realize band works with capital one and I think the lapband has a payment plan also of 84 months or so. I think it just depends on the type of surgery. But I'd definitely research more into what each compan of the LBs do to help with financing. Not sure about other surgery.

Hello Ladies!!! I am new to this website and have been going through the process and documentation to have the lapband surgery. So far for insurance i have to go to the dietician and my regular doctor for 6 consecutive months and i am going into my 4th month. YEAAAA getting closer lol..I also already have the 5 year weight history.It was hard work lol.. Anyways i have a couple questions for anybody to answer or input. 1st Is there anyone who regrets having the lapband surgery in any way? Anything i should be aware of? (I have been to my doctors information seminar and have met with the surgeon so i do know quite a bit) 2nd this question is more cosmetic...As you lose weight (with having the lapband surgery) does any of your skin shrink or will ALL of my skin pretty much everywhere just sag? Like arms, thighs etc... I know the stomach region will that is pretty much a given but what about other areas? I am only 27 so my skin and body will hopefully adjust a little bit.
Thank you for any input!!! I appreciate it alot!!!
Have a Blessed Night!
Miss Katie

Hi Katie and :welcome:

Congrats on being in your 4th month. Insurance companies make you run circles but IMHO its worth it.

IMHO
Q: 1st Is there anyone who regrets having the lapband surgery in any way?
A: Not I ... even though I'm not losing at this point.. I'm not gaining either YIPPPEEEEEEEEEEE

Q: Anything i should be aware of? (I have been to my doctors information seminar and have met with the surgeon so i do know quite a bit)
A: Yes, the band is a tool, it will not work unless you work with it, meaning you have to diet and exercise and have the proper restrictions (fills)... the band can not do it by itself. Make sure you follow your doctors diet after banding. It is so important as you don't want to hurt yourself (especially with exercise, you don't want to tear your innard up after surgery). Don't get frustrated if you don't lose weight until you get the proper restriction... remember you can eat just like you did before banding without proper fills. It takes time to get proper restriction (your sweet spot lol) so don't get frustrated if your not there by the 3, 4, 5th visit... just remember it WILL happen. Lapband weight loss is supposed to be slow, 1-2 lbs a week.. this IS good !!!! If you eat junk, you will gain, if you follow your doc's diet suggestions, you'll lose. Try not to pick up other habits that allow you to eat around the band.. for instance, cake might be hard to eat (at first) so instead you'll eat ice cream b/c it goes down easier :no: this is a BAD habit. SO don't subsitute one bad food for another. Mostly listen to your body, take small bites, chew chew chew chew chew chew, eat slow.

Q: 2nd this question is more cosmetic...As you lose weight (with having the lapband surgery) does any of your skin shrink or will ALL of my skin pretty much everywhere just sag? Like arms, thighs etc... I know the stomach region will that is pretty much a given but what about other areas? I am only 27 so my skin and body will hopefully adjust a little bit.
A: Thats a hard question as everyone is different. I would think.. the more weight you have to lose, the more saggy skin you'll have. Thats where either a tummy tuck comes to play or a nice corset ;) don't let saggy skin stop you from losing weight. My suggestion to you is to start exercising NOW !! tighten up everything you can.. can't hurt.

Hope this helps.... ;)

Leenie

Thank you very much for replying! Your information was very helpful. I am excited to get the weight off!!! I have been heavy my whole life and have tried so many things. I wont let the saggy skin stop me. lol I will just have to start a savings account for tucks lol. One more question though if you don't mind.... I struggle with feeling full sometimes...I can eat out at a buffet and get full then 30 minutes or so later i feel hungry again..Does the lapband really truthfully make you feel full off the small amount you eat or is it kind of a placebo so you think you are full?

it's a mechanical thing, darlin. think about a balloon animal - and how parts of the balloon are TIED OFF. there'a MUCH less room in, say the balloon animal's head than in the rest of the body. so, by putting the lapband on, you'll basically filling just that small top part with food [and you WILL feel fuller, because that small part IS full], and it'll slowly filter out through the rest of your digestive tract.

Yes, your pouch will feel full - given your restriction (fills) is good.
Your gonna do great, don't worry ;)

Thank You Ladies!!!! I am SUPER Excited though!!!! October isn't coming fast enough lol...that is when my 6 months is up and we send in everything to insurance for approval....I am motivated to get the weight off so i think i will do good as well...But Thanks for the Support!!!!
Have a Blessed Night Ladies!!!!

Hope your going to hang with us WLS chicks on the main board (below this thread), we love positive attitudes and you certainly are glowing :D

I am scheduled for lap band surgery on Monday. I'm feeling both excited and and a bit nervous. It is such a bit step!

:welcome: Fran and congrats on being in band-land soon. It is a big step isn't it. Where are you having it done?

Leenie

Well Than!
 

