MissyJake

Weight today - 204

Name, real or screen~ Missy

Age~50

Weight on June1st~207

Goal Weight for June 29th~199 (Get to ONEderland!)

Exercise Goal for June~I already walk 3-4 miles everyday.......walk twice if I feel up to it!

Dietary Goal for June~ Eat Smart

Personal Goal for June~ Finish painting inside the house.

Date Banded~ 3-9-2011

Total Weight Loss Since Pre-Diet and Banding~ 58 pounds!

I'm wondering what the Lap Band has done for those who have had surgery.

I was banded almost 3 months ago and have had great weight loss, but feel the band is not working for me.

It hasn't been the tool I thought it would. I have had 3 fills and have restriction....meaning, food will get stuck if I don't chew,chew , chew. I will have Slimming if I drink too much at one time. But, the feeling of Full...don't know that that has happened. Nor has it limited the amount of food I eat.

I follow ALL the rules, no drinking fluids before and after. Watch my calories and walk my butt off.

But, it's nothing I haven't done on my own before.

I was hoping it would be more of a help or a motivator, other than feeling guilty about spending so much on the surgery.

Just wondering about the rest of you.

I love mine. Best thing I have bought to help me on my journey.

Very accurate and really motivates me to keep up on the exercise.

I think it's not the fact that we "Fall off the wagon"...... But, that we dust ourselves off and "Get Back On!"

This lifestyle is for life and not for the duration of a diet. Slip ups happen, it's a part of life.

Good luck to you and keep up the good work!

I had talked to my Doctor about this and he said the band is too tight.

Maybe if you have just ,one half a cc removed, it would make a difference.

Wow, Sounds like you have the same Medical and Doctor's office.

Incompetent Boobs.

My insurance BCBS PPO also allowed the full hospital charges. $25,000.

Called and asked them about the negotiated rates with an in network provider. Didn't matter. they allowed the full amount.

Which means I'm on the hook for the 30 % of the left over.

It goes on and on.

I've spent the past few months researching and reviewing various forums regarding insurance for the lap-band. The main question I sought to answer was, "Do I need to have the six months supervised diet or whatever". I couldn't find an answer anywhere. What I did find was conflicting, and often ambigious. I even resorted to calling the insurance company to see what they had to say. Nothing. Oh, the insurance company had pleanty to say, but they didn't say anything. No one could find anything stating that I needed the supervised diet prior to authorization. My medical group even called the insurance, and they couldn't get an answer. I requested that when all of my paperwork was ready, that my medical group submit it in any case, and we'll see what would happen.

With the Anthem BCBS, I received a letter in the mail in about a week approving my lapband.

Now, which Anthem BCBS do I have? I don't know. There is nothing on my card stating where they're from, and I work in a different state then where I'm actually insured. I also live in a different state then either of those two, and am having the surgery in another state altogether!

Some questions I couldn't find answers to regarding insurance, and my answers:

Does Anthem BCBS cover lapbands? - Yes. Depends on your coverage as to how much they cover, and also it depends on where you have your lapband, in-network/out etc. I have the full blown PPO and it covers 90%.

Do they require the three/six-month supervised diet? - It was not required for my approval.

How do you find out if you got approved? - I read about people getting approved, but I didn't see how they knew. I received a letter in the mail from my insurance company.

How long does it take to hear from insurance? - It took about a week from when my medical group said they submitted the paperwork. It took about two months for the medical group to get their act together and get my paperwork together. I being former military, had all my paperwork back to my medical group within a week, ready for them to submit my paperwork. Took them two months for some reason. That was a killer since I was told that they were going to submit my claim the day I handed in all my paperwork. I was pretty bummed out when I called the medical office after a month of not hearing anything, just to find out they had delays in getting tax ID's and the shrink to sign off on their release. But I digress, took a week to hear from insurance.

I hope this info helps at least one person who's trying to find out info on Anthem BCBS.

Yeah!!!!

I have one and really like it. I used to over estimate the amount of exercise I was getting. Not anymore.

