lmtorb

Dawn, My insurance did NOT cover the psych or dietician. I was told sometimes insurance will cover the psych, but mine was denied. I pretty much was told by the staff at Dr. Smith's office who to use, but never really questioned it. Guess I should have! I just did it all through them. You might ask them if you have a choice of those so maybe your insurance will at least partially cover it. I'm just glad the surgery itself (and fills later) was covered! Dr. Smith does give information seminars every few weeks which might answer a lot of your questions as well. Might check with his office as to when the next one is scheduled. I learned quite a bit from it myself. Good luck!! Let me know if I can answer any more questions for you. I get my first fill next Friday!!!

I had my 3 week post-op appointment today. It's already time for a fill! My dietician told me that occasionally, usually after about 3 fills, some people get TOO restricted and can't even drink liquids. At that point, I am to call the doctor immediately. I'll do that if necessary, but just wanted to know if anyone has actually experienced that? Scares me!! Hopefully my first fill will just restrict me enough that I can start a steady weight loss.

I had my surgery done by Dr. Smith. You might check to see where else he does the surgery besides OMC. I had mine at Harris Northwest in Azle and haven't paid them a dime. I had to pay for the psych exam and dietician fees at his office, but nothing else. (I have United Healthcare) He is a great guy and has lost about 100 pounds himself with the band. Only negative I can say is that his office staff is over-busy and isn't always the best at returning phone calls. Just stay on them and all will go well. I had a great experience with the staff at Azle. It is a SMALL hospital and gives you that "small town" feeling which some of the bigger hospitals do not. So if you don't mind driving a bit farther (it's about 15 minutes West of Ft. Worth), it's worth the trip.

Hi, Jennaband, Glad the information I got was helpful to you. Isn't this website GREAT??? I still think I am able to eat WAY too much---like 2 cups---before I feel full. I go back to the doctor Friday and I'm hoping they'll say it needs a fill and I can start losing again. I DO feel better, though, from eating such a healthy diet with all the Protein. But I'd sure like to see that scale start moving again! From what everyone has said, though, the fills will do just that, so I'm trying my best to be patient. Good luck to you and keep me/us posted!

Welcome, Seanmama! I live in Weatherford, Texas.....about 15 miles West of Ft. Worth. I also have United Healthcare. From all the stories I hear, they are one of the BEST to approve the Lap Band surgery. I didn't have any problems, anyway. I DID have to pay for the upfront psych evaluation as well as the dietician's fee for a year, but the total out-of-pocket is only about $1000, compared to having the pay cash for the whole thing, so I'm happy! Who is doing your surgery? Mine was done at Harris Methodist Northwest (in Azle) by Dr. Adam Smith. He had the surgery done himself and has lost about 100 pounds. I lost 17.4 pounds the first week!!! But then things slowed down, obviously, and I've leveled off. I'm only two weeks post-band. With all liquids the first week, the weight really comes off. But then once you start eating "real" food, your body will level off in the loss. But with this GREAT website, I've learned that it WILL come off more once I get a fill or two. Keep reading and reading on this website and you'll learn more than any doctor can tell you. These are people with experience and they have lots of stories/experiences to share. I know it's made ME feel lots better! Good luck with insurance and your surgery. I felt a bit yucky the first week, but now feel better than EVER! Already more energy!! Keep us posted on everything......

Bandluvr, What part of Texas are you from? I'm from Weatherford, just a bit west of Ft. Worth. It's just SOOOO hot out I really don't enjoy walking....Guess I'll find a cool mall somewhere and try it there!

Beth, My wife had this done when she was having stomach trouble, which did turn out to be an ulcer. She finished the procedure and went out to lunch!!! Very simple and pain-free. The worst part, she said, is that she had to gargle with something that numbs your throat a bit and it tasted like "potting soil"!!! You are under anesthesia, but it is called "conscious sedation" and Versed is used. That way you have NO clue what is going on, but can respond to commands, such as "turn on your side", etc. She remembers NOTHING, so don't worry! She really and truly went out to lunch after she woke up, but someone else did have to drive. Best of luck to you and I'm sure you'll do fine. The long name they give this procedure is indeed the scariest part!!

