DustyRider

Ok, so I am new to this forum. My name is Tricia and I was banded at St Vincents Trussville AL on Nov 22, 2011. I quickly lost 50lbs and the loss slowed down to a stand still. I was ok with that for a while and went to have them put more Fluid in my band. I went from a 7.5cc to a 9.5 cc over a few months. I got the restriction I needed, but over time developed the horrid complication of nausea and vomiting just about everything including Water. Went back to their office, ( I live 50+ miles away), had a barium swallow and endoscopy which were both inconclusive. Had all fluid removed and basically was told my system needed a break and to reboot. I (and I know this is my fault for non restraint!) quickly gained back those 50 lbs plus a few friends. While all of this was going on, I lost the job with the bariatric coverage and now have only my spouse insurance which has no bariatric. Fast forward to early this year, had fluid put back in again and finally got an appointment where I saw the MD and not the nurse practitioner for the first time since surgery in 2011. He recommended starting over and bumped me up to 7.5cc. I explained to him that I am extremely frustrated with the band and the lack of patient care I have received from him personally since my surgery, and that I would like to explore the option of getting this band out and having the sleeve done. He said that he was sorry and basically since I no longer have bariatric coverage I am out of luck. I have gone to a seminar for a bariatric MD in Huntsville, but he wants $500 up front with no guarantee that he will even take me on as a patient! SO - here I am needing to start all over on my journey - almost 3 years out. I am disgusted and frustrated. Is there anyone here who has had a similar experience and been able to make the band work? I have pain that radiates up into my left shoulder almost every time I eat anything tougher than the consistency of an egg. Because of this I end up either not eating or eating "slider" type foods that I know are no good. Sometimes I wish I had never done this surgery!

I'm assuming you mean Birmingham in England? If you mean Birmingham in Alabama (USA), check out AWLS - Dr Lee Schmitt at St Vincent's East.

How long before the MD gave you your first fill? I had surgery on Nov 22, and will not get a fill until January 9. I have started regular food, mostly soft. I am finding that I am not satisfied with the 1/2 to 3/4 cup that they want me to eat. I don't think I can make it through another month without regaining everything that I have lost. I had lost 16 lbs, but have gained back 3. I'm just really frustrated right now.

I'm pretty excited this morning and only a teeny bit nervous. Sort of feels like I'm standing on the edge of a high cliff contemplating jumping off to fly or sticking to the ground that I know so well. But let me tell you, I want to FLY! I just wanted to pop by here and tell those of you who are currently jumping through the insurance hoops to be strong. Stay on your path because you CAN make it, as frustrating as it may be at times. Find a Surgeon's office with a GREAT staff and they will help you along the way and make it so much easier for you. The staff at Dr Schmitt's office helped me SO much with getting all the paperwork and testing done. See y'all on the other side!

Hope your pain is much improved today!

I was on Nov 22nd. Sent a request on fb

I was also banded on the 22nd. My pain is in getting out of recliner or bed. I am able to walk to the mailbox and back with no real pain, just slightly out of breath (as before). I passed my gas the 'natural' way and had a lot of burping yesterday. So far so good with my surgery, I feel like I'm ahead of the game in my healing and getting back to normal.

I was also banded on 11/22. The area where I believe my port to be (still swollen so hard to tell for sure) is the area that gives me the most pain. Like you, I only hurt when moving around, otherwise I am fine. I have 5 incisions. Did the hospital give you the breathing gadget to use to measure your deep breathing? I used mine the first day and all day yesterday and today I can feel a 100% improvement on how deep I can breathe without pain. I would say that you need to practice deep breathing as much as you can. If you're still in pain tomorrow, call the doctor office just to make sure.

I'm on my 3rd day with my band - still clear liquids for me. I did cheat a slight bit and make some butternut squash soup and strained it through some coffee filters to drink. Felt like I had my own little thanksgiving dinner here at home alone while my family is out celebrating with the extended family. It went down just fine and made me feel a lot better about missing out on the feast. I'm still too sore to ride all the way to the family gathering is why I'm at home alone. (Watching Dexter on showtime)

I was banded two days ago. Have been on clear liquids, and am slowly introducing a bit of other liquids today. I took some watermelon and apple juice and blended it for about 2 minutes. Poured through a strainer and let sit for about 10 minutes. Skimmed off all the 'thickness' that I could get out and am drinking it now. I found that it took MUCH less of this to help me hit full than just clear liquids.

I had my surgery yesterday and I have been burping a LOT. Usually when I move around or shift positions, a huge man burp will come out. I'm hoping that this continues instead of getting the blocked gas, I've had that before with my hysterectomy and it was bad.