You are also able to track your calorie intake and the amount of calories you have burned in a day.

Also your sleep efficiency.

They aren't cheap. And the only draw back I can find is that you can't wear it in the pool to measure calorie burn in a pool. You are able to input that info on the website though. But I love mine. Mine is a Body Media Fitt. Make sure to buy one from costco or some other place where a 1 year membership is included.

I find myself downloading the info right after dinner and looking at my level of activity for the day....and if I need to walk some more to achieve my goals, I do!

BTW - yes a pedometer is built into them.

You can check them out at Bodymedia.com

I believe the Body Bug is the earlier version of Body Media.

How many of you use one of these? Which one would you recommend?

They both have a pedometer built in right?

When I saw my Doctor, I told him what I was eating and the amount of exercise and he said that was fine.

Starvation or No, Calories expended are the same.

I'm getting my Protein and and Doc said the amount of Calories WAS NOT to low. As long as I was eating healthy.

I too thought I wasn't getting enough calories. I feel good and not tired.

You are only eatting 500-600 cals a day? AND exercising on top of that? That is your biggest problem. You are throwing your body into starvation mode. Believe me I did the same thing, come out of the gate eatting low exercising high and I ran into the EXACT same problem. Up your calories to 1000-1200 and you will see the weight start flying back off.

Has anyone else had this problem?

I am 4 weeks out from surgery. I lost 13 pounds Pre-op diet. and 12 in the 2 weeks following.

I have a Body Bug and really watch what I eat. 500-600 calories a day . Walking 3 miles a day. And the last 2 weeks I have been gaining. .5 lbs one day 1.5 the next. I am working my ass off and still show a gain.

So frustrated. I am 50 years old and yes, I know my body will take longer to lose the weight. But gaining?

Come on!

Don't feel like a failure. It's tough on the liquid diet. I was banded 10 days before you....and I have to admit I grabbed a handful of Goldfish crackers and sucked on them til they dissolved in my mouth. I was just so hungry for some salt!

That and I was sick of chocolate Shakes!

Hang in there. soon you'll be at the soft food stage and the real fun begins!

I had my first fill today. Doc put in 3 cc's and it felt like the Water ,they give you to drink ,was stuck in my throat. Doc took out 1cc and everything was fine.

You're doing fine. SOOO much easier when you can have real food.

Good luck Rachael. You ever need a friend to talk too - feel free to write me!

Missy

I was so hungry this morning that I ate a sugar free pudding. I feel like such a failure. I couldn't hold out two more days on clear liquids. I was banded on 3/18/11. Any advice would be appreciated. Right now, I want to get this band removed. Is it really worth it to be this miserable? I am not sure I can do it.

Rachael

I've used the Tylenol chewables for 6-11 year olds. Just take as many as I need to get the same mg's of Tylenol in an adult dosage.

Did you have a hernia repaired with your lap band?

I did . When they repair the hernia they can irritate the Phrenic Nerve. The pain from the Phrenic Nerve is a reffered pain and is worst than childbirth...and I've had 5 kids. I'd gladly give birth, than have the shoulder pain I had for several days.

It's has settled down, I think just the healing process helps. I tried the walking and gas-x, none of it helped.

The only thing I found that helped was a very warm heating pad and laying down and trying to relax.

Hang in there. It will get better.

We were banded close to the same time. My surgery was 3-9-11.

Missy

This happens to me when I'm anemic. You need more Iron.< /p>

Thanks for the Posts. Yesterday was the worst day/night yet.

A heating pad that's hot and laying flat helps.

The muscle is sore today from rubbing it all day/night yesterday.

Today I feel fine.....hope it stays that way. I can't figure what

makes it start. PLEASE don't tell me eating. I've done so little of it and am looking forward to the "Mushie" stage next week.

Thanks for your support.

Missy

Off for my walk!

I am looking for people who have had the shoulder pain from Hernia repair.

This is not gas ,but a pain associated with the stitches taken in the diaphragm.

It has been awful the last couple of days. I know when people have had problems they post them. I would like to find people who have had this problem and they had it resolve. How long did it take?