Hi, Tanna, My wife and I live in Weatherford, which is about 15 miles West of Ft. Worth. I was banded on July 17th by Dr. Adam Smith. I lost a LOT (17.4 pounds!) the first week while on liquids, but things have slowed down now, as expected. I have my 2nd doctor's appointment on August 8th and we'll see how things are going. Let me know how things are going for you!

I think I'm really grateful.......that I wasn't on Leo's flight!!!!

Did either of you have to do a LOOOONG psychological test prior to being approved? Did United Healthcare pay for that? They would not pay for that for me, nor for the dietician appointments. Please let me know if they approved those things for you. If so, I will definitely contact them to see if I can get money back. I've spent about $1000 out of pocket so far and would LOVE to recover some of it!

How soon after the surgery should/can you start exercising? I work as a medical courier and am in and out of my van all day going into and out of hospitals and doctors offices. So I do get some exercise with that, but would you suggest more? Anything in particular? What has worked best for some of you post-bandsters out there?

Leo and Tangerine.....Thank you both SO much for the tips and words of encouragement. It all makes perfect sense. One question for Leo......what is a "PB"?? I think I get the gist of it, just don't know what the initials actually stand for!! Is the 1/2 cup rule forever? There are some days 1/2 cup just is NOT filling me up! And I am eating Protein. Do you sprinkle some type of protein supplement on your food? I feel like I can easily eat a cup sometimes, but should I force myself to eat just 1/2? I am only two weeks post-band, and it worries me a bit that I am able to eat that much already. My Dr. said my band was VERY tight after surgery, but I think things have already loosened up a bit!! Thanks for all your help!!!

Alexandra, Thank you! I feel SO much better! I do NOW remember someone saying not to watch the scales as much at first, so I'll heed that advice now that you've reinforced it. Guess I'll let my body get used to this new way of life and let things happen naturally. With such an incredible decrease in calories, I'm BOUND to lose. I just got over-excited at the week one weigh-in, I guess! I know, I know.......patience is a virtue!!! I'm just SO anxious to start noticing baggy clothes and increased energy!! Thanks for your help!! This website is such a blessing to everyone who is thinking about being banded or has already done so and wants to share and/or learn!!

Hi--I had a GREAT loss my first week after banding....17.4 pounds!! Of course I went from probably 3000 calories a day to 300 calories a day with protein supplement. My first week was 100% liquid. Now that I've almost finished my 2nd week and am eating "mushies" for the most part, I've gained a pound back! I am truly eating SOOOO much less than pre-banding that this just doesn't make sense. Do you think it is because my metabolism came to a screeching halt after only getting fluids for a week and it will take awhile to jump-start it again? I am only weighing myself once a week, but today was VERY bummed! I feel good and clothes already feel a tad looser, but that scale frustrated the you-know-what out of me!!! Will things level out after awhile? Appreciate any comments, suggestions or better yet, experiences with the same thing!!

I did speak with my doctor about the Wellbutrin. He said I could cut it in half for about a week, then hopefully will be able to swallow it whole again. I did try something else for depression but had BAD side effects, so I guess I'll stick with the Wellbutrin. So far swallowing half at a time has worked okay. Not the BEST solution, but it'll do for now!

I did not have to pay upfront at the hospital. Actually, I haven't had to give them a dime yet nor have I received any type of bill! My insurance is United Healthcare, which I'm told is one of the best for covering this surgery. I had to pay out-of-pocket for the psych exam pre-surgery as well as the dietician. Hopefully I'll get the money back for the psych, but looks like I'll have to pay the dietician. I'll end up spending about $1000 if I do NOT get any money back. This will include a year with regular appointments with the dietician, so the money I had to spend for that will hopefully be well spent! Compared to what people who are NOT being covered by insurance, $1000 is a small price to pay to get my life back! Dr. Smith has regularly scheduled seminars he gives on the LapBand surgery at Ft. Worth sites as well as Azle. Might be worth attending one of those if anyone has specific questions for him.

