KassieRose

Thanks!

I had my surgery at about 11am yesterday morning (was supposed to be at 9:15 but the doctor was running late). I had to stay the night but I just did barium swallow about an hour ago and now I have to wait until lunch so that they can make sure that I can eat and then I should get to go home! Thaks for the support everyone! And thank goodness I haven't felt much pain at all!

Thanks everyone!

Boy, time sure did fly! I submitted to insurance on 1/18 and was approved 1/20. Surgery is tomorrow at 9:15am! I have to stay the night because my doctor requires it, so what did you guys pack to make the time go faster? Books? Cards? Computer? Any advice on what to expect right before and right after surgery? I'm so excited!

These are all such "great" things, guys! I think that putting these out there is a great motivation for everyone to see what they want to change with the lapband. And I agree, kids are very honest! But sometimes it works out to be the best. My five year old cousin Macy is the sweetest little girl in the world. She loves to just climb up in your lap and say nice things to you. She tells me all the time "You are so smart. You are so beautiful. I just love you." It melts my heart! Kids are often such self esteem boosters! ; )

JustDoIt130 - Thanks for the tips for NSV's! I'm going to have to put that in my notebook that I started! Everyone is doing so great, it's so awesome to see how well you all are doing! : )

Wow, I didn't expect to get so many responses to this post! Everything you guys have said about the "sick and tired" is so true! I can't wait to be like some of you and say that these are things of the past. And yes, I am sort of in the KC area, I live about an hour away from KC in Ottawa. So excited for everyone!

Hey all! I am due to be banded on the 20th of this month (so excited! I'm 19, 5'9 and 340 pounds) and I am trying to get more involved in lapband communities such as this one as well as going to support group meetings. I thought that this would be a fun little topic for us to all share what we are "sick and tired" of when it comes to our weight/size. Even if it's just one thing, I'm sure we would all be interested in hearing what it is that you are excited to see change when you lose your weight! And those who have been banded, tell us newbie's what went away for you! ; ) - I'm sick and tired of having to ask for a seatbelt extension every time I travel on an airplane (often) - I'm sick and tired of not being able to steal my mom's cute clothes out of her closet because she is like a million sizes smaller - I'm sick and tired of people asking me why I eat too much - I'm sick and tired of wearing my pants over my fat and not at my waist where they belong - I'm sick and tired of not being able to wear pants with buttons anymore. Hello stretchy jeans... - I'm sick and tired of not being able to get a massage from our masseuse because I don't want to get (basically) naked - I'm sick and tired of dodging out or faking sick when it's time to take pictures/family pictures - I'm sick and tired of thinking about food all of the time. I need to break this hold that food has on me! - I'm sick and tired of not being able to work out like I want to because I can't do it for more than twenty minutes at a time - I'm sick and tired of being judged for how I look - I'm sick and tired of not being able to ride on most rides at World's of Fun because I can't buckle or fully secure the bar - I'm sick and tired of not having more cute clothes to choose from - I'm sick and tired of thinking that I might not be able to have kids because my biggest goal in live is to be a teacher and a mom And dang it, I'm sick and tired of all of this weight! I need help, so I went off and dove into the great unknown of WLS, hoping for the best. My AMAZING insurance (BCBS of Kansas) covers all but my deductible for the year, so I am thankful for that. But who would have thought that ten months after I first questioned my doctor about the surgery that I would have a scheduled date. Not me! My insurance approved me on a Thursday when I sent for it on TUESDAY! Two days! But anyways, enough with my ranting!

They say that you get too much air when you are drinking out of a straw and that can cause problems with your band. My doctor says you don't HAVE to cut out straws but it is suggested. If you do, you should wait until you are back on "regular" food before going back to straws so that it will serve it's intended purpose of not getting too much air into your stomach.

Blech, I can't have anything other than the shakes : ( poo. But hey, I asked for it when I decided to have the surgery! We only have one more week! I'm in Olathe, Kansas by Dr. Opie. He's had a lot of success with his patients and he offers a lot of good post op support so I'm hoping for the best, though I am his youngest patient! Keep in touch and let me know how your surgery goes! : )

Very cool, where are you being banded at? And my doctor told me that I could add a little sugar free chocolate or strawberry syrup to them and I've found that helps a bit.

I am having my surgery on the 20th and I have been on my pre-op diet since the 6th. It's five protein shakes (OptiFast) a day.... that's it. Pre-op diet's suck but it's going to be worth it in the end! : )

I hope you are starting to feel better Aubrey! I am 19 and being banded on the 20th of this month! : )

I am not sure about the fills, and you might already have your answer, but I know that if an insurance payed to have it put in, they are required by law to pay for the removal.

I have fibrmyalgia as well as PCOS and my doctor says that neither of these should impact it : )

Thanks everyone! Tomorrow will be day three of my Optifast diet. I'm already sick of the flavor, though it isn't too bad! They told me I could mix in some sugar free flavors (chocolate syrup, maple syrup) so I tried out the chocolate syrup on my last shake tonight and it helps a lot! : )

Thanks for the support everyone! I'm going out to a Thai food restaurant on Sunday to have my last "normal meal" because I start the Optifast on Monday! : )

I'm in Kansas, surgery is 9,500. With BCBS insurance I pay 740.

Thanks Holly, you are looking amazing! I know everyone is different but if you don't mind me asking, how long did it take you to shed your 82 pounds so far?

Hello everyone! I just wanted to share my (soon to be) experience. I'm so excited! I'm 19 years old and I have been overweight since I was about 12 years old. I have tried many diet plans as well as my parents shelling out $5,000 to send me to weightloss camp for the summer when I was 14. NOTHING worked. Then about four years ago my father had the lapband surgery and did pretty darn well for himself! I began my journey to lapband on May 18th, 2011 which was the day I turned 18. After a lot of effort and money invested I was approved for the lapband surgery on January 26th, 2012! AHHH! It only took TWO DAYS for my insurance company to say yes, and all we pay out of pocket is $740! -big shout out to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City!- Anyways, my current height is 5'9'' and I weigh 330 pounds. My hope is to get to 170 eventually but I am just glad that I can now have the help of the lapband, which I refer to as my "personal assistant!" I start the Optifast on Monday (2/6) and I go in for surgery on Monday (2/20). I am so glad that they got me in as fast as they did and I am beyond excited to begin this life changing journey! I know that it is a lot of hard work but I am sick and tired of being obese! I am sick of the potential for health problems (which, thank the Lord, I haven't experienced yet) and dang it I am sick of having to ask for a seatbelt extension on an airplane! ; ) I have and will continue to have amazing support from my family and friends as I head off on this journey. I think this place will be a great "go to" for me to discuss any potential issues or get questions answered right from "the source!" I hope everyone is having a great 2012 so far because I know this will be the best year of my life! - Kassie

Hey so I'm new here. I have a question about insurance coverage. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. I'm 19 years old, 5'9'' and 340 pounds. Pretty healthy. My BMI obviously higher than 40. Can anyone tell me what they think my chances are of getting the lapband covered by my insurance? Thanks!