Jennifer P.

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April 25th, 2017  I went in to have my lapband removed and hopefully revise to RNY. My surgeon had informed me from the start that I had a 50/50 chance to have both happen on the same day. It would depend on how it looked when he removed my band. Well, I only had my band removed. I was disappointed, but I know he made the decision in my best interest and for the best recovery. I have to wait 6 months to have the RNY and he very sternly warned me "don't gain weight". So, here I am chillin until I can have RNY. I should have a plan, but I dont have a plan. After having the band for so long it is strange and great to have it gone and not vomit my food back up. There still must be some swelling in there as I dont have much of an appetite yet. I know it will return though. lol

At the end of December 2016 my surgeon's office called to say I had been denied. One surgery per lifetime was the reason given. Sounded very final to me. Dr. Lancaster's office sent an appeal January 30, 2017. March 16th they called to let me know I had been approved for Gastric Bypass. I have an appointment scheduled Monday March 27th and I think they will give me a surgery date on that day and things will move pretty quickly. Wondering how far out they are scheduling.

Here is a bit of my timeline in case anyone wants to know. My insurance company is Anthem BCBS

08/15/16 Made an appt to see my surgeon. (I was a lapband pt wanting a revision)

08/25/16 Bariatric Orientation

09/13/16 fasting labs with my primary care doc.

09/13/16 started 1 of 4 classes though my surgery center called Healthy lifestyles. A 2 hour class once a week for 4 weeks.

09/15/16 psych eval

09/28/16 going over evaluation results

10/11/16 pulse ox test

10/12/16 1st of four one hour classes called Know your Bypass.

11/8/16 attend one post op bariatric support group.

11/14/16 Dr. Lancaster was going to remove all the fluid to my band and could not.

11/17/16 nutritionist appt.

11/23/16 called to make sure I had completed all my requirements

11/30/16 Information sent to my ins company from my surgeon's office

12/14/16 offerred a surgery date of December 29 ELATED

12/15/16 Insurance denied surgery saying one surgery per lifetime. DEFEATED

12/19/16 called ins company. They said my surgeon can appeal.

1/30/17 appeal sent by surgeon's office

3/16/17 call from surgeon's office that I have been approved for surgery and an appt made to see surgeon March 27 2017.

 

 

 

I have all my pre-surgery classes finished. I have to meet with the dietitian and visit a post op support group (doing that tonight). I called my surgeon's office and let them know where I was and they told me to come in Monday, November 14th so they can take all the fluid out of my lapband and give me a surgery date. Dang, if I could, I would do cartwheels! I was hoping this would happen before the end of the year due to my insurance copays and not wanting to start over in 2017, but I was resigned to what will be, will be.

I know that two of the weeks of being unbanded will be my pre-op liquid diet and I am ready to get that over too. Been thinking and I know my surgeon will bring it up that this will all happen right through the holidays and warn me against gaining any weight.  I am good with that. I know that it will not be easy, but it will be worth it. There are a few unknowns for me. I may only get my band out of there is a lot of scartisse or damage from the band. Then I will have to wait for, I think, three months before I get the bypass. The surgeon also warned that too much damage would mean no revision at all. But, I am not going to let my chronic over-thinking brain dwell on this and just go with it all until I get where I want to be. Because really, I have no control over any of it anyway.

Orientation, done. 7 out of 8 classes done. Pulse ox test done. Psych eval done.... Just have to magically make 500.00 the insurance won't pay appear. Met with primary care doc, done. EKG done. Labs done.  Met with surgeon 1 st time, done. Still have 1 class, 1 nutrition visit, a pre op test about what I've learned in the classes, and a visit to 1 post op class visit then, meet with surgeon, take all the fluid out of my band for one month then a 2 week liquid diet then hopefully surgery. Anyone that says this is the easy way out needs to walk in our shoes. But my shoes are worn out. 

09/14/16

 

Last night I had my first pre-op class called healthy lifestyles. Two hours once a week for four weeks. Then we move on to a class called Know your bypass. Its nice sitting in a roomful of other hopefuls. Some are sleeve and some are bypass. So much to learn and so many good questions from everyone. Right from the get go they weighed us and gave us homework. I weighed in at 291. She taught us about what items count as fluid. Water, crystal light, etc. We are supposed to start moving toward 64oz of water, 15 min of exercise and journaling our food. Next step breaking my caffeine addiction. She said she has had people walk out of her class the 1st night when she says no alcohol, no smoking, no caffeine. Nobody walked out last night. Since I had lapband surgery not everything is brand new to me. But, I'm thankful I have this support and education. My biggest fear is not the surgery, but failing to lose and keep the weight off.