I agree with Wednesday that it almost seems dishonest to tell another heavy person "diet and exercise" rather than explain what I REALLY did. It just makes them feel more hopeless that someone ELSE could do it with diet and exercise, but they keep failing doing that. So...I do what some others have said....Tell the ones who really might benefit from hearing about the Band about my surgery and tell the others I've just cut WAAAAY back on portion size as well as eat slower, chew more, etc. Saves time with some while I am able to perhaps help others by going into the honest details!

Another note on women's clothes from my wife: She claims that whenever a clothing manufacturer sees UGLY fabric they say "Hey! Let's make FAT clothes with that!" This is my WIFE speaking, so please don't anyone be offended....She is trying to lose weight with me. Just wondered if any other women who are buying the "W" clothes noticed that there are some, er, interesting patterns out there that do NOT seem to compliment ANYONE'S figure whether they're a size 4 or 24!!! Here's to vertical stripes for everyone!!!!!!! :laugh

I had my surgery on Thursday and had to stay in the hospital an extra day due to nausea from the anesthesia, but was STILL back at work on Monday. A bit sore around the port site and a little tired, but generally pretty good. Everyone is different, tho. If you DO go back, just be sure to stay hydrated if you go outside much! My job requires me to be outside some, and with all the sweating, I had to be sure to sip, sip, sip all day.

I had my LapBand done in Azle, Texas, which is just Northwest of Ft. Worth. It was done by Dr. Adam Smith, who has had the surgery done himself and has lost around 100 pounds!! My insurance totally covered it, too!! I previously checked out "thenewyou", but that was mostly in Plano and Azle is MUCH closer for me. Lost 17.4 pounds the first week after my surgery and already feeling better!!! P.S. Dr. Smith's office is within University of North Texas Health Science Center's buildings on the corner of Montgomery and Camp Bowie in Ft. Worth.

Yes, I remember Lortab well!!!!! Better living through chemistry in times such as that, right??? Hope my username doesn't bring back too many bad memories!!!

I've heard a few people mention that chili really goes down well and fills you up. Is there any particular recipe or brand name that anyone could recommend? With beans or not? Do you add water to make it a bit runnier? I only had my band inserted last week, but I'm already wanting something more substantial than SlimFast, jello and yogurt! Any suggestions?? Thanks!

Thanks for the help!! Glad to know I can most likely keep taking Wellbutrin. Here goes nothing.....gulp!!

Have you reported this to your doctor? What did he/she say? Do you still have your gallbladder? It almost sounds like symptoms of gallbladder problems, so it would definitely be worth checking out if the pains continue! Better safe than sorry, right?? And if your LapBand doc doesn't seem too concerned but the pain continues, then by all means, see your family practice doctor for a 2nd opinion! My wife has worked in the medical profession for 20 years and she's seen many cases where one doctor dismisses the pain as "nothing" and another finds the problem and is able to fix it. Good luck to you!

I'm having trouble taking the liquid Vioxx that was prescribed for my anti-inflammatory post-surgery. It's giving me quite an upset stomach and is going right through me, if you know what I mean!! I also took Wellbutrin prior to surgery, but it is NOT recommended that it be crushed or cut, which I MUST do now that I'm freshly banded. Does anyone else out there have any recommendations? Anyone who used to take Wellbutrin that might know of a substitute since it doesn't come in liquid form? I got a new one (lexapro) from my doctor, but it REALLY made my stomach upset! I know my doctor will prescribe something from me, but I like to hear from people who have experienced it themselves.