AmandaBelle75

They submitted my paperwork to the insurance on Tuesday afternoon and I received a call at 11:30 Wednesday morning saying I was approved.

I have finally received all of my EOB's from the insurance company and here is the breakdown of expenses:
Physician (Consult & Pre-op 2 appts) - Total billed $346 & insurance paid $81.25 and I have $70 in copays.
Nutritional counseling (4 appts) - Total billed $405 and insurance allowed and paid $324.
Psychiatry Eval (2 appts) - Total billed $200 and insurance allowed $103 & paid $78 and I have $50 in copays.
Anesthesia - $2,875 billed and insurance allowed and paid $646.40.
Surgeons fees - $2,211 billed and insurance allowed $1,189 and paid $1,039 & I have a $150 surgical copay.
Hospital fees - $23,584.60 billed and insurance allowed $2,029 and paid $1,954 and I have a $75 copay.
I have Federal BCBS Basic plan. My total out of pocket costs to date have been $345. I feel very blessed and fortunate.
~Amanda

I have finally received all of my EOB's from the insurance company and here is the breakdown of expenses:
Physician (Consult & Pre-op 2 appts) - Total billed $346 & insurance paid $81.25 and I have $70 in copays.
Nutritional counseling (4 appts) - Total billed $405 and insurance allowed and paid $324.
Psychiatry Eval (2 appts) - Total billed $200 and insurance allowed $103 & paid $78 and I have $50 in copays.
Anesthesia - $2,875 billed and insurance allowed and paid $646.40.
Surgeons fees - $2,211 billed and insurance allowed $1,189 and paid $1,039 & I have a $150 surgical copay.
Hospital fees - $23,584.60 billed and insurance allowed $2,029 and paid $1,954 and I have a $75 copay.
I have Federal BCBS Basic plan. My total out of pocket costs to date have been $345. I feel very blessed and fortunate.
~Amanda

I have finally received all of my EOB's from the insurance company and here is the breakdown of expenses:
Physician (Consult & Pre-op 2 appts) - Total billed $346 & insurance paid $81.25 and I have $70 in copays.
Nutritional counseling (4 appts) - Total billed $405 and insurance allowed and paid $324.
Psychiatry Eval (2 appts) - Total billed $200 and insurance allowed $103 & paid $78 and I have $50 in copays.
Anesthesia - $2,875 billed and insurance allowed and paid $646.40.
Surgeons fees - $2,211 billed and insurance allowed $1,189 and paid $1,039 & I have a $150 surgical copay.
Hospital fees - $23,584.60 billed and insurance allowed $2,029 and paid $1,954 and I have a $75 copay.
I have Federal BCBS Basic plan. My total out of pocket costs to date have been $345. I feel very blessed and fortunate.
~Amanda

I have finally received all of my EOB's from the insurance company and here is the breakdown of expenses:
Physician (Consult & Pre-op 2 appts) - Total billed $346 & insurance paid $81.25 and I have $70 in copays.
Nutritional counseling (4 appts) - Total billed $405 and insurance allowed and paid $324.
Psychiatry Eval (2 appts) - Total billed $200 and insurance allowed $103 & paid $78 and I have $50 in copays.
Anesthesia - $2,875 billed and insurance allowed and paid $646.40.
Surgeons fees - $2,211 billed and insurance allowed $1,189 and paid $1,039 & I have a $150 surgical copay.
Hospital fees - $23,584.60 billed and insurance allowed $2,029 and paid $1,954 and I have a $75 copay.
I have Federal BCBS Basic plan. My total out of pocket costs to date have been $345. I feel very blessed and fortunate.
~Amanda

I have finally received all of my EOB's from the insurance company and here is the breakdown of expenses:
Physician (Consult & Pre-op 2 appts) - Total billed $346 & insurance paid $81.25 and I have $70 in copays.
Nutritional counseling (4 appts) - Total billed $405 and insurance allowed and paid $324.
Psychiatry Eval (2 appts) - Total billed $200 and insurance allowed $103 & paid $78 and I have $50 in copays.
Anesthesia - $2,875 billed and insurance allowed and paid $646.40.
Surgeons fees - $2,211 billed and insurance allowed $1,189 and paid $1,039 & I have a $150 surgical copay.
Hospital fees - $23,584.60 billed and insurance allowed $2,029 and paid $1,954 and I have a $75 copay.
I have Federal BCBS Basic plan. My total out of pocket costs to date have been $345. I feel very blessed and fortunate.
~Amanda

Congrats!!! I am 18 days post op and feeling great!

