Hi Judy!  You are one of the ones I miss here!

Kari - I'm from Almont, Michigan ..... just north of Romeo.  I just had the lapband procedured done on Nov 29th, 2012, at Beauomont Royal Oak with Dr. Krause.  I also have BCBS Blue care network (PPO) through my husbands employer.  They required 6 medically supervised visits for weight loss, a BMI over 40 and/or medically necessary health issues (i.e. bp, cholestrol, diabetes).  I thought my 3 monthly visits with my PCP would count and then 3 with the Beaumont Weight Control Center (WCC)....but they did not accept the 3 visits with my PCP so I had to go three more months with the Beaumont WCC.  It was no big deal though for me as I told them at the get go that I wanted to start on the protein shakes at the beginning to help with my pre-surgery weight loss and they had me speak to a nutritionist and she gave me a diet to follow and what protein shakes to purchase so I was on two a day and two meals a day....I lost 20 lbs before my surgery date.  I'm only down about 6 lbs since the surgery, but my first fill is not until Jan 16th, 2013-----I believe that's when I will fill more restrictions!  I also attend the Beaumont WCC support groups --- they are on Thurs from 6:30pm - 7:30pm at the Beaumont Wellness Building on South Blvd west of Dequindre and just north of Beaumont Hospital Troy --- they are very informative .... there are lots that have not had the surgery yet that attend so they can get information and feed back from those that attend that have already had one procedure or another.  You might look into this as well......assuming you will have a Beaumont doctor.  Just some food for thought.....er rather protein for thought!

I used to come here more often and there actually there were a couple of "meet ups" of the Michigan folks in the past.  OH in general has quieted down and many of us only go to our surgery boards.

What are you asking?  Do you have a drinking problem after bypass or are your asking about stats about drinking problem after bypass?

Some times things happen for the best. 

My DD went thru the whole year long process and was approved.  Then she flunked the PG test. Boy I love that little guy.  I'm so glad she flunked.  So while she was working on my fourth grandchild, I was going thru the process to get the band.   She lost all the out of pocket cost for the mmpi psyhc eval and co pays at the bariatric center, about $1000. 

She saw all the problems I had with the band.  I had started to research the sleeve just before banding and was convince it was the better surgery.  I didn't want the rerouting of the RN.  My center wasn't doing the sleeve so settled for the band.  With in months of getting my band they started doing the sleeve (but, my insurance still didn't cover it.)  The daughter's husband's bcbs of MN(I think) didn't cover the sleeve either.  (MI did).  Her husband lost his job and she went on her employers insurance, more money but at least she had insurance and that bcbs (not sure which state) covered the sleeve.

She got the surgery I had wanted, I got 3.5 years of hell with  her surgery.  My insurance started covering the sleeve but, went to a once in a lifetime policy.  I fought that and am SUPPOSE to be finally getting the sleeve on the 22 of Jan.

That whole long story to say, maybe you are getting a second chance to have a surgery that could be much better for your situation.  (I would have gladly lost $700 if I could have gotten the sleeve instead of band.)