I am 7 day post surgery and it feels like I have a pinched nerve.

BCBS office opens 5am my time and I WILL be on the phone........

Call your insurance company and confirm this is not an "extra clinic charge(s)" that are not covered by insurance but the doctor bills YOU separately.

(number should be on the back of your insurance card)

My surgery is, day after tomorrow and I received a call from the Dr's Office today saying they wanted me to pay for my "After Care" and Surgery costs. $2000. 00. That's after my insurance pays out. The "After Care" seems a little ambiguous as I still have to pay my co-payments whenever I go in.

It supposedly covers having access to the Dr. 24/7 and access to the Nutritionist and Nurse at any time , plus the support groups they offer.

I asked about 2 different bills I received in the last 2 weeks from them,( I have called the number listed and have received no return call) She explained that the Dr. is part of the Clinic (Hospital) and they bill seperatly. So my Co-Pay only goes for the Dr. visit.

The clinic charges was $150. If I see my Dr. in the office it's as though I'm going, to the hospital and being charged a facility fee.

I'm so Pissed they bring this all up 2 days before my Surgery.

Any thoughts?

Hi

I'm in Temecula. How has your lapband experience been so far?

I'm getting banded in the 9 of March. I decided to go to a doctor in Orange Co.

and I won't been spending the night, it'll be an out patient procedure.

Best of luck to you!

Missy

BTW- Do you know of any support groups in our area?

I live in wildomar , banded on Jan 28th

Temecula

Hi! My name is Jennifer. I live in the So Cal area... Inland EMpire really. I have been banded for almost 2 years, and Dr. Douglas Krahn was my surgeon. Ive lost 115 pounds, and I am 30 pounds from my goal You arent alone!! Where are you from??

Just got the word my Surgery is March 9th. Very excited. Feeling like there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Begin my liquid diet tomorrow and have my Pre Op visit with the nurse.

Good Luck everyone!

Hi Everyone!!

Where are all the March bandsters at?!! I was just approved last week and have a surgery date of March 16th. Looks like I'll be starting a two week pre-op liquid diet (Optifast) on March 2nd which I'm not looking forward to!! Anyone else scheduled for March? Do you have a pre-op diet to follow?

Good Luck to everyone!!

I just recently, within the last week, had my band removed and at the same time, had a gastric bypass done......The two doctors that I go to, and their practice is RANKED NUMBER ONE IN THE STATE, told me that only one or two IN TEN lose the desired weight after undergoing the lapband....I had it done a year ago and would never do it again....At the outset, and even months later, it is successful, but then there was a plateau where I slowly started to crave the foods that originally put it on....I read this a lot on here and it's true....I personally know of two women who had the 'band' done, lost about 70 percent of their weight goal, then put it ALLLLLLLLLLL back on within a year....And rem. that I WOULD ALWAYS EAT MY Protein FIRST, and follow the rules, but the band lost it's effect, plus I had the maximum fill.....If, according to my Dr's, only one or two in ten reach their goal, and this is based on their own practice, plus being in touch with other Dr's and studying follow-ups all over, that' s good enough for me....Caution to you, and DO NOT, in desperation, reach out for something that will not be there in the long run....But, you could be one of the 10-20 percent that is succesful....BUT I WOULD NEVER TAKE THOSE ODDS!......My best, Carlos.....YES!!---My insurance paid for both, but they required that I wait 6 months to get each procedure and follow strict guidelines.....ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT "GOLD!"

I have done a lot of research before choosing the Lap Band. I want something that will help me lose the weight, not lose the weight for me.

You have to watch what you eat and MODERATION is the KEY.

I have known people who have had the Gastric bypass and have gained ALL of their weight back. They have stretched out their stomachs by not eating correctly.

Anything worth while takes work.....there is no Magic Bullet.

I was wondering how many of you out there have had Dr Owens perform your surgery and what you think of him.

I'm getting frustrated with my surgery coordinator and am wondering if anyone else has had problems?

Thanks!