I went for my two week post op appointment today and I have lost 17 pounds in the last 24 days. Both my doctor and I were pretty happy with those numbers. I go for my first fill June 5th. Super exciting! I feel pretty great, just a little twinge of pain around my port every once in a while.
~Amanda

Yay! My surgeon's office submitted my information to my insurance yesterday afternoon and called me at 11:30 this morning saying they received the approval. My surgery is scheduled for April 30th. I'm so excited!

So... I have found that the old saying is true... you must EAT to LOSE. I was banded back on March 15th and got my first fill about 2.5 weeks ago. Even though I do not have much restriction still, I have been eating like I do. I was only taking in about 800-900 calories a day.....BUT I WAS LOSING NOTHING!! I figured I would TRY uping my calorie intake to see if that would help. I could not beleive the difference!!! I am now eating about 1100-1200 calories a day and I dropping weight like crazy AND im not hungry all day long. I guess I just had to see it to beleive it!
What I learned: Don't be afraid to eat, just make the right choices when you do

I wish I could say I was, but I have a few more appts. to get to. I am hoping in 2 weeks I get a date for y surgery. Good luck on the 30th, its not long now!

Thank you!

I'm on day 5 and honestly it has gotten so much easier its become more routine I don't really feel hungry anymore and no more light headedness. The first 2 days I wanted to hurt someone lol but I haven't cheated

Thanks! I like to be honest about it because that's what I would have wanted going into this. But it does get easier. All I've had today was broth, sugar free Jello, and Water and I feel completely satisfied. Good luck with your surgery, you will do great!

I'm going to be completely honest about how I was.. I struggled so hard with the liquid pre-op diet. I cheated for the first few days, and I felt extremely guilty everytime I did it. I mean, I'm big and have been big my whole life and have always eaten a certain way so when I was deprived of having the certain foods I was used to having I failed big time. A few days before the surgery I went to the surgery center to pay my costs and sign papers. They weighed me because they needed a final accurate weight and I had gained nearly 20 lbs since my consultation which put me over a 55 BMI. They said I would need to lose 3 lbs before surgery (which was in 4 days) or I wouldn't be able to have the surgery. I cried when I got home because I new I had done it to myself and possibly had ruined my chance to have the surgery. I got right back on track with those protein shakes and even exercised (something that I hadn't done in years). On surgery day I was extremely nervous because I was expecting to be told to go home, but to my surprise I had lost 11 pounds just in those 4 days. I was ECSTATIC because I knew I did that for myself and it was a lot easier than it had ever been because I knew I HAD to do it. I had surgery on the 16th and everything is going great. I've been on a clear liquid diet since then and it's been quite easy and I've been losing weight steadily. On Monday I get to have yogurt, pudding, carnation instant breakfast, etc. I don't get to have things like eggs until the week after, but right now I don't feel deprived or hungry and know I can totally do this!
Well, there was my story. I completely admit to cheating on my pre-op diet for a few days and it's something I feel guilty for and it almost bit me in the butt. But I got back on track and loving it now. The pre-op diet was way harder than the diet after being banded. Hang in there because it's very rewarding afterwards! Good Luck! (and sorry about how long this was)

First and foremost, this is not written to offend anyone or upset anyone. I log in daily every morning for motivation. I understand that not everyone is a complete success with the lap band. However, I believe that if they look deep inside and evaluate the situation, they will see that the majority of the time the fault lies within. Of course there will be some where the band simply didn't work, but I believe that is the first excuse people throw when they don't see the weight coming off and staying off as they hope for. We all are different and will all lose weight at different speeds. I'm 17 months post op and have been a slow but steady loser. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't want it lose it very fast. But for me, slow and steady seems to be the way my body and the band are working and I'm good with that. Every pound lost is one pound the right direction. However, for the people who say that they hate it...that their doctor lied to them... that they want it taken out and gone...can you do it without it?? If so, why in the world did you get it in the first place? From my experience, this is so much more of a mental journey than a physical one. If you absolutely hate your band and wish you have never done the surgery, that is your decision and I will respect that. However, I just don't want to continually read over and over again that the band failed someone. It is a simple medical device, that is all.