Things went just fine, other than a delay in time. Evidently the first surgery of the day had some complications. But I came through it perfectly fine. Thanks all for your words of encouragement. I wrote out a detailed 'report' of sorts on my blog if you would like to read. Tricia

Hello all, I am new here and found this site after doing a search for someone who can give me some answers. I have completed my 6 month MD monitored diet and have almost all paperwork in hand to submit to BCBS of Alabama to hopefully get approved. I only lack the Medical Clearance letter from my GP (and that's a whole 'nother story for later.) I hope to have that letter in hand on Monday. My questions are these: 1. How long does it usually take the insurance company to make a decision? 2. What are reasons that they may reject me? 3. Should I personally call BCBS and speak with a representative before the paperwork goes in? 4. Any other advice to help my case with them?? The surgeon has set a tentative date of Nov 22 for my surgery - they believe that my approval will fly right through because of my co-morbidities. (sleep apnea - uncontrolled high blood pressure - etc) I am just VERY nervous that all this work and what I've gone through for the last 7 months will be for naught if they reject my claim.

I am SO happy and excited! My surgeon's office ROCKS! First try with BCBS and it's done. Pre-op visit is Friday and surgery is next Tuesday Nov 22nd!!

Started my 1 week pre-op liquid diet this morning. I made a strawberry Protein Shake for Breakfast and it was like a treat. But here it is almost 3 hours later and my stomach is growling. I get it that the liquids will slide right through the digestive tract, but wasn't expecting to be hungry so quickly with the addition of Protein Powder to the shake. What do/did ya'll do to help with the hunger? Right now I'm sipping on some Gatorade zero, and I am pretty sure that drinking all this 'sweet' tasting stuff will get old quite quickly, and I'll need something a bit more savory or hearty.

Those aren't wrinkles - they are CHARACTER lines earned from living life!

Just finished mine last week. My GP had me seeing a nutritionist and she basically was working on me getting a good balance of food. Lowering the fat/fried, cut out sugar and processed foods. Replace all that with 'whole' foods. It was tough, because I am on the bubble of insurance requirements and if I lost over 15 lbs, no insurance pay! It's over now though, and she did teach me a lot of stuff that I certainly plan to use post op. Good luck!

Got my Medical Clearance letter today and the surgeon's insurance girl sent it all off. Keep your fingers crossed for me! The insurance girl did send an email to me saying to expect to receive 2 letters from BCBS this week, the first a denial and second an approval.

Got my Medical Clearance letter today and the surgeon's insurance girl sent it all off. Keep your fingers crossed for me! The insurance girl did send an email to me saying to expect to receive 2 letters from BCBS this week, the first a denial and second an approval.

I'm sort of in the same boat. I just finished the 6 month pre band diet with my GP, and all my paperwork was sent off today to BCBS. My husband and children are very supportive. BUT, I have felt like I had to Justify my reasons to everyone else! I finally quit telling people because, hey it's MY body and I'm tired of toting around 100+ lbs of excess. People who don't have a weight problem will never be able to understand what it does not only to your health, but also to the psyche of the overweight person. As far as the risks go, I have found one of the best surgeons in my state and the surgery will be performed at at Center for Excellence. I've minimized the risk as much as possible. I hate to think of the alternative risk I would take if I do not do this surgery, just last week, my BP shot up to 205/174!! I am terrified that if I don't do something drastic soon, a stroke or worse is in my future.

Thank you both for your replies, I'll keep you posted!

Hello all, I am new here and found this site after doing a search for someone who can give me some answers. I have completed my 6 month MD monitored diet and have almost all paperwork in hand to submit to BCBS of Alabama to hopefully get approved. I only lack the Medical Clearance letter from my GP (and that's a whole 'nother story for later.) I hope to have that letter in hand on Monday. My weight history is well documented, I had the psych evaluation, and completed all the nutrition classes and support group meetings as required....My questions are these: 1. How long does it usually take the insurance company to make a decision? 2. What are reasons that they may reject me? 3. Should I personally call BCBS and speak with a representative before the paperwork goes in? 4. Any other advice to help my case with them?? The surgeon has set a tentative date of Nov 22 for my surgery (yes we are really pushing it!) - they believe that my approval will fly right through because of my multiple co-morbidities. (sleep apnea - uncontrolled high blood pressure - borderline diabetic - etc) I am just VERY nervous that all this work and what I've gone through for the last 7 months will be for naught if they reject my claim.