KassieRose

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?

I'm being banded on the 20th!

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!