I'm a nurse, too. I'm hoping to have my surgery by June/July. There sure are a lot of us. Too busy taking care of everyone but ourselves.

I am a family nurse practitioner- I have my psych appt today and will hopefully get to see the surgeon soon and be banded sometime in May or June. We should start a group called "Obese Healthcare Providers Who Know Way Too Much"

The first 3 days are the worst part of it...so if you can just get through that, the rest will be a breeze. You will be surprised at how those drinks actually satisfy you. You won't really be terribly hungry. You might want to eat just because it's a habit, but if you think about it, you'll realize that you really aren't hungry.
I suggest spacing the protein drinks out and trying to get on a schedule, drink them at the same time every day. In between shakes, make sure you are getting enough water. Drink, drink, drink.
I made a game out of drinking water. i would try to get in 32 oz before noon and then another 32 oz between 1 and 5. it doesn't sound hard, but it can be. so drink your shake, try to get some water in before the next shake. Make some jello just to have on hand in case you feel like chewing something. it won't fill you up, but it will give your mouth something to do and it's zero calories! You'll be able to do this with no problems...you can do it! good luck on your journey.

Thank you I was also told to get the chewable vitamins as well and will do I do take the pill form now and will probable just continue them until the surgery date since I can swallow them still. I too am looking towards the future and all the possibilities it will open!. I will be your support as well if you need!

I start my liquid diet tomorrow morning. I'm trying to keep a positive outlook on it and not think about what I'm missing out on and look at everything I am going to gain. I will be taking a chewable vitamin from Optisource. My nutrition recommended it and it's for post bariatric surgery. I bought it at Walgreens. Hopefully that helps somewhat. I'm sure it will be a rough 10 days but I am determined not to cheat. I will take a nap, watch a movie, write down what I'm looking forward to and remind myself it's only 10 days and I can do anything for 10 days. My future life depends on it. I wish you the best of luck! If you need moral support send me a message and I will cheer you on!
~Amanda

I am going to start my pre op diet on April 28th and am really excited about my surgery date of may 8th although I am also nervous. I am worried about getting enough in so I still have the energy to function through my day while on the liquid part of the journey. I would appreciate any help!
I am 47 years old I am 5'6" and weight 260lbs I have sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high chloresterol I am glad to be getting myself healthy again!

I am 2 days shy of my 1 year anniversary, and I've lost a total of 92 lbs. Although it isn't the 100 I hoped, for 92 is pretty dang good and feels even better. I had some issues along the way. A fill that was too tight and I didn't say anything which lead to vomiting, which lead to a slip. That has all resolved and I am doing pretty dang well. The weight loss has slowed a bit, but my band is a tad loose and I'm ok with that. I don't have to be tortured over what I eat and if I want a half a piece of toast or some milk, I can do that with where my band is at today. The exercise is great. I can not believe how good of shape I am in. I plan on hiking Mt. Elbert this summer. I'm flying through clothes and there isn't a day someone doesn't comment on how good I look. And I feel good. Best decision I have ever made. Here if anyone has questions for their first year. Love my band.

Good Luck Amanda! How exciting to get one step closer to your surgery! I am not scheduled until June, so I will be looking forward to hearing about your journey. I'm sure you will make it through your liquid stage just fine :-)

Hello fellow Banders,
I am celebrating my 2-week post-op mark today! Honestly, it feels like more than that. I am down a total of 25 pounds since my surgery date weigh-in. I am actually having to wear a belt with everything because I'd be sagging like no tomorrow if I didn't.
I have been eating good and getting around so much better this second week. I am returning to work on Friday. It will be nice to get back in the routine.
Cheers and God Bless everyone,
Jason "The Nightshift Nurse"
St. Louis, MO