I am so darn frustrated with my insurance it is ridiculous! I have spoke with both BCBS of TX and my husband's insurance United Healthcare and both of our employers have listed the procedure as an exclusion! I don't understand why it is so hard to get this thing covered. If it is effecting your health and you have been obese for years and not been able to successfully lose weight on your own, then what's the dang problem????? I am sooooooo fed up and I really don't want to be paying on this thing out of pocket for the next ten years! :(

I was told that I could possibly appeal the exclusion if I had a medical necessity letter. I just don't know if pre-diabetic, high cholesterol, and PCOS will suffice. IMHO, I would think PCOS would be a good morbidity to list because it is related to being obese and the only known reversal or way to improve it is to lose weight. As of right now, my fertility is shot because of it, but if I were able to lose the weight I need to then my fertility will increase and I might actually have the opportunity one day to conceive naturally, without all the pills!

Has anyone chosen to self-pay on this procedure and if so what was the cost? How well did they work with you payments wise? I mean is it affordable? So far I have seen that it ranges anywhere from $17,000-$25,000 in Texas. That just seems crazy to me! Any advice will be very appreciated! Thanks,
fluffy

Hi Jess and welcome :)

Oh boy, insurance companies are just praying you won't appeal it.. they are pretty much counting on it. Do yourself a favor... get a letter from your doctor / surgeon and send it in... track it, write down everything they (insurance co) say and who you talked to, call every day... pretty much haunt them !! I know several people who have had to send in letters and then got approved :D

Give it a try, can't hurt.

Leenie

lap band question
 

Hi all- I am new to posting- although I have been reading posts for a few months. I am in the process of exploring lap band surgery. I originally thought about WLS about 10 years ago, tried to give it a go on my own and am back to where I have started.

I am scheduled to go to an informational session with the surgeons coming up but I had a question for those of you who are post op.

I have read what to expect within the first few months after surgery- but I am wondering once your band is fully restricted- what sorts of foods are you eating? Can you eat anything but just in a smaller portion (I had read on another post that rice and bread were difficult to get through the band). Currently I eat alot (the alot part being the issue) of high quality food- lean proteins, fruit, etc (although I could certainly use more veggies and alot less carbs) but I am just wondering what I can expect in the long run.

Also wondering about if those of you have experienced long term success or if you have eventually gained weight back- and if so, what triggered it.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi Lolasue,

Welcome !!

As you know, everyone is different, some folks have a harder time with starches such as pasta, rice, breads, etc... and some with harder veggies/fruits. In the beginning I had a hard time with any type of starch, crackers, breads, etc.. but after time and the same restriction I am finding it easier to eat... it could be that I have learned how to eat them meaning chewing more and eating slower. I do have a problem with dry meats, such as really dry chicken or turkey, but if there is a gravy or if they are moist I have no problem. My surgery btw was in 2005.

As far as gaining weight.. I've gained back 20 lbs but that is because I fell back into my old habits.. my band works beautiful... my head on the other hand is another story.

Just remember, patience, eat slow and chew chew chew.

good luck !!
Leenie

Leenie - how much did you loose? When did you feel "full" with your band? 2 ml? 6? 10 ml?

Here in Croatia they fill them just to 6 ml, and the band is up to 11! I dont think that is fair :-)))

About the saggy skin - doctor told me that it depends on the body shape...I am more apple than pear and he told me that for my type its typical that my stomach will sag and upper arms...and trust me...those are the places where the most fat is...

If they were on my butt I guess I could work out more but...on the belly...you cant do so many sit-ups...

My day is coming soon... hopefully
 

I've wanted the lapband for a LOOOOOOONG time now but haven't been able to afford it and my insurance didn't cover it. My BFF just had it in March and she's already lost 60lbs!! I recently got a new job and I "think" (fingers crossed) they cover it!! I had an appt with my Dr yesterday and got a referral to see a weight loss surgeon. I'm scheduled to go to a seminar tonight and I'm ready to get this weightloss ball ROLLING!! I'm so looking forward to a new and improved HEALTHIER me!!

im new at this and need advice
 

I have been researching lap band for a few years and this is definitely what I need and want... I have had up and down struggles with keeping health insurance but I do now have health insurance starting in the middle of September. What is my first step in my goal of having lap band?

You need to call your insurance and ask them if they cover it.... if yes, then ask them what you need to do. Some insurance companies require 6 months of documented weight loss, which means you'll probably have to see your GP. I had to have a letter from my doctor requesting surgery, weight loss documentation, blood work, then go to my surgeon and he required some things as well as seeing a nutritionist and a physiologist.

So.. start with your insurance company and see where you need to begin.

Hope this helps.

United Healthcare denied me but my sister was able to get the lap band with Blue Cross

Hello All Been wanting lb any advice I am in New York How do I find out if my insurance pays for it Nerves

Call them and ask if they cover wl surgery... especially lap band.

good luck !!

Thank you I called the Dr and The women said they take my insurance I have an appointment tomorrow. Is it a long process to get lb surgery. I have weeks off during the school year I work in the kitchen and don't want to take time off I don't get payed Please if anyone has info please tell me Thank you

You really need to call the insurance company and ask them these questions, I am not sure if your doctor has all the right answers. If you have surgery doesn't compensation / workmans comp kick in? These are the things you'll need to get in touch with your head HR person.

.

Wooo! 48 lbs lost? Good going!

Hello Everyone Sorry its been so long since I posted alot going on. I wanted to tell everyone I am going into my fifth month with lap band Dr. With my insurance I have to go for 6 months before getting it. Thats what my insurance requires me to do Some I am almost at the begining of my weight loss journey. Thank you for this board