WEESIE

Weesie Age~62 Goal weight for January 29th~125 Weight on January 1st~132 Dietary goal for January~Stop eating at the FIRST feeling of satisfaction or full. Exercise goal for January~30 minutes twice a week. Personal goal for January~Be careful with my energy level and don't overdo. Date banded~5/25/2011 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~54 pounds What is your goal weight for the coming year~ 110

I would love to believe that all doctors are trustworthy. But, they are human beings like the rest of us. If that happened to me, I would wonder about a financial issue. My insurance pays $420.00 to the doctor for a fill and only about $30.00 to just talk to me and send me on my way. If there is no difference in his rate of compensation, I can't imagine why he would "just humor" you.

I also am tighter right after the fill. It loosens as time passes. I also wonder if you have lost weight since your surgery. That might explain the need for more fluid now.

Congratulations on the approval! I was banded on May 25, 2011. I am glad I did. I am losing very slowly, but I have never gained. That is improvement over the past. I have gone from obese to overweight. My blood pressure medication is down from four per day to two. The goal is no medication! Keep us informed as you prepare for surgery and after.

My insurance experience is probably one of the best anyone could have. I will probably not work for this company through another year, so I'll end up having to pay for fills. At this point, they charge $600.00, UHC pays about $420.00 and I don't pay. I believe that the reason they can offer this surgery for self pay for less than $10,000 is due to the amount they are paid by some insurance companies. I am happy to see people be able to get their band at a more affordable rate if this is the case. My surgery was May 25th. They have finally finished paying it off. I was getting nervous about it, but the True Results center had quoted me $1300.00 for my share. That didn't cover the band or the anesthesiologist. It also didn't include the hernia repair, but they didn't charge me any extra. So, here is the breakdown: Paid by UHC: Surgery cost paid by insurance: Facility: $23,063.03 Dr. Holden: $3,480 Anesthesiology:602.65 Lapband:272.00 Total: $27,417.68 Paid by me: Due from patient: $3,312., 3,370.,68.00,612.35 (1980 paid by me.) Charged by True Results, anesthesia and the medical supply company for the band: Facility: $37,678.62 Dr. Holden: $17,000.00 Anesthesiology: $1,760.00 Lapband: $850.00 Total charged: $57,288.62 Total paid: $29,397.62

You look AMAZING! Good job!

Have any of you had a cold with your lapband which caused "stuck" episodes? I got a fill on Tuesday and had no problems until Thursday. At that point I had a cold. I have had three stuck episodes but all that I PB is mucous. The latest one was with a Mucinex pill that I cut in half. Any ideas of what I can do for the mucous? Thanks

Thank you for the response. I went to the PCP and found that I had a sinus infection. PA at the surgeons office said that the mucous clogs the band and then things get swollen. They removed some of the saline. I'm still not very hungry and feel real tight.

I didn't have any requirements other than BMI and co-morbidities. Those were already documented because they have been paying the charges for them. The clinic wanted to send info from my PCP, but I said submit it this way because I knew my requirements. They thought the five years of history was required of all plans. I have it, but I didn't want to wait to have it from two different docs. I also called and asked them to read my policy requirements to me. I called back two or three times to make sure it didn't change. They all told me the same thing. Then, when it was submitted the clinic stated a quick date. They told me at UHC that they would handle it faster if they had to to get to the surgery date. I have Choice Plus also through Target. It is the PPO. The UHC reps tell me this is the best plan they have ever seen. Good luck, keep me informed.

I would suggest you tell your surgeon everything you have just told us. He will make a decision that will be right for you. I agree that a fluoroscope exam will be useful as well. Then they will know exactly how tight you are. Great job on the weight loss.

Hi, I also live in the Dallas area. I had my surgery done at the Surgery Center of Richardson/ True Results. Good luck! I'm sure you'll do well.

Yes, my initial EKG was abnormal. I passed everything else. The repeat tests were normal with a little xray abnormality (like a mine non/aneurysm/aneurysm thingy). I just need to follow up on that once in awhile. I did have surgery on time. They took extra care of me in recovery, probably because I was 62 1/2 years old. I hope and pray that you can have surgery. Good luck!

I'm so glad you were able to keep your band. I am just barely getting started and the thought of losing the band is indeed a scary thought. How can they tell if it has slipped? Good luck with it.

Thanks to all of you for the information. I called the clinic today and have an appointment for the morning if I need it. I hate to have an unfill since it has taken me five months to get to the point where I think I might need to be. I am trying some chicken salad now (which will be my first solid food since Friday). If I can keep it down I won't go. I am worried though about doing some damage to the band or surgery so if I must I will go. I didn't know they had liquid mucinex. I got a half mucinex tablet stuck the other night and haven't tried that again.

Thanks, I have been trying to eat cause I'm hungry but can only eat two or three bites. Drinking herbal teas which stay down. I hope this is better soon.

Hi, I was banded May 25, 2011. I have lost weight slowly. I think I am close to a good adjustment of my band. This last fill three weks ago is the first one where I get uncomfortable or pain when I don't chew well enough or wait between bites. I wish there was a way to know when things are right. I would like to lose more but I am happy to be losing a little instead of gaining a little. I don't PB or vomit. I have a few times when it hurts if I don't chew well.